https://www.scmp.com/rss/325935/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Cindy Sui Cindy Sui Hong Kong’s annual fundraiser, Operation Santa Claus (OSC), has wrapped up its campaign this year, raising more than HK$19 million (US$2.4 million) for charitable projects and victims of the Tai Po fire – nearly double its target. The campaign, launched on November 4, had aimed to raise at least HK$11 million for 13 charitable projects. However, fundraising intensified less than three weeks later, after the Tai Po fire broke out on November 26. An emergency appeal was launched to raise funds to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3342273/operation-santa-claus-raises-hk19-million-hong-kong-fire-victims-other-causes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3342273/operation-santa-claus-raises-hk19-million-hong-kong-fire-victims-other-causes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:58:16 +0000 David Dodwell David Dodwell As an undergraduate student of anthropology long ago, I remember studying the phenomenon of “compartmentalism” as a hallmark of primitive cultures or societies – their capacity to hold contradictory beliefs without inner conflict or even appearing to notice the contradictions. We well-educated rationalists in the rich West were supposed to be above this kind of schizophrenic inconsistency, seen as a symptom of a defective imagination or the shallowness of the masses. Think of street hawkers in... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3338425/2025-was-year-denial-what-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3338425/2025-was-year-denial-what-now?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:30:10 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong received 10 per cent more visitors during the Christmas period compared with 2024, while residents made nearly 1.7 million outbound trips, representing a 22 per cent increase from last year. Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the retail sector also expressed concerns that the absence of the annual fireworks display could affect the number of visitors to the city in the coming days, further dampening local consumer sentiment following the deadly fire in Tai Po. “Because of the Tai Po fire,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337895/hong-kong-records-10-rise-festive-period-visitors-outbound-trips-surge-22?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337895/hong-kong-records-10-rise-festive-period-visitors-outbound-trips-surge-22?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:50:14 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Hong Kong has long since embraced the joy of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with festive gatherings being at the heart of the season, with holiday food, drinks and dancing aplenty. Through the lens of South China Morning Post photographers, we look back at these celebrations from the 1970s to the 90s – from lively corporate parties to charity events that brought smiles to the disadvantaged. These moments show how Hong Kong people came together, year after year, to share laughter and the simple... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3337446/pictures-christmas-and-new-years-eve-parties-hong-kong-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3337446/pictures-christmas-and-new-years-eve-parties-hong-kong-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:00:09 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Whether you are drawn to the buzz of harbourside markets, the tranquillity of nature or the wonder of a curated exhibition space, Hong Kong offers a wide range of options to help you embrace the festive season’s spirit. Here are five things to do in the city this weekend. 1. AIA Carnival The AIA Carnival returns to Central Harbourfront this season, celebrating its 11th year and running until March 1. In addition to its extensive line-up of rides and games, which include new attractions like an... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3337787/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-december-26-28?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3337787/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-december-26-28?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 07:15:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Britain’s King Charles called for “compassion and reconciliation” at a time of “division” across the world in his Christmas Day message on Thursday. The 77-year-old monarch said he found it “enormously encouraging” how people of different faiths had a “shared longing for peace”. Charles praised individuals who risked their lives to save others in situations of violence, including those caught up in the killings at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach in Australia this month. “Individuals and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3337748/king-charles-calls-reconciliation-christmas-speech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3337748/king-charles-calls-reconciliation-christmas-speech?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:05:05 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong On a weekday night last week, passengers on an open-top double-decker bus jostled for a position to take selfies below a suspended lighting display at Mody Lane in Tsim Sha Tsui East, where Hong Kong residents have viewed the city’s dazzling Christmas lights for decades. With 175 illuminated stars spread across 25 rows of dangling lights, the fixture is the work of veteran lighting designer Terence Wong Kim-shan, who has designed and installed Christmas lights for many of the city’s skyscrapers... