Here’s our pick of 2020’s Hong Kong Christmas Festive Fun and Events. Our list is a little different to last year’s as many of the usual events have been cancelled or scaled back. Nevertheless, we have family friendly events, Christmas markets, charity fundraisers and also tips on where to buy your all important Christmas tree. Also, a sure sign of the times, is that for the first time ever, we have several virtual events on our list.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, events could be cancelled at short notice.
This is the first virtual experience on our list. Let Santa read your children a bedtime story, on Fridays from 4-18 December 2020.
Prices range from HK$200-600 depending on the number of stories you book. Find out more here.
In Hong Kong, Christmas almost isn’t Christmas without the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. At time of writing, this event is still going ahead. Enjoy this timeless Christmas classic, set to Tchaicovsky’s famous score, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 17 December – 27 December 2020.
UPDATE 11.12.2020 VENUE HAS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONA RESTRICTIONS. THE NUTCRACKER WILL NOT BE GOING AHEAD.
Ticket prices start at HK$180 and range up to HK$1000 per person.
Hong Kong Players have been entertaining Hong Kong audiences with their Pantomime Christmas gold for years. This year, they’re going digital.
If you’re unfamiliar with this seasonal genre, Pantomime is a completely family friendly, slapstick show based loosely on our favourite fairy tales, with plenty of audience interaction, smoke, mirrors and magic. The humour tends to work on two levels, with a combination of child friendly jokes and hidden double entendres for the adults to chortle at.
Tickets are available now and range from HK$150-500 and the show will be available 10-13 December 2020
Obviously, The Magic Kingdom is already sprinkled with fairy dust, but with Christmas coming, there is even more sparkle. This year A Disney Christmas – Treasure your Traditions runs between 14 November 2020 and 1 January 2021. Plenty of Christmas fun is planned, but please check the official Hong Kong Disney website for up to date booking and event information. UPDATE 11.12.2020 DISNEY HAS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONA RESTRICTIONS
Pacific Place Santa’s GrottoPacific Place in Admiralty is THE place in town to visit Santa. However, this year, this lynchpin of Hong Kong Christmas has also gone virtual. According to their website tickets go on sale from 11am on 19 November 2020. Normally, these tickets are like gold dust, so if you’re interested, we recommend booking as soon as it opens to avoid disappointment.
UPDATE 11.12.2020 THIS IS STILL GOING AHEAD, HOWEVER DUE TO CORONA RESTRICTIONS ONLY TINY GROUPS ARE ALLOWED TO UNDERTAKE THE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY AFFECT YOUR PLANS
The annual Christmas lights on Hong Kong’s skyscrapers are free, just take an evening stroll along Tsim Tsa Tsui promenade for a spectacular view. Nearby Harbour City and 1881 Heritage are also known for impressive Christmas displays, so we suggest starting or finishing your promenade walk here. Alternatively hop aboard the Star Ferry for just a couple of dollars and see the lights from the water.
Christmas markets are mighty thin on the ground this year in these Coronatimes. Nevertheless, Handmade Hong Kong still has markets pencilled in for 22 November and 6 December 2020 showcasing many local vendors. We’re crossing our fingers that they will go ahead, please check their website for updates before setting off. UPDATE 18.11.2020: Market on 22 November has been cancelled. Please check to the Handmade Hong Kong Facebook Page – links to vendors are provided so that you can shop online. Tentatively, the 6 December market may still go ahead.
Currently, there is also a Hong Kong Living Christmas Getaway planned at the Pulse in Repulse Bay on 12 and 13 December 2020. For further details and ticket prices, check here.
Visit Pui O on Lantau, for their annual Christmas Market Festival on 12 and 13 December. Find out more here.
Gift SuggestionsWe’ve put together a Homegrown Hong Kong Gift Guide with plenty of ideas to help you with any last-minute seasonal shopping. This year in particular, we are keen to support local Hong Kong businesses. We’ve included, our brand new Hong Kong Quests, which make perfect stocking fillers and also our popular veggie food tour, which will run on selected dates during the Christmas holidays.
The Fayre of Maggie’s is going to be a virtual event this year and will take place on Thursday 10 December at 7pm. The event includes Christmas carols, festive readings and special performances. Additionally, there will be a “live” (virtual) auction and raffle. Individual tickets are HK$1500 and family tickets are HK$5000. Funds go towards Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre .
Christmas is the season of giving and their are plenty of wonderful charities helping the less fortunate. You could give a Secret Santa gift which will go to an underprivileged child in Hong Kong, through local charity Angels for Children.
The usual physical bazaar cannot go ahead, instead there is a virtual Silent Auction, Lucky Lai See Prize Draw or you can donate to the Giving Tree. For further details, visit the American Women’s Association website.
Where to Buy a Christmas Tree in Hong KongWith limited travel options over the 2020 Christmas period, be sure to order your Christmas tree well in advance.
We love visiting Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak. Until mid December there are discounts if you have 1 or more of the following letters in your name P E A K. Also, from now until the end of January, take ride up on the Peak Tram and receive vouchers to spend at the shops at the top. More details are here.
Other Festive FunThere are several great Santa Trackers to choose from in the lead up to Christmas Day. Check out the following to find out what Santa’s up to, where he is and to discover fun games and activities for younger kids. Google Santa Tracker, Santa Update and Norad are all great options.
After such a serious year, we all need a good laugh. In case you’ve never heard of it, the very silly Elf Yourself enables you to put the faces of you and your loved ones on the cartoon bodies of dancing elves. It’s childish, but weirdly hilarious.
If you know of any other special events taking place in Hong Kong during the 2020/2021 Christmas and New Year festive season, please let us know so that we can update our listings: CONTACT US.
