Hong Kong Festivals and Events
December 2014

December is a very pleasant time to be in Hong Kong with cooler and drier temperatures as the WinterFest celebrations are getting underway.

With Christmas just around the corner, the lights, decorations, and smells of the season are permeating every corner of the land.

Santas, caroling angels, snow flurries, glittering stars, all come together to get you in the mood of the holiday.

Here are the top Hong Kong Festivals and events for December 2014.

• Hong Kong WinterFest - December 5, 2014 to January 1, 2015

• SumoSushiSakeHK - December 13, 2014

• Hong Kong International Races (Horse Racing) - December 14, 2014

• Disneyland Sparkling Christmas November 13, 2014 until January 4, 2015.

• Ocean Park Hong Kong Christmas Sensation - December 13, 2014 until January 4, 2015.

• Lang Lang in Concert - December 18 and 19, 2014

• The Nutcracker by the Hong Kong Ballet - December 19-21, 24-28, 2014

• The Phantom of the Opera - December 21, 2014 to January 4, 2015

And to wrap it all up:

• New Year's Eve Countdown Midnight December 31, 2014

Also check-out these popular ongoing events during December 2014:

• Pulse: Hong Kong's Newest 3D Light Show

• Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui

• The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show

• Victoria Harbour Cruises

• It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!

Hong Kong WinterFest - December 5, 2014 to January 1, 2015

Hong Kong WinterFest is the series of events sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board which kick-off late November/early December and run up until the New Year's Countdown on January 1st.

One of the highlights is the centrepiece in Central's Statue Square, which becomes the season's icon. This year's landmark centerpiece is a gorgeous and dazzling classic Christmas tree. Come and make holiday memories by hanging your "Love Locks" for posterity. There will be locks available for HK50 or bring your own.

When?: December 5, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Where?: Central's Statue Square and events all throughout Hong Kong
How Much?: Free
More Info: Hong Kong Christmas Events

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SumoSushiSakeHK - Saturday, December 13, 2014

SumoSushiSakeHK is the first of its kind event in Hong Kong featuring three of Japan's most beloved traditions all in one fun-packed day in the backdrop of one of the most beautiful harbour and skyline views at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade.

What?: Watch 300+ pound professional sumo wrestlers from Japan battle it out in Hong Kong! Plus sushi, yakitori, wagyu beef, ramen, lots of sake and Suntory beer.

What to expect:

• Sumo wrestling by professional Japanese wrestlers including a special appearance by the 62nd Yokozuna Grand Champion Onokuni Yasushi
• 16 top restaurants
• 80+ types of sakes and drinks
• Sushi and hot dog eating contests
• Live music performances

Alcohol will be served to adults age 18 or older.

When?: Saturday, December 13, 2014 - 12:00 - 11:00 pm

Where?: West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade

How Much?: HK$220, HK$320, HK$520. Extra $50 at the door.

More Info and tickets: www.sumosushisakehk.com

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Longines Hong Kong International Races - December 14, 2014

Longines is the tittle sponsor and official timekeeper of the biggest and most anticipated meeting in Hong Kong's horse racing calendar.

Without a doubt a thrilling day not to be missed for horse-racing enthusiasts as the four international G1 Races share in the stupendous HK72 million purse: the Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Mile, Hong Kong Vase, and Hong Kong Sprint.

When?: December 14, 2014 - 12:00 - 6:00 pm

Where?: Sha Tin Race Course

How Much?: General Admission at Public Enclosure HK10 or Members' Enclosure with Tourist Badge HK190 (must bring passport)

More Info: Hong Kong International Races

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Hong Kong Disneyland Sparkling Christmas

Parades, Carols, Christmas Trees...The entire park is transformed into a wonderland full of the holiday cheer, shiny ornaments, dazzling lights, fluffy snow, bows, balls and garlands, holiday wreaths... all decorate every corner of this magical world and make it even merrier...

You don't want to miss the magnificent Christmas Tree, the parties, the parades, and of course the fireworks.

When?: November 13, 2014 until January 4, 2015.

Where?: Disneyland Hong Kong

How Much?: Included with Admission Ticket

More info:Disneyland Hong Kong Sparkling Christmas.

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Ocean Park Hong Kong Christmas Sensation - December 13, 2014 to January 4, 2015

Lots happening at Ocean Park during the holiday season including Hong Kong's largest indoor Christmas lighting spectacle!

