From lit-up wishing trees to ‘Chubby Hearts’ and cosplayers, Hong Kong’s districts aim to put on big show for Lunar New Year
- Tai Po’s Lam Tsuen is hosting a ‘Wishing Night Market’ where visitors can for the first time throw cards seeking good fortune into the branches of wishing trees
- Other special events are being held across Islands district, Fanling, Tung Chung, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin and elsewhere
The bazaar is part of the government’s citywide campaign called “Day X Night Vibes@18 Districts”, designed to celebrate the distinctness of the city’s neighbourhoods, inject vibrancy and lift people’s spirits.
“We hope each district will have some local flavour and offer different experiences to visitors,” Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said earlier this week.
One of the more special bazaars is being held at Lam Tsuen, known for its two artificial banyan trees that draw people from all over the city seeking to make Lunar New Year wishes. But this year a “Wishing Night Market” will allow visitors to throw special cards into the branches of the trees in a bid to ensure good fortune for the first time.
When city leader John Lee Ka-chiu visited the market earlier this week, he threw a card bearing wishes for a bright future for residents onto the tree.
Visitors will also be able to try ice cream produced by City University’s dairy farm in Tai Po and take in a variety of live performances. The fair runs until Tuesday.
The city will also host the “Chubby Hearts” art project created by British fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch from Wednesday to February 24. The installation, featuring large red balloons shaped like hearts, will be based at Statue Square Gardens in Central, but will also make “pop-up” appearances at various locations, including Lam Tsuen, though the day has yet to be announced.
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Lam Tsuen is a rural area with narrow roads and some locals have raised concerns over the traffic flow during the holiday. But Wishing Tree Plaza chairman Gilvig Cheng Lun-kwong clarified village residents had been given special passes to affix onto the windows of their vehicles and would be given priority access to roads into the area.
“Residents with the stickers will be able to enter via Lam Kam Road directly. Visitors will have to make a detour and take the Kwong Fuk roundabout,” he said, adding that visitors could use a parking lot able to hold 300 cars and they would be given gifts upon arrival.
He said the market was expected to be busiest Saturday to Tuesday.
Mimi Chan, an office clerk in her 40s, said she wanted to take her primary school-aged children to the village and the market was a bonus.
“I have been wanting to take them there for a few years now, but we had a pandemic over the last few years,” she said. “I want them to see more unique Hong Kong cultural sites, so this is something I would like to do. But it will depend on the weather.”
Other districts are competing for visitors too. There will be market stalls, performance shows and games at the Kwun Tong Town Centre, also known as Yue Man Square, until Friday.
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Fanling will host a lantern festival at Luen Wo Hui, while decorative lanterns have been put up in Luen Wo Hui, at the Luen Wo Market and at the Luen Wo Hui Playground. The display will run until Valentine’s Day.
Islands district is also displaying lanterns and will host a carnival and bazaar with the theme of traditional Chinese culture from February 23 to 25.
The Tung Chung East Promenade and Tung Chung Community Liaison Centre will kick off the festivities with a lantern lighting ceremony on February 17 starting at 6pm.
The Wong Tai Sin district council is putting on a carnival from February 23 to 25. In addition to booths featuring special snacks, handicrafts and decorations showcasing traditional Chinese culture and arts, lantern displays will also light up the area. Organisers will set up a play area for children, host workshops for traditional crafts and stage a variety of cultural performances.
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Residents can also head over to Fuk Wa Street in Sham Shui Po for a series of cartoon and lightsabre-themed events, as well as game booths, LED installations and groups of cosplayers. The event runs from February 23 to 25 and March 1 to 3.
To celebrate the opening-up of the previously closed off Sha Tau Kok restricted area, festive decorations as well as traditional dragon boat dances and Hakka festive snacks will be on offer at the children’s playground on February 24.
On the weekend of February 24 to 25, the main plaza and amphitheatre at Sha Tin Park will feature lantern decoration, photo-taking spots, stage performances and traditional handicraft stalls. Coupons for local shops and a lucky draw will also be offered to residents to drum up spending.
