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 International Boat Show 2023 - November 30 - December 3, 2023
- Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo - December 16, 2023 - January 8, 2024
- A1A Carnival - December 21, 2023 - February 25, 2024
- 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 - November 17, 2023 to January 1st, 2024
- Christmas at Ocean Park - December 9, 2023 to January 1, 2024
- Winter Harbourfront Fireworks - Saturday and Sundays December 9 - 10, 16 - 17, 23 - 24 and Christmas and Boxing Day December 25 - 26, 2023
- 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 15 - 30, 2023
- Hong Kong Philharmonic's: The Nightmare Before Christmas Live In Concert December 22 and 23, 2023
- Hong Kong Philharmonic's New Year Celebration December 30 and 31, 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.
The Hong Kong International Boat Show 2023
The Hong Kong International Boat Show will be back again this November with an exciting four-day programme at the Club Marina Cove.
More than 30 boats of the latest designs and makes from Italy, France, Britain, Poland, Finland, U.S.A., South Africa, China and Hong Kong will be on display alongside water sports equipment and boating accessories as well as a car show.
Other boating-related services exhibitors include insurance, legal, arbitration, banking, maintenance, catering and boating management.
When?: November 30 - December 3, 2023
Hours: Thursday 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where?: Club Marina Cove at 380 Hiram's Highway, Sai Kung, Kowloon
How Much?: 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.
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 back!
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!
Highlights vary from year to year. The World Circus with its exciting performances from all over the world, performance art, interactive sporting events, live music, and local community acts all have a home at the AIA Carnival.
When?: December through February
Where?: Central Waterfront Event Space, at the Central Waterfront next to the Observation Wheel
How Much?: General Admission from HK$140 for adults on Off-Peak Days to HK$160 for Peak Days, Children Off-Peak HK$95 Peak HK$110, add-on tokens HK$180+
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 in December 2023: With Live Accompaninment on December 15 - 17, 19 - 21, 23 - 26, 2023 and with Recorded Music on December 29 - 30, 2023
Where?: Hong Kong Cultural Centre - Grand Theatre
How Much?: HK$220, $340, $490, $720, $1,200 (Limited VIP)
Suitable for ages 3 and above
Hong Kong Philharmonic's Christmas Concert - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Come experience Tim Burton's timeless holiday classic on the big screen in its full glory, with Grammy-winning composer Danny Elfman's music score performed live with the film by your home orchestra.
Pumpkin King Jack Skellington is trying to take over our beloved holiday by kidnapping Santa Claus. Who will save Christmas?...
When? December 22, 23, 2023
Where? Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
How Much? HK$200, HK280, HK$380, HK$480
Hong Kong Philharmonic's New Year Celebration
Join in at the Philharmonic's signature New Year Concerts as we bid farewell to 2023 in grand style and usher in 2024 with great fanfare!
Five festive orchestral favourites, including Revueltas' Sensemayá, Gershwin's Cuban Overture, excerpts from Piazzolla's The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, J. Strauss II's Die Fledermaus Overture, and Ravel's La valse.
For Ages 6 and Above.
When? December 30 and 31, 2023
Where? Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
How Much? HK$200, HK280, HK$380, HK$480
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!
When?: Mid-November through January 1st
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 HK669 HKD622, Children HK499 HKD475
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Also available are exclusive experience for World of Frozen and Arandelle Royal Breakfast Buffet
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?: December 9, 2023 to January 1, 2024
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 Tickets Adult HK498 HK$468, child (3-11) HK249 HK$234
Ticket + Halloween Attractions packages also available.
More Info and Booking at Klook.com
Offers for Water World Ocean Park HK Ticket
Winter Harbourfront Fireworks
New this year are the Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics. Yes! Fireworks will light up the harbour with a 10-minute show showering the skyline with stunning Christmas icons in the 3 weekends preceding Christmas.
The fireworks will be launched from the waters of Harbourside by the Art Park at the West Kowloon Cultural District, where the city's signature mega Christmas Tree and Christmas Town is set up.
When?: Saturday and Sundays December 9 - 10, 16 - 17, 23 - 24 and Christmas and Boxing Day December 25 - 26, 2023
Where?: West Kowloon Cultural District, best viewing point will be from the lawn at the Park
How Much?: FREE!
Another way to enjoy this new spectacular show is from the water aboard the World Star, the Star Ferry's new harbour cruise vessel. A sailing is reserved for each fireworks night, departing from the Tsim Sha Tsui pier at 7:45 pm. Sailings last approximately 45 minutes. Prices are for Adults HK280 / $36 Children 1-12 and Seniors HK200 / US$26.
›› More Info and Booking Star Ferry Harbour Tour - World Star (Choose the Christmas Harbour firework tour - Wold Star Option)
Lan Kwai Fong Christmas and New Year's Eve Street Party
One huge street party...
As if this wasn't already the liveliest spot in Hong Kong, during the merry season Lan Kwai Fong goes all out with its renowned Christmas street party and then a week later, ready to do it again, to welcome the New Year.
Food, drink, entertainment... all restaurants, bars and clubs will be at capacity so reserve early!
When?: Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve December 24 and 31, 2023
Where?: Streets of Lan Kwai Fong. Take the MTR to Central Station Exit D2, on to Theatre Lane and up D'Aguilar Street.
Macao Light Festival 2023
Next door in Macao, the Festival of Lights is back! This is a highly anticipated annual event just in time for the holiday season that lights up the city's heritage landmarks creating a festive and enchanting atmosphere all throughout.
Light Up Macao 2023 will present a diverse array of light installations, project mapping and interactive games stretching from communities on the Macao Peninsula to Cotai, using innovative technology offering an immersive light experience at night, and bringing a dazzling winter to all the visitors and the public in Macao.
This year's theme "The Dazzling Wonderland" will iluminate 57 locations throughout Macau, including in the Northern and Central Districts, the New Outer Harbour Areas (NAPE), the Praia do Manduco and Nam Van Districts in the peninsula, as well as Taipa and Coloane.
When?: December 12, 2023 to February 25, 2024
How Much?: FREE
Remember you can get Turbojet and CotaiJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets from Klook.com:
TurboJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets are as follows:
Hong Kong Island to/from Macau Harbour:
- Single Trip (weekday, slightly more on weekends): HK175 US$ 22.40
More information and Booking Macau TurboJet Ferry Tickets ››
CotaiJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets are as follows:
- Single Trip (weekday, slightly more on weekends): HK175 US$ 22.40
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
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.
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.
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Most Popular Excursions in Hong Kong
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