HONG KONG & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Get ready to spread holiday cheer and share the festive spirit this Christmas season! Through January 1, 2025, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will host city-wide celebrations including dazzling fireworks shows, Christmas markets, and its signature New Year’s Eve spectacular. This year, the marquee event Hong Kong WinterFest, features a bigger-than-ever “Christmas Town” brimming with festive magic. Christmas Town spans 10,000 square feet at Harbourside Lawn West of Art Park at West Kowloon Cultural District and is 30 percent larger than in previous years.
Being that this year’s theme is gifts, on display are a host of decorative gift boxes as well as surprises galore for revelers to capture in keepsake photos. The dazzling showstopper is a towering 65-foot-high Christmas tree which for the first time will magically transform into a giant canvas, beaming out light projections of seasonal festivities dancing across its branches spreading good tidings across the city.
Hong Kong’s night sky will light up with four Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics displays over Victoria Harbour this winter, on December 24 (Christmas Eve), December 25 (Christmas Day) and December 26, illuminating the whole city with festive cheer. WinterFest culminates in the world-renowned New Year Countdown fireworks and musical display.
Numerous holiday photo spots are spread out across Christmas Town, including a 26-foot-long train loaded with gifts, and numerous beautifully decorated Christmas trees of different sizes throughout the area. In addition to seasons greetings from Hong Kong’s iconic panda mascots dressed in festive costumes, Santa Claus makes unexpected appearances at a Christmas cottage for meet-and-greets throughout the holiday.
The West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) Launches WestK Christmas Market Adding to the Festive Atmosphere
Adding to the festivities, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) is hosting the WestK Christmas Market from December 12 to 29. The market kicked off with over 30 booths available at Harbourside Lawn – East and Harbourside Deck outside M+. Merchants offer an array of international festive culinary treats and a curated selection of Christmas gifts, providing visitors with opportunities enjoy delicious food and beverages, take photos while shopping, and select unique, often handmade items for gifting.
The Hong Kong WinterFest event website lists different celebratory activities around the city, including shopping offers and exclusive dining privileges. Members of the public can download guides to the Christmas celebrations to enjoy the season to its fullest.
2025 New Year Countdown and Chinese New Year Preview
As the world eagerly anticipates the arrival of 2025, all eyes will turn to Hong Kong for the city's iconic New Year's Eve fireworks display set to dazzle the world on December 31, 2024. Against the backdrop of the Hong Kong skyline, this annual show is a city-wide and global favorite.
This year, a spectacular show including fireworks and festive music will begin once the clock strikes midnight: themed “The Melody of Happiness,” the 12-minute celebratory show will embrace the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water, with theme music by music producer and composer Mr. Chiu Tsang Hei.
Starting at 11pm local Hong Kong time (10am EST), a pyrotechnic display will light up the sky every 15 minutes with “shooting stars” launched from the rooftops of the three iconic buildings on Hong Kong Island: Cheung Kong Centre, Harbour Centre, Harcourt House.
Those lucky enough to be in the city can take in the festivities from one of the many vantage points along the harbourfront including the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront, West Kowloon Cultural District, Wan Chai Waterfront, Central Waterfront, and the North Point Waterfront. The giant countdown clock will appear on the façade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, leading all to welcome 2025.
On January 29, 2025 Hong Kong unfolds a year brimming with good fortune and joy as the Chinese New Year begins the Year of the Snake. Celebrated with a series of interconnected festive events, which embody joy, prosperity, and togetherness, the annual Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade hosts magnificent floats, traditional and contemporary performances that highlight Hong Kong’s vibrant East meets West culture.
Members of the media can download images from the HKTB website:
Photos: https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=1747&categoryTypeId=2
