The Hong Kong celebrates Chinese Lantern Festival with illuminating lantern displays and various lantern carnivals soon after the Chinese New Year. The Chinese Lantern Festival or the Spring Lantern Festival (元宵節) always falls on the 15th day of Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is the first full moon day of the new year and also considered as the last day of Chinese New Year celebration. Thus, the Lantern Festival celebration is the last important event of Chinese New Year.
This year, the Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival will be on the 7th to 12th of February 2025, while the 2025 Lunar New Year Thematic Lantern Display should start earlier (from Jan 23rd, 2025).
Different with the Mid-Autumn Day Lantern Carnival and Display, the Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival and Display will usually feature more elements around CNY, wishing for a good start of the year.
Major events of 2025 Chinese Lantern Festival celebrations
If you would like to enjoy other 2025 Chinese New Year celebrations, such as Lunar New Year Fair, Night Parade etc., check out the review below.
More to Know
Kung Hei Fat Choi – Top things to do during 2025 Chinese New Year in Hong Kong
Chinese New Year is THE most important festival in Hong Kong. The 2025 Hong Kong Chinese New Year Celebrations are much more than international carnival and Lunar New Year fair…
What and when is 2025 Chinese Lantern Festival?
The Chinese Lantern Festival, or called the Spring Lantern Festival is an ancient Chinese festival. It is on the 15th day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and usually falls on February or March.
As the first full moon day of the new year, it represents the coming of spring and the end of Lunar New Year celebration. Usually, the locals will eat rice balls, play pretty lanterns as well as solve the Chinese riddles wining some gifts.
The 2025 Chinese Lantern Festival is on the 12th of February 2025. Although it is a traditional festival, it is NOT a public holiday for locals (unlike the Mid-Autumn Day).
When and Where are 2025 Chinese Lantern Festival celebrations?
During Chinese Lantern Festival, across the city, you will find various celebrations including lantern carnivals, lantern displays, traditional performances and other festivities. Lanterns will be displayed for one-week time.
Every year, the key Lantern Carnivals and Lantern Displays on Chinese Lantern Festival are:
-
Urban Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival
(Feb 7 – 12, 2025)
Urban Lantern Carnival in Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza is the mega event full with cultural programs. It’s also the most popular event of Lantern Festival in town. -
New Territories East Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival
(Not for 2025)
New Territories East Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival takes place in North District ParkHong Kong Velodrome Park this year. Usually it will have also consists of Gala Night, Lantern Display and Youth Night. -
New Territories West Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival
(Not for 2025)
New Territories West Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival will be in Tin Shui Wai Park & Ginza Square, which is far away from city center. -
Lunar New Year Thematic Lantern Display
(Jan 23 – Feb 16, 2025)
This event with the longest exhibition duration is located conveniently in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is the most visited spot for tourists and you shall easily find it.
What to expect from 2025 Chinese New Lantern Carnivals?
Every year, the Chinese New Year Lantern Carnivals consist of three parts: illuminating Lantern Display, Carnival Night with live performance and game booths and Youth Night (performance from young generation).
Lantern Display on Chinese Lantern Festival
Illuminating lanterns is an ancient tradition for celebrating Chinese New Year. You will find the spectacular lantern display and innovative visual effects from CNY Lantern Display.
Lantern displays on Chinese New Year Lantern Carnivals (previous years)
Illuminated lanterns for Chinese Lantern Festival celebrations (previous years)
Gold ingot lanterns (previous years)
Traditional tea cup lanterns (previous years)
Pigs lanterns (previous years)
Carnival Night
Every year, the Carnival Night features orchestra performances, Chinese ethnic songs, dance, acrobatics, traditional stage art, game booths as well as festival souvenirs and food markets.
Acrobat performance on Carnival Night
Acrobat performance
Chinese Opera performance
Youth Night
Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural services Department arrange the stage for different performances of young generation, sharing their talents. The young generation of Hong Kong will perform street dance, band performance, diabolo, a cappella etc, filling the energy to this traditional festival.
Chinese New Year Lantern Carnivals 2025
There will be different Chinese New Year Lantern Carnivals this year in different districts:
(1) Urban Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival (recommended);
(2) New Territories East Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival (not for 2025);
(3) New Territories West Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival (not for 2025);
The Urban Lantern Carnival is located in the downtown (Tsim Sha Tsui), which is the most convenient for tourists to join, while the other two in New Territories are bit far away from major areas. All three districts have “Lantern Display” and “Lantern Carnival” this year. The “Youth Night” is only available for Urban Carnival.
