The Hong Kong Tourism Board on Monday said the countdown event in the runup to the New Year would remain attractive to revellers despite the cancellation of the customary blockbuster fireworks display over Victoria Harbour out of respect for the Wang Fuk Court fire victims.

Instead, the city will, for the first time, usher in a new year with a live music and light show at the pedestrian area of Chater Road in Central.

Eight landmarks in Central, such as the Court of Final Appeal and HSBC headquarters, will participate in the three-minute light show themed "New Hopes, New Beginnings" at the stroke of midnight.

Their facades will be transformed into giant countdown clocks 20 seconds ahead of New Year's Day.

The board's event and product development lead adviser, Mason Hung, said what mattered the most for revellers was the overall atmosphere.

"We don't anticipate too much impact without the fireworks," he said.

"Based on the recent feedback that we monitored through media reports most of the visitors, in particular from the mainland, are looking for the city ambience rather than one or two particular elements that they want to see or to enjoy during their stay in Hong Kong."

Hung went on to say the board did not have any target on how many tourists and locals would be joining in the celebrations and that it was difficult to estimate how many revellers would be gathering at Chater Road for the event.

Road closures will be implemented around Chater Road in phases starting from 6pm on New Year's Eve, as well as Lan Kwai Fong – a popular countdown hotspot in the city – starting at 2pm the same day.

Revellers can also head to Hong Kong Disneyland and West Kowloon Cultural District to welcome the new year, the board added.