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Ladies, the holiday season is here! Whether you’re feeling more Christmassy than Santa, spinning the dreidel, or simply spreading some holiday cheer, don’t forget to check out Sassy’s top picks of what’s on in December to get you in the festive spirit! Concerts, shows, plays, festivals… we’ve got it all. So get out your calendar and start making plans!
Take a quick detour!
Come celebrate Hong Kong’s home-grown talent of designers and artists at DETOUR. There will be tonnes of unique exhibitions, installations, fairs, talks, workshops and showcases of Hong Kong’s creative minds – check the full jam-packed schedule of events here.
When: 30 November-16 December
Where: Former Wan Chai Police Station, 123 Gloucester Road & Former Wan Chai Police Married Quarters, 188 Jaffe Road
How much: Free!
Looking for the Big Bad Wolf?
Join Little Red Riding Hood’s journey through the woods with the Hong Kong Player’s annual pantomime (the only one in HK!). Expect a fun evening full of red capes, grannies and tons of song and dance – remember, he’s behind you!!!
When: 30 November-2 December & 6-9 December, 7.30pm; 1, 8 & 9 December 2.30pm, 2 December 11.30am & 3.30pm
Where: Shouson Theatre, Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $290-330; tickets available from URBTIX, 2111 5999
Have a jazzy Christmas!
The legendary Howard McCrary (who previously worked with Micheal Jackson and was nominated for the 1986 Grammy for So Good, which was… wait for it… sooooo good!) and the Chinese University Chorus will be coming together for A Very Jazzy Christmas, a night filled with Christmas classics, served up jazz style. The perfect festive concert to kick off the advent season!
When: 1 December, 8pm
Where: Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $80-180; tickets available from HKTicketing, 3128 8228, or Tom Lee Music Stores
Get stung by Sting!
No one’s cooler than Sting – whether it’s jazz, reggae, classical or rock, Sting can do it all! So don’t miss out on his Back to Bass Tour, which stops in Hong Kong for one night only. All together now… ROXXXXXXXANNE!!!
When: 2 December, 8pm
Where: Hall 5BC, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $488-$1388; tickets available at HKTicketing
Look out for the Rocket Man!
Hot on Sting’s heels, another music legend is coming to town! Singer, songwriter, pianist, composer… there’s nothing Elton John can’t do, so get ready to join this music icon’s one-night-only performance in Hong Kong with his 40th Anniversary of the Rocket Man Tour. With five decades worth of hits, you’re bound to find yourself singing along at some stage!
When: 4 December, 8pm
Where: Hall 5BC, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $488-1888, tickets available at HKTicketing, 3128 8288
Shine a light
The 22nd “Light Up A Life” Christmas Concert is one of the most worthwhile and beautiful concerts, held in the gorgeous St John’s Cathedral. All money raised goes to hospice care.
When: 4 December, 7.30-9.30pm
Where: St John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $200 (tickets available in the Cathedral bookstore)
Christmas… Sassy style!
We’ve organised THE best Christmas Party of the entire festive season with our very own winter cabin at California Vintage in Wan Chai – with an open bar stocked up with mulled wine and festive cocktails, Christmas cupcakes, wintery goodie bags and a raffle ticket giving you the chance to win one of six luxury Asian holidays. So whether you’ve been naughty or nice, you deserve some festive indulgence at our Sassy Christmas Party!
When: Thursday, 6 December, 7-10.30pm
Where: California Vintage, Shop 10, 1/F, Brim 28, Causeway Centre, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $500, buy your tickets here
Sing while you shop
Renowned New York City collective and Youtube sensations Improv Everywhere will be ensuring everyone gets into the holiday spirit with their energetic and interactive Santa Musical show – take a break from the shopping spree and join in the fun!
When: 6-9 & 13-16 December, 12.30pm & 4.30pm
Where: Park Court, L1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
How much: Free
A very raunchy Christmas
For some holiday nightlife and knowing that you’re doing some good, drop by Bisous for the Vixens Burlesque’s Christmas Extravaganza – Fifty Shades of Red & Green! This adult cabaret tells the story of how heroine Candy Cane saves Christmas from the evil Bah Hum Bugs, with all proceeds going to the UBS Orphanage in Burma.
When: 6-8 December, 8pm
Where: Bisous, 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $250 (includes one drink), tickets tickets available at Eventbrite
O come all ye faithful!
To truly get yourself in the holiday mood, head over to the Lan Kwai Fong Amphitheatre for some outdoor Christmas carolling action with Katterwall’s Community Carols! All donations will go towards the Christian Action’s Chungking Mansions Service Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers – Christmas carolling and charity? Sign us up!
When: 7 December, 7:30pm
Where: Lok Hing Lane Sitting-out Area, Lan Kwai Fong Amphitheatre, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free; carolling booklets are tickets available on the night (from 6.30pm) from Baby Buddha for $60 each
Konichiwa!
A fan of all things Japanese? Then stop by the Japan Media Arts Festival in Hong Kong for a look at all kinds of Japanese art, entertainment, animation and manga over the past fifteen years, including film screenings, exhibitions, talks and workshops.
When: 8 December-7 January; see full schedule here
Where: ArtisTree, 1/F, Cornwall House, Taikoo Place, Island East, Tai Koo, Hong Kong
How much: Free!
Walking in the air…
Come watch two of the most beloved children’s books brought to life on stage, with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong’s performance of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman & The Bear. Featuring live music and singing set to the classic animation, come relive your childhood memories, perfect your highest alto to join in and take flight into this snowy magical world… and don’t forget your Kleenex for the ending!
