On New Year’s Eve, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will launch a vibrant countdown event to celebrate the arrival of 2026. The festivities, themed “New Hopes, New Beginnings,” will take place at the Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central, featuring a spectacular blend of live music and an immersive light show.
Prominent international group Air Supply is set to headline the occasion, performing alongside acclaimed local artists Jay Fung and Cloud Wan. The event will also include a children’s choir and a performance by the Hong Kong Police Band, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.
Transforming the Cityscape
Eight iconic landmarks in Central will be transformed into giant countdown clocks, illuminated with vibrant light projections. At midnight, a captivating three-minute light show will unfold, sending heartfelt blessings to both local attendees and audiences worldwide. This year’s countdown is supported by Hongkong Land, which has collaborated with HKTB to bring this ambitious event to life.
For those wishing to join the festivities in person, large outdoor screens will be placed in Chater Garden and Edinburgh Place, allowing spectators to enjoy the live broadcast of the countdown show. The HKTB has coordinated with local authorities to ensure a smooth event, with phased road closures around Chater Road starting at approximately 18:00 on December 31. In addition to the Central celebrations, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui will also project the countdown show onto its façade, while a giant countdown clock will be visible at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
Global Audience Engagement
To broaden participation, the HKTB will stream the countdown live through various channels, including its official website, DiscoverHongKong.com, and social media platforms. This live broadcast will enable audiences around the globe to count down to the New Year alongside the festivities in Hong Kong. The broadcast signal will also be available for media outlets to simulcast, ensuring that more people can experience the event in real time.
The HKTB has also arranged for the live signal to be uplinked via satellite, facilitating global distribution and allowing international viewers to join in the celebrations. Specific details regarding the satellite feeds are available for broadcasters, ensuring seamless access to the countdown event.
As the city gears up for this significant occasion, a variety of countdown activities will be hosted across Hong Kong, providing both locals and visitors with multiple ways to celebrate. Highlights include the “New Year’s Eve Countdown Party Moment” at Hong Kong Disneyland and a special countdown concert in the West Kowloon Cultural District.
The HKTB’s comprehensive visitor information platforms will showcase these events, assisting attendees in planning their New Year’s Eve itinerary. In light of the expected crowds, special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented to facilitate access to the events. The HKTB urges the public to stay informed through announcements from relevant government departments leading up to the celebrations.
For more information, visit the HKTB Hong Kong New Year Countdown website at https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s-new/events/new-year-countdown.html.
As the countdown to 2026 begins, Hong Kong once again positions itself as a vibrant hub for celebration, inviting the world to share in its festive spirit.