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337695/i-have-more-give-hong-kong-christmas-lighting-designer-still-it-after-40-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337695/i-have-more-give-hong-kong-christmas-lighting-designer-still-it-after-40-years?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:00:09 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu The first physical store of Chinese-owned fast-fashion giant Shein – which opened in central Paris in November amid heated protests – has become a new retail destination for many denizens of the French capital as they rush to finish their Christmas shopping. Hundreds of customers wandered among the racks of clothing, rifling through items carrying tags with rock-bottom prices, including a €66.99 (US$79) leather jacket and a €78.99 puffer coat. Those wishing to use the fitting rooms at the Shein... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3337687/shein-labubu-french-shoppers-are-buying-chinese-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3337687/shein-labubu-french-shoppers-are-buying-chinese-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:00:07 +0000 Oscar Liu,Edith Lin,Harvey Kong Oscar Liu,Edith Lin,Harvey Kong Thousands of revellers packed into Central in Hong Kong at night to celebrate Christmas on Thursday, after many visited the city’s premier arts hub for picnicking and photo-taking. Locals and tourists alike were out in full force along Chater Road, many donning whimsical Christmas outfits and transforming the thoroughfare into a sea of festive cheer. The road turned pedestrian zone hosted a series of seasonal installations. Most striking was a colossal, spaceship-inspired Christmas light... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337706/hundreds-flock-opening-hong-kong-food-festival-christmas-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337706/hundreds-flock-opening-hong-kong-food-festival-christmas-day?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 08:15:55 +0000 Denise Tsang,Harvey Kong,Oscar Liu Denise Tsang,Harvey Kong,Oscar Liu Tens of thousands of people were stuck for hours at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge early on Christmas Day, while the number of outbound trips by Hongkongers as of Thursday night saw an about 16 per cent rise from last year. Hong Kong police and the MTR Corporation also warned on Thursday morning that Shenzhen Bay, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line control points were crowded and that travellers could expect longer waiting times to cross the border. Immigration Department figures showed Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337697/thousands-stuck-hours-hong-kong-zhuhai-macau-bridge-christmas-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337697/thousands-stuck-hours-hong-kong-zhuhai-macau-bridge-christmas-day?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 07:40:16 +0000 Fiona Sun,Harvey Kong,Themis Chen Fiona Sun,Harvey Kong,Themis Chen Retired Hong Kong civil servant Ng Kook-yiu takes a shuttle bus every day from his transitional housing flat to the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. “I long to see my home, where I spent four decades of my life. It breaks my heart to see it each time, but it is still my home,” the 76-year-old said. Ng lived alone in the housing estate before the city’s deadliest blaze in decades engulfed seven of its eight buildings on November 26, killing at least 161 people. Like other residents who were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337658/holding-hope-hong-kong-fire-survivors-make-new-year-wish-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337658/holding-hope-hong-kong-fire-survivors-make-new-year-wish-home?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 05:51:49 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Hongkongers woke up to a cold Christmas Day, with the weather expected to get even colder on Boxing Day and temperatures to drop to 13 degrees Celsius (55.4 Fahrenheit). The Hong Kong Observatory said on Thursday that the city was “appreciably cooler” under the influence of a northeasterly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337684/chill-deepen-boxing-day-after-hongkongers-wake-cold-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337684/chill-deepen-boxing-day-after-hongkongers-wake-cold-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 05:34:36 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A powerful winter storm is lashing Southern California, prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim a state of emergency in Los Angeles and neighbouring counties. Coastal communities are bracing for multiple months’ worth of rain in just a few days, while areas charred by wildfires face the risk of mudslides. A third person has died, according to the Los Angeles Times. Meanwhile, a flood watch was extended for most of Southern California. The state has pre-positioned emergency... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3337681/southern-california-drenched-powerful-christmas-storms-flash-flooding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3337681/southern-california-drenched-powerful-christmas-storms-flash-flooding?