It’s a fun-filled December for all the family, with a citywide smorgasbord of festivities on offer, from theatrical treats and acrobatic tricks to carols and cocoa monsters

1. Winterfest 

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Winterfest

When: December 1 to January 1, 2019

Where: Various locations across Hong Kong

What: Under the umbrella of Winterfest, December sees Hong Kong aglow with festive lighting, lasers and graphic imagery as events take place all over the city.  Highlights include the lighting of the Christmas tree in Statue Square and the New Year countdown and fireworks on the harbourfront.

Find out more at discoverhongkong.com 

See also: Where To Find The Best Christmas Trees In Hong Kong

2. Santacon

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Santacon

When: December 8

Where: Various locations across Hong Kong

Get that Santa suit ready—it’s time to join the third edition of SantaCon and proceed to drink your way merrily through your favourite watering holes. Non-commercial and non-political, it’s just a perfect excuse to dress up as Santa, meet new friends and parade around town. Attendance is free; ages 21 and up.

Find out more at santacon.info

3. The Nutcracker

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

When: December 14-26

Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre

What: The Hong Kong Ballet stages its glittering annual production of the Tchaikovsky classic, featuring the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and a guest appearance by Houston Ballet principal dancer Chun Wai Chan.

Puchase tickets at urbtix.hk

See also: Ballet For All: Septime Webre

4. Santa Run

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Above Photo: Shutterstock

When: December 15

Where: Charles K Kao Auditorium, HK Science Park 

What: Be as generous as Santa and sign up for the Find out more at hopeww.sportsoho.com 

" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hope Worldwide Great Santa Night Run. With different race categories, this is a run that everyone in the family can participate in. A Christmas carnival awaits after the run, and funds raised support programmes that help children with special educational needs. The run starts at 6.30pm.

Find out more at hopeww.sportsoho.com 

5. The Snowman and The Bear

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Above Photo: TVC London

When: December 23

Where: Sha Tin Town Hall

What: Here’s a chance to experience these two heart-warming films, based on the books by Raymond Briggs, on the big screen. The City Chamber Orchestra and a children’s choir will provide live accompaniment, making it a perfect Christmas treat for all the family. 

Purchase tickets at urbtix.hk

6. A Harry Little Christmas

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus

When: December 23-24

Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre

What: Catch Harry Wong (aka Harry Gor Gor) and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus as they entertain with a fun-filled concert featuring loads of yuletide goodies. Expect singalongs, magic tricks and treats, and wonderful music. Suitable for children aged three and up. 

Purchase tickets at urbtix.hk

See also: 10 Hong Kong Events You Can't Miss In December

7. Bizircus at Discovery Bay

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Bizircus

When: December 23-26

Where: Waterfront promenade, Discovery Bay

What: Discovery Bay’s Let It Glow Christmas celebrations run right through December, providing traditional festive elements, three-dimensional geometric art and a surreal Christmas tree with everchanging lights that is bound to delight. And then there’s the Australian acrobatic troupe Bizircus, who will be staging an exclusive Christmas Acrobatic Parade Party to thrill audiences as a Snowman Brigade greets visitors.

Visit ddeck.com.hk for more information.

8. Lee Tung Lights Up

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Above Image: Courtesy of Lee Tung Avenue

When: Until December 31

Where: 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai

Lee Tung Avenue has partnered with the Crown Estate’s Regent Street in London to bring its renowned Spirit of Christmas lighting scheme to Hong Kong. In 1954, Regent Street became the first thoroughfare in central London to install festive lighting and decorations. The switching on of Lee Tung Avenue’s lighting took place in November, but the Christmas festivities will run right through December. 

9. Do Good at the Mandarin Oriental

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Above Photo: Courtesy of The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

When: Until December 31

Where: The Mandarin Oriental

What: For the entire month of December, feel good inside and out when you dine at the Mandarin Oriental or indulge in its spa treatments. The hotel is partnering with the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation to help financially disadvantaged patients receive life-changing medical care by donating part of its holiday proceeds to the non-profit organisation’s charity outreach programmes.

Find out more at mandarinoriental.com

10. Winter Cinema at Foxglove

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Foxglove

When: Every Monday in December except Christmas Eve

Where: Foxglove bar and restaurant

What: What better way to indulge in the festive season than by watching some of your favourite Christmas movie classics, such as Home Alone and Love Actually, while imbibing signature cocktails at the meticulously appointed  Foxglove bar and restaurant.

Find out more at mingfathouse.com 

11. Festivities at the Upper House

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Above Photo: Courtesy of The Upper House

When: Until December 31

Where: The Upper House

What: Indulge in specially concocted dishes and cocktails inspired by flavours of the season at Café Gray Deluxe. A festive afternoon tea set is offered during the whole month of December, and a stellar dining experience awaits on Christmas eve and Christmas day, via a wine-pairing 6-course menu. And for spectacular views of the fireworks and Victoria Harbour, don’t miss The Upper House’s New Year’s Eve gala dinner and countdown to 2019. 

