December 7

Santa (Sorta) Singalong

Here’s something to get you in the holiday spirit: The Hong Kong Sinfonietta is doing a (quasi) festive concert filled with classic festive hits. “Sounds Great: Movies & Musicals (Christmas Special)” will be packed with songs we all know and love from the world’s best films and stage shows, performed by West End stars Jayne O’Mahony and John Langley. Think “Let It Snow” and “Silver Bells,” as well as not-so-festive hits such as “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams (hopefully minus Kevin Costner’s terrible accent) and Adele’s “Skyfall.”

Dec 6-7, 8pm. Dec 8, 3pm. Concert Hall, City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. $150-400 from Urbtix.

Bonus: Want a daytime diversion? Head to Handmade Hong Kong’s Christmas Bazaar at The Vine. Expect local crafts, snacks, live music and other miscellanies.

10am-5pm. The Vine, 29 Burrows St., Wan Chai, www.handmadehongkong.com.

December 8

Get your Panto out for the boys

If you’re a Brit and you grew up going to the pantomime, the Hong Kong Players’ “Sleeping Beauty” (Nov 29-Dec 8, various times) needs little introduction. If you’re not from England and have never been to one before, then all your suspicions about how utterly weird British Christmas traditions are will be totally confirmed. Expect an extremely loose adaptation of the traditional fairy story, outrageously ineffective cross-dressers, smutty innuendo that will sail right over the kiddies’ heads, and a rollicking good time.

2:30pm. Shouson Theater, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, www.hongkongplayers.com. $330 from Urbtix or by calling 2111-5999.

December 9

Have Your Photo Taken With Corporate Santa Under the Christmas Dandelions

The Winterfest display at Statue Square is one of Hong Kong’s most-visited festive landmarks, but each year it’s been getting increasingly high-concept. Because a tree is obviously so passé, for 2013 the Tourism Board has gone with “Wishes on the Wind,” which is a statue of three 15-meter-tall, color-changing dandelions, upon which you can make a Christmas wish. You also get a photo opportunity with Santa at the “American Express Wondrous Santa House,” which is clearly unmissable.

The display will be open every night from 6-11pm, except on Christmas and New Year’s Eves, when it will be open until midnight. Through Jan 1. Statue Square, Central.

December 10

Shopping and Santa

It’s no wonder tai tais descend en masse on the Conrad Christmas Gift Festival: this year, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom will host more than 200 stalls selling festive treats from companies big and small. Expect locally designed jewelry, wraps, leather goods and cufflinks, as well as children’s clothes and toys, gourmet food, home gifts and more. Some proceeds will go to the Red Cross to assist in Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. While you’re at Pacific Place, make a day of it and go see Santa at his workshop—Pacific Place’s professional Santas are known for being particularly high-caliber. Look at this guy! Just look at him! Santa is real, and he lives in Pacific Place! It’s probably for tax reasons.

10am-8pm. The Grand Ballroom, Conrad Hotel, Pacific Place, 88 Queenway, Admiralty, www.prestigefairs.hk.

December 11

Gloria, Gloria, In Excelsis Deo

You can’t have Christmas without a carol service, and a touch of Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” It’s a brilliant, happy piece of music that’s more Christmassy than an entire clutch of festive skyscraper lights. This evening the Cecilian Singers are performing a Christmas Charity Concert at St. John’s Cathedral, headlined by a performance of “Gloria.” There are also plenty of other songs and carols—plus the chance for a sing-along. This year proceeds go towards the St. Barnabas’ Society and Home, which runs support services for street sleepers, and also to Hong Kong Generation Next Arts, which aims to nurture the next generation of Hong Kong musicians. Can’t make it tonight? On Sunday Dec 15 the Cecilian Singers have joined forces with six other Hong Kong choirs for “Songs in the Key of Christmas” (3:30pm, St. John’s Cathedral) to sing in aid for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Proceeds go to the Hong Kong Red Cross. Minimum suggested donation $200.

8pm, St. John’s Cathedral, 4 Garden Rd., Admiralty, 2570-3783. $200 (family tickets, $500) from www.ceciliansingers.com or at the door.

December 12

Time to Play

Add some festive plays to your calendar. Youth theatre group Faust Hong Kong is putting on C.S. Lewis’s kids’ classic “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Dec 12-15, various times. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, 1 Gloucester Rd., Wan Chai, 2547-9114, $220-270 from www.faustworld.com.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation is running the classic Broadway musical “A Chorus Line,” about a troupe of dancers desperately trying to land a big role.  

Dec 12-14, various times. Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2582-0200. $200-280 from www.urbtix.hk.

If that all seems a little too kiddy for you, then check out “Venus in Fur.” The 2011 Broadway hit examines domination, sexuality… and writing plays. Little known fact: BDSM stands for Blitzen, Donner, Santa and Magic!

Dec 12-14, various times. Fringe Underground, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251. $240 from www.hkticketing.com

December 13

Merry Mousemas

What better way to ring in Christmas than by spending it at The Happiest Place On Lantau Island: Disneyland. The whole place will be decked out in Christmas regalia, and all your fave characters will be (even more) dressed up too. The Disneyland Hotel is also offering buffet feasts, featuring Christmas-themed foods—including a Mickey Mouse made of chocolate. Yum.

Through Jan 1. Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau. $450 from park.hongkongdisneyland.com.

December 14

Very Festive

The Very Hong Kong public space festival is holding the Very Street festive fair on and around Star Street in Wan Chai. There will be sets from musicians, an outdoor fashion show featuring the work of local designers, and the pop-up Sun Street Markets food bazaar. Then there are the art installations, plus workshops covering gingerbread decoration, homebrew beer, flower arranging and teddy bear creation… do them all and you’ll be a true Renaissance man.

