As parents of five globe-trotters and travel-obsessed expats living in Europe, we are always looking for unique, cultural experiences to share with our kids. We set out to travel full-time in 2018 and spent seven months in Asia. What an experience! We learned so much.We met some friends in Bali who were also full-time travelers. They told us they were headed to Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year. One of the best parts of full-time traveling is the incredible flexibility. We hopped on board and spent the next couple of months traveling together as families!
Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is one of those celebrations that completely immerses you in tradition, color, and festivity. It’s also totally nuts! The sheer amount of people is overwhelming, but pair that with the different culture expectations and you are in for a ride.
It’s an incredible place to ring in the Lunar New Year, but, like any big event with kids, it comes with its own set of challenges. If you’re considering a trip to Hong Kong for this magical holiday, here’s everything you need to know about where to go, what’s fun, what’s tricky, and how to make the most of it with kids in tow!
This is one of the biggest highlights of Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. Think dazzling floats, lively dragon and lion dances, and incredible performances from both local and international artists. If you are thinking of crowds, you are right! We lined up hours before it started and had a really hard time keeping our spot. Both of us moms and dads were standing with our legs wide to keep enough room for our kids (eight kids between us). People kept pushing harder and harder to take this space. It was challenging!
The parade winds through Tsim Sha Tsui, drawing huge crowds, so having a game plan is essential. If you’re bringing little ones, consider booking grandstand seats in advance to avoid getting lost in the sea of people.
Bathroom logistics can also be tough. We didn’t feel like the parents could leave without losing the spot, so we sent the teens on a mission to find a toilet with the little kids. This wasn’t ideal, and I’d do it better next time!
Getting There:
Fireworks over Hong Kong’s stunning skyline? It doesn’t get much more spectacular than this. We enjoyed a couple of boat and ferry rides in this harbor and it’s gorgeous. It feels like the center of Hong Kong.
The fireworks take place on the second night of the new year, meaning you can watch the parade the night before (what we did). The best spots to watch include the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Central Harbourfront, and even The Peak.
We again arrived very early and spent the time playing games and writing notes that we handed out to the crowds, and the kids ran around.
To be honest, this was much more fun than the parade. I’d skip the parade the next time.
Getting There:
Visiting a temple during Chinese New Year is a great way to introduce kids to local traditions. At Che Kung Temple, visitors spin the giant wheel of fortune to bring good luck. The atmosphere is buzzing with energy, and while it gets packed, it’s an amazing cultural experience.
Getting There:
If your family loves Disney, like us, then experiencing the Lunar New Year celebration at Hong Kong Disneyland is a must. I’d happily go back and celebrate here! We’ve been lucky enough to visit all the Disney Parks in the world. We loved our visit to Disney Hong Kong, although it was one of the smallest parks, we still loved it.
The park is decked out in red and gold, characters wear traditional festive outfits, and there are special themed performances for Chinese New Year. Things will book out well in advance for this celebration, so book early!
Getting There:
This is a special and lesser-known tradition where people write their wishes on paper, attach them to an orange, and toss them onto the wishing tree. It’s a fun and interactive way to participate in Chinese New Year customs.
Getting There:
Vibrant and Festive Atmosphere. Hong Kong is an amazing city and this holiday is the biggest of the year! Thousands flock for this celebration. The entire city is decorated with lanterns, banners, and festive symbols, making every corner of Hong Kong Instagram-worthy.
Parades and Fireworks: While the parade was just OK in our opinion, the fireworks were spectacular. Kids are mesmerized by the energy, dancing dragons, and epic firework displays.
Food, Food, and More Food: From pineapple buns to festive dumplings, this is the perfect time to introduce kids to new flavors. We loved our introduction to soup dumplings (a must), lots of dim sum, and noodle bars. We wandered into a fresh seafood restaurant one night and spent several hundred dollars! Be sure to check the menu prices first. At least it was delicious.
Cultural Learning: They’ll get to see and participate in traditions like giving and receiving red envelopes (lai see) and watching lion dances up close.
Chinese red envelopes are traditionally used to give money to those you want to share luck and prosperity with. Typically, a boss would give to a junior or a couple to a single friend. We ended up writing positive notes in Chinese and handing them out in red envelopes as we waited for the fireworks. If you’d like to give physical cash in a packet, be sure to get to the bank early to get your good hands on new notes to give. Never give any amount with 4 in it (in Chinese, this sounds like “death”) or odd numbers, as these are considered bad luck.
Claim to Fame. How cool is it to ring in this amazing holiday in Hong Kong? I love that we were able to see this city in this amazing setting. I was also happy to leave for our next destination and get to somewhere less crowded! Haha.
Massive Crowds: If your kids don’t like being in packed spaces, some events may be overwhelming. One of our kids is sensitive to crowds, and this was a tough place for him. He hated the crowds and started screaming at one point when we couldn’t get through a crowd. It worked! The sea of people parted but my heart was sad for him.
Long Waits for Public Transport: Even though the MTR is efficient, expect packed trains and longer waits. Crowds in Hong Kong act completely differently than in the US. Pushing you from behind or the side is NORMAL. This felt so weird, but the attitude is if they can go faster than you or get your spot, that’s OK. Be prepared for anything you are waiting in line for (even Disney) that you might be crowded or pushed from behind.
Limited Open Restaurants: Many local restaurants close during the first few days of the new year. We didn’t find this to be a big problem, but it does make your search a bit longer.Late-Night Events: Fireworks and parades often run late, so plan naps or downtime accordingly. The city noise is also intense! Like New York, this city never sleeps. My husband was even approached late one night as he ran a quick errand by a prostitute!
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Is Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Worth It With Kids? Absolutely—if you’re up for an adventure! Experiencing Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is a whirlwind of culture, excitement, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. From the dazzling fireworks to the lively traditions, there’s so much to take in. But it’s also intense! The crowds can be overwhelming, and the city is buzzing at all hours, so a little planning (and a lot of patience) goes a long way.
Would we do it again? Maybe… but with a few adjustments! We’d definitely skip the parade and opt for a more relaxed experience, perhaps spending more time at Disneyland or focusing on cultural sites like the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees. That said, I love that our kids got to immerse themselves in such a vibrant celebration. Travel is all about embracing new experiences, and this was one for the books!
If you’re considering celebrating Chinese New Year in Hong Kong with kids, go for it! Just pack your sense of humor, a little flexibility, and a whole lot of snacks—you’re in for an unforgettable ride.
Have you celebrated Chinese New Year abroad? I’d love to hear about your experiences, drop a comment below or reach out on Instagram!
Planning for your next trip to Hong Kong? Catch great fare deals from Booking.com, Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, or Expedia
Find a nice hotel near Hong Kong from Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more of Hong Kong while having fun through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need to rent a car to navigate the city? Visit Rentalcars.com
Get insured while traveling with World Nomads / SafetyWing
Want to have a photo shoot while traveling? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best memories in Hong Kong as we do with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
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