The party never stops in Asia's World City(1)
The Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade is a highlight of celebrations in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong Tourism Board Photo)
Anyone who has been to Hong Kong knows this is a place that knows how to party, and does so at every opportunity.
But the scope and diversity of public celebrations may come as a surprise to first time visitors. Every month sees at least one major event marking everything from traditional Chinese festivals to Western holidays.
Many celebrations are organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and provide free or low cost activities to engage locals and the almost 40 million visitors who visit Hong Kong each year. Here are some signature events to watch for:
TOAST THE TOWN
Food has always been an integral part of the Hong Kong experience. With 11,000 restaurants, there is no shortage of places to eat -- and every type of cuisine from traditional dim sum to classic French.
When thinking about wine, however, Hong Kong doesn't immediately come to mind. But with a four-day Wine and Dine Festival kicking off an annual Wine and Dine Month (Oct. 27 to Nov. 30), that may soon change. Wine is increasingly popular across Asia, and business-savvy Hong Kong is positioning itself to be the region's chief importer of fine vintages from around the world.
The third-annual Wine and Dine Festival (Oct. 27 to Nov. 1) takes place along the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, where there will be live entertainment and an art exhibition to enjoy while sipping and strolling. Admission is free, a complimentary shuttle will provide transportation to and from the Promenade, and visitors can purchase tokens for tasting samples. Highlights include:
-- More than 250 food and wine tasting booths serving vintages from the world's top wine regions, including Canada, and cuisine from award winning local restaurants.
-- A Grand Tasting Pavilion showcasing premium wines.
-- Wine appreciation classes led by experts.
Wine & Dine Month events will take place at various venues throughout Hong Kong. Highlights include:
-- Food and wine themed tours, and visits to private cellars.
-- Celebrity food-and-wine appreciation classes.
-- Cooking classes led by award-winning chefs.
-- A restaurant festival with food and wine pairing menus, and street carnivals in dining hotspots such as Lan Kwai Fong.
-- Wine, dine and spa weekends at hotels.
-- Burgundy Week, Oct. 25-29, where visitors can test their olfactory powers at a Wine Aroma Exhibition plus a wine-pairing dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel prepared by a 3-star Michelin chef from Burgundy.
-- The Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, a trade event for buyers that opens to the public Nov. 5.
-- A global conference on wine trends, Winefuture Hong Kong 2011 (Nov. 5-8), led by the Wine Academy of Spain.
