Special opening arrangements and crowd management measures in WKCD for New Year's Eve and holidays

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) wishes to call the public’s attention to the special opening arrangements of our two museums and the Hong Kong WinterFest in the West Kowloon Cultural District (the District or WKCD) on New Year’s Eve and the New Year holidays as follows:

• The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) will close two hours earlier (Saturday) on 31 December 2022 with opening hours from 10am to 6pm on that day, and will remain open on 1 January 2023 (Sunday) from 10am to 6pm, and on 2 January 2023 (Monday) from 10 am to 8pm. 
• M+ will stay open on 31 December 2022 (Saturday) and 1 January 2023 (Sunday) from 10am to 6pm and be closed on 2 January 2023 (Monday). 
• Subject to the actual circumstances, Museum Drive and Cultural Drive will be closed on New Year’s Eve starting from 8pm by the Police. Car parks affected by the road closures will be closed as detailed below.
• Subject to the actual circumstances, one-way pedestrian flow will be implemented on Artist Square Bridge starting from 11:45pm, at the latest, on New Year’s Eve. No visitors will then be allowed to use Artist Square Bridge to access WKCD.

1. Special opening arrangements of the District’s venues

HKPM

M+

Xiqu Centre

Art Park

2. Crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements

In anticipation of a large number of visitors gathering in the District to celebrate New Year’s Eve and the New Year holidays, special crowd management measures and traffic arrangements will be implemented in the District starting from 31 December 2022 (Saturday) afternoon depending on the actual circumstances.  

Due to safety considerations, erecting of tents will not be allowed in some parts of the Art Park, including the Central Harbourside Lawn, on 31 December 2022. Visitors should follow instructions from the staff on site. 

Museum Drive and Cultural Drive will be closed by the Police on 31 December 2022 starting from 8pm. All bus stops and minibus stops within the operational area will be suspended. Car parks affected by the closure will also be closed. Details are as follows:

31 December 2022 (Saturday)

1 January 2023 (Sunday)

2 January 2023 (Monday)

3. Car parking arrangements

Drivers are reminded that their vehicles may not be able to leave the car parks in the District (except the car park at the Xiqu Centre) on 31 December 2022 evening until the Police lift the road closure after the crowd disperses. Please refer to the above table for the opening hours of the District’s car parks from 31 December 2022 to 2 January 2023. 

The above crowd management measures, special traffic arrangements, and operation arrangements to be implemented in the District may be further adjusted depending on the conditions at the time.

The Authority strongly encourages visitors to take public transport to the District. Members of the public should follow the instructions given by Police officers and take heed of the signage and broadcasts at the scene. The Authority appeals to all visitors to exercise tolerance and patience, maintain appropriate social distance and stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media and the Authority’s announcements.

Remarks

About the West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on forty hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing twenty-three hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.

Annex: One-way pedestrian flow to Hong Kong WinterFest’s Christmas Town (to be imposed when needed depending on the prevailing circumstances)