Hong Kong Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Chinese New Year Parade and Citywide Celebrations
Hong Kong is preparing to welcome the Year of the Horse with a citywide programme of Chinese New Year celebrations. On 17 February, the first day of Lunar New Year, the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade will take place, featuring floats, performances, and cultural displays across the city.
Alongside the parade, visitors can experience Lunar New Year Fairs, temple visits for traditional blessings, horse racing events, and other festive activities held throughout Hong Kong during the holiday period.
Chinese New Year Night Parade
The Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade will begin with a pre-parade street celebration, followed by a procession of floats and performances. The parade will start from the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and travel through key roads in Tsim Sha Tsui, including Canton Road, Haiphong Road, and Nathan Road, from 8:00 pm on 17 February.
Held under the theme “BEST FORTUNE. WORLD PARTY.”, the parade reflects the cultural symbolism of the horse in Chinese tradition, representing strength, vitality, progress, and success.
The 2026 edition of the parade will feature themed floats from participating organisations. Cathay will mark its 80th anniversary, while Hong Kong Disneyland and McDonald’s Hong Kong will also present anniversary-related floats. The Hong Kong Brand Toy Association will participate with its first parade float, showcasing popular IP characters. Ocean Park Hong Kong will feature its Panda Friends, while the Hong Kong Jockey Club will highlight the zodiac year through horse-themed installations. Selected floats will be displayed at Kai Tak Sports Park from 18 to 26 February, allowing visitors to view them beyond parade night.
International Performances and Cultural Exchange
The parade programme will include performance groups from different regions, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international festival destination. Participants include France’s FierS à Cheval with illuminated horse-themed displays, the Xi’an Acrobatic Troupe from the Chinese Mainland, Canadian acrobatic duo Les Vitaminés, and Australia’s Manly Seabirds cheer performers.
Traditional and contemporary elements will be presented together, with performances such as the Luminous Dragon Dance by the Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association of Hong Kong, China, alongside Italy’s Cromosauro, a large-scale dinosaur installation decorated with colourful fabrics.
Citywide Chinese New Year Activities
Beyond the parade, Hong Kong will host a range of Chinese New Year events across the city. From 11 to 17 February, Lunar New Year Fairs—also known as flower markets—will be held in parks and community spaces, including Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok. These markets feature seasonal flowers, festive decorations, and traditional New Year items.
On 19 February, the third day of the Lunar New Year, visitors can attend the Year of the Horse Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse, combining horse racing with festive programmes.
From 17 February to 3 March, the Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival will be held in Lam Tsuen, where visitors can write their wishes and toss them into the wishing tree, in keeping with local tradition. Those seeking spiritual observances can also visit temples such as Wong Tai Sin Temple, Che Kung Temple, and Kwun Yum Temples to pray for fortune, health, and prosperity in the Year of the Horse.
Through its parade, performances, and community celebrations, Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year programme brings together cultural traditions and international participation, offering visitors multiple ways to take part in the festive season.
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