Make this your ultimate Christmas calendar. From the family fun of panto to the art of ballet, with a smorgasbord of other exciting events and activities in between, December offers a very merry month of festive frivolity. Have you RSVP-ed yet?

1. Winterfest

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Discover Hong Kong

When: Now until January 1, 2018

Where: Various venues

What: The city lights up in style every winter with a host of magical celebrations to ring in the holiday season. From a dazzling 18-metre-tall Christmas tree in the heart of the city to the multimedia Symphony of Lights and New Year's Eve fireworks, there will be no shortage of festive merriment for the entire family.

Find out more at discoverhongkong.com

 
 
 

2. Crafty Christmas DIY workshops

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Pexels

When: Now until December 17

Where: Solomon Bloemen, Winner Building, 27 D'Aguilar Street, Central

What: The festive season is any decorator’s heaven, with endless mistletoe arrangements, branches of conifers and glittering fairy lights to deck your halls. This year, why not take it up a notch with some DIY decorations? Learn to craft your own pampas grass wreaths and other arrangements at six workshops offered by boutique floral design studio, Solomon Bloemen.

Find out more at solomonbloemen.com

 
 
 

3. Miniature Christmas Dogtown

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Dog Rescue/Squarestreet

When: Now until January 15, 2018

Where: Squarestreet, 15 Square Street, Sheung Wan

What: ‘Tis the season to give back, and Sheung Wan boutique Squarestreet has partnered with local animal shelter Hong Kong Dog Rescue for a creative winter village installation called Dogtown. Donors can populate with miniature figures at HK$50 each, with all proceeds going towards raising much-needed funds to save and rehome abandoned dogs across Hong Kong.

Find out more at Squarestreet's Facebook page

4. The Pulse’s Magical Winter Wonderland

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Above Photo: Courtesy of The Pulse

When: Now until February 28, 2018

Where: The Pulse, Repulse Bay

What: Have you ever dreamed of dining in an igloo? Now's your chance, and you don’t even have to trek all the way to the North Pole to do it. Head to the panoramic rooftop of Repulse Bay’s The Pulse, which has been transformed into pop-up restaurant ‘Igloos’ serving Asian-Western fusion menus and afternoon tea sets crafted by top chefs—all to be savoured under fairy light-draped domes against stunning ocean views.

Find out more at exploretock.com

5. Aladdin the Panto

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Flickr

When: December 7-10

Where: Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai 

What: Hop on this magical all-singing, all-dancing carpet ride—the 56th annual Christmas panto presented by the Hong Kong Players. Directed by Jodi Gilchrist and performed by an enthusiastic ensemble aged from 10 to 18, the timeless fairytale takes a merry spin with a new script that features plenty of slapstick comedy.

Find out more hongkongplayers.com

6. Christmas Carol Concert Appeal

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Christmas Carol Concert Appeal/Alex Haslam

When: December 8

Where: The Helena May, 35 Garden Road, Central

What: Now in its sixth year, the annual concert is an indulgent evening of fine tipples, canapés and carols for a good cause—to raise money for the Society for Community Organisation, which works tirelessly to improve the lives of 1.3 million people living below the poverty line in Hong Kong. 

Find out more at ticketflap.com

7. Friday Night Lights

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Adam Weirick

When: December 8

Where: Tamar Park

What: Yoga Union’s special Christmas edition returns, with sought-after yogi Adam Weirick presiding over a 90-minute Vinyasa practice followed by a gong bath to induce a state of spontaneous meditation and relaxation.

Find out more at Yoga Union's Facebook page

8. Christkindlmarkt

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Ritz Carlton Hong Kong

When: December 8-9

Where: Ozone, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, West Kowloon

What: The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong transports the magnificent charm of Christmas-time Vienna into its 490-metre high rooftop bar, Ozone, to host the hotel’s first ever Viennese Christmas market. Expect stalls packed with great gift options—from fashion to luxury homewares, beauty products and Viennese snacks—and a chance to hang out with Santa in his grotto.

Find out more at ritzcarlton.com

9. Italian Christmas Market

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Above Photo: Courtesy of The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao

When: December 9-10

Where: PMQ, Central

What: Buon Natale! Celebrate Christmas the Italian way right in the heart of the city, with 15 Christmas-themed booths offering a range of fine delicacies, made-in-Italy goods and a feast of quintessential European cheer at this lively fair hosted by the Italian Chamber of Commerce.

Find out more at icc.org.hk

10. Stanley Plaza Christmas Market

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Markets Organization

When: December 9-17

Where: Stanley Plaza, Stanley

What: The award-winning Christmas market returns to the waterfront Stanley Plaza Amphitheatre with ‘Finnish Christmas Wonders’ to mark Finland’s 100th Independence Day. Expect 300,000 to attend the extravaganza packed with Finnish delicacies, mulled wine, performances and even a Finnish sauna.

Find out more at stanleyplaza.com

11. Christmas Gift Festival

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Prestige Events

When: December 10

Where: Conrad Hong Kong

What: Save yourself that last-minute dash to the stores by heading to this lavish market for designer fashion, accessories, gourmet bites and handcrafted gems galore.

Find out more at prestigefairs.hk

12. Ocean Park Christmas Sensation

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Park

When: December 11–January 1, 2018

Where: Ocean Park Hong Kong

What: Thrill-seekers will want to make their way to Ocean Park this Christmas, which has upped their game—quite literally—with a host of action-packed festivities. At the top of the list? The Mine Train, Hong Kong’s first VR rollercoaster, as well as an array of heart-pumping activities like virtual shootouts and hyper-speed bike rides at the VR arcade.

