This 1st of July is a very special day for Hong Kong, the day for 20th Anniversary of Establishment of Hong Kong SAR. Hong Kong will highlight this day with a massive Hong Kong Establishment Celebration Fireworks Show.

Why is there the Hong Kong Establishment Celebration Fireworks Show?

On the very same day in 1997, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) had been returned in a special handover ceremony from the United Kingdom (U.K.) to Mainland China. In order to commemorate and celebrate this special day, besides fireworks, Hong Kong has a full set of activities and celebration every year. Since this year marks the 20th Anniversary, get ready for some spectacular ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances.

The Hong Kong fireworks show attracts not only many locals, but also many overseas visitors from around the world. Usually, Hong Kong has several times throughout the year fireworks. The most popular and well-known are the fireworks shows celebrating the Chinese New Year (CNY), Hong Kong National Day fireworks as well as the counting down the legendary Hong Kong New Year fireworks. However, the firework show on July 1, 2017 celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong Establishment Day is definitely a highlight you should not miss. In the past, the 5th, 10th and 15th Anniversary had been nothing less than spectacular. You can be assured that this year’s firework show will be undoubtedly splendid and illuminate Victoria Harbour night sky once of a kind.

2017 Chinese New Year Fireworks in Hong Kong

Watch fireworks from Hong Kong Island

2017 Chinese New Year Fireworks in Hong Kong

Fireworks Show in Hong Kong

2017 Chinese New Year Fireworks in Hong Kong

Fireworks Show in Hong Kong

When and where does the 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Establishment Celebration Fireworks start and take place?

This year’s firework display will take place on July 1, 2017 (Saturday) and starts at 8:00pm. The complete firework show will last around 23 minutes. Roughly 40,000 pyrotechnic shells will be fired in the night sky from 5 barges on Victoria Harbour in front of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

2017 Hong Kong Establishment Celebration Fireworks in Hong Kong

Fireworks Show in Hong Kong

What to expect from fireworks display – Scenes and Special Designs

The Hong Kong Establishment Celebration Fireworks will consist of eight scenes. The iconic ‘Under The Lion Rock’ song and ‘Another Day of Sun’ from the blockbuster movie La La Land will be played as well as the 20th Anniversary celebration theme song. Watch out for the number ‘20’, the Bauhinia flower as well as fiery displays of ‘China HK’ during the firework show and different scenes.

In addition, around 100 beam lights and LED display have been installed along the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre giving spectators a new 3D kind of fireworks show. It will be the most expensive firework event since 1997. The cost of the July 1 fireworks show is estimated to be around HK$ 12 million.

2017 Chinese New Year Fireworks in Hong Kong

Fireworks Show in Hong Kong

Where are the best vantage points to watch the 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Establishment Celebration Fireworks?

To get a detailed information about where to watch Hong Kong fireworks, do check out the compiled list from review “Where Are the Best Places to Enjoy Hong Kong Fireworks Show”.

Along Victoria Harbour Harbourfront (close distance)

Since the fireworks will always be launched from five barges on Victoria Harbour, the best vantage points to enjoy the spectacular 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Establishment Day Fireworks Celebration are along Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui (TST), Central, Wan Chai and of course on the water.

Best spots from Kowloon side

1. Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade (top option)
2. Waiting concourse of Star Ferry’s Harbour Tour
3. Tsim Sha Tsui The Garden of Stars
4. Hung Hom Bypass
5. West Kowloon waterfront promenade

Best spots from Hong Kong Island side

1. Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai (top option)
2. Tamar Park in Admiralty (top option)
3. Central Ferry Piers No.9 & No.10
4. Central harbourfront
5. Hong Kong Observation Wheel (closed)
6. Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter

Other hot spots for viewing Hong Kong fireworks

1. The Victoria Peak and Peak Tower
2. sky100 Obseravtion Deck
3. Rooftop bars

Check out how to get to each top spots of watching fireworks.

Hot spots like Golden Bauhinia Square, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Star Ferry Piers, Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, Tamar Park, Central waterfront will be filled up very quickly and are always very crowded. Bars and restaurants with top views, such as Ozone Bar, Aqua Bar, Sevva Bar etc, will be booked out very fast.

From harbour-view hotels rooms, bars and restaurants

In case you would like to enjoy the fireworks from the convenience of your hotel room or while enjoying dinner or glass of wine, beer or cocktail, then the hotels are very good alternatives. There are plenty of hotels along both sides of Victoria Harbour with great harbour views, from where you are able to enjoy the fireworks. Check out the best 17 hotels providing Victoria Harbour views (ranked according to distance from fireworks center).

Besides hotel rooms, don’t forget the bars and restaurants that also provide giant windows and clear vision of Victoria Harbour.

20th Anniversary Hong Kong Fireworks Cruises 2017

Looking to enjoy the Hong Kong fireworks in the most memorable way? Why not celebrate this special anniversary aboard a cruise ship or one of Hong Kong’s iconic traditional Junk boats? Sailing to the middle of Victoria Harbour and feel the stunning scenery in the closest distance. Nothing beats these views and there is no better vantage point to enjoy the spectacular fireworks.

Duk Ling Harbour Tour

Duk Ling Night Harbour Tour

There are several harbour tour operators offering the 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Establishment Day Fireworks Celebration Cruises (with or without dinner), such as the Bauhinia 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Establishment Fireworks Cruise (with Dinner buffet) or the Duk Ling 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Establishment Celebration Fireworks Cruise. There are also several travel agencies offering 1st of July Fireworks and Dinner Cruises along Victoria Harbour. Check out our related article about the different Victoria Harbour Cruises and their possible discounts as well as available offers for fireworks harbour tours.

box-info2 Did You Know

  • “Maybe you would like to enjoy the fireworks from a restaurant, hotel or on a boat in the middle of Victoria Harbour. Then make sure and book your arrangements as early as possible.”

  • “If you watch the fireworks far away from Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade, you still can enjoy the musical program by tuning in your radio or cellphone to FM 97.6 – 98.9.”

  • “Special traffic arrangements are in effect before and after the 1st of July 2017 Firework Show. This includes closure (!) of roads and MTR Exits. Be prepared for a very large crowd. We highly recommend to plan your arrival way ahead of the schedule fireworks time.”

  • “You will find many photographers with tripods waiting along Victoria Harbour. If you want to find a spot for photo shooting along Victoria Harbour be sure to be there before 5:00pm.”

box-info2 General Info and Details

  July 1st, 2017
 8:00pm (the firework show will last 23 minutes)
 Along Victoria Harbour
  Free Admission