Playing its part in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has made new arrangements for upcoming mega events: Hong Kong WinterFest, Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations, and Chinese New Year Celebrations.
1. Hong Kong WinterFest
The Hong Kong WinterFest starts today (4 December) and runs until 3 January 2021. Instead of installing a Christmas tree in Statue Square, Central, the HKTB has organised a virtual tour of Christmas Town.
People from around the world can go online to pay a visit and learn to make Christmas wreaths, candlesticks, and other handmade products in the comfort and safety of their homes. For details, please visit https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s-new/events/hong-kong-winterfest.html.
2. Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations
There will be no fireworks display over Victoria Harbour for this year’s New Year Countdown.
3. Chinese New Year Celebrations
The International Chinese New Year Night Parade traditionally invites renowned performing groups from different parts of the world. However, as international travel is still mostly limited to essential trips, these groups are unable to join the event. Hence, the HKTB has decided after careful consideration, no parade will be held in 2021 Chinese New Year Celebrations. Instead, the HKTB is exploring to organise an Online+Offline event. Details will be announced in due course.
The HKTB has already made changes to its event strategies and is currently holding the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival (https://winedinefestival.discoverhongkong.com/) in an Online+Offline format.
The event has been well received, in particular the Online Masterclasses, which have attracted a viewership of close to 500,000.