Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year parade is back after 5-year hiatus, with record-breaking 16 overseas dance groups to join event

Tourism Board says procession on February 10, first day of Year of the Dragon, will take familiar route from Cultural Centre to Sheraton Hong Kong

‘The night parade this year will recreate the classic float carnival with the largest number of international performing groups ever,’ board adds

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Lion dancers perform at Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year parade in 2019. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 10:17pm, 11 Jan 2024Updated: 12:16am, 12 Jan 2024

Hong Kong’s annual Lunar New Year parade will return after a five-year hiatus, with organisers saying it will include the largest-ever number of performing groups from overseas.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board on Thursday said the event would be held on February 10, the first day of the Year of the Dragon, and was expected to attract about 150,000 spectators. Tourists were expected to account for at least 30 per cent of them, it said.

The Light Dancers, a group of performers from Spain, will join this year’s parade. Photo: Handout

“As a signature Chinese New Year celebration in Hong Kong, the night parade this year will recreate the classic float carnival with the largest number of international performing groups ever,” board chairman Pang Yiu-kai said.

“We have brought together some of the world’s hottest performers to the party to spice up the celebration and transform this traditional festival into an international mega event.”

The parade, a fixture of the Lunar New Year holiday, was last held in 2019. It was cancelled in the years after that because of anti-government protests and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The board said the event would feature 16 international performance groups and 13 local ones. Acts taking part will include Japanese female pop dance group Avantgardey, Spain’s the Light Dancers and German troupe the Universe of Lights.