Find out more at oceanpark.com.hk

 

13. Best of British

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Best of British festival

When: December 12-17

Where: Tamar Park, Admiralty

What: The British Consulate-General and British Chamber of Commerce-endorsed festival is back with the most scrumptious British offerings in town. Feast on delicacies from The Pawn Kitchen by Tom Aikens, Jamie’s Italian, Brick Lane and more while sipping drams and whisky cocktails at the inaugural ‘Best of British Whisky Experience’.

Find out more here and here 

14. The Nutcracker

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet/Conrad Dy-Liacco

When: December 15-17, 19-20, 22-26

Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

What: It’s not Christmas without a pilgrimage into Clara and Fritz’s fantastical adventure, complete with spellbinding dance sequences, extravagant sets and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Experience the everlasting allure of the iconic performance courtesy of the Hong Kong Ballet, choreography by Terence Kohler, and accompaniment by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

Find out more at hkballet.com

15. Great Santa Run

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hope Worldwide

When: December 16

Where: Hong Kong Science Park, Sha Tin

What: Don your plush red suit and silver facial hair for this festive fundraising marathon organised by the Hope Worldwide charity. Funds raised by the more than 1,000 Santa Clauses expected to run will support underprivileged children in Sham Shui Po and Tin Shui Wai.

Find out more at hopeww.sportsoho.com

16. A Christmas Te Deum

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Oratorio Society

When: December 17

Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

What: The Hong Kong Oratorio Society, the Hong Kong Treble Choir and the Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra present this all-carol programme featuring such classics as Magnificat, Te Deum, O Holy Night and Ave Maria alongside new works by composer Ng Cheuk-yin.

Find out more at oratorio.org.hk

17. The Snowman and the Bear

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the City Chamber Orchestra

When: December 17

Where: Hong Kong City Hall, Central

What: Two animated films, set to live orchestral accompaniment by the City Chamber Orchestra, brings the magic of Christmas to the big screen.

Find out more at ccohk.com

18. The Nutcracker in Cinema by Bolshoi Ballet

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Bolshoi Ballet In Cinema

When: December 17-25

Where: Various venues

What: The bewitching fairytale staged by one of the world’s most historic ballet companies is a treat not to be missed. Bolshoi Ballet’s principal dancers Denis Rodkin, Anna Nikulina alongside soloists Andrei Merkuriev and Vitaly Biktimirov bring star-studded charisma and world-class artistry to the big screen in this captured-for-cinema screening.

Find out more at bolshoiballetincinema.com

 

19. Scrooge! The Musical

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre

When: December 19-21, 23-26, 28-January 1, 2018

Where: Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai

What: The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre reimagines Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in brilliant song and dance numbers, transporting Scrooge through the past, present and future.

Find out more at hkapa.edu

20. AIA Great European Carnival

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Above Photo: Courtesy of AIA Great European Carnival

When: December 21-February 25, 2018

Where: Central Harbourfront

What: For over two months, the Central Harbourfront will be transformed into a kaleidoscopic wonderland of fun, games and thrills as the award-winning outdoor extravaganza returns for its 4th year. Join some 800,000 revellers at the perennial winter event featuring new rides, carnival games and live performances from Rita Ora, Far East Movement and Khalil Fong at the Billboard Radio Live stage.

Find out more at tgec.asia

21. Christmas for the family

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Philharmonic

When: December 23-24

Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui

What: With one more performance added on Christmas Eve due to popular demand, families better snap up tickets quick for this Gerard Salonga-conducted Hong Kong Philharmonic concert of festive favourites including Jingle Bell Rock, Let It Snow!, O Holy Night, joined by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus and TV artist Corinna Chamberlain.

Find out more at hkphil.org

22. Christmas shopping spectacular 

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Pacific Place

When: Now until December 26

Where: Pacific Place, Admiralty

What: Be transported to a theatrical extravaganza of sparkling Broadway lights, seasonal pop-up stores, gourmet delights and live performances from the city’s top performing arts groups including the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and more.

Find out more at pacificplace.com.hk 

23. A Disney christmas

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland

When: Now until January 1, 2018

Where: Hong Kong Disneyland

What: Fancy ringing in the holiday season with Mickey Mouse and the gang? The happiest place on earth is about to become more enchanting with the inaugural Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball, a yuletide musical extravaganza featuring music and dancing galore under twinkling lights and snow-covered trees. Don’t miss the signature tree-lighting ceremony, carolling and fireworks.

Find out more at hongkongdisneyland.com

 
 
 

24. A wish come true 

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Marco Polo Hongkong

When: Now until December 31

Where: Marco Polo Hongkong, Gateway and Prince Hotel

What: Marco Polo Hongkong, Gateway and Prince Hotel team up to deliver this charitable initiative in support of the Children’s Cancer Foundation. By offering a donation to the concierge at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, you'll be helping to grant some of the 80 plus wishes hanging on the Christmas tree in the lobby.

Find out more at marcopolohotels.com

 
 
 

25. A Viennese New Year

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Hong Kong Philharmonic

When: December 30-31

Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui

What: Waltz into the new year with the Hong Kong Philharmonic and its much-loved Viennese repertoire of Liszt’s Fantasia on Hungarian Folk Melodies, and Strauss’s Die Fledermaus Overture, Blue Danube waltz and Radetzky March. David Angus conducts, with Chiyan Wong on piano.

Find out more at hkphil.org

 

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