Hong Kong cancels New Year’s Eve fireworks; alternative countdown event to convey ‘positive energy’

The Hong Kong government has called off the New Year’s Eve fireworks display following the deadly Tai Po fire, replacing it with an alternative countdown event aimed at conveying “positive energy.”

Mourners pay their respects to those who died in the fatal fire in Tai Po, pictured on November 30, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The government said in a press release on Wednesday night that this year’s countdown will “forgo” the fireworks display.

In a separate statement after that, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said a countdown event will be held at the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central on New Year’s Eve.

“Through this event, the HKTB hopes to convey positive energy, care, and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors, and to welcome a hopeful new year together,” HKTB said, adding that it will announce more details later.

Both statements did not directly mention the Tai Po fire, which broke out in late November and killed at least 160 people. The government held a three-day mourning period in its aftermath, with the Chinese and Hong Kong flags flown at half-mast.

New Year fireworks on January 1, 2025. Photo: GovHK.

Since last week, some activities that were suspended have resumed, including “A Symphony of Lights,” the nightly laser light show across Victoria Harbour which was suspended the day after the fire.

Lam Ching-choi, Executive Council member and chair of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, said last week that the city needed to resume normality at some point.

He said festivities should continue, but that people needed to be respectful.

Border checkpoint hours extended

Eric Chan, the chief secretary for administration, said in a statement on Wednesday night that the government anticipated there would be an increase in mainland Chinese visitors arriving in the city to mark the new year.

New Year’s Day marks the start of a three-day-long holiday in mainland China, Chan added.

An aerial view of Lok Mak Chau check point on the Hong Kong border near the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

He said service hours at border checkpoints will be extended on New Year’s Eve to facilitate visitors.

“The Mainland port authorities have duly reported to the national port authorities for approval according to the required procedures. Further details will be announced as soon as possible,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge checkpoint and the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang checkpoint will operate for 24 hours on New Year’s Eve, as in previous years.