2025 Urban Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival
Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Lantern Display
Date: February 7 – 12, 2025
Time: 6:00pm – 11:00pm （Fri – Wed)
Program: Lantern theme:
Chinese Lanterns: An Enduring Heritage
(1) Lighting Duet: peacock and panda lanterns
(2) Home Sweet Home: meerkat and squirrel lanterns
Gala Night / Carnival Night
Date: February 12, 2025 (Wed)
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Program: Shows and Fun:
(1) Large-scale Ethnic Singing, Dancing and Variety show by Guizhou Performance & Arts Group by Focus
(2) A Cappella
(3) Breakdance by Dance Sport Association of Hong Kong
(4) Inclusive Dance and Singing Performances by Shek Kip Mei Lutheran Centre for The Blind
(5) Band Performance and Dance Performance by various groups
Youth Night
Date: February 11, 2025 (Tue)
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Program: Shows and Fun:
(1) Chinese Music Performance by Music Office Junior Chinese Orchestra
(2) Harmonica Performance by HK Harmonica Asociation St. james’ settlements Junior Harmonica Orchestra
(3) Dance Performance by St. Margaret’s Co-eduational English Secondary and Primary School
(4) Lion Dance Performance by Buddhist Ho Nam Kam College
(5) Band Performance by Hong Kong federation of Youth Groups Lung Hang Youth S.P.O.T.
Lantern Riddle Quiz
Date: February 11 – 12, 2025 (Tue)
Time: 8:15pm – 9:00pm
Host: So Man-hing
Venue: Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Ticket: Free Admission for All
Getting to Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza
By Subway: The most convenient way is to take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui or East Tsim Sha Tsui station.
By Star Ferry: Or to take Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.
Lantern displays in Urban Lantern Carnival 2025 (TST)
Lighting Duet: Lantern displays in Urban Lantern Carnival 2025 (TST)
Lighting Duet: Lantern displays in Urban Lantern Carnival 2025 (TST)
Home Sweet Home: Lantern displays in Urban Lantern Carnival 2025 (TST)
Did you know
Due to limited space of the piazza, the Urban Lantern Carnival usually will not have lantern display, but only Carnival Night and Youth Night. However, this year visitors can enjoy traditional lantern display from both Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza and the 2025 Chinese New Year Thematic Lantern Display.
2025 Hong Kong Lunar New Year Thematic Lantern Display – Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront (annually)
Every year, special designed lanterns will be set up either in the fountains/ponds next to the Clock Tower, or around the pond of Hong Kong Space Museum. It is the earliest public event of the Chinese New Year celebration every year (even earlier than the Lunar New Year Flower Market).
In 2025, the lantern theme in TST is “Glittering Fish‧Lanterns with Abundant Blessings“. The 6-meter ornate palace lantern, cute little lions and fish in the pond spread it’s blessing and wish everyone happy new year. Besides, all the lanterns lit up with stunning night view of Victoria Harbour as background. It’s definitely a unique opportunity for photo shooting.
Glittering Fish‧Lanterns in TST
Glittering Fish‧Lanterns in TST
Lion and fish lanterns to greet the New Year in TST
Lion and fish lanterns
Here are some many breath-taking beauty from the previous years’ thematic lantern displays.
Flying High with the Golden Dragon (2020)
Glittering Peacocks in Full Bloom (2019)
Glowing peacock lanterns (2019)
Happily Fish Leap (2018)
Fish means Good Luck in Chinese Culture (2018)
Fish Lanterns (2018)
2017 CNY Thematic Lantern Display
2017 Thematic Lantern Display
Lantern Display in the daytime (2017)
Year of the Sheep Lantern Display (2015)
2014 Thematic Lantern Display next to Clock Tower at night
2025 Hong Kong Lunar New Year Thematic Lantern Display
Date: January 23 – February 16, 2025
Time: illuminated from 6:00pm – 11:00pm (Thu – Sun)
Location: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Ticket Fare: Free Admission
Other Major 2025 Hong Kong Chinese New Year Celebrations and Events
Lunar New Year Fair
(Jan 23 - 29, 2025)
Chinese New Year Night Parade
(Jan 29, 2025)
Lunar New Year Fireworks
(Jan 30, 2025)
Chinese New Year Raceday
(Jan 31, 2025)
Leave A Comment