Tonight is Hong Kong's "New Year's Eve," and many places across the territory are holding countdown events to welcome the year 2015. The highlight is the "New Year · New World · Hong Kong Countdown" organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, where citizens and tourists can enjoy a large-scale fireworks display on both sides of Victoria Harbour. Residents in the New Territories can go to Sha Tin Park to participate in the "2014New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival," which will feature various exciting performances and traditional snack stalls. Citizens who have previously registered for the Central Ferris Wheel countdown event can also arrive in the evening to celebrate the New Year up close under the Ferris wheel, welcoming the year 2015.
The "New Year · New World · Hong Kong Countdown," organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and title-sponsored by New World Development Company Limited, is being held tonight (the 31st). The display will last for 8 minutes, with the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre once again serving as the focal point. At that time, colorful fireworks will be launched in synchronization with the rhythm of the music from various buildings in Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Combined with special lighting effects and the newly added high-definition wide screens this year, it will bring a dazzling and vibrant New Year's Eve to tourists and citizens alike.
"Wishing Shooting Stars" launched before the display
To make the New Year's Eve countdown atmosphere even more intense, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will launch "Wishing Shooting Stars," symbolizing different meanings, from the rooftops of participating buildings every 15 minutes during the hour before the display, allowing everyone to participate and make New Year wishes. This year's display adds several new elements to enhance the audiovisual experience for tourists and citizens, including the first-ever high-definition wide screen on the exterior wall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring LINE FRIENDS interacting with the audience, New Year greetings in multiple languages, and large "2015" lettering. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will also live-stream the entire event on the south exterior wall of the Cultural Centre, allowing more tourists and citizens to feel the lively atmosphere of the event.
Snowfall effect added to the Cultural Centre
This year's display incorporates ring-shaped and rainbow fireworks, symbolizing perfection and hope, making the overall visual effect even richer. In addition to the enhanced visual effects, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will also add a snowfall effect around the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre to increase the festive atmosphere. Famous singer Joey Yung will serve as a guest performer for the event, leading a sing-along on both sides of Victoria Harbour. Together with exciting performances by other entertainment guests, the goal is to push the atmosphere to a climax to welcome the new year.
Countdown under the Ferris wheel to a "Glow" New Year
Additionally, although the annual New Year's Eve countdown events at Times Square and Canton Road have been cancelled, this year the new Central landmark, the Ferris wheel, is holding its first large-scale outdoor countdown event, the "cslGlow into 2015 New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival." Citizens who have registered in advance can wear fluorescent clothing to create the "most glowing" New Year's Eve countdown carnival. The venue features multiple classic Hong Kong game stalls, a food zone, and free distribution of LED glow sticks, game stall coupons, and food vouchers.
Sha Tin Park hosts countdown carnival
Residents living in Sha Tin can also participate in the "2014New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival" organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Sha Tin Park, Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza, and City Art Square. There will be many exciting performances, including a cappella and fancy rope skipping performances. The organizers have also arranged stalls for intangible cultural heritage, demonstrating traditional crafts such as dragon beard candy, ding ding candy, airplane olives, and dough figurines, sharing these rich cultural heritages with citizens to welcome the new year together. New Town Plaza will also host the "Zero-Gravity Aerial Show 2015 New Year's Eve Countdown Party" aerial dance performance.
apm features magical music and dance
Additionally, Sun Hung Kai Properties' Kwun Tong flagship mall, apm, is also hosting marathon celebration activities tonight, including a "Magic Show" and continuous energetic music and dance, counting down with the citizens present to welcome the year 2015