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 03:35:18 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard For many, the holiday season is a complex ritual. Tucked 359 days after our last good resolution, Christmas promises to be the perfect time for reflection, celebration and gratitude. ’Tis the season to be jolly after all … But is it really? Christmas lights sparkle across Hong Kong, but this year, my festive spirit is choked with sadness. Less than a month before the celebration, Hong Kong lost hundreds of lives in the Tai Po fire: lives that were young and old, some far from home, others... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3337618/celebrating-christmas-amid-news-war-climate-change-and-tragedy-it-possible?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3337618/celebrating-christmas-amid-news-war-climate-change-and-tragedy-it-possible?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse In an appeal on Thursday during a message and blessing given at Christmas and Easter, Pope Leo called for an end to all global wars. Speaking from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to thousands of people in the square below, he lamented conflicts, political, ‌social or military, in Ukraine, Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, ‌and Thailand and Cambodia, among others. Leo said people in Ukraine, where Russian troops are threatening cities critical to the country’s eastern defences, have been... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3337672/pope-leo-celebrates-first-christmas-pontiff?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3337672/pope-leo-celebrates-first-christmas-pontiff?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 23:56:39 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Hundreds of worshippers gathered for mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Wednesday night as the Palestinian city ushered in its first festive Christmas in more than two years, emerging from the shadow of the war in Gaza. Throughout the conflict that began with Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, a sombre tone had marked Christmases in the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ. But celebrations returned in full swing Wednesday with crowded parades and music in the occupied West... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3337668/bethlehem-celebrates-first-festive-christmas-gaza-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3337668/bethlehem-celebrates-first-festive-christmas-gaza-war?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 17:03:58 +0000 Oscar Liu,Susan Su Oscar Liu,Susan Su Hongkongers are out in droves to experience festive vibes on Christmas Eve, while more than 540,000 residents have left the city for the holidays. By Wednesday evening, a growing crowd had gathered at the open-air plaza at Harbour City shopping centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to admire special Disney-themed festive installations. Office worker Cecile Tang, 38, was there with her mother, her husband and their two children. The five viewed the Christmas decorations at Harbour City and took a stroll along... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337661/christmas-eve-crowds-gather-hong-kong-festive-atmosphere-more-subdued?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337661/christmas-eve-crowds-gather-hong-kong-festive-atmosphere-more-subdued?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:03:08 +0000 Mandy Zuo,Carol Yang Mandy Zuo,Carol Yang Whether in China’s urban centres or its remote rural areas, Christmas is not typically celebrated with the fanfare seen in the West. On the mainland, December 25 is not even a public holiday, with the lion’s share of enthusiasm reserved for the traditional Lunar New Year period beginning in January or February. Zhang Li, who lives in a pastoral section of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region in the country’s north, was no exception. But this year things have changed, thanks in part to a new... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3337459/hard-work-and-long-hours-fuelled-chinas-rise-now-it-mulls-benefits-longer-breaks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3337459/hard-work-and-long-hours-fuelled-chinas-rise-now-it-mulls-benefits-longer-breaks?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:00:10 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Temperatures in Hong Kong will drop to as low as 14 degrees Celsius (57.2 Fahrenheit) over the Christmas holiday due to an approaching northeasterly monsoon, according to the Observatory. The forecaster said on Wednesday that the “replenishment of the northeast monsoon” would reach the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337630/cool-christmas-break-hong-kong-temperatures-reach-low-14-degrees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337630/cool-christmas-break-hong-kong-temperatures-reach-low-14-degrees?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:54:51 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li The festive season is upon Hong Kong, and as in past years, the city offers an array of cultural events for residents and visitors – from ballet to theatre and music. While unmistakably Christmas-themed events are available, some offer an alternative for those who want to spend their holidays in a slightly different way. The Post highlights some of the shows worth catching over the holidays. 