The SUN HK : Lunar New Year parade is back after 5 years

The Lunar New Year Parade will be held on the first day of the Year of the Dragon (HKTB photo)

For the first time in five years, the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade will return on Feb. 10, the first day of the Year of the Dragon. Organizers from the Hong Kong Tourism Board say they expect 150,000 people to watch the event which will be held in key areas around Tsim Sha Tsui.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year on Feb. 11, a fireworks display will again light up Victoria harbour starting at 8pm.

For the evening parade, nine elaborate floats on wheels paid for by sponsors will take part, along with 29 local and international performers, including the Masskara group from Bacolod City, Philippines.

Masskara performers from Bacolod will take part in the parade

The other international performers include two from the Mainland, three from Japan, two from Korea, three from Spain, and one each from the United States, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Australia/New Zealand.

The parade will start at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui and proceed along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road before finishing at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel.

Tickets for the spectator stands to view the parade will go on sale on the board's visitor centre in Tsim Sha Tsui from 8 am on Jan. 27 on a first-come, first-served basis. However, anyone can watch the whole show for free along the parade route on Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road. To secure the best spots, early arrival is recommended.

DITO ANG DETALYE

There will also be a live telecast on TVB Jade channel from 8 to 9:45pm.

The best locations for enjoying the parade, and their corresponding ticket prices are:

Zone A: At the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza (main stage) HK$480/head

Zone B: At the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza (main stage - includes seats with a partially obstructed view) HK$450/head

Zone C: At the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza (near the viewing deck) HK$300/head

Zone D: On Canton Road (outside Lippo Sun Plaza) HK$300/head

Zone E: On Nathan Road (Middle Road junction) HK$300/head

Please refer to the parade route map for zone locations.

TAWAG NA!

Zones A, B and C will open at 6:45pm for ticket holders. Please be seated before 7:30pm.

Zones D and E will open at 5:45pm for ticket holders.

HK Tourism Board's float will look like this

Ticket details:

Each visitor will receive a numbered ticket indicating a designated time on the same day when they should return to purchase their Night Parade admission ticket(s). A maximum limit of four tickets per person per transaction.

Cathay members can present their membership card to enjoy a HK$50 discount on each ticket. Each member can purchase up to two discounted tickets.

Seniors aged 65 or above and children aged 3-11 are entitled to a 50% discount, free for children under 3 years old who do not require a seat. Concessionary ticket holders must be Hong Kong residents and are required to present their legitimate identification documents upon admission.