Chinese New Year celebrations 2026 kick off on February 17. It marks the Year of the Fire Horse and a special event that occurs only once every 60 years.
If you’re planning to join the celebrations but wondering which destination to choose, we’ve curated some of the best CNY events Asia has to offer for you and your loved ones to experience together.
Hong Kong
Victoria Harbour Fireworks
The Hong Kong CNY fireworks draw millions to the harbour every year, and the 2026 show promises to be exceptional. Scheduled for February 18 (the second day of Chinese New Year), the display launches from barges positioned between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, creating a spectacular backdrop against the iconic skyline
The display typically runs 23 minutes. Expect Horse-themed sequences with gold and red bursts.
Where to watch:
- Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront (free, packed by 6 PM)
- Avenue of Stars
- Central/Wan Chai harborfronts
- ICC rooftop bars (paid, less crowded)
- Star Ferry during the show (cheap, unique angle)
@discoverhongkong The sky above Victoria Harbour came alive with a magnificent display of fireworks as we joyfully embraced the arrival of 2024! Wishing everyone a happy new year and an even more spectacular 2024 🎊! #HongKongNewYearCountdown #HelloHongKong #DiscoverHongKong ♬ Celebrate - DM Production
Cathay Night Parade
The Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade takes over Tsim Sha Tsui on CNY Eve on February 17. The route runs 1.2 km from Canton Road to Salisbury Road.
Watch floats, dragon dances, international performance troupes, LED-lit acrobats, drum corps. The parade is free to attend and takes 90 minutes to pass any given point. Stake out a spot along the barriers by 6 PM as it’s standing room only.
Sha Tin Racecourse
What better way to honor the Year of the Horse than at the races? Sha Tin hosts a CNY race meeting on February 19. The Chinese New Year Cup, where thoroughbreds thunder down the track, headlines the event. Spectators can place bets and cheer from packed grandstands.
Furthermore, lion dances weave through the crowds between races. Fortune-telling stalls buzz with predictions for the year ahead. Festive markets sell lucky charms and traditional snacks. The racecourse blends sport and tradition into one vibrant celebration.
Singapore
Chingay Parade 2026
Asia’s largest street parade, Chingay 2026, returns to Marina Bay on February 27–28, 2026 at the F1 Pit Building. The “WISH” theme introduces Chingay’s first circular parade route with three-story floats, Fire Horse pyrotechnics, and a 360-degree viewing experience.
The 90-minute show at 8pm features Chinese dragons, Indian fire dancers, Malay kompang drummers, Japanese taiko performers, and Western marching bands on a transformable multi-tier stage with LED lighting effects.
Friday shows are less crowded than Saturday. Bring ear protection for loud audio. No refunds. Free entry for infants under 2.
Chingay Parade tickets cost S$20–S$60 via SISTIC.
@chingayparadesg Chingay 2025 Day 1—And what a night it was! 🎉 The energy, the colors, the performances—Day 1 of the Chingay Parade was nothing short of spectacular! From dazzling floats to electrifying dances, the JOY was felt in every beat, every step, and every cheer. And the best part? We’re doing it all over again today! If you missed it yesterday, don’t worry—come down and witness the magic for yourself at the F1 Pit Building for Day 2 of Chingay 2025! #ChingaySG2025 #SG60 #CelebrateWithJoy ♬ original sound - Chingay Parade SG
Taiwan
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival draws thousands to New Taipei City each year, and the 2026 celebration promises to be spectacular. Scheduled for February 27 and March 3 (Lantern Festival night), thousands of lanterns rise simultaneously from Pingxi District, creating a glowing river of light against the mountain backdrop.
Where to watch:
- Shifen Old Street (free, packed by 5 PM)
- Pingxi Station area
- Shifen Waterfall viewing points
- Hillside temples (less crowded, elevated views)
- Along the railway tracks (popular photo spot)
The main releases run approximately 2 hours with multiple waves. Expect giant lanterns over 6 meters tall launched alongside individual wish lanterns. Participants write wishes on paper lanterns before release.
@wenghii PINGXI SKY LANTERN FESTIVAL IN TAIWAN 🏮 schedule for this coming year - 2/12/2025 #taiwantravel #filtaicouple #fyp #taiwan ♬ Fly Me to the Moon - The Macarons Project
Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival
The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival draws thrill-seekers to Tainan City each year, and the 2026 event promises to be intense. Scheduled for March 2-3, tens of thousands of bottle rockets fire directly at crowds from wooden “beehive” structures, creating a chaotic spectacle unlike anywhere else in the world.
Where to watch:
- Main procession route following Guan Gong statue (most intense, crowds form early)
- Wumiao Temple area (primary launch site)
- Side streets near beehive stations (less crowded, still active)
- Designated viewing zones (safer distance, protective gear required)
- Temple courtyards (multiple beehive structures)
The rocket battles run from 8 PM to 3 AM across multiple locations throughout the district. Expect processions carrying the statue of Guan Gong stopping at beehive stations for coordinated launches. Full protective gear is mandatory. Helmets, goggles, long sleeves, and gloves are essential.
