WinterFest to spread across Hong Kong as ‘Symphony of Lights’ takes final bow

Hong Kong's WinterFest will this year extend beyond its traditional location in Central, spreading its festivities to Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. The highlight of the season will be the farewell performance of "A Symphony of Lights," the iconic nighttime light show that has graced Victoria Harbour for 22 years. This final rendition, set for 8pm, will feature special pyrotechnics as a heartfelt goodbye.

The 2024 WinterFest, running until January 5, promises a winter wonderland at Central's Statue Square Gardens, complete with a towering 22-metre Christmas tree, a two-metre-high Christmas train, and a host of festive installations. The festival also brings new attractions to Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, including a musical light show played on a "magical jukebox" activated by penguins and squirrels, and the transformation of the Hong Kong Museum of Art into a crystal ball of swirling snowflakes and light orbs.

In Causeway Bay, the winter spectacle will resemble an elf village, complete with an outdoor bar and festive workshops. The event aims to entice locals and tourists to stay in Hong Kong, immersing them in the city's unique winter experiences. The board behind the festival, led by Peter Lam Kin-ngok, hopes the expanded festivities will boost local spending, offering 100,000 dining and retail discounts via Alipay.

The two-decade-old "A Symphony of Lights" will be retired, replaced by a series of seasonal light festivals across various locations and times. The decision comes after the controversial plan to install lights along The Peak's trail was scrapped due to public opposition.