What's Hot in Hong Kong - Festive Season 2018
From December to January Hong Kong transforms into a magical winter wonderland, with festive celebrations, decorations and entertainment around every corner. See a very different side of Asia's bustling city with a winter Christmas or New Year's Eve in Hong Kong...
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During the festive season visitors and locals will be treated to a sparkling line-up of light-filled free festivities and visual feasts. Regarded as the largest open-air light festival in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival runs until 24 February 2019 and features an array of glowing installations by artists from across the globe, and complemented by a winter edition of the nightly “A Symphony of Lights” light-and-music show. www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/events-festivals/highlight-events/pulse-light-festival.jsp
This holiday season, ifc mall presents Santa Academy, an engaging seasonal installation that will transport visitors on an imaginative journey through time and place. Santa Academy comprises of six interactive checkpoints designed for those who have always wondered how Santa does it all during the holiday season. From learning Santa's signature “Ho-ho-ho” belly laugh to postcard writing to learning how to dress like Santa, guests can hone their skills through the engaging activities, receive a personalised certificate sticker and “graduate” as a honorary "Santa" after collecting all the required stamps in their e-handbook. www.ifc.com.hk/xmas2018/en
Partnering with The Crown Estate's Regent Street in London, Hong Kong's Lee Tung Avenue will present the world-renowned "Spirit of Christmas" light theme this Christmas. Regent Street, the iconic shopping and dining destination in London, was the very first central London street to introduce festive lighting and decorations to Londoners in 1954. This year, it spreads the heart-warming tradition internationally for the first time ever, by partnering with Lee Tung Avenue. Lee Tung Avenue will showcase five of Regent Street's iconic spirits along the boulevard bringing a magical British inspired atmosphere to Hong Kong. www.leetungavenue.com.hk
The China Hong Kong City has partnered with Australian street artist Drew Straker to create their iconic harbour facing festive light display for 2018. Using his signature neon graffiti technique Drew has created a display which combines the spontaneity and energy of street art with the spirit of the festive season to create four giant light displays. Drew is an internationally renowned graffiti and mural artist and is best known for his intricately executed 2D murals created to look like 3D neon artworks using neon-hued spray paint. For his first major light work Drew created a whimsical and enchanting story of a gingerbread man, whose adventures in Hong Kong can now be seen across the harbour facing façade of the China Hong Kong City complex. To accompany his takeover of the light display Drew also created site specific graffiti installations throughout the mall and is working with Sino Group to host a series of public activities, including an Art Jamming Party, illuminating gifts for visitors to the mall and a Neon A Room where visitors can explore his work up close. The installations will be on display until 19 February 2019. www.chkc.com.hk
The Tong Chong Street Markets will be themed around a 'Snowy Christmas' on 09 and 16 December 2018, and will feature Christmas inspired dishes, cooking tips and the latest food and beverage trends. Visitors can wander through the markets each Sunday and sample local produce and dishes. www.facebook.com/tongchongstreetmarket
Hong Kong knows how to party and Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations are no exception. Every New Year's Eve the radiant Victoria Harbour is the belle of the ball for Hong Kong's spectacular countdown. With multimedia and pyrotechnic displays every 15 minutes from 11.00pm, bursts of shimmering lights will shower Hong Kong bidding farewell to 2018 and welcoming in 2019. www.discoverhongkong.com/au/see-do/events-festivals/highlight-events/countdown.jsp.
Stay
Hong Kong's design-driven urban retreat, The Mira, will turn into a Gnome Galore with enchanting decorations inspired with the mischievous Scandinavian Christmas icon. Its popular buffet restaurant Yamm will serve festive specials including Fresh Mint and Honey Roasted Turkey and Baked Gammon Ham carving. The western eatery WHISK will offer a gourmet Jolly Bubbly Christmas Day Brunch with free-flowing premium champagne, Beef Wellington, Dry Aged Tomahawk Beef and a secret room of desserts including a one metre Kumamoto Chestnut and Chocolate Yule Log Cake. Wrap up the year under the stars at the trendy al fresco lounge bar Vibes with a sultry “1001 Arabian Nights” theme, belly dancers, open bar and countdown to midnight with a live band. www.themirahotel.com
Spend the holidays at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong where guests can stay in stylish accommodation that offers the best viewpoints of Asia's most photographed cityscape, as well as Hong Kong's annual New Year's Eve fireworks display over Victoria Harbour. The hotel will be dressed in holiday attire and will welcome guests with mulled wine, minced pies and roasted chestnuts. Celebrations continue with children's ballet performances, Christmas carollers, magicians and appearances by Santa Claus. For guests who wish to buy holiday gifts or explore the city, the hotel is within walking distance to the finest shopping, entertainment, dining, cultural and historical landmarks. www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong
Have a Kerry Christmas this year and indulge in a white Christmas with a real winter wonderland in Kerry Hotel's lobby. Christmas at the Kerry Hotel is a magical affair for the whole family, with a sprinkling of festive spirit in every corner of the hotel. Festive offers with all the trimmings await, from decadent festive feasts at Big Bay Café to “Old Hong Kong” themed New Year's Eve parties at Red Sugar. www.shangri-la.com/khhk-christmas2018
The Langham, Hong Kong is embracing the season of love this Christmas through festive decorations around the hotel, a charity sale and dining offers. A magnificent glass house complete with a Christmas tree decorated with handmade crochet roses in Langham Pink, armchairs and white deers will take centre stage of the iconic lobby until 1 January 2019. The dazzling Love Christmas Afternoon Tea at Palm Court, sumptuous festive buffets at The Food Gallery and exquisite Christmas menus at Bostonian Seafood & Grill promise all an ultimate Christmas experience. www.langhamhotels.com
Eat
This is the best time of the year to gather and share laughter with our loved ones. Highlight it with a gastronomic festive fare for Christmas and New Year's Eve at one of the Wooloomooloo Restaurants. Enjoy casual dining with friends at The Chop House, warm and joyful Christmas celebrations at Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, or an elegant sky-dining experience at Wooloomooloo Prime. Christmas set dinner menus are exclusively available on 24 December and/or 25 December. To round out this year's festivities, top it off with the New Year's Eve dinner and countdown party at Wooloomooloo Prime where you can immerse yourself with the bird's eye view overlooking Victoria Harbour and fabulous fireworks to welcome a prosperous 2019. https://wooloo-mooloo.com
For lovers of classic Cantonese cuisine, come and savour the New Year's Eve Gala Dinner at The Peninsula's Spring Moon with a five-piece band performing a repertoire of all-time favourites. The restaurant also offers a festive lunch and dinner set menu from 21 to 27 December. French fine dining institution Gaddi's will offer the perfect Christmas Eve treat with a six-course festive dinner, in addition to a four-course festive lunch and a five-course dinner menu on Christmas Day. For those looking for festive cheer, the forecourt of the hotel will be transformed into a mini European-style Christmas market on Christmas Eve for guests to enjoy. www.peninsula.com/en/hong-kong/festive
Amidst the joyous atmosphere of Christmas and New Year, EAST, Hong Kong presents an array of festive flavours including succulent turkeys and delightful treats to celebrate the merriest time of the year at Feast (Food by EAST)! Also enjoy some La La Land fun at 'City of Stars' New Year's Eve party with one of the best harbour views in town, along with our fabulous cocktails and finger licking good food to welcome 2019 at the rooftop bar Sugar (Bar.Deck.Lounge). www.east-hongkong.com
For more information on Hong Kong visit www.DiscoverHongKong.com/au or www.DiscoverHongKong.com/nz
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