• Ocean of Light
• Doraemon Christmas Party House at Whiskers Harbour
• The 70-foot tree at Waterfront Plaza
• Christmas Candyland
• Christmas Street Shows at the Summit
• Santa feeding the fish at the Grand Aquarium
• Christmas Menus, snacks, cakes and tons of souvenirs to highlight the season

When?: December 13, 2014 to January 4, 2015

Where?: Ocean Park Hong Kong

How Much?: Included with Admission Ticket

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Lang Lang in Concert - December 18 - 19, 2014

Iconic... Unique... Extraordinary... For two nights only...

Lang Lang performs two different concertos in collaboration with Music Director Jaap van Zweden. On the first night, we hear Mozart at his most tempestuous and emotional. The following night, hear Tchaikovsky's romantic heart beating in the immortal first concerto.

Two evenings of pianistic brilliance not to be missed.

When?: December 18 and 19, 2014 8:00 p.m.
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
How Much?: HK$480, $980, $1280, $1980

Tickets on sale via URBTIX.

More information at Hong Kong Philarmonic Orchestra site.

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Hong Kong Ballet: The Nutcraker- December 19-21, 24-28 2014

Christmas just isn't Christmas without The Nutcracker and a visit with Clara and her Prince, the Sugarplum Fairy, King Rat, the Snowflakes and all the fascinating characters from this favourite of childhood classic holiday entertainment.

When?: Several performances December 19-21 and 24-28, 2014

Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre - Grand Theatre

How Much?: HK$140, $280, $480, $680, $1,000

More information and tickets at The Hong Kong Ballet.

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The Phantom of the Opera - December 21, 2014 to January 4, 2015

The classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical that needs no introduction.

When?: Several performances from December 21, 2014 to January 4, 2015

Where?: AsiaWorld Expo

How Much?: HK$295+

More information and tickets at the Lunchbox Productions site.

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Hong Kong's New Year's Countdown - Midnight December 31, 2014

Wave goodbye to 2014 and welcome the new year with a bang! Hong Kong's New Year's Countdown to 2015 and fireworks display on the Harbour is one of the territories signature events of the year.

This year's limelight will be on the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as it was in prior years. The fireworks displays last about eight minutes, and are launched from both the skyscrapers and the harbour barges. The scope and range of view is massive but you still want to stake out your position well ahead of midnight!

We are looking forward to this year's celebration!

When? Midnight December 31, 2014

Where? Many vantage points, wherever there is a view of the skies above Victoria Harbour!

How Much? Free!

More Info: Hong Kong's New Year's Countdown to 2015

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Ongoing Hong Kong Events for December, 2014

These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE or offered for a low fee!

Pulse: Hong Kong's Newest 3D Light Show

Hong Kong Pulse is the city's newest light show, a great FREE show with spectacular 3D audiovisual effects in the Kowloon harbourfront at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the TST Clock Tower, just a short walk from the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry station and the Avenue of the Stars.

In December, the show runs through the Winterfest season and the theme is of course holiday related. There are four nightly sessions, each 15 minutes long.

When?: December 17 - 29, 2014 - 8:30pm, 9:00pm, 9:30pm and 10:00pm nightly

Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Clock Tower

How Much?: FREE

More info: Hong Kong Pulse.

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Hong Kong Cultural Events

These events feature some of the great and ancient traditions of the territory and are offered by experts in their corresponding fields:

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The Symphony of Lights

The Symphony of Lights is Hong Kong's light and sound show, a tribute to the city and its people, their diversity, energy and vitality.

The stage is the entire city, which is what makes it so unique, you can watch the lights from just about anywhere in the waterfront. This free show offered by the city, takes place every night at 8:00 pm and lasts aboout 15 minutes.

When?: Every Night

Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour

How Much? Free

Click here for more on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights and best spots to watch.

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The Happy Valley Horse Races

Happy Valley Hong Kong whether or not you are a horse racing enthusiast is an experience not to be missed!

The beautiful horses, the skillful jockeys, the crowds going wild, they all add up to an exciting, fun-filled, thrilling atmosphere in a world-class venue.

The Happy Valley race course itself is a sight in itself, the city has built around it through the years and it is now practically surrounded by skyscrapers, an awesome experience specially at night when the city is illuminated.

When?: Wednesday Nights. First race starts at 7:15 p.m. and the gates open at 5:15 p.m. The races are done by 11:00 p.m.

Where?: Happy Valley Race Course

How Much? Depends, there are many ways to experience the races, from General Stand to Private Boxes and special packages including dinner and drinks. General Stand entrance starts at HK10.

Click here for more on Happy Valley Horse Racing, how to get there and options for viewing the races.

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Hong Kong Events