Deck the halls with boughs of holly and get prepping the turkey, because there's only 4 days to go until Christmas Day! Hong Kong is bursting at the seams with festive events and activities, so pull on your novelty jumper, dig out your Santa hat, and make the most of Christmas in the city.
1. A Magical Christmas Music Concert
With a jam packed schedule of Christmas numbers and the ever-popular carol sing-along planned, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra are guaranteed to get you feeling festive on December 23 and 24. Magician Harry Wong (pictured above) will be leading the festivities at A Magical Christmas, with tricks and jokes guaranteed to entertain the whole family. Plus, the forecast says it's set to snow!
When: December 23, (8pm); December 24, (3pm and 8pm)
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
How much: $120 - $380
Click
here to buy your tickets
2. Christmas Shopping
Localiiz Online Holiday Bazaar
Forget crowded shops, long queues, and heavy bags - this year you can tick off your last-minute Christmas list from the comfort of your sofa with the
Localiiz Online Holiday Bazaar. We've handpicked 30 of Hong Kong's finest stores and services, including Patinova jewellery, Colonial Hong Kong prints, and Perfecto Premium Italian Coffee, so all you have to do is click! Happy shopping!
3. Winter Wonderland
We may not have snow in Hong Kong, but that won’t stop us getting our skates on and hitting the ice. Open to the public from December 30, Winter Wonderland is a European-inspired town which will pop up in Yuen Long. With sparkling decorations, a winter market, a life size Snowy Crystal Ball, a glistening ice rink, and so much more, this is every Christmas-lover's dream.
When: December 30 - April 2017
Where: Tai Tong, Yuen Long
How much: $90
Click here to buy your tickets
4. The Nutcracker
Hong Kong Ballet's annual performance of
The Nutcracker comes with a glowing recommendation from our editorial assistant. Beautiful ballerinas, toy soldiers, and festive magic - Tchaikovsky's masterpiece is a timeless Christmas classic.
When: December 16 - 25, (2.30pm and 7.30pm)
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
How much: $180 - $1,000
Click
here to buy your tickets
5. Nutcracker Afternoon Tea
Continue the Nutcracker-inspired fun with The Langham hotel's special, themed afternoon tea. In the setting of the decadent Palm Court, guests are invited to enjoy Nutcracker Mille-feulille, mouse Christmas Trees, and chocolate orange logs - as well as traditional finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones. Plus, tables of four or more guests will be treated to a complimentary bottle of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne.
When: December 1 - January 1, (Weekday, 3pm - 5.30pm; Weekend and Public Holiday, 2.15pm - 4.15pm or 4.30pm - 6.30pm)
Where: Palm Court, The Langham Hotel,
How much: $348 for one; $598 for two
Click
here for more information
6. Movie Showing: The Snowman and The Bear
It just wouldn't be Christmas if Raymond Briggs' classic tales, The Snowman and The Bear, didn't make an appearance. Taking these charming tales to the next level, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong will accompany the short movies with live music, singing, and narration.
When: December 23, (7.30pm); December 24, (2.30pm)
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central
How much: $120 - $380
Click
here to buy your tickets
7. Tolo Harbour King of Fast Course and Mini Marathon for Families
Looking for something alternative to do on the big day? Join the early morning running fun at Pak Shek Kok Promenade, and really earn that turkey feast. Take your pick of the 10km King of Fast course, or make it a family affair and sign up for the 4.2km Mini Marathon for Families – well it is Christmas Day after all. Throw a Santa hat into the mix and you’ve got yourself a feel-good festive celebration.
When: December 25, (8.30am)
Where: Pak Shek Kok Promenade
How much: $100 – $150
Click here for more information
8. Baking Workshops
Restaurant-come-gallery, Popsy Modern Kitchen, is hosting baking workshops every weekend until December 31. Take your pick of
Christmas Holly Cookies and
Ginger Bread Men, and learn how to make your dessert table outshine the rest under the guidance of artist Jennifer Chung.
When: Christmas Holly Cookies, every Saturday and Sunday until December 31, (3pm - 5pm)
Ginger Bread Men, every Saturday and Sunday until December 31, (11am - 1pm or 3pm - 5pm)
Where: Popsy Modern Kitchen,
How much: $168 (includes one drink)
Click on the links above to reserve your spot
Read more! Check out 12 Cupcakes That You Need To Try
9. Christmas Displays
LANDMARK Circus
December marks the return of Santa Paws the teddy bear to The Landmark mall - this year with a colourful cast of circus animals in tow (pictured above). Designed by French illustrator Eric Giriat, this extravagant display features flying hippos, ostriches swinging on trapezes, dancing giraffes, and an elephant riding a unicycle. Make sure to swing by The Circus Store to pick up a gift or two.
