December is a fantastic time to be in Hong Kong with cooler and drier temperatures and a flurry of fabulous events 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.
For nature lovers, this is the time to enjoy our fantastic reserves and trails. Weather is pleasant and migrating birds are here in spades.
Hong Kong Highlight Events for December 2023
- Clockenflap - December 1 - 3, 2023
- Hong Kong International Races (Horse Racing) - December 10, 2023
- Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo - December 16, 2023 - January 8, 2024
- A1A Carnival - December 21, 2023 - TBC February 2024
- Hong Kong Cyclothon - TBA
- Hong Kong Mega ShowCase - December 23 - 26, 2023
- New Year's Eve Countdown and Fireworks - Midnight December 31, 2023
Holiday Events in December
- A Disney Christmas - mid-November to early January
- Christmas at Ocean Park - mid-December to early January
- Lan Kwai Fong Christmas and New Year's Eve Street Party - December 24 and 31, 2023
- Next Door in Macao: The Festival of Lights - December 12, 2023 to February 25, 2024
- More Christmas and Holiday Events in Hong Kong
Concerts and Entertainment
- The Hong Kong Ballet: The Nutcracker - Several performances December 2023, exact dates TBA
- Hong Kong Philharmonic's: Raining Petals - An Orchestral Re-imagining TBC December 2023
- Hong Kong Philharmonic's New Year Celebration TBC December 2023
Ongoing Events This December 2023
- Free cultural exhibitions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Feng Shui
- The Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong's light and sound show
- It's race time! The Horse Races at Happy Valley are on!
Hong Kong Highlight Events December 2023
Longines Hong Kong International Races
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 and unprecedented HK118 million purse: the Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Mile, Hong Kong Vase, and Hong Kong Sprint.
When?: Sunday, December 10, 2023 - 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Where?: Sha Tin Race Course
Clockenflap Hong Kong's Music and Arts Festival
A weekend of live musical acts, film screenings, family fun, and of course food!
And all this in Hong Kong's world class setting in the Central Harbourfront.
When: December 1 - 3, 2023
Where: Central Harbourfront Event Space
How much: General Admission HK980 - HK1,020, 3-day passes and student discounts available. Children under 12 FREE.
Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo
This is a mega outdoor fair with more than 860 booths with a wide range of products at great prices, offering splendid shopping experiences for visitors.
Organised by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong and taking place in Victoria Park, the booths are arranged into several Thematic Areas including the Food & Beverage Zone, Grocery & Noddles Zone, Ginseng, Dried Foods & Soup Packs Zone, Beauty & Healthcare Zone, Fashion & Stylish Products Zone, Living & Household Zone, etc.
Deep discounts are the highlights of the HKBPE as well as the large number of prizes to be awarded throughout the Expo. This is the perfect time to load up on presents for the holidays!
When?: December 16, 2023 - January 8, 2024
Where?: Victoria Park
How Much?: Admission HK12 adults, free for children under 1 meter in height, seniors 65+ and persons with disabilities.
You are requested to bring your own shopping bag, tableware and water container.
Hong Kong Cyclothon
The Hong Kong Cyclothon will again welcome cyclists from around the world to immerse in the culture and breathtaking landscape only offered by Asia's World City. This year's races will take riders through three bridges and three tunnels across the city, the heart of Mongkok, Tsing Yi Island and will start and end on Tsim Sha Tsui's Salisbury Road.
Races will be tentatively limited to 3,000 professional and cycling enthusiasts this year who will participate in the 50 km, 30 km, CEO Charity and Celebrity Ride, Men's Open and Women's Open and Team Time Trial.
When?: TBA
Where?: Vantage points along Salisbury Road near Tsim Sha Tsui promenade and
along Mody Road near UC Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui East
How Much?: Spectators Free!
The A1A Carnival in the Waterfront
The giant, amazing outdoor event in one of Hong Kong's most iconic settings with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour is set to return after four years!
