Hong Kong to extend open times at 2 border crossings for New Year countdown

Hong Kong will extend the operating hours of two border checkpoints on New Year’s Eve, which will be marked by a 12-minute fireworks display and performances by local boy band Mirror and Canadian duo Crash Adams.

The government said on Friday that the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint would operate around the clock amid the celebrations, while the Lo Wu border crossing would remain open until 2am. Both checkpoints typically close at midnight.

Local bus and rail operators will also offer special transport arrangements for locals and tourists during the festive period.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board, which is hosting the activities, said that alongside the fireworks, New Year’s Eve would see musical and dance performances at the Cultural Centre’s viewing deck, including appearances by Cantopop boy band Mirror, girl group Collar and Crash Adams – with the latter having 10 million followers on their YouTube channel.

The countdown, running under the theme “The Symphony of Happiness”, would take place at Victoria Harbour, it said.

The board said Liu Lin, who oversaw the fireworks for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, had designed the choreography for this year’s display.