For Your Diary: What’s on in Hong Kong for December

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas… but unfortunately, I won’t get that this season in HK! However, I will get to enjoy a number of festive events happening around town. From The Nutcracker to Phantom of the Opera, to Christmas carols and tree lightings, there’s plenty going on to keep you entertained this December – whether you’re a Christmas enthusiast or a scrooge! Sleigh bells ring, are you listening…

Phantom hits HK!
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece returns to the stage in Hong Kong! THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is leading the way among the pack of theatre shows hitting the city this season, so it’s a definite must-watch. A musical genius haunts the Paris opera house, and falls in love with a young soprano, Christine. Drama, jealousy and madness ensue… expect an amazing show with great music and visuals to match!
SASSY GIVEAWAY
Good news! We’re giving away two pairs of tickets worth $795 each for the show. If you’re a theatre boffin, enter here or click on the button below for a chance to win them.

When: 21 December 2014-18 January 2015
Where: AsiaWorld-Expo, Arena in Theatre Mode, Lantau, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets start from $295 and are available from www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288.

Let there be art
Hong Kong Art Gallery Week is in full swing, featuring international and local artists, gallery tours, artist talks, and studio visits! With so many art exhibitions and events going on, we’ve chosen one that we can’t wait to check out. TKM Limited’s Himalayan Art Exhibition features amazing ‘thangkas’ (scrolled paintings) from Nepal and Tibet, showcasing artists such as Ang Sang and Prem Lama. With the support of the Consulate General of Nepal in Hong Kong, this exhibition is definitely not one to miss if you want to see some incredibly detailed and unique artworks. See you there!

When: Monday 1 December – Wednesday 3 December, opening night is from 6-9pm
Where: Shop A, G/F Tern Centre, Tower 2, 251 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: Free to attend!

Kiehl’s x Craig & Karl Pop up store
Art duo Craig & Karl have teamed up with one of our fave skincare brands, Kiehl’s. Head over to Times Square to check out a pop up store featuring products with limited edition packaging from the famous artists. Perfect for those Christmas gifts with a little bit of culture!

When: From now until 31 December
Where: Lane Crawford in Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Tang Tang Tang Tang
You won’t want to miss the ultimate Christmas workshop this season at one of our favourite lifestyle stores! Create chic pom poms, tassels and dream catchers to decorate your home for the holidays. Snack on mince pies, gingerbread, candy canes and hot chocolate while you DIY! Guests also receive a 10% discount off all store items. With only 8 slots per session space is limited so reserve your spot now!

When: 25 November, 4, 11, 18 December, at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm.
Where: 66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2525 2112
How much: $180 per person. Tickets available here!

Detour 2014
Pop by to PMQ for Detour 2014, an experience featuring workshops, design dialogues, art installations and more from young creatives in town. This year the theme is co-creation, which engages the wider community in Hong Kong to take part. It’s at the perfect venue for this too – PMQ is all about celebrating creativity in the city!

When: 28 November – 7 December
Where: PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry

The 15^th Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival
Check out the Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival for a bit of culture. If you’re into arthouse cinema and foreign language (some films are in Hebrew!), this is definitely for you this December. Films include Noodle, about a young Israeli woman and an abandoned Chinese boy and the thriller Wakolda, about an innocent family that welcomes a Nazi war criminal into their home.

When: The festival starts on 29 November, find out about timings of the screenings here.
Where: The Jewish Community Centre, 70 Robinson Road, Mid-Levels, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $100 and available here.

Emi & Eve Christmas pop up
Shopping and fundraising, those are a few of our favourite things. Emi & Eve is hosting a Christmas pop up and fundraiser – perfect! We do heart this brand (available at The9thMuse!), as their creations are edgy yet feminine (check them out in our November What Sassy Wants). Using materials including bullet casings in their products, this event will benefit creative types, their families and communities. Oh, and Shore is donating 10% of all bar sales to the cause too! Happy shopping…

When: 2 December, 7-10pm
Where: Shore, 3/F, The L place, 139 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: Entry is free, grab a ticket here.

Light Up A Life
The “Light Up A Life” Christmas Concert features traditional festive music and a Tree Lighting Ceremony. Hear fun, classic Christmas songs by the Hong Kong Welsh Male voice choir and the Island School Orchestra and Choir. All proceeds go towards terminally ill patients and their families. Any donation is appreciated, no matter how small, and you and your family can enjoy beautiful music while giving back to the community. Book your tickets at the St. John’s Cathedral Bookstore now!
When: 2 December, 7.30pm
Where: St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Hong Kong
How much: $200 per person.

Winter in Venice
Want to take a mini holiday break? Pop on over to Macau to check out this winter carnival featuring a 3-D light display to light up your night and “Seasons of Wonder” projected daily through the beginning of January. Enjoy the outdoor winter fairyland, play in the snow and twirl under the snow flakes for some festive fun! Although artificial, the detail is truly amazing. Ice-skate, rock-around the Christmas tree and enjoy winter food delicacies with live entertainment in the background. Admission is FREE!

When: 3 December – 4 January, 2015
Where: Estrada da Baia de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, Macau, +853 2882 8888
How much: Free

Lot 5 Christmas Pop-Up
Come to Soho for boutique Christmas shopping, powered by Hong Kong’s StuffGenie. The first series will feature accessories, fashion, and gifts for the holiday season. If you’re a foodie, the 10-14 of December is your time to feast on culinary treats! The 3rd and final series offers up-and-coming brands, leather goods, and wine and spirits as the last hurrah. Toffee Nut Lattes, fabulous scarves and yummy cupcakes await!

