No fireworks, no problem: 8 things to do in Hong Kong this New Year's Eve
Political turmoil has had a serious affect on Hong Kong.
Although most travel experts, including TPG senior news editor Clint Henderson, who recently spent five nights in Hong Kong, believe the city is still perfectly safe for travelers, the number of visitors has plummeted.
The sometimes-violent protests have, at times, shut down parts of the city, including its efficient metro system and even the airport. A number of big-ticket concerts, sporting events, conferences and other events have also been canceled due to public safety concerns.
The latest major event to be cancelled: Hong Kong's iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks show. The fireworks show has been held annually for over a decade and typically attracted more than 300,000 attendees. It was a staple of countdown broadcasts around the world.
Although the Hong Kong Tourism Board promises an enhanced version of the daily light show that plays over Victoria Harbor in place of the fireworks, there are plenty more celebrations happening around the city sure to provide travelers with a memorable New Year's Eve.
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1. 'Le Grand Hotel Ophelia' at Ophelia
Ophelia, one of Hong Kong’s hottest nightlife destinations, will transform into an elegant hotel from the early 1920s this New Year's Eve. You'll be taken on an immersive celebration with mesmerizing acts from international performers and tableau vivant, all dressed in glamorous vintage costumes. The venue's design looks like something out of a dream, harking back to Hong Kong’s heady opium den days. Admission is free, but the price you'll pay for a drink (about $17 per cocktail) makes up for that. Guests must be 18 or older and donning their best "vintage glam" duds.
Tickets: Eventbrite.hk — Free entry with RSVP
2. New Year's Eve countdown party at Zuma
The Hong Kong outpost of the famed international sushi chain Zuma will be hosting a masquerade-themed countdown party. Admission includes all the Veuve Clicquot Champagne you can drink, plus cocktails, red and white wine, beer and soft drinks, and live music by DJ Emmanuel Diaz. If you want to get the party started early, an exclusive New Year’s Eve yashoku, or supper, will take place in the lounge from 8 p.m. Guests must be 18 or older.
Tickets: Tiicketflap.com — From 890 Hong Kong dollars (about $114)
Related: Your points and miles guide to Hong Kong
3. 'Black and Gold' New Year’s Eve party at Aqua Spirit
Take in the views of the harbor from one of the city's most stylish rooftop bars and celebrate the new year in style at the Aqua’s Spirit Bar's glamorous Black & Gold New Year’s Eve party. This annual event will feature spectacular entertainment, including tunes spun by Aqua's resident DJ Abel Rogers. Admission is relatively reasonable and all guests receive a complimentary glass of Champagne. If you prefer more of a sit-down experience, the Aqua restaurant will offer a special five-course menu featuring dishes such as a lobster risotto, saffron and caviar; dover sole with foie gras and truffle; and a special gold tiramisu.
Tickets: Eventbrite.hk — From 250 Hong Kong dollars (about $32)
4. 'Welcome to the New Decade' party at Cé La Vi
Set to close in January, upscale Hong Kong restaurant Cé La Vi is hosting one final New Year’s Eve bash. It will offer two distinct experiences: a rooftop sky deck and club experience. Admission to the sky deck includes one glass of either Veuve Clicquot Champagne or a premium house pour, while the club experience includes an open bar. Either way, just make sure you stick to the glamorous dress code. Guests must be 18 or older.
Tickets: Eventbrite.hk — From 583 Hong Kong dollars (about $75)
Related: The 5 best starter travel credit cards
5. New Year’s Eve countdown party at W Hong Kong
The W Hong Kong will be hosting its own new year's eve party in its whimsical Woobar. There will be energetic beats from Italian DJ Nino, all kinds of cocktails and free-flow bubbles available into the early hours of the morning. Standard admission to the event include a drink, though there are other ticket types that include an open bar. If you're looking to spend the night here, there are still rooms available on Dec. 31. Peak award nights at this W will set you back a whopping 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, so you'll likely be better off paying for the room outright and earning points instead.
Tickets: Myfunnow.com — From 218 Hong Kong dollars (about $28)
6. 'A Red Carpet Affair' at La Rambla Hong Kong
Spanish restaurant La Rambla will be hosting a family-friendly, red carpet-themed countdown party with a free-flow open bar and a special New Year’s Eve tasting menu. Admission includes two food tickets and a terrace countdown party after dinner. We're particularly excited about the savory churros with caviar, blue lobster and king crab pancetta on the menu.
Reservations: Sevenrooms.com — From 650 Hong Kong dollars (about $83)
Related: The best credit cards for restaurants and dining out
7. Roaring 1920s New Year's Eve party at Stockton
One of the city's most renowned speakeasies, Stockton, is hosting a festive affair straight from the 1920s with live music to celebrate the new year. Make a reservation in advance, and you'll get a free bottle of Bollinger Champagne to share when the clock strikes (or, you know, keep for yourself). A special selection of whisky cocktails will also be available for purchase.
Tickets: Stockton.com.hk — Free entry, reservations encouraged
8. Aqua Luna Harbor Cruise
Although the highlight of Hong Kong's new year's eve harbor cruises was always getting a front row view of the fireworks show, it will still be a fun and family-friendly way to ring in the new year. You'll get to sing, dance and indulge in a tasty buffet and open bar. Aqua Luna, owned by the same group responsible for the aforementioned Aqua restaurant and bar, operates one of the city's last remaining traditional red-sail Chinese junk boats, though there are a number of other harbor cruises available as well.
Tickets: Aqualuna.com.hk — From 1,288 Hong Kong dollars (about $165)
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.