What's coming? Two months of thrilling rides for all, carnival games, live entertainment including local and international music artists and comedy performers, and of course, festival food from around the world!
Details are still trickling in, but if the past is any indication, many surprises await. Past carnivals have featured Hong Kong's biggest outdoor ice rink and a Great European Circus. The 2023-2024 Carnival will be no exception! Stay tuned!
When?: December 21, 2023 - TBC February 2024
Where?: Central Waterfront Event Space, at the Central Waterfront next to the Observation Wheel
How Much?: TBA
Hong Kong Mega ShowCase
Christmas shopping on steroids! One mega event Ten Mega Themed Zones combined under one roof, open to the public, the largest Christmas indoor carnival in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Mega ShowCase is one big indoor festival that takes place at the Hong Kong Convention Centre every year just around Christmas time and combines several major expos and theme trade shows that are held concurrently, all under one roof:
- Toys and Figure Zones
- Leisure Outdoor Activity and Gym Equipment Zone
- Hipster Pop-Up Street
- Beauty and Health Care Products
- Personal Care and Sanitizing
- Local Brands Bazaar
- Fashion Accesories
- Homex
- Hong Kong Car Show
- Hong Kong Food Festival
When? December 23 - 26, 2023, Food Expo until December 27, 2023
Where? Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How Much? HK$20 this covers entrance to all zones and mega events
Hong Kong's New Year's Countdown and Fireworks
Wave goodbye to 2023 and welcome the new year with a bang! Hong Kong's New Year's Countdown to 2024 and fireworks display on the Harbour is one of the territories signature events of the year.
This year's celebrations have not been announced and fireworks are not confirmed yet. Stay tuned!
The fireworks display normally lasts 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!
When? Midnight December 31, 2023
Where? Many vantage points, wherever there is a view of the skies above Victoria Harbour!
How Much? Free!
December 2023 Hong Kong Concerts and Entertainment
Hong Kong Ballet: The Nutcraker
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.
Set to Tchaikovsky's iconic music with live accompaniment by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, this is Hong Kong's ultimate family holiday tradition.
When?: Several performances December 2023, exact dates TBA
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre - Grand Theatre
How Much?: TBA, last year: With recorded music HK$180, $320, $480, $680, $1,000 (Limited VIP) With live music HK$180, $320, $490, $720, $1,200 (Limited VIP)
Suitable for ages 3 and above
Hong Kong Philharmonic's Christmas Concert - TBA
2023 Concert Programme TBA. Prior year: Based on the classic Floral Princess created by Tong Tik-sang, this brand new orchestral re-imagining is complemented by the exquisite on-screen interpretation by renowned acting duo Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin. For this rendition under Directors-General duo Joseph Chan and Ip Ka-po with producer Maurice Lai, director Rex Ng weaves together text, video and audio, while composer Lee Che-yi pens an original symphonic poem. Lio Kuokman conducts the HK Phil in this world premiere.
When? TBA
Where? Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
How Much? TBA, last year HK$300, HK460, HK$620, HK$780
For Ages 6 and Above
Hong Kong Philharmonic's New Year Celebration - TBA
For our traditional New Year concert, we usher in 2023 with a joyful and exuberant programme of enchanting dance music from Johann Strauss II, Kreisler and Richard Strauss, preceded by overtures by Berlioz and Tchaikovsky.
For Ages 6 and Above.
When? TBC
Where? Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
How Much? HK$220, HK340, HK$460, HK$580
December 2023 Hong Kong Holiday Events
A Disney 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 light-up ceremonies!
New this year is the "Disney Live in Concert!" Holiday Music Celebration, with a series of concerts on select weekends delighting guests with a musical journey from classical and joyous jazz to Broadway tunes. Each weekend will feature a different musical style.
