A DANCE WITH DRAGONS: Cathay parade makes grand comeback

Hong Kong’s most eye-catching Chinese New Year celebration is making a grand comeback. The “Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade” returns after a five-year layoff and is set to take place on the first day of the Year of the Dragon on Feb. 10.

An integral component of the city’s Chinese New Year ambience, the gala parade kicks off a series of celebrations organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

Sponsored by Cathay for the 22nd year, the parade will feature glamourous floats and an extensive line-up of international and local performances designed to “to echo the energy and motivation of the Dragon.”

Starting at 8 p.m. in Tsim Sha Tsui, the parade will start at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, proceed along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road, and finish outside the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers.

Before the parade starts, 13 performing teams will warm up the crowd along the parade route from 6 p.m. with dance, magic tricks, music, freestyle football, and much more.

After the parade, the floats will be stationed at The Urban Council Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui for public exhibition from Feb. 11 to 25. International teams will also perform there on 11 and 12 February (the second and third days of the Chinese New Year).

“Every year during Chinese New Year, Hong Kong is filled with intense festivities with a wide range of exciting extravaganzas, attracting visitors to come and feel the blessings of the festival in person,” says HKTB Chairman Dr Pang Yiu-kai.

New Year’s celebrations won’t be limited to Hong Kong.

“After the parade, we will continue to promote the waves of Chinese New Year events in global markets in various themes, including the Lunar New Year fireworks display and Chinese New Year Race Meeting 2024 on the second and third day of Chinese New Year, respectively,” says Dr. Pang.

He adds, “We will also work closely with our travel trade partners in various source markets to introduce tourism products with the Chinese New Year theme to enrich the visitor experience with activities, inviting them to enjoy the festival and immerse themselves in the city’s charm as an East-meets-West cosmopolitan city.”