Christmas markets, choir and theatre performances, decoration and Christmas music workshops, special dinners and afternoon teas… there are so many ways to celebrate the holiday season in Hong Kong. As we enter December, we’re all looking for ways to enjoy the mood and wind down in preparation for the festive year-end period. Here, we’re rounding up some of the best Christmas events around the city.
WOOBAR Drag Queen Holi-slay at W Hong Kong — 24th December
WOOBAR is known for its cocktails and live DJs – add a couple of gorgeous, campy queens into the mix, and you’ve got the ingredients for an awesome Christmas DJ countdown party! There’ll be live DJ music and many drinks. You’ll want to grab an early bird ticket before December 20th. The spaciousness of the bar (helped by the floor-to-ceiling windows) will be a good spot for big groups, so if you have a group of as much as eight people, you can get a table starting at HK$8000.
When: 24 December 2021, 9pm – 2am
Where: WOOBAR, 6/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Rd West, West Kowloon
Tickets: HK$500 online or HK$600 at the door. Buy tickets before 20 Dec for early bird price of HK$400 here.
Ngong Ping 360 x Venchi Christmas Chocolate Carnival — 18th November to 2nd January
Ngong Ping 360 and Italian chocolatier Venchi are bringing their sweet take on Christmas festivities to Ngong Ping Village. Take pictures at the Christmas Chocolate Photo installation, and compete against friends and family at the four game booths to win the grand prizes, with festive games including Super Match Chocolate Jenga and Ice Cream Hoop Toss. During this period, kids can also enjoy a 40% discount on round trip cable car rides.
When: 18 November 2021 to 2 January 2022
Where: Ngong Ping Village, Lantau Island
Tickets: Free admission
Hong Kong Mega Showcase — 24-27th December
Hong Kong Mega Showcase is a shopping bonanza that just so happens to come around Christmas time every year. Split into seven major zones, including Toys and Figures, Gym Equipment, Beauty, Personal Care, Local Brands Bazaar, and Accessories, the Home and Houseware Competition, DIY Workshop, and Stage Lucky Draw are held at the same venue. The event is also held concurrently with the Hong Kong Food Festival (Hall 3), 21st Hong Kong Homex, and Expo & Auto HK.
When: 24 – 27 December 2021; Food Festival until 28 December 2021
Where: Hall 1, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai
Tickets: HK$20. Pay with Octopus at HKCEC.
Ocean Park Christmas Actually 2021 — 18th December to 2nd January
Enter a winter wonderland at Ocean Park starting December 18, with a European-style Christmas market, photo ops with the cottages in the Christmas Alley and Christmas Tree in Waterfront Plaza, and magic performances by illusionist extraordinaire Louis Yan. Children can enjoy learning magic at the Magic Studio or join the Animal Christmas Arts & Crafts and Christmas Florist workshops. And the experience won’t even break the bank, with a flexible HK$10 ticket for access to all the festive zones in Christmas Town.
When: 18 December 2021 to 2 January 2022
Where: Ocean Park, Aberdeen
Tickets: HK$10 for Christmas Town Entry Ticket, HK$360 for Christmas Package Ticket with access to The Waterfront and The Summit.
Christmas Movie Nights at Potato Head — Wednesdays of December
A Wednesday evening with friends, a glass of Perrier-Jouet Blanc de Blanc and your favourite all time Christmas classics, what more could one ask for Christmas?! Potato Head is making all your dreams come true this December with weekly movies every Wednesday. For just HK$150, you can choose from “Home Alone”, “Last Christmas”, “The Holiday” and “Love Actually” and there really isn’t a wrong choice. So book fast and be there early on the day to get the best seats in the house!
When: Every Wednesday of December (1, 8, 15, 22, 29 December 2021), 7pm
Where: Potato Head, 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun
Tickets: HK$150. Buy tickets on Ticketflap.
Discovery Bay Ice Rink Monchhichi-themed Skating Experience — All of December
If you are one of many Hong Kongers who hasn’t experienced “real” chilly winters, the Discovery Bay Ice Rink is the perfect way to get a taste of one of the many winter activities! Partnering with Japanese stuffy Monchhichi, you can join a number of different goings-ons such as their 30-minute intro Skating Class, figure skating performances on the 18th and 19th of December and even a visit from Santa Claus himself on 25th December. Fun activities for kids and adults alike!
