Visiting Hong Kong During Chinese New Year 2026: A Complete Travel Guide

Why Chinese New Year Is the Best Time to Experience Hong Kong

Visiting Hong Kong during Chinese New Year in 2026 offers one of the most immersive ways to experience the city’s culture, traditions, and communal spirit. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, begins on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, marking the start of the Year of the Horse. Celebrations extend well beyond the first day and typically last at least two weeks, with the most intense activity occurring during the first five days. Hong Kong treats this holiday as its most important cultural event of the year, combining ancient customs with modern, large-scale public celebrations.

The Festive Atmosphere Across the City

The atmosphere in Hong Kong during this period is markedly different from the rest of the year. Streets, shopping centres, residential estates, and public transport hubs are decorated with red lanterns, peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and auspicious calligraphy. Red dominates the visual landscape, symbolising happiness and good fortune, while floral displays are carefully selected for their traditional meanings. Even visitors with no prior knowledge of Chinese customs will immediately sense that the city is collectively participating in a once-a-year cultural moment.

Best Time to Visit and What to Expect Each Day

The days leading up to Chinese New Year are filled with shopping, flower markets, and family preparations, while New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are the most culturally significant. Many families stay home on New Year’s Eve for reunion dinners, resulting in quieter nightlife but busy restaurants earlier in the evening. New Year’s Day brings crowds back to the streets, temples, and public events. The second and third days are traditionally dedicated to visiting relatives, while the fourth and fifth days are associated with welcoming prosperity and business fortune. By the second week, crowds thin slightly, though decorations and seasonal offerings remain until the Lantern Festival.

Signature Events and Public Celebrations

One of the most famous public events is the Chinese New Year Night Parade held in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the New Year. The parade features illuminated floats, lion and dragon dances, acrobatic performances, drumming troupes, and international acts. The parade route runs through one of Hong Kong’s most densely visited districts, and crowd density can be extreme. Visitors hoping to watch comfortably should arrive several hours early or consider booking accommodations or dining venues along the route.

Another major celebration is the Well-Wishing Festival in Tai Po’s Lam Tsuen area. This event focuses on traditional wish-making rituals, including throwing wish placards tied to oranges into designated trees. Lantern displays, folk performances, and local food stalls create a more traditional and rural contrast to the urban celebrations. Although it requires extra travel time, the festival offers a deeper look into folk traditions rarely seen in central districts.

Temple Visits and Traditional Customs

Temple visits form a core part of Chinese New Year observance in Hong Kong. Wong Tai Sin Temple is the most popular and experiences immense crowds, especially just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, when worshippers compete to be the first to light incense. Che Kung Temple is traditionally visited on the second day of the New Year, when spinning its large windmill is believed to bring good fortune. Visitors should expect queues, crowd control measures, and intense incense smoke, but these visits offer meaningful insight into local belief systems.

Flower Markets and Seasonal Street Life

Temporary flower markets are set up in the days leading up to Chinese New Year and are among the most atmospheric experiences for visitors. The largest is held in Victoria Park, operating continuously in the final days before the holiday. These markets sell flowers, ornamental plants, festive decorations, and symbolic gifts. Prices peak before New Year’s Eve and drop sharply on the final night as vendors try to sell remaining stock, creating a lively, almost carnival-like atmosphere.

Food, Dining, and New Year Specialties

Food plays a central role in Chinese New Year celebrations, and Hong Kong’s culinary scene responds with elaborate seasonal menus. While many small, family-run restaurants close briefly during the first days of the holiday, large restaurants and hotels remain open. Dishes are chosen for their symbolic meanings, with fish representing abundance, glutinous rice cakes signifying progress, and dried seafood associated with prosperity. A popular communal tradition is the prosperity toss salad, where diners stand and toss ingredients together while shouting auspicious phrases. Advance reservations are essential during this period.

Accommodation and Booking Considerations

Chinese New Year is one of Hong Kong’s busiest travel periods, leading to higher accommodation prices and limited availability. Hotels in central districts and along Victoria Harbour are particularly sought after. Booking several months in advance is strongly recommended, especially for travellers hoping to stay near parade routes or major shopping areas. Budget options exist but fill quickly, and flexibility with location can help control costs.

Transportation and Getting Around During the Holiday

Public transportation continues to operate efficiently during Chinese New Year, though usage patterns shift significantly. The MTR remains the fastest way to move around the city but becomes extremely crowded near parade routes, temples, and shopping districts. Road closures and congestion can slow taxis and buses. Some ferry services operate reduced schedules in the first few days, making advance planning important. Walking is often the most reliable way to navigate busy neighbourhoods.

Shopping, Business Hours, and Practical Planning

Large shopping malls and international retailers generally remain open throughout the holiday, often featuring festive decorations and promotions. Smaller, family-owned shops may close for several days, particularly at the start of the New Year. Visitors should not expect full business activity to resume until several days into the holiday period. Planning meals, shopping, and excursions in advance helps avoid inconvenience.

Cultural Etiquette and Visitor Awareness

Observing basic cultural etiquette enhances the experience. Wearing red or bright colours is considered auspicious, while black and white are traditionally linked to mourning. Visitors are not expected to participate in gift-giving customs unless invited, but politeness, patience, and respect for local practices are always appreciated. Following temple rules and crowd control instructions is especially important during peak periods.

Is Chinese New Year the Right Time to Visit?

Chinese New Year 2026 is an ideal time to visit Hong Kong for travellers interested in culture, tradition, and communal celebration rather than quiet sightseeing. The crowds are large, prices are higher, and schedules can be unpredictable, but the reward is seeing the city at its most symbolic and emotionally charged. For visitors prepared to plan ahead and embrace the energy, Chinese New Year offers an unforgettable window into the heart of Hong Kong life.