It’s that special time of year again, when Hong Kong gets a festive facelift with Christmas lights, trees, art and installations sparkling across the city. So whether you prefer the traditional, cute, or the more creative, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday. Here’s where to spot the best Yuletide décor.
1. The Spirit of Christmas at Lee Tung Avenue
When: From now until 31 December 2018
Bringing the world-renowned Regent Street Christmas lights — which have been a tradition since 1954 — from London to Hong Kong, Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai is displaying a spectacular fleet of suspended ‘spirit’ lights above the shopping street to celebrate Christmas in true London style. There will also be a whole host of thematic programmes running throughout the Christmas period, including parades, choirs, music ensembles, food carriages, amongst others, and even ‘snowy moments’ in which it actually seems as though the magic of Christmas brought snow to Hong Kong.
Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; find out more at www.leetungavenue.com.hk.
2. Cocoaland at Landmark
When: From now until 1 January 2019
The Landmark is known for the creating Hong Kong’s most fantastical Christmas displays, and this year doesn’t disappoint. Transforming the main atrium into a working chocolate factory, or ‘Cocoaland’, the display features playful little Cocoa Monsters created by French illustrator Frederic Pillot, which will burst into life every 30 minutes. There are also a variety of activities for the little ones to get involved in: interacting with the display itself, playing with monster machines, and joining mini ‘Monster Missions’ while making a HK$20 donation to Make-A-Wish Hong Kong at the same time. Special performances will also take place on weekends from 15-25 December.
The Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; find out more at www.landmark.hk.
3. Where Christmas Comes to Life at Pacific Place
When: From now until 1 January 2019
This year, the Admiralty mall presents a scene of Santa’s private study with his magical ideas for Christmas to discover. Santa’s Grotto also returns with tickets to see the man himself and a keepsake to take home, with all proceeds donated to charity. There are also interactive storytelling sessions in addition to treasure hunts for the little ones to enjoy, while the whole family can enjoy Christmas carols sung by live choirs. What’s more, there are workshops that you can register to join to create personalised gifts for loved ones.
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong; find out more at www.pacificplace.com.hk.
4. The Holidays Made by Tiffany at Harbour City
When: From now until 1 January 2019
If you were wondering how Tiffany might do the holidays, you only need to head to the Ocean Terminal Deck at Harbour City to find out. ‘The Holidays Made by Tiffany’ presents a 30-feet-tall Tiffany blue tree which stands overlooking Victoria Harbour, adorned with Tiffany boxes and their mascots: CLT Robot, named after Tiffany founder Charles Lewis Tiffany; Man Silver; and the little Nymphenburg mouse, Karl. Various interactive elements can also be found around Harbour City and Tiffany’s stores, in which you may find your very own surprise.
Gateway Arcade Atrium I and Ocean Terminal Deck at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; find out more at www.harbourcity.com.hk.
5. World’s Largest Kaleidoscope at Harbour City
When: From now until 1 January 2019
The harbourfront shopping mall is packed with Christmas cheer this year and another display worth visiting is the world’s largest video kaleidoscope: a 16-metre-long rainbow tunnel that flashes festive imagery and a 4.5-metre-high triangle mirror that refracts the light before your eyes for a spellbinding and psychedelic experience. Members of the public can enjoy and snap photos for the ultimate selfie in the kaleidoscope. All you have to do is donate HK$50 to Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation for a total of 10 minutes in the tunnel. A great cause and a great new profile pic — that’s a win-win if you ask us.
Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; find out more at www.harbourcity.com.hk.
6. A Crystal Tale at Elements
When: From now until 1 January 2019
In partnership with prestigious French crystal manufacturer (and part of the Hermès Group) Saint-Louis, Elements presents “A Crystal Tale”, inspired by the Vosges Forest in France. The wintery display features a Christmas forest scene with an incredible six-metre-high crystal tree crafted from 24 crystal chandeliers on five levels suspended in the air. The whole tree comprises over 21,000 crystal units for the piece, making sure everyone’s Christmas is nothing short of dazzling. Moreover, displays of timeless Saint-Louis masterpieces are showcased in the winter forest, including the Louis II de Bavière Vase with over 160 years of history; the George Sand Vase; and the Millefiori Giant Paperweight.
1/F Metal Zone, Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; find out more at www.elementscrystaltale.com.
7. Christmas Tree at Statue Square
When: From now until 1 January 2019
There’s nothing quite like a beautifully tall Christmas tree to look up at and bring on the festive mood. Year after year, the iconic tree in Statue Square is one that many flock to and admire. This winter is no different: A dazzling 18-metre-tall tree stands amidst the skyscrapers for another epic display in the heart of Hong Kong. There will also be Christmas performances from carollers and Santa Claus from 18-24 December.
North Statue Square, Des Veoux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; find out more at www.discoverhongkong.com.
8. Santa Academy at ifc mall
When: From now until 1 January 2019
Learn the tricks of the Christmas trade at the high-end shopping destination this year and discover just how Santa does it. The Santa Academy at ifc mall includes a series of six interactive checkpoints to learn all about Santa and his activities during the busiest time of year. From honing in on your “ho-ho-hos” to learning how to style yourself as the man himself, Santa trainees will receive a personalised certificate upon graduation. Don’t forget to check out the Christmas performances too, running twice daily (at 12:45pm and 6:30pm) from 13-26 December with fun aerial acrobatics, trampoline and energetic dance routines.
Oval Atrium, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong; find out more at www.ifc.com.hk.
9. Exquisite Christmas at Times Square
When: From now until 1 January 2019
Featuring a fun miniature exhibition by two local artists, Times Square in Causeway Bay is showcasing exquisite craftsmanship in the manner of six different Hong Kong street scenes from the 1980s during the festive season. The detailed miniatures replicate some of Hong Kong’s fondest memories in small-form and, just like Christmas always does, brings joy and nostalgia together. What’s more, there’s a gingerbread house filled with 3D trick art, as well as a chance to meet Santa and his elves from 21-24 December.
Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; find out more at www.timessquare.com.hk.
10. Joy to the Walk at Fashion Walk
When: From now until 2 January 2019
Weave in a little cuteness this Christmas with Fashion Walk’s yarn art, which has spread across the railings of Food Street and Kingston Street in Causeway Bay. Created by local arts and crafts studio La Belle Époque, the yarn installation features some of Hong Kong’s favourite cuddly pets, as voted by the public, including Christmas-themed cats, pugs, poodles, shiba inus and more.
Kingston Street, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; find out more at Hong Kong Fashion Walk.
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