As the Year of the Rat kicks off, a new 12-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac calendar begins. In keeping with the theme of renewal, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will celebrate Chinese New Year in a brand new way with the ‘Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Carnival’. The HKTB is introducing an exhilarating four-day carnival to extend the celebration.
Title sponsored by Cathay Pacific, this year’s International Chinese New Year Carnival will run from the first day (25 January 2020) to the fourth day (28 January 2020) of the Year of the Rat. It will also be the first time that the event will be held at the West Kowloon Cultural District, Art Park.
Regarded as one of Hong Kong’s largest and most colourful festivals, this year’s event will have local and international performing groups who will join daily parades along the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade. In addition to the parades, there will be stage performances throughout the day and night and a host of family-friendly activities. Admission is free to all.
Carnival highlights:
1) Greatest number of international performing troupes in the event’s history
• 26 international teams hailing from 19 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa will take part in the parade and stage performances, with 22 of them performing in Hong Kong for the first time
2) Photo opportunities with giant installations and decorations
• Photo opportunities of characterful decorations including festive mouse cartoons and a giant inflatable caterpillar from popular children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, all against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline
3) Food and games
• A new Chinese New Year market serving delicacies including Michelin-recommended fare and fun workshops
HKTB Chairman Dr YK Pang said, “This year being the Year of the Rat, the leader of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, it is not only the beginning of a new cycle, but it also marks the staging of the 25th edition of this signature event in Chinese New Year. This provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the much-loved festival in a new way. While enjoying the Carnival, we hope the people of Hong Kong will share the festivities with their families and friends living abroad. We will certainly show to visitors from around the world with our fun, vibrant celebrations that Hong Kong remains an open and welcoming travel destination.”
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