THE PARADE ROUTE TRANSFORMS INTO AN EPIC PLAYGROUND
Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade will be held on the first day of the Chinese New Year (8 February) in Tsim Sha Tsui. This will be the 21st staging and the theme will be “Playground of the World • Party of the Year”.
13 festive floats as well as 22 international and local performing troupes will take part in this year’s parade. The HKTB has installed more decorations along the route in a bid to transform the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui into a big playground, allowing local residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the festive New Year atmosphere.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said: “This year the HKTB has installed more festive decorations, and organised the largest pre-show performance along the parade route with around 30 performing troupes. Members of the public will be able to experience the parade up-close adding to the festive atmosphere, with the entire parade route being transformed into a large-scale festive party.”
The launch ceremony was performed by Dr Peter Lam (second left), Chairman of the HKTB, and Mr Ivan Chu (second right), Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways, title sponsor of the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade.
Dr Lam continued: “This year with the Hong Kong Arts Museum under renovation, the number of spectator stands has decreased however, the HKTB encourages visitors and residents to enjoy the performance along the route, and experience the atmosphere close up. The HKTB would like to express its gratitude to all the participating and supporting organisations. In particular we would like to thank Cathay Pacific, which is the parade’s title sponsor for the 18th consecutive year, and China Construction Bank (Asia) as the parade route supporting organisation for the second year in a row.”
Mr Ivan Chu, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways, said: “Cathay Pacific is proud to be the title sponsor of The International Chinese New Year Night Parade for the 18th consecutive year. This vibrant, colourful spectacle encapsulates everything that’s special about Hong Kong. We look forward to celebrating the beginning of the Year of the Monkey with the people of Hong Kong and thousands of visitors from around the world.”
Dr Peter Lam (fourth left, front row), Chairman of the HKTB, and Mr Ivan Chu (fourth right, front row), Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways, are joined by Ms Miranda Kwok (second right, front row), President and Executive Director of China Construction Bank (Asia), parade route sponsor; Mr Kevin Lam (second left, front row), Director of Sales & Marketing of pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon, official hotel sponsor; and representatives from other sponsoring and supporting organisations for a group photo.
Parade Route filled with Festive Atmosphere
The parade will start at 8pm on the first day of the Chinese New Year (8 February). The HKTB has organised roving performances by around 30 performing groups starting from 6pm along the parade route to warm up the atmosphere. Exciting programmes include:
Route of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade.
Mega movie and cartoon characters including Star Wars Storm Troopers and Darth Vader, the Sanrio family’s Hello Kitty, Pom Pom Purin etc, who will all be interacting up close with members of the audience;
There will be 10 music zones with local youth bands performing, wishing audience a Happy New Year with their music;
An almost 3 storey tall inflatable Snoopy wearing a Chinese New Year costume will appear next to the Space Museum to welcome all participants to this Chinese New Year party.
Promoting Traditional Festivals puts Hong Kong into the International Spotlight
To allow more international visitors to experience the bustling and exciting atmosphere of the Chinese New Year, the HKTB will share the festivities with major international news and wire agencies. Additionally, the HKTB has for the first time invited a presenter from the BBC to board the HKTB parade float to experience and report on the parade first hand. The HKTB will also be co-operating with various trade partners to target short- and long-haul markets including Mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea and Canada to promote Hong Kong Chinese New Year themed tours and attract more visitors to spend their time in Hong Kong over the New Year.
Enhanced decorations are installed along the route in a bid to transform the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui into a big playground.
Other Exciting Programmes Extending the Chinese New Year Atmosphere
Apart from organising the Chinese New Year Night Parade, other activities have been put in place including a float public display from the second day until the 15th day of the Chinese New Year (9 to 22 February) in Tai Po Lam Tsuen, as well as a new phase of “Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show” on the facade of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower between the 10th and 29th of February. The HKTB also recommends other exciting Chinese New Year programmes to visitors such as the Chinese New Year Fireworks Display and Chinese New Year Horse Racing on the second day (9 February) and third day (10 February) of the Chinese New Year respectively, and the Hong Kong Well Wishing Festival from 8 to 22 February, providing visitors with a rich Hong Kong experience.
Please refer to the HKTB website (DiscoverHongKong.com/ChineseNewYear) and the fact sheet for more details on the night parade, including ticket information, and on other Chinese New Year activities.