When: Runs until January 1
Where: LANDMARK Hong Kong, 15 Queen's Road Central
How much: Free
Click here for more information
White Christmas at Times Square
With little hope of any real snow falling in Hong Kong, Times Square has got the next best thing. Pull on your snow boots and enter the snow chamber, where you can build snowmen, throw snowballs, and ride on the sleds - and all in the heart of Causeway Bay!
When: Runs until January 1, (10am - 10pm)
Where: Times Square, Causeway Bay
How much: Free
Click
here for more information
1881 Heritage: Sparkling Christmas with Frosty and Friends
Frosty the Snowman is the star of the show at 1881 Heritage this December, surrounded by picture-perfect Christmas sleighs. Shimmy over to Tsim Sha Tsui between December 2 and 4 to browse the much-anticipated Hullet House Christmas Market. Click
here to see our roundup of holiday bazaars.
When: Runs until January 8
Where: 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
How much: Free
Click
here for more information
Harbour City: Christmas Party of Snowie
Hop over the road to Harbour City, and wander through the twinkling, outdoor display, Christmas Party of Snowie. Find the secret codes hidden on the colourful snowmen, and round off the festive experience with a Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks.
When: Runs until January 2
Where: Ocean Terminal Forecourt, Harbour City, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
How much: Free
Click
here for more information
The Statue Square Christmas Tree
Following on from last year's snake-themed display, Hong Kong WinterFest is opting for a more classic look this time around. Bring along a lock to hang on the railings (you can purchase a charity Love Lock onsite for $50 if you don't have a spare one to hand), trill along to classic carols with the Christmas choir between December 19 and 24, and catch Santa and his friends on December 2 - 4, 9 - 11, and 16 - 25.
When: Runs until December 31
Where: North Statue Square, Central
How much: Free
Click
here for more information
Pacific Place: Where Christmas is Made
Wandering through Pacific Place is a feast for the eyes, ears, and nose this year, with a magnificent glass grotto and twinkling Christmas trees, festive scents of gingerbread and mulled wine hanging in the air, and
live carol singing performances. Check out the pop-up stores if you fancy getting creative with your gifts. You'll find personalised hot chocolate, leather stationary, stockings, and gift wrap - and a Stella Artois lounge with surprise Happy Hours and engraved chalices!
When: Runs until January 1
Where: Pacific Place, Admiralty
How much: Free
Click
here for more information
Read more! Find out what's on in The Weekend Ahead
10. Wicked
After wowing over audiences all over the world with its show-stopping songs, mind-blowing costumes, and heart-warming story of friendship, the award-winning production Wicked (pictured above) is has landed in Hong Kong. The Localiiz ladies bagged tickets to the show straight away, and are still talking about their trip to the Emerald City two weeks on. Everyone was on their feet at the end of the performance, and for good reason. Stunning vocals, incredible costumes, and a beautiful story - Wicked is an absolute must-see this fall.
When: Runs until January 22
Where: Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
How much: $445 - $1,095
Click
here to buy your tickets
11. Elephant Grounds Hot Chocolate
You can't beat a silky, rich hot chocolate topped with fluffy marshmallows on a chilly winter's day, which is why we made a beeline for Elephant Grounds as soon as we heard about the special Christmas drinks menu. The peppermint Candy Cane hot chocolate was a disappointment - save for the candy cane decoration. The classic Baby It's Cold Out There flavour performed a little better, though we still felt hard done by with a tiny cupful for $48. Spiced Chilli and Supreme Maccha also feature on the menu, so let us know your thoughts.
When: Available from November 28
Where: Elephant Grounds, (click
here to see locations)
How much: $48
Click
here for more information
12. Ice Skating
If you're looking for something a little closer to home, take your pick of Hong Kong's indoor ice rinks. Glide over to Ice Palace in CityPlaza, The Rink at Elements, Glacier at Festival Walk, or Mega Ice at MegaBox, and show off your skills. Prices range from $1/per minute to $55 per session.
Ice Palace, 1/F, Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing, (09.30am – 10.00pm daily)
The Rink, G/F, Elements, No. 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (open hours
vary)
Glacier, Shop UG-21, Festival Walk, (10.30am – 9.30pm daily)
Mega Ice, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, (opening hours
vary)
Click on the links above for more information
Read more! Check out 17 Ways To Celebrate New Year's Eve in Hong Kong or 6 Festive Fashion and Beauty Tips to Survive this Winter.
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