Hong Kong’s biggest New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks and star-studded performances. Photo: SCMPHong Kong will ring in 2025 with a New Year’s Eve countdown line-up of activities including fireworks, a star-studded concert and dance performances.
Event organiser, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, called the countdown the largest ever in the city.
The SCMP shares how to make the best of New Year’s Eve, whether you are a regular reveller or watching the fireworks display for the first time.
What are the highlights this year?
The celebration, themed “The Symphony of Happiness”, includes four sets of opening fireworks from several prominent buildings, a series of song and dance performances, and a 12-minute fireworks display.
It will kick off at 11pm on New Year’s Eve with a four-segment series of “Shooting Stars” launching every 15 minutes from three buildings on Hong Kong Island.
A giant countdown clock will be displayed on the wall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, while revellers can enjoy musicians performing along the Cultural Centre’s viewing deck over in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The 12-minute fireworks show will start at midnight and feature several new elements previously unseen in Hong Kong before.
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Who are the stars of the show?
The music and dance show on the viewing deck of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, featuring local boy band Mirror, girl group Collar, and Canadian pop music duo Crash Adams, will take place in addition to the fireworks display.
Where is the best place to catch the fireworks?
Spectators can catch the fireworks at the West Kowloon Cultural District all the way to the Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront. On Hong Kong Island, the display will be visible from Central to North Point.
Organisers have recommended eight prime viewing spots for this year.
They are the Central waterfront, Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai Temporary Promenade Garden, East Coast Park Precinct, the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Cultural Centre, the Avenue of Stars and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
There will be no vantage point at the Hung Hom Promenade this year as the site is undergoing construction works.
Police on Monday added several new viewing spots, including Tamar Park, Exhibition Centre Station and Victoria Park Road.
Live broadcasts will be available to those looking to avoid the crowds.
How late will public transport run?
MTR trains will run overnight on New Year’s Eve, with some exceptions for the East Rail line and Airport Express, among others.
Authorities will close off select roads on Hong Kong Island from 2pm, while some routes in Kowloon will be off limits from 6pm.
Tram services will be extended until 1.30am on January 1 and may be increased based on passenger demand. The operating hours for the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System will also be extended to 3am.
The last boat operated by Star Ferry between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui will depart at 10.30pm on New Year’s Eve.
Citybus will have 14 post-fireworks routes dispersing crowds and 12 topless sightseeing double deckers from 11.35pm at West Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and other parts of Kowloon.
Bus companies will also operate overnight cross-boundary bus services to Shenzhen Bay checkpoint at Wan Chai, Prince Edward, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, and West Kowloon.
What will the weather be like?
New Year’s Eve is expected to be cool and dry with some haze, transitioning to cloudy conditions at night that will last into New Year’s Day. Temperatures will range from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius (60.8 to 71.6 Fahrenheit).