The best things to do in Hong Kong this December

With Hong Kong's panda craze going strong, AllRightsReserved – the brains behind the 100% Doraemon & Friends Tour Hong Kong exhibition and the giant Double Ducks – is back with another citywide event: Panda Go! Fest Hk. 

A total of 2,500 panda sculptures will pop up across various locations in Hong Kong for a limited time as a tribute to the global giant panda population, which has now exceeded 2,500. The sculptures will be presented in eight unique designs, plus six special panda characters just for Hong Kong, including Ying Ying, Le Le, Keke, An An, and the adorable twin pandas.

The fun kicks off with a welcoming ceremony at Hong Kong International Airport on December 2. Then, from December 7 to 26, the pandas will make their way to iconic landmarks like Avenue of Stars, Ngong Ping 360, Ocean Park, and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park, staying at each location for two days.

Keep an eye out for special edition pandas designed by celebrities like Pharrell Williams, Huang Bo, Du Juan, and Kasing Lung, the artist behind the creation of Labubu. Most of these sculptures will be up for online charity auction, with all proceeds going directly to Ocean Park to support panda conservation efforts.

The AIA Carnival is back again and we couldn’t be more excited! This year, the annual fun fest will be celebrating its 10th birthday – which means new rides, games, toys, more food options, a ton of photo ops, and plenty of surprises in store!

From December 18, 2024, to February 16, 2025, the spectacular event is set to bring a lineup of 28 classic and new rides, some of which have never been seen in the city before; more than 30 games with adorable, custom-made toys from huge blockbusters and anime favourites up for grabs; a multinational selection of bites featuring an even bigger selection of options for all tastes and age groups. The renowned Gandeys Circus will also return with six brand-new acts and a star-studded lineup of talents from 12 different countries. Early-bird tickets are now on sale with special discounts on regular ticket prices. Click here for more details about this year’s event.

Celebrate Christmas differently this year with sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck. Apart from being practically up among the clouds on the 100th floor of the tallest building in Hong Kong, the indoor observation deck has also prepared plenty of holiday entertainment, from Hong Kong-style decorations and live K-pop performances to German culinary delights and even robot tour guides.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for their lucky mascot who will be making appearances to sing Christmas carols, and use a secret codeword to claim your mystery gift from the sky100 staff!

Visit sky100's official website to find out more

Jump into the festive spirit as the 'HSBC Life The Big Bounce World Tour - Hong Kong' rolls into town from December 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025 at the Great Lawn of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) Art Park. The Big Bounce will boast a variety of giant inflatables, including basketball hoops, massive slides, and epic ball pits – all designed to welcome people of all ages. Families can enjoy Junior (aged seven or below) and Bigger Kids' (aged 15 or below) sessions together, while the evenings will turn into a lively 'After Dark Party' for those aged 16 and up.

Tickets for The Big Bounce World Tour - Hong Kong are going from $179 to $199; visit their official website for more info.

Returning to the West Kowloon Cultural District from November 22, 2024 to January 1, 2025, Hong Kong WinterFest is by far one of the most popular Christmas events in Hong Kong. Aside from a towering 20-metre-tall Christmas tree adorned with shimmering lights, visitors will also find busy gnomes and nearly 100 gift boxes of all shapes, sizes, and colours across Christmas Town. Take a walk through the festive light tunnel, catch handbell and choir performances, and don't miss surprise appearances by Santa Claus himself. The Christmas tree light projections start at 6pm every day, while the harbourfront pyrotechnic display will take place on three consecutive nights from December 24 to 26.

Find out more about various events and activities, dates, and opening hours at this year's Hong Kong Winterfest in our detailed guide.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as world-class illusion artist Franz Harary brings his groundbreaking illusion show to Hong Kong for the first time. From December 23 to January 5, 2025, at the Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space, Franz Harary will dazzle audiences with his mind-blowing illusions and grand spectacles. Joining Harary is an incredible lineup of award-winning magicians, including Danny Cole and Rocco Silano, as they take you into a dreamlike world of wonder and awe. With 33 performances, expect mind-bending tricks and stunning visuals that redefine the art of magic. Harary believes magic is a form of high art, and this show promises to be a thrilling blend of creativity and skill. Ticket prices range from $188 to $1,088 but they're going fast! So grab yours now and prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary as you step into the realm of 'Imagine Nation'.

This winter, Lee Tung Avenue is embracing the festive season with its 'Dazzling Christmas' celebration. Merrymakers will be immersed in a festive world filled with stunning light installations inspired by Belgian lace, featuring a magnificent 27-metre-long arch and an eight-metre-high Christmas tree. The pedestrian walkway will also be adorned with beautiful decorations, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere that will get you into the Christmas spirit.

Join the fun with interactive workshops, where you can design your own Smurf and collaborate with local artists. Enjoy festive performances, including music from Belgian artists and a magical show. And if it's a white Christmas that you're wishing for, don’t miss the return of the popular snow shows at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm with over 50 sessions hosted every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as on public holidays and New Year's Eve.

On Christmas Day, meet Sinterklaas and celebrate at a masquerade ball filled with laughter and joy. With charity pop-ups supporting Save the Children Hong Kong and other exciting promotions, Lee Tung Avenue promises a memorable holiday experience for all this year.

Harbour City goes all out every Christmas, and this year is no different! Here with his first-ever Christmas art project, miniature photographer and mitate artist Tatsuya Tanaka brings The Big Little Christmas large-scale outdoor installation to Harbour City from now to January 1, 2025. Aside from an eight-metre-tall wooden Christmas calendar at the Staircase, the outdoor installation also features a 28-metre-long Santa Claus working desk at the Ocean Terminal Forecourt with five festive miniature sets enlarged on the desk, including the candy cane sleigh, a five-metre-high cabin made with stacked books, and a 10-metre-tall Christmas tree transformed from a Santa Clause hat.

