What’s on? Things to do this February in Hong Kong

This month features some fantastic things to do – savour the spectacular Lunar New Year fireworks or soak up the carnival atmosphere of the night parade and so much more!

Lunar New Year Fireworks

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in style by watching the iconic fireworks display against the unforgettable backdrop of Victoria Harbour. The Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations has justifiably gained a reputation as one of the best synchronised and spectacular fireworks displays anywhere in the world. With the pyrotechnics released from barges in the centre of the harbour, the best views can be gleaned from waterfront vantage points spanning Central to Causeway Bay and over in Tsim Sha Tsui. Some hotels and restaurants, the Observation Wheel and even up on the Peak also offer excellent vistas.

When: Until 11 Feb

Where: Victoria Harbour

How much: Free

For more information: discoverhongkong.com

Flower Markets

During the week preceding Chinese New Year, flower fairs are dotted around Hong Kong to service residents busily decorating their homes or seeking gifts for friends and family. The main market is located in Victoria Park, and evenings are the best time to visit and experience the electric vibe of the festival of flowers. Join the crowds on this traditional saunter past stalls of blooms and orange trees, browsing the displays and soaking up the intoxicating scents of the myriad exotic flowers. Stalls around the city will sell every imaginable flower and fruit.

When: 4-10 Feb

Where: Victoria Park and elsewhere

How much: Free

For more information: fehd.gov.hk

Night Parade

On the very first day of the Chinese New Year enjoy a wonderful festival of fun as the Night Parade floating carnival meanders through the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. Sponsored by Cathay International, the festive procession will start at 8 pm from the Cultural Centre piazza and wind its way to its final destination at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers. The Year of the Dragon celebrates that iconic creature of nobility and good luck, and the theme for this year’s parade is ‘Good Fortune All Around Hong Kong’.

When: 10 Feb

Where: Tsim Sha Tsui

How much: Free

For more information: discoverhongkong.com

Well-wishing Festival

A traditional Chinese New Year activity is to head to Lam Tsuen in the New Territories and partake in well-wishing. Write down your wish, tie it on a string, anchor it with an orange, then toss it into the village’s famous wishing trees. Alternatively, release a wishing lantern into the canal to help bring better tidings for the year ahead. Plus there is another chance to see the Night Parade floats.

When: 10-25 Feb

Where: Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

How much: Free

For more information: lamtsuen.com

Sha Tin Races

Immerse yourself in the joy of watching magnificent horses gallop around the track in a full programme of races, with the feature race being the Chinese New Year Cup. Perhaps have a flutter and see if your luck is in! Entertainment and Cultural performances abound too at Sha Tin Racecourse on a day packed with activity, including a grand opening show, lion dance and the opportunity to receive good-luck messages from the jockeys.

When: 12 Feb

Where: Sha Tin Race Course

How much: From HK$10

For more information: campaigns.hkjc.com/chinese-new-year

World of Animation

Take an almost spiritual journey into the multimedia universe of Miwa Matreyek as she delves deep into the relationship between humans and the natural world. In this amazing one-woman theatrical display, the artist’s silhouette interacts with cinematic projections, and seemingly separate worlds seem to collide into a new reality. World of Animation offers reflections on the inherent conflict between humanity and nature.

When: 20-23 Feb

Where: City Hall Theatre

How much: From HK$200

For more information: hk.artsfestival.org

Disney on Ice

It is 100 years since the creations of the Disney cannon first began to light up the imaginations of children and adults alike. Now the Disney on Ice 100 Years of Wonder tour comes to Hong Kong and brings the fantastical nature of so many of those characters closer to your heart. Marvel at Simba and his friends on safari in the Pride Lands or rejoice in the carnival of Toy Story 4 as you are swept along in Aladdin’s princely parade.

When: Until 4 Feb

Where: Convention and Exhibition Centre

How much: From HK$480

For more information: disneyonice.com

Losing It

Part of Hong Kong Arts Festival’s Arab Arts Focus, this dance performance reflects the troubled times and experiences of Samaa Wakim, whose formative years were spent in the fiery cauldron of Palestine, that land of bitter and seemingly never-ending conflict. Co-created by dancer and choreographer Wakim and multidisciplinary artist Samar Haddad King, Losing It is a personal journey based on memories of a disintegrating world.

When: 27-28 Feb

Where: Cultural Centre Studio Theatre

How much: From HK$180

For more information: hk.artsfestival.org

AIA Carnival

Enjoy a fun-filled time at this carnival against the spectacular setting of Victoria Harbour. Plenty of entertainments will keep everyone amused, from comedy performers to local and international music acts to carnival games to thrilling rides. Beside a host of performing arts shows and interactive sporting events, The World Circus takes centre stage in the Big Top as well. This is an event with a European feel but a local edge, and there will be oodles of food and drink to recharge the batteries.

When: Until 25 Feb

Where: Central Harbourfront

How much: From HK$95

For more information: aiacarnival.com

February Events: Highlights for Hong Kong’s upcoming month

With health and safety being the top priority in Hong Kong right now, many events have been either cancelled or postponed events. If, however, you are willing to brave a little uncertainty, the city still has an array of – surely welcome – diversions on offer.

