After a five-year hiatus, the highly awaited Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade makes a grand comeback in Tsim Sha Tsui on the first day of the Year of the Dragon (February 10) to kick off a series of Chinese New Year celebrations.
The event is organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) with Cathay being the title sponsor for the 22nd year. Themed “World Party Great Celebration,” the parade aims to showcase the city’s pulsating energy with glamorous floats and a lineup of 13 local and 16 international performing groups from 12 different countries and regions, the most ever in Hong Kong’s Night Parade.
The Filipino dance group, Bacolod City MassKara Festival, has been invited to showcase its own talent in performing arts, with the Barangay Granada MassKara Dancers, the reigning champions of the MassKara Street Dance and Arena Competition, gracing the vibrant streets of Hong Kong alongside other globally famous and award-winning acts.
Namely, the Japanese all-female pop dance group Avantgardey, who recently performed in the NHK New Year’s Eve music battle. Other performers include the Light Dancers, from Spain, the Universe of Lights, from Germany, the Guangxi Arts Troupe, and the Tibet Chamdo Troupe, with performances that showcase the fascinating culture.
The dancers, led by their choreographer Mr. Jordan Toles Casabuena, expressed gratitude and excitement about being part of such a phenomenal line-up.
“MassKara is all about the vibrant colors and energetic routines,” says Casabuena. “We can’t wait to bring this unique and proudly Filipino performance to Hong Kong. It’s about time that the City of Bacolod spreads its culture far and wide, beyond the islands of the Philippines.” He adds, “This is also special for us because we acknowledge the importance of Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, so we are truly honored to celebrate it in the city itself.”
Barangay Granada MassKara dancers recently won the local MassKara dance competition in Bacolod for the fifth time last October 2023, propelling them to festival stardom. They have also performed abroad, showcasing their Filipino passion and talent in New York last June 2023.
This year’s celebrations will include nine floats, with Cathay leading the procession with its float, which will showcase the convergence of tradition and progress, followed by floats presented by famous attractions, such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park Hong Kong, embodying the versatile charisma of Hong Kong.
The audience can also spot other good fortune items on the floats, such as galloping horses on the Hong Kong Jockey Club float and spinning windmills that take the form of a dancing dragon on the HKTB float. After the parade, the floats will be stationed at The Urban Council Centenary Garden, in Tsim Sha Tsui, for public exhibition from 11 to 25 February.
The world-famous Victoria Harbour will also be lighting up with the spectacular 2024 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display on February 11 where people can head to the best viewing points located on both sides of the harbour promenade for this shimmering performance, and usher in even more abundant prosperity and joy as the fireworks bloom in the sky.
Hong Kong truly stays faithful to its title as the events capital of Asia, kicking off the start of the year with a bang. More exciting things await in Hong Kong, with art festivals, sporting events, and many more in the pipeline for the bustling and vibrant city.
For more information on this city mega event, please visit HKTB’s website for details: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/seasia/what-s-new/events/chinese-new-year/night-parade.html
