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Header image courtesy of Conrad Dy-Liacco, Hong Kong Ballet
We trust you are preparing for the festivities as Christmas inches closer and closer. Are you short on ideas for how to spend time with your loved ones this festive season? From extravagant displays to fun and engaging workshops, the holiday spirit is sweeping across Hong Kong! Here are 10 things worth doing in Hong Kong this Christmas 2023.
From snowy cabins to Santa’s workshop, you will find a Christmas spot on almost every corner of Hong Kong this season. Visit West Kowloon Cultural District’s Christmas Town and admire enchanting festive displays against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour. Head over to the Art Park to browse the Christmas market, where 25 speciality stalls offer food and drinks for both humans and pets. Visitors can also enjoy live performances. For even more Christmas joy, read all about other festive displays and markets in Hong Kong here.
West Kowloon Cultural District, 8 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui
We love Christmas, but the festive craze and overwhelming crowds around town can be a little too much. As alternative, quieter activities go, we think there is no better way to relax this holiday season than by playing a cosy game at home. If your Steam discovery queue is proving uninspiring, check out our list of the best cosy Asian indie games. Alternatively, enjoy a laid-back game session with loved ones at a board game café or a cosy café.
Christmas is the time for feasting, and with Hong Kong being an international foodie hub, festive menus go beyond your ordinary roasts and turkey dinners. Check out our exhaustive list of the best Christmas menus to try in 2023 and start planning your festive feast!
Embark on a festive adventure on the historic Aqualuna junk! Meet Santa on Santa’s Adventure Cruise and enjoy a series of Christmas sweets and drinks while you hunt for candy canes on board. Guests will receive a present from Santa to commemorate the cruise. Alternatively, head over to the Central Harbourfront to enjoy the AIA Carnival. Visitors can expect a series of thrilling rides and engaging games, live circus performances, and plenty of food and drinks to keep you fuelled for the evening. Tickets are available here.
AIA Carnival, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central
In case you haven’t heard, a “World of Frozen” has opened at Hong Kong Disneyland! Have yourself a white Christmas this year in the magical winter wonderland of Arendelle, complete with a snowy North Mountain, Elsa’s Ice Palace, and a scenic Scandinavian village. You’ll get to try out new rides and experiences during your visit to “Frozen Ever After.”
Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island
As the weather gradually cools down in Hong Kong, local restaurants and eateries are offering a wide selection to warm you up during winter. Claypot rice—charred rice with all the toppings imaginable—is a must-have winter food. Hot pot is another staple meal; in fact, it is so popular with locals that hot pot is commonly enjoyed year-round! If you want a rounded experience of authentic Cantonese fare, why not treat yourself to one of the city’s best winter solstice menus? For more ideas, check out quintessential winter foods to eat in Hong Kong.
Put your craftsmanship to the test this Christmas with some festive workshops at the Ferrero Rocher paper lantern and flower crafting workshops at K11 Art Mall. Alternatively, bake up a storm with I Love BabyCakes’ Christmas baking workshops and try your hand at making festive butter cookies, gingerbread men, and cake pops. For a festive and family-friendly activity, check out Legoland Discovery Centre’s Christmas Mystery Treasure Hunt and take part in a Christmas exclusive Lego-building workshop.
Ferrero Rocher workshop at Piazza, G/F, and 222B, 2/F, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
I Love BabyCakes, 15 Lung On Street, Wan Chai
Legoland Discovery Centre, Shop B131–133, B1/F, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Enjoy some performing arts this festive season. The Hong Kong Philharmonics is adding a touch of the strange and eerie with The Nightmare Before Christmas: Live in Concert! Experience the holiday classic on a big screen accompanied by a live performance of the iconic music score.
Alternatively, the Hong Kong Ballet is putting a twist on the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker. Featuring local cultural icons and costume, the heart-warming tale is localised into a festive celebration of Hong Kong culture and history.
Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
While Hong Kong may seem like a concrete jungle, there is plenty of nature and greenery to be found around town. This Christmas, go on a winter hike and take in breathtaking views! If a strenuous and challenging hike is not for you, there are plenty of beginner-friendly trails on offer, most of which lead to open fields and scenic spots that are perfect for a picnic. Check out our pick of the best ready-made picnic hampers to save you some time.
While it doesn’t snow in Hong Kong, there are plenty of indoor ice rinks and slopes to go around. Channel your inner figure skater and show off your skills at local ice-skating rinks! This year, get “In the Mood for Christmas” at the DB Ice Rink! Visitors and skaters are treated to a Christmas interactive ice challenge, a figure skating performance, and an ice painting workshop. If you are not in the DB area, our comprehensive guide should help you pick out the best location for your twists and twirls. Alternatively, check out our list of winter sports to do in Hong Kong for a wide range of experiences.
DB Ice Rink, G/F, DB Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island
Born and raised in Hong Kong and educated in the UK, Celia is passionate about culture, food, and different happenings in the city. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her scouting for new and trendy restaurants, getting lost in a bookstore, or baking up a storm at home.
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