How is Christmas in Hong Kong
The Story
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! ALL Hong Kong people, young or old, know the song in its English version by heart. There is no national religion in Hong Kong, but Hong Kong people will just not miss any chance to celebrate and get high. Even non-religious schools celebrate with the smallest kids by having Santa around, exchanging Christmas gifts and having finger-food parties. For the adults it’s Christmas buffet, lovers exchanging gifts, wines and bubble. It’s more about love and romance, or fun with friends, rather than with the family.
Where to go? What to do?
1. Tsim Sha Tsui Harbor Front
They simply put up GIANT Christmas lights on the glass window walls of the whole building. Yes, I mean it, the Santa is as tall as the building is, be it 30 floors or 50 floors! The best to do in Hong Kong during Christmas and New Year is simply to walk from one end of the Tsim Sha Tsui Harbor Front to the other end and take tons of pictures. The Wan Chai Harbor Front on the island side works too, just that it’s easier walking on the Tsim Sha Tsui side.
2. Lan Kwai Fong
Lan Kwai Fong is just the place to celebrate any- and everything! The pubs are mostly over-crowded, no worries! It’s as good buying a bottle of beer and just walk / stand on the street. I am sure you will bump into many Santas, and probably more Bunny girls!
3. Shopping at the malls
All malls compete with their special Christmas decorations. Time Square in Causeway Bay always have nice ones. You don’t see a lot of Christmas Trees in Hong Kong, and apartments are too small to fit one, but Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong and Citiplaza in Taikoo always have real big ones that are 3-5 floors high. Major malls organize daily Christmas entertainment events like music performances, and more importantly Christmas is the time for SALE!
4. Christmas Buffet at the hotels
It’s almost a tradition for lovers in Hong Kong to enjoy a Christmas buffet at the hotels. The good ones might take up to 2 months in advance to book a table!
Dress & Props
Winter is not that cold in Hong Kong. There is never a white Christmas. But it means you could dress as sexy as you could! People in Hong Kong usually dress quite casually, company annual Christmas / New Year dinner may be the only time they wear a nicer suit for the whole year. Otherwise, simply red and white! Christmas heads, headbands with lights, flashing pins are sold everywhere on the street. Get yourself one and join in the fun!
Photos By Ding Yuin Shan, spectrumtextures, tom@hk | 湯米tomhk, under creative common