1. Family-friendly performances The Hong Kong Ballet’s annual performances of The Nutcracker mark the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337586/craving-art-music-and-theatre-christmas-heres-what-see-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337586/craving-art-music-and-theatre-christmas-heres-what-see-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:00:13 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard It began as an embrace of seasonal sadness, a song giving voice to a Christmas heartbreak. But for award-winning producer Terry Chan Ming-do, the enduring popularity of “Lonely Christmas”, the song he produced and arranged for Eason Chan Yick-shun 23 years ago, remains a delightful mystery. “To us, at the time, it was a very tongue-in-cheek song,” says Chan. “We didn’t expect it to come up every single Christmas after that.” “Lonely Christmas” isn’t your traditional festive song; it’s an anthem... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3337468/songs-sleigh-how-cantopop-created-hong-kongs-own-christmas-soundtrack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3337468/songs-sleigh-how-cantopop-created-hong-kongs-own-christmas-soundtrack?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 05:15:08 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer Christmas Day is almost here, and Hong Kong’s dining rooms are in full celebratory swing as the long weekend begins. From Boxing Day through Sunday, the focus is on long lunches, generous sharing menus and festive brunches that stretch well into the afternoon. Ease into Friday with French Riviera elegance at La Petite Maison, which is offering gourmet set lunches and a seafood-laden Christmas menu in Central. On Saturday, enjoy a modern Indian brunch at Leela in Causeway Bay with sharing plates... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3337416/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-december-26-28?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3337416/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-december-26-28?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 04:45:08 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong Hong Kong tourists are choosing South Korea and other mainland Chinese cities over Japan for their Christmas holiday, a trade body has said, while predicting about 1,500 outbound tours will depart the city. Fanny Yeung Shuk-fun, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, said on Wednesday that 60 per cent of Hong Kong’s tour groups would leave via high-speed rail, mostly for short-haul trips lasting three to four days. “We predict that there will be about 1,500 outbound tours during the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337573/japan-loses-appeal-hongkongers-favour-south-korea-mainland-china-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3337573/japan-loses-appeal-hongkongers-favour-south-korea-mainland-china-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 04:39:01 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Australian soft rock duo Air Supply will headline Hong Kong’s New Year countdown after the fireworks show was cancelled, with authorities expecting more than 11 million travellers to cross the city’s borders during the festive period. The government also said on Tuesday that they were in discussions with the Shenzhen government to extend border crossing hours on New Year’s Eve, pending approval from the national port authorities. The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on Tuesday that Air Supply... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337535/soft-rock-duo-air-supply-headline-hong-kongs-new-year-countdown-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337535/soft-rock-duo-air-supply-headline-hong-kongs-new-year-countdown-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:55:26 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Christmas at Pemberley Manor and Romance at Reindeer Lodge may never make it to Oscar night, but legions of fans still love these sweet-yet-predictable holiday movies – and this season, many are making pilgrimages to where their favourite scenes were filmed. That is because the US state of Connecticut – the location for at least 22 holiday films by American cable networks such as Hallmark and Lifetime – has been promoting tours of the quaint Christmas-card cities and towns featured in this... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337309/tours-visit-christmas-movie-locations-us-state-connecticut-prove-huge-hit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337309/tours-visit-christmas-movie-locations-us-state-connecticut-prove-huge-hit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:15:08 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s top Catholic priest has said the city’s deadliest fire in decades underscored the fragility of life, but celebrating Christmas amid the grief would share the “sweetness, acidity, bitterness and heat of our humanity”. Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, head of the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong, said in his Christmas message on Tuesday that the festival also pointed towards “a clear way out to a radically new and promising life”, following the blaze in Tai Po that broke out on November 26... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337478/hong-kongs-cardinal-chow-says-celebrating-christmas-will-bring-hope-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337478/hong-kongs-cardinal-chow-says-celebrating-christmas-will-bring-hope-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:33:43 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre From Bill Nighy’s lifelong love affair with John Smedley’s British knits to Etnodim’s fresh take on Ukrainian vyshyvanka embroidery, these pieces blend tradition with contemporary edge – think Ferragamo’s iconic Vara Bow pumps on Hyeri Lee and Jacquemus’ nautical-inspired Le Turismo bag. John Smedley British actor Bill Nighy has been a fan of knitwear house John Smedley since he was 17 years old. Now the two have partnered in the Bill Nighy for John Smedley collection, which features items such... