So you're avoiding that other hallmark holiday and focusing on ringing in the Year of the Tiger. Good choice. Unlike Valentine’s Day, during Chinese New Year it actually pays to be single: you don't have to give lai-see. On the downside, it's unlucky to greet anyone in your bedroom during the holiday. So leave love to the birds and get lucky and lunar with our CNY guide.

Sunday 14 is the first day of the new year, but even before that you have to brave the bustling crowds at one of the flower markets (Mon 8-Sat 13, 6pm-9pm, free) to load up on plum blossoms and kumquats (representing luck and prosperity). Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok are the spots to go for all your florally auspicious needs.

If you're itching to hit up a temple and get some wishing in, we suggest a trip to the Lam Tseun Wishing Tree (from Tai Wo Station, East Rail Line take green minibus 25K for 10-15 min). Act fast to get your joss-related activities in, the trees are in rough shape and have been propped up by support boards so toss your joss at the racks, not the trees. Alternatively, find your destiny at the Sik Sik Yuen Temple in Wong Tai Sin (MTR Wong Tai Sin Station, Exit B2) by burning some incense and shaking out a fortune stick.

Late on Sunday, things get rowdy in Tsim Sha Tsui as the Chinese New Year Night Parade kicks off. The floats and performances come from 14 countries including Belgium, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macau, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, the UK and the US. If you want to sit in the spectator stands you'll need to grab a ticket ($300-$180, HKTB Centres, Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui, Feb 6 onward).

Traditionally, the second day is considered the birthday of all canines, so throw a dog a bone and fill out some volunteering forms for Hong Kong Dog Rescue – as if you needed an auspicious reason to play with puppies (698 Victoria Rd, Pok Fu Lam, hongkongdogrescue.com).

Then reward your good deeds as the fireworks blaze through the skies above Victoria Harbour when the regular light show is extended to a full-on 20-minute extravaganza. The best vantage point is right below aboard your own boat. The easiest way to go to sea is to aboard Saffron Cruises' three-mast junk for a five-hour excursion in the harbour ($500pp, 5pm-10pm; saffron-cruises.com. 2857 1311).

On the third day, head for the races at Sha Tin Racecourse (www.hkjc.com) for a busy day of races and a chance to rid yourself of any money you may have received from lai-see. Or have a quiet one, as families will spend the next few days out of sight or visiting graves. If you're looking for home entertainment, try booking a lion dance from Performers HK (performers.hk, 2241 4311) and kick out any bad spirits still lurking in the corners of your home. Andrew James