When?: TBA, mid-November through early January
Where?: Disneyland Hong Kong
How Much?: Christmas events included with admmission ticket
Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
HK Disneyland Discount Tickets Adult HK639 HKD584, Children HK475 HKD428
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Dining Offers at Hong Kong Disneyland
Christmas at Ocean Park Hong Kong
Simply immerse yourself in the heart-warming traditions and merry mood of Christmas at the Christmas Alley in the Park's Waterfront Plaza. Beautiful snowflakes will greet visitors at the entrance of the alley and take them to an atmospheric Christmas market filled with charming wooden cottages, illuminated decorations, picture-perfect Christmas settings and enticing aromas.
Beautiful sparkling lights will shine through the entire Waterfront Plaza when the Christmas tree is lit up. Together with the vibrant colour lights that twinkle atop all wooden cottages at the Christmas Alley, the area will be brimming with romantic glamour.
When?: TBA mid-December to early January
Where?: Ocean Park Hong Kong
How Much?: Some Pay-as-you-go events include Magic Studio and Arts & Crafts.
Remember you can buy discount tickets online at Klook.com:
Ocean Park Discount All Day Delight Tickets Adult HK498 HK$388, Child HK249 HK$233, Haunted Trio and Terror Trio Ticket HK$280.
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Offers for Water World Ocean Park HK Ticket
Lan Kwai Fong Christmas and New Year's Eve Street Party
One huge street party...
As if this wasn't already the liveliest spot in Hong Kong, during the merry season Lan Kwai Fong goes all out with its renowned Christmas street party and then a week later, ready to do it again, to welcome the New Year.
Food, drink, entertainment... all restaurants, bars and clubs will be at capacity so reserve early!
When?: Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve December 24 and 31, 2023
Where?: Streets of Lan Kwai Fong. Take the MTR to Central Station Exit D2, on to Theatre Lane and up D'Aguilar Street.
Macao Light Festival 2023
Next door in Macao, the Festival of Lights is back! This is a highly anticipated annual event just in time for the holiday season that lights up the city's heritage landmarks creating a festive and enchanting atmosphere all throughout.
Light Up Macao 2023 will present a diverse array of light installations, project mapping and interactive games stretching from communities on the Macao Peninsula to Taipa and Coloane, using innovative technology offering an immersive light experience at night, and bringing a dazzling winter to all the visitors and the public in Macao.
When?: December 12, 2023 to February 25, 2024
How Much?: FREE
Remember you can get Turbojet and CotaiJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets from Klook.com:
TurboJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets are as follows:
Hong Kong Island to/from Macau Harbour:
- Single Trip (weekday, slightly more on weekends):
HK200HK160 US$ 20.45
More information and Booking Macau TurboJet Ferry Tickets ››
CotaiJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets are as follows:
- Single Trip (weekday, slightly more on weekends):
HK186HK160 US$ 20.45
More information and Booking Macau CotaiJet Ferry Tickets ››
TurboJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets also available to/from Hong Kong Airport
Ongoing Hong Kong Events
These are some popular ongoing events that are worth checking out, specially since they are FREE or offered for a low fee!
These events feature some of the great and ancient traditions of the territory and are offered by experts in their corresponding fields:
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 about 12 minutes.
When?: Every Night
Where?: Can be seen from both sides of Victoria Harbour, specially stunning aboard a Harbour Cruise.
How Much? Free
- More on Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, best spots to watch.
- Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise with Aqualuna (NOW SAILING! Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
The Horse Races Are On! This is how you can attend
The horse races in 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 two world-class venues, at the Sha Tin Racecourse and the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse.
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?: Happy Valley Night Races on Wednesday Nights. On race day, 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.
Sha Tin Day Races are on Sundays. First race normally starts at 1:00 pm, earlier if there are more than 10 races. Gates open at 11:00 am.
All races will be streamed live at the HK Jockey Club Racing Channel.
How Much? 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. You can join this guided experience and learn all about horse racing and betting, Enjoy the HKJC horse races from the 2M roof deck.
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Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
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