The celebrations can be out of the ordinary, such as a placard throwing

HONG KONG is a hub for Chinese New Year and the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade is one of the best-loved events of the entire Chinese celebration calendar.

Radiating the theme of World City, World Party, the parade features illuminated floats accompanied by spectacular international and local performing groups. There’s a carnival atmosphere as festive crowds lining the route around Tsim Sha Tsui watch the colourful parade pass by with Victoria Harbour serving as a stunning backdrop to this magical evening.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has staged the world-renowned international New Year parade since 1996 and this year there will be a parade of 13 magnificently decorated and brightly lit floats set against Victoria Harbour which features a stunning fireworks show.

There will be a range of international participants including: a themed float and performers from Thailand; cheerleaders and a choir from the United States; an all female Mikoshi group from Japan; a variety of dancers and performers from China, Japan, Korea, Peru, Taiwan and the UK plus majorettes from the Czech Republic.

Traditional dragon and lion dancers, Chinese and ballet dance troupes, costumed characters and marching bands from Hong Kong present energetic shows to delight the crowds. A huge street party along the parade route is a warm-up to the parade and roving entertainment will feature musicians, ballerinas, games and much more.

For those of you thinking of making it a truly Chinese New Year, February 3 definitely is not the cutoff date at the start of the year for the festivities will carry on until Thursday, February 17, in Hong Kong.

The fabulous floats will be on display in Lam Tsuen in Tai Po and at night will be brilliantly lit up while there will also be colourful stage performances by international performing groups in Lam Tsuen and at various hot spots around town.

In Lam Tsuen, home of the famous wishing trees (Tai Po, New Territories), you can enjoy a host of easy-going cultural activities during the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival, including a campfire party in Liannen’s Yao Minority style; a local food carnival; a wishing lanterns lighting ceremony; and an international wishing-placards-throwing competition among other fun and unusual events.