When: 3-7 December, 10-14 December, 17-21 December
Where: No. 5 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free!

Carols by Candlelight
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more traditional, Matilda Hospital’s Carols by Candlelight is the place to be. The hospital grounds will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with school choirs singing traditional carols. Visitors can enjoy stalls of food and goodies, Santa’s grotto, games and crafts. All proceeds will be going to the Matilda Children’s Foundation.

When: 4 December, 6-8pm
Where: Matilda Hospital, 41 Mount Kellet Road, The Peak, Hong Kong, 2849 0355
How much: Entry is free!

Puss in Boots – The Panto
Oh no they’re not… oh yes they are! Hong Kong Players is back with the new panto for this year’s Christmas season, and they’ve brought to life the story of Puss in Boots. This one’s appropriate for all ages and it sells out fast, so if you’re in the mood for a seasonal giggle, grab your tickets quick!

When: 5-14 December
Where: Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $330 and available from Urbtix.

WinterFest
For a truly festive evening, head to WinterFest in TST! Shop around, eat festive food and stare in awe at the beautiful giant Christmas tree. The twinkling lights surrounding the tree are pretty impressive as well. Make holiday memories and spread the joy!

When: 5 December – 1 January, 2015
Where: Open Piazza, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
How much: Free!

Yellowcard
There’s a place off Ocean Avenue… in California… which is where we wish we were about now! Rock band Yellowcard are gracing the stage in the city to promote their seventh album, Lift A Sail. The band are known for adding the sound of a violin on top of their edgier guitar-based music, making for a different sort of live show.

When: 7 December
Where: E-Max, Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $450 and available from Urbtix or Cityline.

The Cecilian Singers
Sip mulled wine and nom on mince pies while you enjoy the Cecilian Singers a capella group and accompanying performances. As one of the oldest choirs in Hong Kong, the singers have a wide repertoire and never disappoint! All profits from the concert go towards a charity of the choir’s choice.

When: 9 December at 7.30pm
Where: St. Johns Cathedral, Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2570 3783
How much: $200 per ticket, $100 concessions, buy tickets here.

SantaCon Hong Kong 2014
So one Santa may not be enough, why not a whole host of them?! The annual SantaCon is back for another round this season. Dress up in your Santa suits and parade around town for some festive fun. This event is notorious for well, the amount of alcohol consumed, so here’s our disclaimer: drink responsibly!

When: 13 December, 12pm onwards
Where: Starting off at Red in ifc and then all over town!

Sumo Sushi Sake
For those who love Japanese culture, you won’t want to miss out on Sumo Sushi Sake. It does as it says on the tin… sumo wrestlers, sushi and Japanese bites from more than 15 restaurants around town, and over 80 varieties of sake. Konichiwa!

When: 13 December, 12 noon-11pm
Where: West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets start from $220 and are available here.

Ocean Park Christmas Sensation
Hong Kong’s largest indoor lighting spectacle is at Ocean Park! Of course Ocean Park pulls out all the stops for the holidays, with Christmas characters running around and Santa in a candy cottage house. A 70-foot Christmas tree surrounded by delicious delights and candy canes outlining the park are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

When: 13 December –4 January, 2015
Where: Ocean Park, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 2873 5584
How much: Admission: $320 per adult, $160 per child. Get your tickets online here!

Kassia Women’s Choir
The Kassia Women’s Choir is focusing on Christmas movies this December, performing songs from favourites such as The Muppets, The Polar Express, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street. Their angelic voices and high energy are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!

When: 17-18 December at 8pm.
Where: Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre, Hong Kong, 6149 3558
How much: $220, get your tickets ahead of time here.

A Cambridge Christmas
The musical life at Cambridge is coming to Hong Kong through the very talented College of Gonville and Caius Choir. The choir is world renowned for its enthusiastic and dynamic performances. The carol services are said to be “hauntingly beautiful” and truly magical during the holiday season. This is the concert to attend for an evening of beautiful music…

When: 18 December at 8pm
Where: Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $220-$460, tickets are available online here. 

The Hong Kong Ballet: The Nutcracker
A winter classic, The Nutcracker is the ballet to catch this month (and an annual Sassy favourite!). Nothing screams Christmas like the story of kids entering a fantasy world and setting off on a magical adventure! The two main characters, Clara and Fritz set foot in a doll’s house and the story picks up. With sugar plum fairies, magical snowflakes and a huge Christmas, this is not one to miss!

When: 19-21 December
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets start from $140 and are available from Urbtix.

Hush Up Cinemas
This is no ordinary cinema trip… Hush Up is known for their Rooftop Cinemas at Shore, and this year they’ve continued with the idea of having it outdoors. Why not try out their lawn cinema at newly opened The Pulse in Repulse Bay? Cosy up under the stars and sit back, relax and watch some of our favourite movies. But hurry and grab those tickets, as these sell out really quickly!

When: Throughout December
Where: Shore, 3/F, The L place, 139 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong or The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Tickets are $160 and available here.

Christmas at LANDMARK
LANDMARK has turned into a chic Parisian Christmas extravaganza this holiday season, with a special collaboration with famed designer Karl Lagerfeld’s supermodel muse, Ines de la Fressange. Explore “mini Paris” complete with beautiful Parisian figurines, while picking up all your holiday gifts with LANDMARK’s impressive store offerings. From Christmas-themed snacks to holiday decor, the LANDMARK stores are pulling out all the stops this Christmas – time to get ready for that holiday shopping spree!

When: Throughout Christmas
Where: LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free