Stuck in Hong Kong for the holidays without any plans? Here’s how to make it memorable with (almost) spontaneous festive family fun
With most people staying in Hong Kong this year due to quarantine restrictions, it’s a “Jingle all the way” style fight to find a Christmas tree, book a Christmas lunch, or get your hands on a ticket to see Santa. But if you’ve missed the boat, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday spirit without having to trade your first-born child for a turkey. Who needs to pre-book a visit to Santa when there is plenty of (almost) spontaneous fun to be had with our guide to last minute holiday plans in Hong Kong?
Last minute holiday plans in Hong Kong for festive family fun
1. Christmas Joy House
For some nostalgic memories of Christmas past, make sure to visit the Christmas Joy House at LANDMARK. With giant retro toys and a focus on charitable giving, kids of all ages (yes, adults, too) can slide down the Slinky Slide and take on the Dinoshaun challenge, playing games and embarking on a fun (paid) VR experience, Star Dash. Upstairs, gift-hunters can visit the insta-worthy Beauty Botanica pop-up and stock up on unique gifts from Baking Maniac, Cookie DPT and purchase some very special Christmas decorations.
LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central
2. Mt. Christmas Resort
We might not be able to visit the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, or ski down the snowy slopes of Whistler, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be transported to a winter wonderland. Head to Pacific Place to visit the Yeti Family at the festive Mt. Christmas Resort! While tickets to meet Santa at Pacific Place sold out in the blink of an eye (sob), there’s still plenty of festive cheer. With beautiful lights, decorations and a giant snowy mountain, there are great photo opportunities and fun to be had hunting for the adorable Yeti Family. And if you’re hoping to finish (or start!) your Christmas gift shopping, when you spend $1,000 at Pacific Place, you can visit Yeti Surprise, a fun interactive experience where children can catch a glimpse of Papa Yeti and receive a cute fluffy gift!
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
3. The ChristMice Cracker
Fancy some live entertainment but haven’t booked anything? There’s lots of festive events at Tai Kwun this December. We’re excited to check out The ChristMice Cracker performance from local HK theatre troupe, TS Crew as they recreate the battle scene from The Nutcracker. Featuring lion dances, Chinese opera, beatboxing and talented acrobats, this reimagining of the famous ballet scene incorporates a creative Hong Kong spin and requires no reservation! Make sure to stop by the 12-metre-high Christmas tree in the central parade ground for an impressive photo afterwards!
Learn more about The ChristMice Cracker performances by TS Crew at Tai Kwun on 24-27 December
4. Musical Jam with the Green Christmas Band
For a Christmas day with a twist, bring the kids along to the West Kowloon Art Park and join young local musicians in a fun musical jam! Children aged 6-8 can learn how to play a Christmas song on a variety of upcycled musical instruments made from everyday materials and natural items found in the art park! No reservation is required but participation is based on a first come, first served basis. Afterwards, check out the Hong Kong Winterfest Christmas Town and the 20-metre tall Christmas tree. And it’s not too early to start planning for New Year’s Eve, so mark your calendars now (and buy your tickets!) for the Hong Kong New Year Countdown Concert.
Learn more about the Musical Jam with the Green Christmas Band at the Art Park in the West Kowloon Cultural District on 25 December
5. Stay home
Finally, if you’d rather skip the crowds to enjoy a cozy holiday celebration at home, then there’s no better time to roll up your sleeves to cook up a festive meal for friends and family. Or, better yet, order up a feast fit for delivery with our handy guides to wine, cheese, and cake while sipping on a mulled wine. You could take the opportunity to add “Be more organised” to your list of New Years’ resolutions, but—given how much we enjoyed checking out these last minute holiday plans—we say “Bah humbug” to that!