Caution: This is one of the world’s most dangerous festivals. Burns and injuries are common despite precautions. Not recommended for children or those with mobility issues.
Other CNY 2026 Destinations
Asia travel February 2026 extends beyond the main hubs. These destinations offer authentic celebrations worth exploring.
Binondo, Philippines [February 17–23, 2026]
The Binondo Chinese New Year Celebration transforms the world’s oldest Chinatown into a festival of color and tradition each year.
The celebrations run throughout the week. Dragon and lion dances weave through the crowds daily. Street vendors line the roads selling tikoy (sticky rice cakes), hopia (bean-filled pastries), and other traditional treat Temple ceremonies continue from morning until evening. Expect the largest crowds on CNY Eve and the first three days.
Where to experience:
- Ongpin Street (main celebration hub, most crowded on weekends)
- Seng Guan Temple (prayer ceremonies and incense offerings)
- Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz (street food stalls with Chinese delicacies)
- Binondo Church area (cultural shows and food stalls)
- Side streets off Ongpin (less crowded, authentic local celebrations)
@chinesecommercialnews Chinese New Year 2026 🧧 Asian Street Food Festival at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo Manila — where culture, flavor, and celebration meet. Follow us for more stories that matter. #fyp #chinesenewyear #binondofoodtrip #nightmarket #binondofoodcrawl ♬ 春节喜庆元旦过年热闹 - 苏政
Macau [February 17–23, 2026]
The Macau Chinese New Year Celebration blends Portuguese colonial charm with traditional festivities each year. Fireworks light up Nam Van Lake while temple ceremonies run from dawn to dusk. Flower markets at Senado Square sell peach blossoms and lucky plants. Expect peak crowds on the first three days.
Where to experience:
- Nam Van Lake waterfront (fireworks viewing, free, crowds gather early)
- A-Ma Temple (prayer ceremonies and incense offerings, oldest temple in Macau)
- Kun Iam Temple (blessing rituals and traditional performances)
- Senado Square (flower markets and festive decorations)
- Casino resorts: Venetian, Wynn, MGM (elaborate decorations, cultural performances, lion dances)
Yaowarat Road, Bangkok [February 16–19, 2026]
The Yaowarat Chinese New Year 2026 festivities peak from CNY Eve through day three. Yaowarat Road closes to traffic and becomes a sprawling street celebration packed with performers, vendors, and fortune-seekers. Dragon dances wind through the streets multiple times daily. Street food vendors line every corner selling dim sum, roasted meats, and Thai-Chinese specialties.
Where to experience:
- Yaowarat Road (main pedestrian zone, most crowded after 6 PM)
- Wat Mangkon Kamalawat Temple (prayer ceremonies and incense offerings)
- Sampeng Lane (market stalls selling gold jewelry and lucky charms)
- Odeon Circle (dragon dance performances and cultural shows)
- Side sois off Yaowarat (street food vendors, less crowded).
@onlythingtravel Don’t miss out on Thailand’s best street party in 2026! Lunar New Year in Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat) is one of the city’s biggest annual celebrations. And it’s one of the easiest to miss if you don’t plan for it. For several days, the main road closes to traffic and fills with parades, lion and dragon dances, incense offerings, live performances, and endless food stalls. Bangkok has one of the largest Chinese-Thai communities in the world. Lunar New Year here isn’t just for show. It’s cultural, religious, and deeply rooted in family tradition. Temples stay busy all day, red lanterns line the streets, and the neighbourhood runs on a completely different pace than usual. It’s crowded, loud, and intense. But that’s part of what makes it special! If you’re travelling through Thailand in mid February, this is one event worth timing your trip around. #OnlyThingTravel #TravelReels #Bangkok #Thailand #LunarNewYear ♬ พี่ชอบหนูที่สุดเลย (I Like You The Most) - PONCHET
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [February 17–23, 2026]
The Kuala Lumpur Chinese New Year Celebration lights up the city with traditional festivities and modern spectacle each year. Petaling Street glows with red lanterns while major shopping districts host cultural performances and festive markets. Thean Hou Temple draws thousands of pilgrims for blessing ceremonies and incense offerings, while major malls host CNY markets featuring food stalls and cultural exhibits.
Where to experience:
- Petaling Street (Chinatown main hub, decorative archways and night markets)
- Thean Hou Temple (prayer ceremonies, fortune-telling, panoramic city views)
- Pavilion KL (lion dances, CNY markets, indoor performances)
- Suria KLCC (cultural shows, festive decorations, family-friendly events)
- Brickfields Little India (multicultural celebrations blending Chinese and Indian traditions)
