At the stroke of midnight, Hong Kong will greet 2026 without its famous New Year’s Eve fireworks show over Victoria Harbor. This change follows the tragic Karamay fire that occurred last November, which killed at least 161 people. A tragedy had happened at Wang Fuk Court, an older apartment building in northern Tai Po. At the time of the collapse, the complicated residential complex was in the middle of a major renovation and expansion project. In addition, their structures were covered in a fine layer of bamboo scaffolding and green netting. This arresting tableau today stands as an icon of that disaster and its aftermath.
Though the entire event was a tragic one, the fire touched the community in an even deeper way. In response, the city has completely altered the character of its New Year festivities. In place of the customary pyrotechnic shows that typically illuminate Hong Kong’s skyline, the tourism board has organized a music show featuring the soft rock duo Air Supply and other artists. Wednesday evening, this installation will transform Central into a literal glow zone. It provides residents and tourists a dynamic new option for cultural engagement.
Historically, Hong Kong’s New Year, Lunar New Year, and National Day celebrations have included elaborate fireworks displays, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators, including tourists. Like other similar tragedies in the past, these sometimes led to fireworks cancellations. Most strikingly, amid the 2019 anti-government protests and subsequently following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several planned installations were cancelled.
Rosanna Law, Hong Kong’s secretary for culture, sports, and tourism, acknowledged the possible repercussions from the lack of fireworks. This is a decision that has wide ramifications on local minority businesses – particularly hotels and restaurants that rely on the boom of revelers during New Year celebrations. This year’s subdued festivities serve as a reminder of the ongoing recovery efforts for thousands of residents affected by the fire. Thousands have been housed in transitional housing, hotels and youth hostels. They are just dealing as best they can with the loss of death and devastation of their community.
Best of all, the city’s New Year celebration will include a beautiful transformation of eight major landmarks. In addition, they will serve as huge countdown clocks, bringing to life a dynamic three-minute light show that will count down to midnight. This cutting-edge installation is designed to keep even more of the holiday magic alive with or without fireworks.
In Hong Kong, the cultural significance of fireworks goes much deeper than their spectacle. In fact, the Guinness Book of World Records agency credits the invention of fireworks to China in the 2nd century B.C. Li Tian was a legendary monk from China’s Tang dynasty. He is blamed for introducing firecrackers by stuffing gunpowder into the hollow stalks of bamboo plants, making loud explosions.
