Top 10 Non-Christmasy Things To Do in December
Looking for activities in the city which don't include caroling or sitting on Santa's lap? We've put together a list to keep your month action-packed - without all the holiday cheer.
Fashion Visionaries
Throughout Dec
Follow the changes the Hong Kong fashion industry has had over the last 50 years in "Fashion Visionaries," at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. An anthology of the developments and achievements of local fashion from the last half a century, this is the second time it has been exhibited since the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. This is one not to be missed for all you fashion aficionados! Adults tickets are $10 and half price ones are available for full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above. Free admission on Wednesdays.
Belgian Beer Festival
Dec 3
The Belgian Beer Festival will be returning for its second year in Hong Kong on Dec 3rd from 1pm-10pm, for just one fun-packed day. The festival will offer a free flow of various premium Belgian beers including Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Leffe. If you’re feeling peckish, there will be Flemish Beef Stew, Mitraillette ("the Belgian Hotdog”) and Potato Croquettes. Live jazz and traditional dances will also be performed.
Takashi Murakami: Tondo Works
Dec 4
From the artist who brought us the colorful and imaginative art for Kanye West’s ‘Graduation’ album, Takashi Murakami stakes claim in one of Hong Kong’s galleries to hold his latest art exhibition.
Far East Movement
Dec 5
The first Asian-American group to top the Billboard chart, Californian hip-hop quartet Far East Movement debuted last year with album "Free Wired" and took the world by storm. Now get ready to feel fly like a G6 at their Hong Kong concert.
Clockenflap
Dec 10-11
Indie Music Festival, showcasing international and local talent. Headlining the music-side of the festival will be Bombay Bicycle Club and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. There will be an area for displays, live art and stalls selling handcraft goods and trinkets.
Hong Kong International Races
Dec 11
Ladies and gentlemen, please place your bets on your best filly – the annual Hong Kong International Races 2011 has arrived, organized by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. One of the most important fixtures in the horse racing calendar, the ‘Turf World Championship’ includes the following four races: The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2000m), The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (1600m), The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m). The combined prize money comes to HK$62million (approx. US$7.98m).
Get your prime spot on Dec 11 in time for the 12:30pm race. Tourist Badges are available for HK$150 (with presentation of valid travel documents) while regular tickets can be purchased from Sha Tin Racecourse and designated off-course betting branches. Public enclosure - HK$10.
Detour
Through Dec 11
As a part of this year’s Detour, the Planet D Design Mart shows off an array of colourful, ingenious and original designs and products to the public. Most, if not all, products there are eco-friendly, one-of-a-kind and all from Hong Kong. Read our feature story on the event here.
Nocturne
Dec 14-17
American playwright Adam Rapp examines a family's deterioration in the wake of a tragic accident. The son of an emotionally shattered couple escapes to New York City, where he finds sanctuary in literature. Over the course of 15 years, he travels down a path to redemption. Paul Sheehan, in one of his final Hong Kong performances, takes the lead in this multimedia production.
World Muay Thai Grand Extreme
Dec 19
Thai Boxing lovers are in for a surprise - World Muay Thai is coming to Hong Kong. The next WMC I-1 event will be held at the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre (Star Hall) on December 19. Four time champions competing for the title are: Zhang Lei, Illya Grand, Antoine Pinto and Vuyisile Colossa. A number of fights will be taking place on this one day for your entertainment. Tickets are available at HK Ticketing Box Office and all Tom Lee Music Outlets.
Roy Lichtenstein's "Landscapes in the Chinese Style"
Through Dec 22
While perhaps best known for his Pop art work inspired by comic books and advertisements, Roy Lichtenstein also took his inspiration from historical sources-the works in this exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery were inspired by the sublime quality of Song Dynasty artists and paired with the dreamy ambiguousness of Edgar Degas. His resulting works are vivid and starkly minimal re-interpretations of traditional Chinese art.