Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade 2026

Hong Kong’s Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade 2026

The Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade 2026 takes place on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 in Tsim Sha Tsui, with the main parade starting at 8:00 PM after a lively pre-parade street party from 6:00 PM. It’s one of the city’s most spectacular Lunar New Year experiences, blending dazzling floats, international performance groups, and a crowd energy that makes Hong Kong feel like the world’s brightest stage for one night.

What the Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade is

The official Hong Kong Tourism Board page describes the Night Parade as the most spectacular Chinese New Year celebration in town, returning to Tsim Sha Tsui with floats and performing groups. In 2026, it continues the tradition of showcasing modern Hong Kong’s “East meets West” identity through a high-production parade format that mixes contemporary choreography, cultural performance, and big visual design.

For travelers, this parade is a perfect “first night” anchor for a Lunar New Year trip. It gives you the festival mood immediately, then the rest of your stay can explore markets, temples, harbour views, and seasonal foods with the city still buzzing from the holiday.

Confirmed date and show schedule for 2026

Cathay Pacific’s event page confirms the date as 17 Feb 2026 and lists a pre-parade street party from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, followed by the main parade from 8:00 PM to 9:45 PM. An HKTB industry circular also confirms the parade takes place on the evening of 17 February 2026.

These times are important for planning because arriving only at 8:00 PM often means fighting for space. If you want a comfortable viewing position, arrive closer to the pre-parade window so you can enjoy the build-up and claim a good spot along the route.

Parade location and route: where to watch in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Night Parade page is the official hub for route and viewing information, and it confirms the parade is held in Tsim Sha Tsui. Many guides and event listings describe the parade route as running through major Tsim Sha Tsui roads, with the route traditionally starting near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and moving along key streets in the district.

For practical travel planning, treat Tsim Sha Tsui as your base area that night. It is walkable, packed with dining options, and close to Victoria Harbour viewpoints, so you can turn the parade into a full evening experience rather than a quick stop.

Tickets, seating, and pricing (what’s confirmed and what varies)

One of the best parts of the parade is that many people watch it for free from public areas along the route, and multiple listings describe admission as free for street viewing. For travelers who prefer comfort and guaranteed sightlines, HKTB also provides designated spectator stands in different zones, described as “for an enhanced viewing experience.”

However, ticket rules vary by channel:

• An HKTB industry circular states that travel agents can register seating for overseas visitors, but tickets “must be sold as part of package products” and cannot be sold individually through that route.
• Some third-party platforms list example grandstand prices (often by zone), but because these can reflect past editions, package-only rules, or reseller conditions, it’s safest to confirm your exact seating options through official HKTB-linked pages for 2026 before purchase.

What makes the Night Parade worth traveling for

This parade is designed for spectacle. It combines floats, dance, music, and international performance groups, and it’s staged in a district that already feels cinematic at night due to neon, harbour lights, and the energy of crowds moving between shopping streets and the waterfront. Cathay’s page frames it as a chance to experience Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year atmosphere through “magnificent floats” and “traditional and contemporary performances,” which is exactly the blend that defines the city’s festival style.

For photographers, it’s one of the best nights of the year: bright costumes, moving formations, and the kind of lighting that makes street scenes pop without needing perfect daylight.

Travel tips for a smooth parade night in Tsim Sha Tsui

To enjoy the parade comfortably, think like a local event-goer.

Arrive earlier than you think

The schedule shows pre-parade entertainment starting at 6:00 PM, which is the ideal arrival window if you want space and a calmer entry into the crowd. The earlier you arrive, the more likely you’ll find a good viewing position, especially if you’re traveling with kids or older family members.

Dress for standing and walking

Even with great viewing spots, you’ll probably walk quite a bit and stand for long stretches. Comfortable shoes and light layers make the evening easier, especially in crowded areas where you don’t want bulky bags.

Pair it with a harbourfront moment

Tsim Sha Tsui is already one of Hong Kong’s top visitor districts, so it’s smart to add a short harbourfront walk before or after the parade to make the night feel like a complete Hong Kong memory.

Verified Information at a glance

• Event name: Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade 2026
• Event category: Lunar New Year street parade and cultural celebration
• Confirmed date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (Chinese New Year’s Day)
• Confirmed location: Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
• Confirmed schedule: Pre-parade street party 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM; main parade 8:00 PM – 9:45 PM
• Viewing: Street viewing available; designated spectator stands also offered for enhanced viewing
• Ticket pricing: Stand seating exists, but pricing and sales rules can vary by channel and may be package-based for overseas visitors through travel agents, so verify through HKTB’s official channels for 2026

If you want one Hong Kong night that instantly feels like Lunar New Year at full power, plan to be in Tsim Sha Tsui on 17 February 2026, arrive early for the street party atmosphere, and let the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade pull you into a celebration that’s bright, loud, and unforgettable from the first drumbeat to the final float.