When: 8 December, 7.30pm; 9 December, 2.30pm & 5pm
Where: 8 December show at Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium, 1 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin; 9 December show at Hong Kong City Concert Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central
How much: $150-$350; tickets available from URBTIX, 2111 5999
Christmas for all ages
Christmas marks the time when even us fully-grown adults start getting giddy like children – so why not join in the 11th Classics for Kids Christmas Concert as well? Expect lots of fun, surprises and iconic Christmas tunes at this much-loved classical music concert.
When: 9 & 16 December, 2.15pm & 5pm
Where: Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
How much: $200; tickets available from HKTicketing, 3128 8288
I try to say goodbye and I choke…
…try to walk away and I crumble… Get the lighters out for a night of soul and R&B with the inimitable Macy Gray. She’ll be in town for one night only to grace us with her unique sultry voice, so don’t miss out!
When: 10 December, 8pm
Where: Star Hall, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $480-$680; tickets available from HKTicketing, 3128 8288
King of kings
The Cecilian Singers 50th Anniversary Christmas Concert is a superbly traditional concert, boasting some of the best voices in HK.
When: 12 December, 8pm
Where: St John’s Cathedral, Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $200 (from the Cathedral bookstore)
Once upon a time
Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale The Snow Queen comes to life on stage thanks to the talented youngsters of Faust International. Set to traditional Finnish folk magic, you’ll be entranced by this wintry world featuring a magical Enchatress, friendly Reindeer, brave young heroine Kay and of course, the evil Snow Queen herself!
When: 13-15 December 7.30pm; 15-16 December 3pm; 16 December 11am
Where: McAulay Studio, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $150-200; tickets available from URBTIX, 2111 5999
Sugar plum fairies
The festive favourite of The Nutcracker will be a surefire hit this holiday season, so make sure you bag tickets before they sell out (and don’t say we didn’t warn you)! Come watch The Hong Kong Ballet tell this charming story with a fresh new 21st century twist (and starring our very own That Girl, Jin Yao!), accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s magical score performed live by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
When: 14-16 & 20-24 December 7.30pm; 15-16, 22-23 & 25-26 December, 2.30pm
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $120-$600; tickets available from URBTIX, 2111 5999
Don’t you just love Santa?
For a little crazy this holiday season, join in on the fun of SantaCon! An annual nonsensical Santa Claus convention that’s simply an excuse to dress up as Santa, march merrily (and possibly drunkenly…) on the streets of Central! Who’s in?
When: 15 December, 12pm-midnight!
Where: Starts at IFC Rooftop and then all over the city; check out SantaCon’s Facebook page for updates
How much: Free!
Time for a sing-along
Get Glee-ful with Kassia’s Men’s Chorus and Women’s Choir as they join forces for Now That’s What I Call a Kassia Christmas! Expect plenty of your favourite karaoke classics to make an appearance, with a night of UK Christmas number ones from the past five decades, including The Spice Girls, Queen, Micheal Jackson and The Human League to name but a few.
When: 17-18 December, 8pm
Where: Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan
How much: $180-220; tickets available from URBTIX, 2111 5999
…And it was all cello
Fun cello quartet quattrocelli will be making their Hong Kong debut with a brace of special festive performances – classical, jazz, Latin, film soundtracks… there’s nothing these guys can’t turn their bows to!
When: 20-25 December, 12.30pm & 4.30pm
Where: Garden Court, LG1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
How much: Free
Time to pack on the pounds!
It’s bound to be chilly this holiday season, so what sounds better than going to the 10th Hong Kong Food Festival to pack on some extra insulation?! Come sample loads of delish tasters and fine wines, scout out the latest in food and stock up on tonnes of festive treats at this ultimate foodie festival!
When: 23-26 December, 10-9pm (finishes 7pm on 26 December)
Where: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
How much: Only $10!
In fine voice
Love to sing? Love to carol? Then join the ever-popular Harry Wong and The Hong Kong Philharmonic to celebrate the holidays in the best way possible – through song! Add your voice to the best Yuletide music in town with Harry’s Christmas Sing-Along and start getting into that festive spirit; we’ve heard that Santa himself (and even a dusting of snow) might be making an appearance!
When: 23 December, 4pm & 7.45pm; 24 December, 7.45pm
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $140-380; tickets available from URBTIX, 2111 5999
Music to your ears
Ring in the new year with some beautiful sounds and classical pieces with A Viennese New Year by the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Give your ears a treat with a selection from the greatest Viennese operettas including Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow, Wiener Blut and many more!
When: 30-31 December, 8pm
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $160-$420; tickets available from URBTIX, 2111 5999
Don’t forget the shopping malls!
If you’re too busy doing your last minute Christmas shopping to fit in any of these festive shows, never fear – Hong Kong’s huge number of shopping malls have got you covered! Almost all of them will be offering festive entertainment to keep you amused during your Xmas shopping spree, be it carol-singing, Broadway dance troupes, appearances from Santa, his reindeers or some b-list local celeb, or (knowing HK malls!) something even weirder… Check individual mall’s schedules for details but trust us, even the smallest shopping centres will have something up their sleeves!
Church services
Most churches will offer a number of Christmas services throughout the festive period, including carol concerts, the nativity play, lessons and carols by candlelight, a Christmas Eve crib service and Midnight Mass. Contact your local church to find out what’s on and when:
Catholic Churches: www.catholic.org.hk
Anglican/Episcopal Churches: www1.hkskh.org/index_en.php
The Church of Jesus Christ & The Latter Day Saints: www.lds.org.hk/en/