Find out more at upperhouse.com 

See also: Hong Kong Tatler's 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaway

12. Épure Feast

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Épure

When: Until December 31

Where: Épure

What: For a memorable gastronomic experience complete with Michelin star, let French restaurant Épure serve you. Its festive menu features only the best ingredients—top-grade duck foie gras, decadent black truffle, luxurious abalone, prized blue lobster, exquisite caviar and much more, all paired with the finest wines against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.

Find out more at epure.hk 

13. Dr Fern Tea Treats

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Dr Fern

When: Until December 31

Where: Dr Fern's Gin Parlour

What: Nothing beats a delectable Christmas Afternoon G & T at Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour after some hectic shopping at Landmark. Dr Fern’s festive menu, available throughout December, is inspired by classic Christmas tales. Regular tea sets can be upgraded with an additional HK$80 and, if purchased on December 24 or 25, lobster and melon with yuzu butter will be included. 

Find out more at drfernshk.com 

See also: Where To Find The Best Gin & Tonics In Hong Kong

14. Santa Academy

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Above Photo: Courtesy of IFC Mall

When: Until January 1, 2019

Where: IFC Mall

What: Ever wondered how Santa does it during the merriest season of the year? Here’s an opportunity to discover the magic behind Christmas as you learn the tricks of his trade at the Santa Academy. Hone your skills through its interactive training programmes and graduate as a Santa. 

Find out more at ifc.com.hk 

15. White Christmas at Kerry Hotel

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Kerry Hotel

When: Until January 1, 2019

Where: The Kerry Hotel

What: The Kerry Hotel is making wishes of a white Christmas come true with a real winter wonderland in the lobby, complete with falling snowflakes. Of course, Santa is dropping by, as well as Christmas carollers. Visit the Christmas counter, which caters for gifts, hampers, treats and delicacies.

Find out more at shangri-la.com 

16. Nutcrackerz at the Ritz-Carlton

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton

When: Until January 1, 2019

Where: Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

What: From Teddy Bear Tea to watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks over Victoria Harbour, there is a wide array of events to delight guests at the Ritz-Carlton. Not to be missed is the Nutcrackerz Christmas Eve Party at Ozone, which promises seductive entertainment with alternative ballet performances and a special countdown to Christmas.

Find out more at ritzcarlton.com 

17. Cocoa Monsters

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Landmark

When: Until January 1, 2019

Where: Landmark

What: It’s chocolate heaven at Landmark. The high-end shopping destination has installed a chocolate factory with a delightful family of cocoa monsters who sing and dance as they collect cocoa beans and transform them into yummy chocolates. Located in the atrium, the imaginative installation features a luscious cocoa forest, tumbling chocolate river and the factory, which bursts to life every 30 minutes.

Find out more at landmark.com.hk 

See also: Shopper’s Paradise: Fulfil Your Home And Children’s Shopping Needs At Landmark

18. Christmas at the InterContinental

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Above Photo: Courtesy of InterContinental Hong Kong

When: Until January 1, 2019

Where: InterContinental, Hong Kong

Champagne, caviar, afternoon tea, decorating the gingerbread house, special Christmas menus, and more. And if it’s all too much, get a spa treatment or reserve one of the harbourview suites to chill out before heading down to the lobby to party and watch the fireworks display on Christmas Eve. You can also support the charitable New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association by buying a snow globe.

Visit hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com for more information. 

19. Make Merry at The Murray

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Above Photo: Courtesy of The Murray

When: Until January 1, 2019

Where: The Murray Hong Kong

What: The Murray Hong Kong invites guests to make festive memories at Popinjays, The Tai Pan and the Garden Lounge. For Christmas, Popinjays offers a six-course Christmas eve dinner which includes favourites like roasted grain-fed turkey and poached Brittany lobster. The Tai Pan offers multi-course menus for Christmas as well, with special dishes like Nordic king salmon confit and sea urchin toast. For more relaxed gatherings, Christmas afternoon tea is offered at the Garden Lounge throughout December. 

Find out more at niccolohotels.com 

20. Treats at the Peninsula

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Above Photo: Courtesy of The Peninsula

When: Until January 1, 2019

Where: The Peninsula

What: The Peninsula will be serving up carols, string quartets and Santa Claus throughout the month. Treat yourself to classic carols at lunchtime and then suit up for a Christmas dinner dance in the evening, or just take a tea break in The Lobby. A portion of proceeds from the sale of Christmas tree items and afternoon tea packages will go to charity. 

Find out more at thepeninsula.com

See also: The World's Best Christmas Markets According To Travel Experts

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