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3337305/4-fashion-drops-worth-shopping-christmas-ferragamo-jacquemus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3337305/4-fashion-drops-worth-shopping-christmas-ferragamo-jacquemus?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 22:00:12 +0000 Reuters Reuters Chris Rea, an English singer-songwriter and guitarist best known for his festive hit “Driving Home for Christmas”, has ‌died aged 74 following a short illness, his family said on ‍Monday. Hailing from Middlesbrough, a port town in northeast England, Rea’s song “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)“ from his debut studio album in 1978 was his biggest chart hit, reaching the US Billboard Hot 100 ⁠and earning him a Grammy nomination. He released 25 studio albums and sold more than 40 million records... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3337389/driving-home-christmas-singer-chris-rea-dies-74?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3337389/driving-home-christmas-singer-chris-rea-dies-74?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:31:49 +0000 Cat Nelson Cat Nelson The first time I ate at Jean-Pierre, soon after it opened this spring, I counted 10 birthdays. By the third of the evening, my dinner companion and I exchanged a look. By the sixth, it was absurd. At eight and nine, the staff – bow ties, white shirts, the whole bit – delivered sparklers to adjoining tables in unison. Resistance was futile. The French bistro in Central has become a destination for celebrations. “It’s every night,” says Marc Hofmann, managing director of Black Sheep Restaurants... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3337277/jean-pierres-host-chief-christmas-alps-and-his-favourite-spots-celebrate-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3337277/jean-pierres-host-chief-christmas-alps-and-his-favourite-spots-celebrate-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:00:11 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Are you planning to host your Christmas gathering at home this year instead of going out to eat? If so, a number of top Hong Kong restaurants, hotels and grocers are on hand to help you create an unforgettable celebration full of hearty international flavours this festive season, from turkeys and hams to geese and seafood. Selections include both gourmet ready-to-serve and premium ready-to-roast options. Read on for options suiting various styles and budgets this Christmas. 1. Heimat Chef Peter... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3337020/christmas-2025-gourmet-catering-packages-hong-kong-all-your-holiday-hosting-needs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3337020/christmas-2025-gourmet-catering-packages-hong-kong-all-your-holiday-hosting-needs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung The festive spirit turned into reckless behaviour on Sunday as throngs of tourists vaulted over safety barriers and dodged traffic to snap photos of Hong Kong’s famed Peninsula hotel, which has been decked out with Christmas decorations. The landmark hotel, traditionally draped in elaborate decorations weeks ahead of Christmas, once again became a magnet for visitors who swamped the pavements of Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui for a clear view of its distinctive facade. When a Post reporter... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337245/festive-decorations-dazzle-reckless-selfie-takers-hong-kongs-peninsula-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337245/festive-decorations-dazzle-reckless-selfie-takers-hong-kongs-peninsula-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:09:55 +0000 Alex Lo Alex Lo It’s the festive season, and you go on holiday. Your brain doesn’t, though. In fact, it may experience higher levels of stress and joy than usual, leading to corresponding biochemical and neurological changes. So there is good and bad. Your dopamine levels, the “feel-good” chemical in the brain, may rise. It improves your mood from decorating, buying, handing out and receiving gifts. If nothing else, you don’t have to go to work. Well, not me because I am on contract and have to write extras as... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3337241/real-war-christmas-not-being-waged-hong-kong-or-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3337241/real-war-christmas-not-being-waged-hong-kong-or-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 13:30:09 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak The 1970s, 80s and 90s were decades in which December grew into a lively festival season in Hong Kong – one that blended Western traditions with the city’s unique charms. Here’s how South China Morning Post photographers captured some of that Christmas magic. Christmas shopping Sending Christmas cards Enjoying the Christmas lights Feasting for Christmas https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336997/pictures-how-hong-kong-celebrated-christmas-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336997/pictures-how-hong-kong-celebrated-christmas-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:15:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang The once-feared Qing dynasty military commander, Oboi, is being transformed into a charming figure by young people in China, becoming a local version of Father Christmas. A recent video circulating on mainland social media showcased Oboi, portrayed by an actor, as Santa Claus at a tourist resort in Zhanjiang, in southern China’s Guangdong province. The resort was adorned with traditional Christmas decorations including artificial snowflakes, Santa hats, and festive gift boxes, which contributed... