December events: Highlights for Hong Kong's upcoming month l Gafencu

Bringing good tidings into the festive month with highlights of Hong Kong’s upcoming events in December. From The Nutcracker to the Hong Kong Philharmonic orchestra, fill the dates on your calendar with events to lead up to the new year.

Find Your Sparkle

Until Jan 1

Ifc mall presents Christmas in a truly delightful and high-tech manner, featuring futuristic Augmented Reality (AR) fun and interactive activities that shoppers and visitors will enjoy. Guests can use their mobile phones to create their own personalised Christmas town, along with the mall’s holiday-themed Instagram filters. The Yuletide cheer at the mall in Central is complemented and enhanced by an imposing six-metre-high Christmas bauble sparkle, creatively employed as a backdrop to the dazzling light show that is enlivened no end by a symphony of music.

Details: Oval Atrium, ifc Mall, Central. Free entry. ifc.com.hk/xmas2020

New Arts Power

Until Jan 31

The Jockey Club New Arts Power joins and beefs up the city’s thriving art festival scene. Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, New Arts Power brings together established and up-and-coming local artists in a series of interesting performances including drama, music, dance and visual arts. The new institution will offer an array of arts presentations that highlight local communities and which will nurture the talents of emerging artists.

Details: Various locations. newartspower.hk

Winter Wonderland

Dec 1-Feb 1

Take in the magnificent Christmas light display across the city’s skyline with a view of Victoria Harbour as you enjoy a ride at the iconic Ferris wheel erected at the AIA Vitality Park in Central. Other fun activities that family members can enjoy are the carousel and seasonal activities and events hosted at the park.

Details: Hong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park, Central. Tickets start at HK$20. hkow.hk.

Creamfields Hong Kong

Dec 12-13
Following cancellations of major music festivals and much-anticipated concerts this past year, Creamfields returns to the city and brings new excitement to the city’s music scene with a electrifying two-day dance music festival at the harbourside Art Park.

Details: Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui. HK$1,300 up. livenationelectronic.asia.

The Nutcracker

Dec 17-27

An all-time favourite of children and adults alike, The Nutcracker rounds up the festive season with a performance of adventure, fantasy and romance. It is a classic ballet that captivates audiences with its magnificent display of costumes, set decorations and an enthralling score by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky performed live by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. VIP ticket holders are granted access to dining privileges at several restaurants at Rosewood Hotel.

Details: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. HK$1000. hkballet.com

December events Highlights Gafencu Magazine stanley christmas market

Stanley Plaza Christmas Market

Early-Late Dec

The annual Christmas bazaar returns to Stanley Plaza, which will treat visitors to a fun and festive shopping experience as over 50 booths of delectable goodies, gifts and handicrafts enliven this idyllic seaside community. Pre-registration through Link’s Park & Dine mobile app is required prior to any visit, in line with the prescribed proper social distancing measures.

Details: Stanley Plaza, Stanley. Free entry. parkndine.linkhk.com

Hong Kong Philharmonic Christmas Fantasia

Dec 24

Moving performances that will delight the ears and warm the heart are to be presented by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra on Christmas and New Year’s eve. The Hong Kong Children’s Choir and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus, together with the HK Phil, will treat audience to Christmas classics, including The Nutcracker by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Ave Maria by French composer Charles Gounod.

Details: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultral Centre. HK$220 up. hkphil.org.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display and Countdown

Dec 31-Jan 1

Usher in the New Year at the iconic Victoria Harbour against the backdrop of the traditional epic display of music and fireworks. Whether you are propped up by the seaside, watching from the rooftop of one of the numerous skyscrapers along the harbourfront, or enjoying dinner at a restaurant with a view of the city’s iconic skyline, you can certainly take delight in the magnificent illumination of the night sky in this annual countdown that marks the end of the year and celebrates the incoming new one.

Details: Various locations. Free entry. discoverhongkong.com