When: Entire month of December 2021
Where: Discovery Bay Ice Rink, G/F, Block C, Discovery Bay Plaza
Tickets: HK$60. Buy tickets on Klook.
Meet Santa and Spread Love — 25-27th December
As part of ‘Christmas Rouge @ Lee Gardens’, which includes an Anita Mui pop-up outside Lee Theatre featuring different phases of her mega star career and behind-the-scenes of the filming of her biopic, if Lee Gardens Club members spend $500 in a single electronic transaction in the Lee Gardens Area (Lee Garden 1-6, Hysan Place, Lee Theatre, and Leighton), you’ll receive an eTicket to get a framed instant photo with Santa!
When: Shop from 26 November 2021 onwards, take a photo with Santa on 25-27 December 2021 (other sessions sold out)
Where: 4/F Sky Garden, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay
Tickets: Spend $500 in a single electronic transaction in the Lee Gardens area. Redeem your ticket at concierges on G/F Lee Garden One, 1/F Hysan Place, or 1/F Lee Theatre Plaza.
Hong Kong Living’s Christmas Charity Lunch — 9th December
Christmas is the season of giving, and a wonderful way to contribute to your local community, specifically raising funds to support Box of Hope and their initiatives serving underprivileged children in Asia, is to join the Christmas Charity Lunch! For just HK$480 you’ll get to enjoy a scrumptious three-course meal (with free flow wine!) while supporting those in need. Hosted at the COMO Italian Restaurant and Bar, you can mingle with other guests, join in on the famous Christmas Quiz and even have the opportunity to win amazing raffle prizes.
When: 9 December 2021, 11:45am – 1:30pm or 2pm – 3:45pm
Where: COMO Italian Restaurant & Bar, GA 26 31, 55 Tai Hong St, Lei King Wan SoHo East Site A, Sai Wan Ho
Tickets: HK$480. Buy tickets on Ticketflap.
Christmas Tree Earrings Workshop at PMQ — 11th December
To flex your DIY skills this Christmas gift giving season, join the tree earrings workshop held at PMQ. In just four hours, work with the experts at Loupe to create a gorgeous Christmas-themed gift for anyone who wears earrings. Loupe is a community at the heart of Hong Kong that works with jewellery designers to hone their skills, so you will be learning from the best. The making process itself is also a great gift for a loved one! So you can even grab a group of friends to enjoy an afternoon of creating something that will be cherished forever.
When: 11 December 2021, 2pm – 6pm
Where: Loupe, H410, Hollywood, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St, Central
Tickets: HK400. Register on Loupe’s website.
‘Cheers!’ Series: ‘A Thankful Christmas’ by Hong Kong Oratorio Society — 12th December
The Oratorio Society, Hong Kong’s oldest and largest choir group, is comprised of hundreds of members from around the world and they will be presenting as part of the Cheer! Series this Christmas season. Their repertoire covers oratorios and major choral works by classical and contemporary composers and you can often find masterpieces by Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Chinese composers Xian Xinghai and Huang Zi along with the all the festive, cheery songs you love!
When: 12 December 2021, 3:30pm
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, L5, Auditoria Building, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: HK$120 – HK$380. Buy tickets on URBTIX.
Christmas Party + Pet Painting Workshop — 19th December
For a fun afternoon with your pooch head over to Hellodog’s fun-fulled pet-friendly Christmas Party! In addition to awesome décor, a treasure hunt game, food & drinks AND Santa Claus himself, they also have a painting workshop! You will be able to create a painting (with help!) of your favourite pet. The fee includes CBD treats, with the proceeds going to support animals.
When: 19 December 2021, 11:30am – 6:30pm
Where: Metro Workspace, 9/F, Remex Centre, 42 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang
Tickets: Christmas party is free; pet painting is HK$590 per person. Buy tickets here.
Furrytales — 28th November to 9th January
Furrytales is a perfect Chirstmas activity for those who love pets and arts! Lee Gardens is working with FIF and with charities such as HKDR and LAP to kickstart the conversations about how to work towards building a more pet inclusive Hong Kong. There are also a number of pet-friendly activities including a shopping market to buy the Christmas gifts for the pets in your life!
When: 28 November 2021 to 9 January 2022
Where: Lee Garden One & Two, Causeway Bay
Tickets: Prices vary. Register on the FIF website.
Header image credits: Citobun, CC 4.0