Featuring International Performances and Hong Kong Charm with Stunning Floats, the Parade is Set to Launch a Showcase of the City’s Exciting Festivities for the Year of the Snake

(HKTB will provide a live satellite feed and social media livestreaming of “Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade.” Details follow the main body of this release.)

Hong Kong’s most spectacular Lunar New Year celebration – the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade – will return in exuberant style to welcome the first day of the Year of the Snake (January 29), kicking off a host of seasonal events across the city. Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) with Cathay Pacific as the title sponsor, the annual event enters its 23^rd year. With the theme Unfold a Year of Good Fortune, the parade brings together international performers with local Hong Kong flair, reflecting the city’s status as a global events capital.

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The Cathay International Chinese New Year Parade marquee float is poised to kick off “The Year of the Snake” in the upcoming parade. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations in the world for Lunar New Year celebrations, and the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade is definitely a highlight of the festivities,” said Dr. Pang Yiu-kai, HKTB Chairman. “The parade will be broadcast live by satellite and webcast around the world and will be a global attraction to remember. This year’s event surpasses last year’s as HKTB hopes to kick off the Year of the Snake by showcasing an international carnival featuring performances from all over the world.”

Dr. Pang continued, “HKTB will also provide visitors with a handy New Year travel guide by launching a one-stop Chinese New Year celebration webpage. The page brings together details about celebrations across the city in addition to the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, including the fabulous fireworks display, the Chinese New Year Raceday, and the Chinese New Year Cup on the second, third and fourth days of Lunar New Year respectively, as well as Lunar New Year fairs. Complemented by other festive activities and popular attractions, Hong Kong offers a feast of seasonal entertainment to entice visitors to stay for a few more days and return home filled with joy.”

“As Hong Kong’s home carrier with deep roots in the city for 78 years, Cathay is committed to developing Hong Kong as an international aviation hub while supporting various mega events held in the city to promote the local economy,” said Mr. Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer. “Meanwhile, we have been adding more flights and expanding our network to connect our customers with their friends and families from around the world. We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade for the 23rd consecutive year. We hope this world-renowned Lunar New Year spectacle will give everyone a warm start to the Year of the Snake, surrounded by loved ones and filled with the joy, happiness and blessings brought by Cathay.”

Performances from More Countries and Regions than Last Year, All Brought Together in Tsim Sha Tsui

The floats in this year’s parade, along with local, global and pre-parade performances, will total 55, bringing a bigger and more spectacular Lunar New Year experience to excited crowds of spectators.

A total of 14 countries and regions will be represented, including Hong Kong, with France, Argentina, Austria, Indonesia, and Thailand as the newcomers. There will be a total of 16 performing groups from Mainland and overseas, with some groups packing particular star power like Austrian acrobatic show group and the runner-up of 2018 America's Got Talent, Zurcaroh, and the dance crew, the first Golden Buzzer winner of the 2023 Indonesia’s Got Talent contest, Bravery Dancers. Groups from Mainland China, including the Shaanxi Performing Arts Troupe, who were featured in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 14^th National Games of China, will perform a dance to the resounding rhythm of gongs and drums alongside the bright melodies of suona horns in Bumper Harvest Celebration by Shaanxi Yangko, to fully express their inner joy and aspirations for a better life; while Gansu Dance Troupe’s performance, Music and Dance of Dunhuang, is inspired by the famous murals of the Mogao Caves along the Silk Road in Dunhuang, artistically re-enacting the profound culture of Dunhuang and the glorious prosperity of the ancient Silk Road. Spectators can also enjoy Thai boyband LYKN and K-pop girl group Kep1er.

Presenting Local Performers of an International Standard for a Magnificent Festive Extravaganza

Representing the talents of Hong Kong are 12 performing groups with skills ranging from dancing and cheerleading to gymnastics and rope skipping, many of them champions in international competitions. Marvel at the moves of Chestroll Dance Crew, winner of the 2019 and 2023 World of Dance Hong Kong competition, and the SDM Jazz & Ballet Academie and Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China, both winners of numerous international accolades. The show by the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association China, which has participated in the parade for many years, will include top performers from the United States, France, Australia, and Japan, exchanging skills and adding a touch of international flair to the traditional festivities.

The parade will begin at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and will work its way through Canton Road, Haiphong Road, and Nathan Road before arriving at Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. The parade will officially begin at 8:00pm, and at 6:00pm before the parade starts, a total of 18 local performing groups will ring in the festivities with juggling, magic shows, dance, and music to set the festive mood.

Floats Transform into Hong Kong Tourism Ambassadors to Showcase City’s Charm

The parade this year will feature nine floats, which will showcase the city’s splendor and charm. These floats will feature famous Hong Kong icons, including the city’s beloved panda mascots who will appear on a float with Hong Kong-style milk tea. Highlights will include floats with elements of Hong Kong festivities to promote the city’s distinctive Lunar New Year culture, displays carrying joyful Lunar New Year messages and greetings including windmills, lyrical couplets, and blooming flowers, as well as floats based on the city’s stunning skyline that take inspiration from the snake motif.

