A big turnout is expected next week to celebrate the Spring Lantern Festival, the Chinese version of Valentine's Day - traditionally the only occasion young women were allowed outside the family home to meet young men.
A turnout of at least 180,000 was expected, slightly more than last year, said Anthony Ma Kam-wing, a senior manager in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The government would spend HK$2.8 million on the festival, he said.
Exhibitions last year were plagued by heavy rain and a cold spell.
Four lantern exhibitions will be held, at the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan, Tai Po Waterfront Park, and Ko Shan Theatre from February 6 to 9.
Lantern designs range from 7-metre 'roses' to characters created by popular Chinese martial arts novelist Jin Yong. Light shows will feature local child dancers and acrobats from Sichuan . Lantern quizzes, fortune tellers and Cantonese opera singers will add to the entertainment.
The lantern show in Tsim Sha Tsui would feature scenes inspired by martial arts novels The Legends of the Condor Heroes and The Return of the Condor Heroes, said designer Leo Tang Sung-fong. A glowing peach blossom scene is expected to be a crowd favourite.