People line the streets and watch the International Chinese New Year Night Parade on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Hong Kong, Feb 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

HONG KONG – Thousands of people flocked to Tsim Sha Tsui on Saturday evening as the annual Lunar New Year night parade made its return to the city after a five-year hiatus.

“Welcome to Hong Kong's International Chinese New Year Night Parade,” Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu said at the opening ceremony. He said he is thrilled to be there, like many, “for one of the most spectacular, most anticipated, Chinese New Year celebrations in the world”.

Braving cold weather, people kept pouring in to the shopping and tourist district and lined up the streets hours ahead of the scheduled programs. 

IN PICTURES: Return of the parade

“We're all here to welcome the Year of the "Loong". In Chinese culture, the "loong" – people usually call it the dragon – symbolizes nobility, good fortune, and vitality. It's going to be a year of auspicious opportunities, and dragon-sized blessings for us all!” the CE said.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks at the 2024 International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Feb 10, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

“And there's no better way to celebrate this first day of the year than with Hong Kong's world party, a night parade filled with fantastic floats, alongside more international performing groups and stars than this sparkling extravaganza has ever seen before,” he said to the cheering crowd.

Twenty-nine local and overseas performance groups – including from Japan, Korea, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, and the Philippines – took part with a mass dance extravaganza, cheerleading, and music.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu walks with some children at the 2024 International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Feb 10, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

The performers included the famous girl group Avantgardey from Osaka and the cheerleading squad from the NFL's Los Angeles Rams.

Starting out at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui, nine floats finished at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers around two-and-a-half hours later.

(From left) Chief Executive Officer of the Cathay Pacific Group Ronald Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Dr Pang Yiu-kai; Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, his wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung attend the 2024 International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Feb 10, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

The last Lunar New Year parade was last held in 2019 before its cancellation in the following years due to social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Tomorrow night, it's the annual Lunar New Year fireworks spectacular, lighting up our Victoria Harbour. And Hong Kong's vibrant, East-meets-West culture, will keep you dragon-dancing, day and night,” Lee told the crowd.