Creating Synergy with the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival to Extend the Excitement of the Night Parade

HKTB is teaming up with the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival this year to extend the excitement of the night parade. The dazzling floats and performance stage will be relocated to Lam Tsuen in Tai Po where, from January 30 to February 13, locals and visitors can see multiple floats at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Square. On the second and third days of the Lunar New Year, spectators can enjoy selected performances presented by Mainland and international performing groups who took part in the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade in different locations throughout the city.

Launch of New Year Travel Guide to Attract Visitors to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Hong Kong

The HKTB is providing a helpful New Year travel guide for locals and visitors by launching a one-stop Chinese New Year celebration webpage. The page brings together details about celebrations across the city, including the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on day one, the fabulous fireworks display on day two, the Chinese New Year Raceday on day three, and the Chinese New Year Cup on day four of Lunar New Year, as well as Lunar New Year fairs. Together with temple visits for blessings and other festive activities at popular attractions, the guide will give visitors spending the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the city’s festive culture.

HKTB Chinese New Year celebration webpage: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s-new/events/chinese-new-year.html

Images of Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade Press Conference are available for download at the following link:

https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=1825&categoryTypeId=2

Post-event highlight video footage and images of Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade will be available for download from January 30, 2025, 7:00am Hong Kong Time (January 29, 2025, 6:00pm EST).

Schedule of Celebratory Events Related to the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade*

*The performances and float display details will be announced later on the HKTB website.

Information of Social Media Livestreaming and Satellite Live Feed of “Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade”

1. Details of Social Media Livestreaming (Full programme)

2. Details of Satellite Live Feed (Full program)

Asia Sat 5, 100.5 degrees East (covering Asia markets including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Asia & Southeast Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe & CIS, New Zealand and Australia)

• Satellite path: Asia Sat 5, 100.5 degrees East
• Programme name: International Chinese New Year Parade
• On-air date & time: 1/29/2025 (7:00 – 8:45am EST)
• Transponder: AS5 TXP C9V 9_1V, C Band
• Uplink Frequency: 6191.5 MHz (Horizontal)
• Downlink Frequency: 3966.5 MHz (Vertical)
• Symbol Rate: 7.2 MSps
• FEC: 3/4
• Video Format: HD 1080i 50,
• Aspect Radio: 16:9
• Audio Assignment: A1 : A2 Stereo
• Modulation: DVB-S2/8PSK
• Pilot: ON
• Roll Off: 0.2
• Encoding Bit Rate: 14.0 Mbps (MPEG4 H.264 4:2:0)
• Encryption: NIL – Free to Air

Eutelsat E7B, 7 degrees East (covering Europe)

• Satellite path: Eutelsat E7B, 7 degrees East
• Programme name: International Chinese New Year Parade
• On-air date & time: 1/29/2025 (12:00 – 1:45pm GMT; 7:00 – 8:45am EST)
• Transponder: E7B TXP F06 D9, Ku Band
• Uplink Frequency: 14203.83 MHz (Horizontal)
• Downlink Frequency: 12703.83 MHz (Vertical)
• Symbol Rate: 7.2 MSps
• FEC: 3/4
• Video Format: HD 1080i 50
• Aspect Radio: 16:9
• Audio Assignment: A1 : A2 Stereo
• Modulation: DVB-S2/8PSK
• Pilot: ON
• Roll Off: 0.2
• Encoding Bit Rate: 14.0 Mbps (MPEG4 H.264 4:2:0)
• Encryption: NIL – Free to Air

Intelsat IS-19, 166.0 degrees East (covering Asia region and the Western United States)

• Satellite path: IS19, 166.0 degrees East
• Programme name: International Chinese New Year Parade
• On-air date & time: 1/29/2025 (7:00 – 8:45am EST)
• Transponder: IS-19 (08C Slot D), C Band
• Uplink Frequency: 6098.5 MHz (Vertical)
• Downlink Frequency: 3873.5 MHz (Horizontal)
• Symbol Rate: 7.2 MSps
• FEC: 3/4
• Video Format: HD 1080i 50
• Aspect Radio: 16:9
• Audio Assignment: A1 : A2 Stereo
• Modulation: DVB-S2/8PSK
• Pilot: ON
• Roll Off: 0.2
• Encoding Bit Rate: 14.0 Mbps (MPEG4 H.264 4:2:0)
• Encryption: NIL – Free to Air

Intelsat IS-34, 55.5 degrees West (covering the Americas, North America & South America)

• Satellite path: IS34, 55.5 degrees West
• Programme name: International Chinese New Year Parade
• On-air date & time: 1/29/2025 (7:00 – 8:45am EST)
• Transponder: IS-34 (19C Slot A), C Band
• Uplink Frequency: 6346.5 MHz (Horizontal)
• Downlink Frequency: 4121.5 MHz (Vertical)
• Symbol Rate: 7.2 MSps
• FEC: 3/4
• Video Format: HD 1080i 59.94
• Aspect Radio: 16:9
• Audio Assignment: A1 : A2 Stereo
• Modulation: DVB-S2/8PSK
• Pilot: ON
• Roll Off: 0.2
• Encoding Bit Rate: 14.0 Mbps (MPEG4 H.264 4:2:0)
• Encryption: NIL – Free to Air

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123405592/en/