Hong Kong Winter Festivals:
Towards the end of a year, this city is filled with festive spirit everywhere.? Starting from December, the city begins to dress up itself to welcome the joyous Christmas, the wonderful western New Year and the important lunar Chinese New Year!?You will find splendid decorations all around.?
There are illuminating light decorations on the commercial buildings along the Victoria Harbor and also wonderful decorations inside the shopping malls, such as the I-Square, the One, Pacific Place, Harbour Terminal, Harbour City, Festive Walk, the Element and else ? those are the famous shopping malls in Hong Kong which you should not miss.?
The most important is you will find SALE everywhere!!? WOW, for sure the crazy shoppers will lose themselves in this beautiful city during this festive period. ?Festive music is everywhere even in the subways (MTR).? Once you come and have a feel of the festive spirit in this city, you will hardly give away such wonderful memories from your mind. ?
22nd December ? Winter Solitude ???? (Dong Zhi)
This is a date when the Chinese historically celebrated the close of harvest and reflected upon a season of labor. ?It was a time of family reunion, relaxation and reflection of the harmonious co-existence between the human beings and Nature.? Most offices will close earlier for their staffs to prepare their family reunion dinners.? Everyone on the street is in the holiday mood because few days later there will come the Christmas holidays.? The city is entering into a stage filled with festive atmosphere everywhere.
24th to 25th December ? Christmas, 31st December ? New Year Eve
Christmas is a western festival and never a holiday in China.? However, in Hong Kong, which is now a SAR (Self Administrative Region) of China, Christmas is an important holiday to them.?
There are gracious churches in the city which will be filled with Christians at midnight masses.? Apart from religion, this is also a joyous holiday loved by the Hong Kong people.?
People, whether they are Christians or not, will be busy shopping for Christmas gifts for their loved ones and friends.? And, on Christmas eve, except that church goers will go to the church, nearly every young hearted people will come out to have great fun.? Restaurants are always fully booked although their special Christmas menus are at soaring prices.? Places such as Tsimshatsui, Lan Kwai Fong in Central will be crowded with people until late night. ?It is not surprised to see drunken people around during this festival.
A week later, there comes the New Year.? Again, people will go out for dinner and count-down on New Year eve.? There comes the hilarious moments at the fireworks countdown at IFC building in Central.? You can enjoy these wonderful moments and exciting view either at Tsimshatsui east on the Kowloon side or at the pier in Central.? Or, you can enjoy the crowdedness at Times Square at Causeway Bay or ?.. anyway, everywhere is Fun!
Lunar New Year (within 2nd half of January or 1st half February)
KUNG HEI FAT CHOY is the greetings during the festival which means ?wishing you lots of fortune?.? During Lunar New Year, everywhere are decorated in red color or with cherry blossoms which means bringing good fortunes.?
There will be no work for at least 3 days.? But shops and restaurants are still open but they will be a bit crowded.?
At Lunar New Year eve, people will go out to flower market after dinner until late night.? On its first day, there will be night parade at Tsimshatsui.? Performance groups from around the world would give dances or their special performances at the parade.?
In 2011, the main theme is ?world city, world party?. ?On the second night, a 30-minute firework show will be carried out at Victoria harbor.? This firework is always fantastic because it needs to show its best in the beginning of a year.? In addition, there are many special highlights or activities which Hong Kong people like to do such as firecrackers at the New Territories, visiting Wishing Tree in Taipo or going to Wong Tai Sin temple for good blessings etc.? For the tourists, they will find these cultural activities very interesting!