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3337021/china-santa-claus-how-qing-dynasty-military-figure-cutified-father-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3337021/china-santa-claus-how-qing-dynasty-military-figure-cutified-father-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 08:00:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press At midnight on Christmas Eve, the words of the traditional hymn “The Night of Christmas” will ring out in the tiny grotto in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born. “On the night of Christmas, war is buried, On the night of Christmas, love is born,” a local choir sings each year during the midnight service. As they rehearsed ahead of this year’s service, many choir members said the words echoed with deeper meaning following the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3337170/gazas-fragile-ceasefire-brings-christmas-joy-bethlehem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3337170/gazas-fragile-ceasefire-brings-christmas-joy-bethlehem?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 07:33:06 +0000 The Star The Star Halal-certified hotels and food premises in Malaysia are allowed to display Christmas decorations, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan. He clarified that there are no restrictions against halal certification holders from displaying festive decorations linked to religions other than Islam, provided that halal standards are upheld. “The position is in line with a decision made by the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) in 2023,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3337159/malaysia-allows-halal-hotels-eateries-deck-halls-christmas-decor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3337159/malaysia-allows-halal-hotels-eateries-deck-halls-christmas-decor?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 05:04:47 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Hong Kong bars are getting into the Christmas spirit. From the world’s best hotels to the intimate glow of neighbourhood speakeasies, this season’s cocktail menus are brimming with creative concoctions that blend tradition with distinctive flavours. Whether you are craving a classic with a twist or a completely new holiday creation, here are the stand-out sips to try this holiday season. 1. Kinsman Celebrated for its innovative cocktails that often weave in Hong Kong’s cultural heritage,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3336921/10-hong-kong-bars-offering-creative-christmas-2025-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3336921/10-hong-kong-bars-offering-creative-christmas-2025-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 04:15:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The warm spices in gingerbread, the woodsy aroma of pine and fir trees, and the fruity tang of mulled wine are smells synonymous with the holiday season. Many people enjoy lighting candles, incense and fireplaces in their homes to evoke the moods associated with these festive fragrances. Burning scented products may create a cosy ambience – and in the case of fireplaces, provide light and heat – but some experts want people to consider how doing so contributes to the quality of the air indoors.... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3337004/lighting-those-scented-candles-christmas-read-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3337004/lighting-those-scented-candles-christmas-read-first?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 04:00:10 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Discover this Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum The Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum has finally reopened after months of renovation. To mark its return – and the 100th anniversary of Dr Sun’s death – a new and free exhibition is on display. “From Healing Patients to Saving a Nation” runs until March 2026, showcasing over 60 artefacts and photos connecting the statesman to Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong. Admission is free, offering a fresh reason to finally step inside the historic Kom Tong Hall. Kom Tong Hall, 7... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336230/best-things-do-hong-kong-december-20-26?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336230/best-things-do-hong-kong-december-20-26?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 02:00:10 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan As you reach for another helping of your favourite dish or another spoonful of pudding, keep in mind that 51 per cent of the weight we gain over the year piles on during holiday periods. That reminder comes from registered dietitian Jaclyn Tsang, who adds that most people who do gain weight will never lose some or all of it. “If you don’t want to start the new year with regrets, you can still enjoy delicious food if you stay mindful of food choices and portions,” she says. Here, nutrition... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336761/how-avoid-gaining-weight-christmas-while-still-enjoying-great-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336761/how-avoid-gaining-weight-christmas-while-still-enjoying-great-food?