Comic World Hong Kong

2 Feb

If you are a fan of the comics or simply in the mood to explore the genre, the biannual Comic World Hong Kong is one event you should certainly add to your calendar. From creating the best character to how to draft a truly-gripping one-page strip, the event is the perfect introduction to this irresistibly modish medium.

Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre – Hall 2 & 3.

Disney on Ice – Live Your Dreams

19-23 Feb

In the unlikely event your dreams largely revolve around talking mice, petulant ducks and lions lip-synching to Elton John then the wonderful world of Disney is definitely for you. If you like all of the above, plus winter sports, then boy – or girl – are you in for a treat. As you might expect, Let It Go will be belted out at least once and we’d put money on a snowboarding Baloo or two delivering the Bear Necessities before the night is out. While legend has it that Uncle Walt had his head cryogenically frozen in the hope of one day being resurrected that is not a regular part of the show. Shame that.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Werq The World

21-22 Feb

Speaking of sass and style, the stars of top-rated reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race – a series that has notched up 10 Emmy wins out of a total of 30 nominations – are returning to Hong Kong as part of the Werq The World global tour. Taking all things intergalactic theme as the suitably out-of-this-world theme, the cast includes some of the show’s most notorious former contestants, including Yvie Oddly, Kim Chi, Monet X Exchange and Aquaria. This titanic team-up, of course, is on a mission to save the galaxy, so expect laughs by the light year and truly cosmic costumed capers.

AC Hall.

Kidsfest! 2020

15 Jan-23 Feb

While billing itself as “World Class Theatre for Young People” may not make itself sound the coolest of happenings – here’s a hint organisers: only maiden aunts and superannuated politicos ever use the term “young people” unironically, Kidsfest! is actually a blast. With nearly a month’s worth of on-stage shenanigans to be had, the standouts here are likely to be pretty much anything Gruffalo-related. Also, worth a peek are the worryingly gender-specific Mr Men and Little Misses and couple of favourites – notably Stick Man and The Snail and the Whale.

Drama Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.

Translantau 2020

28 Feb-1 March

If you didn’t give yourself a coronary or irretrievably twist something vital at the beginning of last month in the Ultra-Trail, the ever considerate organisers of the Tranlantau 103km I cant-believe-that’s-anybody’s-idea-of Fun Run are giving you a second chance to commit jogacide.. Now in its ninth edition – and with no sign of a published casualties list – it may actually be safer than it sounds. So, should you take part? Well, let’s put it this way, no-one not enjoying an exclusive Make-A-Wish early preview has ever died during a Star Wars movie. And that’s coming up next.

Leisure & Pleasure: Events in Hong Kong this February

There’s something for everyone this February. Check out our round-up of the top events happening in town next month.

The xx, Live in Hong Kong

London-based trio The xx returns to Hong Kong after a sold out hit show in 2013. If you’re not planning on attending any of the festivals they’re known to headline around the world, best you catch them for their sound and lights show while they’re touring Asia. This month, the group celebrates a year since the release of their third studio album, I See You, and its lead single On Hold.

1 February
AsiaWorld-Expo, Cheong Wing Rd, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau Island. 7-10:30pm. HK$ 720. www.thexx.info/tour

Speed Dating Run

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, popular dating app Coffee Meets Bagel presents a different kind of speed dating event for Hong Kong’s cardio-inclined denizens. Singles and couples alike are invited to “the largest dating running event in Asia”, featuring ice-breaking activities that encourage mingling. In the last 2km of the 5km run, runners must pair up to tackle a series of obstacles. Older runners are invited to join the 3km group.

11 February
Atrium Link, Science Park, 2 Science Park W Ave, Sha Tin. 9am-1pm. HK$300-$620. www.ticketflap.com/rundatefestival

Asia Horse Week

Expect a bit of horsing around at the debut of Asia Horse Week – a meet-up for Asia’s equestrian community. The event is expected to become a global forum for the industry insiders to share knowledge and expertise. The meeting unfolds at the 2018 Edition of Longines Masters of Hong Kong, the Asian leg of a series that starts at Paris and ends in New York. Don’t miss the excitement of the Longines Speed Challenge and Grand Prix; you can also sign up for seminars and conferences or check out the national pavilions.

8-11 February
AsiaWorld-Expo, Cheong Wing Rd, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau Island. 7-10:30pm. HK$ 720. www.asiahorseweek.com

The 46th Hong Kong Arts Festival

Jazz. Flamenco. Chinese Opera. Ballet. The Hong Kong Arts Festival is packed with performances we’ve been waiting all year to see. Most anticipated is the Asian premiere of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted for the stage by Great Britain’s National Theatre. The play, based on from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, won five Tony Awards and seven Oliviers. If your tiny tots are tagging along, take them to the American Ballet Theatre’s Whipped Cream, designed by pop-surrealist art star Mark Ryden.

23 Februray – 24 March
Locations and schedules vary. www.hk.artsfestival.org

Di-San Solo Exhibition

Home-grown artist San Fung is presenting his first solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Kornhill Apartments. This up-and-coming talent is already well-known for his modern, geometric reinterpretations of classical Chinese themes. The showcase, dubbed Di-San Solo Exhibition, will be displaying Fung’s colourful artworks featuring iconic motifs like the Dragon and Phoenix, as well as some of his original sketches and templates from now until mid-2018.

3/F, The Art Gallery at Kornhill Apartments