Hong Kong Prepares for Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui will take place on the first evening of the Year of the Horse, on 31 January 2014.

Themed “New Year Party @ World City”, the event will feature a variety of elements related to the horses to tie in with the Year of the Horse.

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre stage will become a “circus” to welcome the entrance of the 34 festive floats and performing troupes from 15 countries and regions, and the Hong Kong “king” and “queen” of clowns will also make a special appearance to amuse spectators. Highlights of this year’s night parade includes 10 international performing troupes:

- Starlight Alchemy from Singapore, who will, literally, play with fire;

- The Korea Taekwondo Association, and the Aussie Cheer and Dance Collective (featuring the Pride Dance Team), who will be kicking and dancing in crowd-pleasing style;

- The Bicycle Showbank from the Netherlands and The Toys from France, who will perform amazing stunts on bikes and stilts, respectively; and

- LUXe from Ireland and Journey to the Caribbean from Trinidad, St Lucia and Barbados, who will be dressed in gaudy costumes and bring in large-scale props to add colour and gaiety to the night parade.

Thirteen floats will join the procession, which will embark from the “circus” at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. In addition to the 10 international performing groups, 11 local groups will offer performances, including magic tricks, Korean pop dance and hip-hop dance; and The Hong Kong “king” and “queen” of clowns, both champions in the World Clown Competition, will entertain spectators.

Roving Performances

Before the night parade begins, from 7:00pm, spectators along the parade route will be able to enjoy a “fire dragon dance” on bicycles, a marching band, jazz dancing and African drumming, among other street performances.

Spectators can expect to see the first float in major areas along the parade route at the following time:

o Hong Kong Cultural Centre 8:15pm
o Canton Road Around 8:30pm
o Haiphong Road Around 8:50pm
o Nathan Road Around 9:00pm

Mr John Slosar, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways, title sponsor of the night parade, said, “The International Chinese New Year Night Parade is an event that highlights everything that’s great about Hong Kong. It’s a vibrant, colourful and fun-filled spectacle that is the perfect way to begin celebrations for the Lunar New Year. Cathay Pacific is committed to supporting events that help make Hong Kong a more attractive place to live or visit, and that’s why have sponsored the parade for 16 consecutive years. We are very proud to be back as title sponsor this year, and we look forward to welcoming  the Year of the Horse together with tens of thousands of people from Hong Kong and around the world.”

Tickets for the 2014 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade, priced at HK$400, HK$350 and HK$300, will be on sale from Saturday, 25 January at the HKTB Visitor Centre in the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Concourse.

Local residents who are aged 3-11 or over 65 will be able to enjoy half-price concessionary tickets.

All tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and each person can purchase a maximum of four tickets per transaction.

In addition to the night parade, visitors and local residents can soak in the festive ambience by taking part in various signature events, including the Lunar New Year Fireworks Display, the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival, performing arts programmes at the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre, and the Lunar New Year Lantern Carnivals.