Large crowds began gathering at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade on Wednesday afternoon, with residents and tourists eager to secure the best vantage points for the evening’s Lunar New Year fireworks display.

The event celebrating the Year of the Horse is scheduled to begin at 8pm and will illuminate Victoria Harbour with a vibrant eight-scene show featuring equine motifs and traditional symbols of prosperity, including gold ingots and horseshoes.

As visitors staked out their positions with cameras and tripods in tow, police set up orange tape and barriers along the waterfront to begin crowd-control measures in preparation for the influx of spectators.

Among those waiting was a resident surnamed Chan who said this marked his eighth consecutive year photographing the fireworks.

He arrived at around 9am to claim his spot.

“I hope there will be something impressive to see,” Chan said.

“I have heard there will be fireworks shaped like gold ingots, so I’m curious to see if I can spot them.

"I’m also hoping the colours will be vibrant this year. Sometimes the palette is quite limited, so I’m looking forward to patterns with a lot of colour – it makes for a more satisfying visual experience.”

Local enthusiasm for this year’s display is particularly high, one resident noted, following the cancellation of the New Year’s Eve fireworks just two months earlier.

The celebrations also drew visitors from the mainland, with one traveller from Shenzhen, surnamed Luo, saying her positive experience during Hong Kong’s Christmas festivities inspired her to return.

“I really enjoy the grand atmosphere that fireworks create,” she said.

“I’m especially looking forward to experiencing Hong Kong’s culture during the Year of the Horse and all the blessings that come with it.”

A tourist from Shaanxi said he made the trip specifically to ring in the new year with his girlfriend, adding that the fireworks would provide a romantic backdrop.

The couple plan to continue their journey in Shenzhen after the show.

To accommodate the large crowds, phased closures of multiple roads in Tsim Sha Tsui were implemented on Wednesday afternoon.

Several MTR lines will also enhance services throughout the evening to help spectators travel to and from the event smoothly.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden