The best places to watch fireworks in Hong Kong

Avenue of Stars provides the best front-row seats for watching the fireworks. Although the entire waterfront stretch in Tsim Sha Tsui will be heaving come the fireworks (so get there early), the atmosphere is really quite phenomenal – if you can bear all the shoulder bumping and side shuffling. Expect plenty of oohs and ahhs throughout the whole fireworks display.

Right next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is an excellent spot to gather to see the fireworks. Yes, it’s a bit of a dead zone around that area – it’s definitely somewhere you need to bring your own booze and snacks with you – but the plus side is that it’s usually less crowded than both Central and TST, while still being close to the water with a damn fine view of the show.

Even though there’s a ton of space along the waterfront, this will probably be one of the busiest places in Hong Kong during the fireworks display. The vantage points are ace, so get there early if you want even a sniff of the water. If you don't mind spending a bit of money – along with time and patience – you can get an extra special view by hopping on the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.

If you want a more aerial view of the fireworks, grab a spot somewhere on the IFC rooftop. The open area is bound to be packed so be sure to get there early. BOYB is key to keeping the party going after the fireworks end.

A great spot for seeing the action. This massive public park sits adjacent to the Central Government Offices and the Legislative Council Complex, and sports plenty of harbourside spots that you can nab early on. The vast space is a simple walk from Admiralty MTR Station. Take advantage of the sprawling grassy lawn by packing some light snacks, drinks, and a blanket for a super chilled-out evening. 

You can’t get much higher than The Peak when it comes to finding somewhere to look down on the fireworks. Be sure to get there ahead of time if you want to experience a true bird's eye view of the fireworks. 

Another great place to view the fireworks is West Kowloon Art Park. There are plenty of open spaces and lawns so you're guaranteed to find yourself an excellent spot. You can even squeeze in a bit of art and culture beforehand by paying a visit to the M+ museum or the Hong Kong Palace Museum (sorry, you'll have to pay for those). And if you have a brave furry pal who's not afraid of the fireworks, bring them along to enjoy the show!

The Avenue of Stars and Central Harbourfront is bound to be packed, meaning places like the East Coast Park Precinct will have (relatively) more space to enjoy the fireworks just a tad further away from the centre of the action. While it's not as spacious as some of the other places mentioned in this list, the East Coast Park Precinct features a 100-metre-long breakwater that extends to the Victoria Harbour so you can easily catch the show from there.

The Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade is another excellent choice. It's spacious, there are fun artworks and installations everywhere, and there's (usually) a lot less foot traffic while still being in the middle of it all.