Fans of Tanaka's work should also check out the Countdown to Mini-mas exhibition at Gallery by the Harbour, where 25 new festive miniature artworks made using everyday objects are on display, along with various merch such as postcard sets, tote bags, and blind boxes. All proceeds after cost deduction will be donated to the Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation to support blood cancer patients and their families. 

Experience the magic of the season at HKJC X Tai Kwun - Simple Gifts of Joy 2024, happening from December 1 to January 1. This festive celebration marks HKJC’s 140th anniversary and embraces the core values of joy, giving, and togetherness right in the heart of Hong Kong. Aside from a shimmering 12-metre Christmas tree, visitors can also get into the festive spirit with The Gift of Music Opening Concert, followed by the whimsical Tai Kwun Circus Plays later in the month. Be sure not to miss seasonal treats, holiday shopping, and exclusive TK Fan offerings that promise unforgettable moments with family and friends.

Hong Kong hip-hop group M4Gang is collaborating with local popular accessories brand TMT The Money Thing to present the city’s first-ever celebration dedicated to hip-hop culture. Split into two parts, the festival will involve a showcase of hip-hop culture with talks by 50 big names in the community and a range of displays to immerse visitors in various facets of this music form. Of course, hip-hop goes hand in hand with street breakdance, DJing, and tattoo art, so there will be experiences for these topics as well.

The highlight of Shout Out Loud are the live performances headlined by M4Gang, so if you’re a fan of their music, this event pretty much amounts to a concert with periphery events to additionally entertain you as well. There will also be zones providing food and drinks for a well-rounded day out in San Po Kong.

Tickets cost $480 for full-day passes and $380 for half-day entry. Sales begin on Thursday, November 14, at 12 noon.

Immerse yourself in the world of Marshville’s Winter at Citygate Outlets this holiday season. From now until Jan 2, 2025, Korean creative label Dinotaeng is making its debut in Hong Kong with seven thematic scenes. From a giant igloo to a four-metre-tall Christmas tree decorated with adorable charms, visitors will get to meet the villagers of Marshville all around Citygate Outlets. Be sure to check out the pop-up store where you can get your hands on the latest Dinotaeng goodies like plushies, totes, stationery, lifestyle products, and more. For Club CG members, there will also be tons of fabulous shopping rewards, along with a chance on a claw machine to win the latest Dinotaeng plush toy – so don't miss out. 

Put on your Santa hats and head over to Hong Kong Disneyland to celebrate Christmas! For the first time in forever, the World of Frozen will be hosting its first Christmas festivities, with lots of decorations, snow, themed food, carolers, and a surprise or two from everyone’s favourite Frozen characters.

Mickey, Goofy, Winnie the Pooh, Duffy and Friends, and more will be dressed up in special Yuletide costumes, so keep an eye out for photo opportunities. When night falls, gather along Main Street USA to watch the ‘Holiday Wish-Come-True’ tree lighting ceremony accompanied by a drone show, and for three consecutive weekend nights, there will also be the ‘Disney Christmas Live in Concert!’ featuring fan-favourite character cameos and song, Christmas music, the Hong Kong Children’s Choir, and special guests Gin Lee, Morisette, and Janice Yan.

Concert tickets range from $299 to $349.

The widely acclaimed theatre play The Truth About Lying, which has had four production reruns, will soon return to the stage again, this time starring the dream team of Dayo Wong Tsz-wah and Carina Lau Ka-ling. This new iteration of the play marks the first time that Wong and Lau will collaborate on stage, despite having been friends for years. 

Set in a law firm specialising in family and divorce cases, a middle-class lawyer couple – having witnessed the ugliness of divorce for years – pretend to still be together while actually already estranged in their marriage. But things are thrown into upheaval when a young trainee lawyer starts working at the firm. The Truth About Lying explores the fleetingness of youth, the fragility of marriage, and the paradoxes in love through six men and women. 

Catch Wong and Lau in this 40-show run at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, starting on December 13. Tickets range from $480 to $1,280, and priority booking for HSBC credit card holders will run from August 26 to 30, while general sales will begin on September 3.

Digital art exhibition Arte M Hong Kong arrived on Hong Kong's shores from South Korea in the fall of 2022, bringing a surreal immersive experience through a combination of visual effects, sounds, and even aromas. Sadly, the exhibition has just announced its closure and will be wrapping things up on December 31, 2024, before heading off for a new venture in Shenzhen. When asked about their original plans to set up the Arte Museum at 11 Skies, the organisers replied saying that the project has been put on hold.

To bid farewell to Hongkongers, Arte M is dishing out special closing discounts with ticket prices going for half price (applicable to online purchases only). Regular adult tickets are $64 on weekdays (original price $128) and $74 on weekends and public holidays (original price $148). Discounted tickets for children aged three to 11, students, and seniors aged 65 and above are priced at $49 on weekdays (original price $98) and $54 on weekends and public holidays (original price $108). Admission is free for kids under the age of three.

Swing by the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery at City University of Hong Kong for the 'Might and Magnificence: Ceremonial Arms and Armour across Cultures' exhibition, running from now until February 23, 2025. Co-curated by Dr Libby Lai-Pik Chan and Dr Rachel Parikh, this exhibition showcases nearly 200 incredible pieces that reveal the rich cultural stories behind ceremonial arms and armour. Discover how these ceremonial arms reflect cultural and social identities – from markers of status to instruments of worship – through examples of rare items from esteemed private and local public collections, including the renowned Mengdiexuan Collection and the celebrated R&J Collection. The exhibition is free to enter, with on-site registration available at the Tai Chee Avenue entrance of the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building, adjacent to the Amphitheatre on the 2/F.