12:30-6pm, Star Street, Wan Chai, www.veryhk.org.
 

Bonus: In the evening, gird your loins with red and white and fling yourself with a ho-ho-ho into the SantaCon 2013 pub crawl. Is it sensible? No. But you’ve got to get yourself off the naughty list SOMEHOW.

1pm, Red Bar, 4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, www.santacon.info/Hong_Kong.

December 15

Knit for Good

Check out Knitted With Love at Fashion Walk—a charity workshop taught by the duo behind the knitting workshop La Belle Époque. Shoppers who spend $100 or make a $50 donation will receive a knitting kit and have the option to be a part of the workshop; donations go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Through Dec 25. Fashion Walk, 11-19 Great George St., Causeway Bay, xmas.fashionwalk.com.hk.

December 16

Shop It Like It’s Hot

Uh-oh. Less than 10 days to go. You should probably think about Christmas presents. Head to the Last Minute Shopping Bazaar to make a start on your gift shopping.

Vista Ballroom, American Club Tai Tam, 28 Tai Tam Rd., Tai Tam. Email [email protected] to register.

December 17

Think Inside the Box

Balance out all of your holiday wining, dining and budget-blowing shopping sprees with a gift that’ll help take care of Hong Kong’s homeless citizens during winter. Working alongside the Society for Community Organization, the Inside the Box charity drive is collecting care packages filled with all kinds of useful and thoughtful goods. It’s as simple as it sounds: fill a shoebox with a few things that you take for granted every day—think toothbrushes, liquid soap, hats, scarves, crackers, card decks, inflatable pillows and blankets. Drop off your boxes at one of the designated points before Dec 17—and don’t forget to decorate it with festive goodwill.

Various locations, www.facebook.com/insidetheboxhk.

December 18

Ice Ice Baby

Not to be outdone, our fellow SAR Macau has a number of events lined up for the festive season. Check out Ice World With the Dreamworks Gang at The Venetian— “the biggest indoor ice event in Asia.” Those responsible for the famed Harbin Ice and Snow Festival are lending their ice-crafting magic to the show.

The Venetian Macao, Estrada da Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca, Taipa, Macau. $100 from www.venetianmacao.com.

December 19

Koala Christmas

Listen: if there’s one thing you have to do this Christmas, it’s not present-buying, dinner with friends, or even spending a bit of time with those you cherish most in the world. No, what you have to do is go and check out some TOTALLY AWESOME GIANT KOALAS in Ngong Ping Village. As part of its Glittering Christmas Village festivities the Lantau village is apparently hosting 100 6-foot-tall “koalas,” doling out Lotte’s Koala March biscuits. Because what says good-will-to-all-men like hugging a giant yellow koala, with your mouth covered in biscuity crumbs, for just a few seconds too long? Nothing, friends. Nothing.

Dec 15-Jan 1. Ngong Ping Village, Lantau Island, 3666-0606, www.np360.com.hk.

December 20

Crack Some Nuts

The Hong Kong Ballet’s version of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” is an essential part of the Hong Kong Christmas season. This year they’ve teamed up with Australian choreographer Terence Kohler and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta for a week-long run—so cross it off the bucket list this year and bring your mother while you’re at it. You should really call her more often, no?

Through Dec 29. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $140-1,500 from www.urbtix.hk.

December 21

Ocean’s 21st

Head to Ocean Park for a day of underwater Crimbo shenanigans. You’ll meet the (possibly mysterious) “Ocean Santa,” see aerial acrobats explore a shipwreck, and witness the lighting of a marine-bedecked Christmas tree. December also marks the launch of a marine conservation campaign, complete with a fable of human-animal friendship at the Ocean Theatre. Aww. Ocean Santa, you make our day (slightly damp).

Dec 14-Jan 5. Ocean Park, Aberdeen. $320 from www.oceanpark.com.hk.

December 22

Tea, Scones & Song

Sing along—or just listen—to the angelic voices of the Heep Yunn School Choir. They’ll be ringing out in the grand Peninsula Lobby, as you stuff yourself with afternoon tea. Full of all of your favorite Pen staples—think clotted cream, scones and chocolates—the Festive Season Afternoon Tea is available on Dec 22 and 23, with two sittings: the first from 2:30-4pm; the second from 4:30-6pm.

Dec 22-23, 2:30-4pm & 4:30-6pm. The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2920-2888, www.peninsula.com. $408 per person.

December 23

What’s the Pointe?

From Dec 23-25, the Mandarin Oriental is hosting a performance by a troupe of students from the Jean Wong School of Ballet. Dancers will assemblé and pirouette through the lobby, so anyone enjoying tea in the Clipper Lounge will have front-row seats. On the tea menu? Mince pies, Christmas logs, quiche, York ham with mustard, fruit cakes—and of course, classic scones and clotted cream with rose petal jam.  

Dec 23-25, 3-5:30pm. Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd. Central, 2522-0111, www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong. $488 for one person, $688 for two.

Christmas Eve

Jingle Around the World

Couldn’t swing that last-minute holiday trip? Not to worry: the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has you covered with its “Christmas Around the World” show. The full-length concert promises to transport you from country to country with an inside look at how different cultures celebrate the holiday. Expect a series of carols—some that you’ll recognize, and others that are sure to surprise.

Dec 23-24, 8pm. Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2734-2009, www.hkpo.com. $150-400 from www.urbtix.hk.

Christmas Day

Pull My Cracker

Christmas isn’t just a day to spend with your loved ones: it’s also a day for making out under the mistletoe. Head to “Keep Calm and Find Your Mistletoe” at Play for a piece of the action. Or you could stay home and create precious memories with your loved ones. Whatever.

10pm. Play, 1/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central. $300 for ladies and $400 for gents at the door.