Hong Kong New Year Countdown moves to Central with live music and light show

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced on Tuesday that the New Year countdown event will take place at the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central, replacing the fireworks display at Victoria Harbour on December 31.

The board aims to spread positive energy, care, and peace blessings to locals and visitors, welcoming a hopeful new year.

The event runs from 11.30pm on December 31 to 12.10am on January 1, featuring live performances by foreign soft rock duo Air Supply and local singers Jay Fung and Cloud Wan.

The program also includes the Hong Kong Children's Choir and Police Silver Band, creating a lively yet warm festive atmosphere.

Walls of eight iconic Central buildings in the Immersive Light Show will display giant countdown clocks and seasonal patterns via projections, culminating in a three-minute light performance.

To include more locals and visitors, the board will set up large screens at Chater Garden and Edinburgh Place in Central, plus project the event on the Hong Kong Cultural Centre's exterior wall in Tsim Sha Tsui.

A giant countdown clock will appear on the glass facade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, allowing viewers on both sides of Victoria Harbour to welcome the new year together.

The event will stream live on the board's website and social platforms (Facebook, YouTube), local channels like TVB Jade, and via satellite for worldwide audiences to join Hong Kong's countdown.

To facilitate the event, special transportation arrangements will be made that evening.

The board also urges the public to pay close attention to the detailed announcements from the relevant government departments.