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu As the end of the year nears, a cool breeze blowing through Hong Kong heralds the beginning of the holiday season. With Christmas and New Year celebrations just around the corner, the city has become a winter wonderland. Here are five things to do in Hong Kong this weekend. 1. ‘Merry Gingermas’ Market Stanley Plaza is the perfect destination for families this holiday season as it celebrates its 10th annual Christmas event, “Merry Gingermas”, from December 19 to 28. The market features more than... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3336986/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-december-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3336986/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-december-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 02:45:08 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao Hong Kong’s initial public offering (IPO) market is heading for its busiest month in four years, as a late rush of listings gathers pace despite the traditional slowdown around the Christmas and New Year holidays. At least 15 companies were set to go public by the end of December, with drug-discovery firm Insilico Medicine planning one of the largest deals in the final stretch of the year, according to data compiled by the Post. A total of 12 companies had already made their market debuts... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3336881/holiday-rush-hong-kong-ipo-market-sparkles-busiest-december-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3336881/holiday-rush-hong-kong-ipo-market-sparkles-busiest-december-years?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:15 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Gloria Chung Wing-han is best known in Hong Kong’s culinary circles as an itinerant food writer-turned-stylist and the founder of Foodandtravelhk, the Instagram-based media brand from which she shares her globetrotting adventures in gastronomy. So it’s all the more unexpected that the Hong Kong-born barometer of good taste has chosen to locate her food styling Batcave, if you will, in a sleepy private housing estate in Tai Tong, on the outskirts of far-flung Yuen Long. For Chung, the studio – a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336219/how-hong-kong-food-stylist-gloria-chung-creates-festive-table-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336219/how-hong-kong-food-stylist-gloria-chung-creates-festive-table-home?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:12 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng As Christmas draws near and work winds down before 2026, it’s the perfect time to sample an array of limited-time Yuletide cocktails from some of the city’s best and newest bars alike. From mulled wine variations (including ones served cold!) to creamy eggnog twists and beyond, here are six of Hong Kong’s curated Christmas cocktail menus to check out before the end of December. The Aubrey Following the launch of its Japanese-inspired Shibumi menu this year, this upscale izakaya and cocktail bar... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3336742/your-2025-guide-best-christmas-cocktails-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3336742/your-2025-guide-best-christmas-cocktails-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:00:13 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer As December peaks, Hong Kong’s festive tables brim with seasonal ingenuity from coffee-paired turkey ballotine and berry-laden yule logs to cured meat buffets with skyline views. This weekend’s guide captures holiday indulgence through thoughtful pairings, fresh tartness and nostalgic reinvention. Get the most out of your December with our 2025 100 Top Tables Guide. Friday, December 19 Bacha Coffee eases diners into the final stretch of December with a festive menu that runs until January 4,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3336695/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-december-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3336695/your-hong-kong-weekend-food-guide-december-19-21?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Dec 2025 04:45:08 +0000 Douglas Parkes Douglas Parkes It’s the season to be jolly again, and Hong Kong’s top restaurants and bars are ready to ensure you oblige with some exciting new Christmas cocktails. So pull up a bar stool and let these inspired winter tipples fuel your festive glee. Bar Q88 The JW Marriott’s intimate lobby bar has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the best spots in Admiralty to unwind. This year, the establishment is offering two festive drinks for the Christmas period. The first is an Asian-inspired take on mulled wine... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3336464/3-festive-cocktails-spice-your-christmas-celebrations-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3336464/3-festive-cocktails-spice-your-christmas-celebrations-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:08 +0000 Jeff Yeung Jeff Yeung Christmas in Hong Kong looks a little different from the festive winters of my childhood in Vancouver, Canada, but the spirit and the flavours stay the same. We’re much tighter on space here, the ovens are smaller and everyone is short on time, but the joy of cooking a proper Christmas meal remains unchanged. Over the years, I’ve refined a menu that is deeply nostalgic, highly practical and wonderfully festive. Christmas always centres on three dishes I truly love: the classic prawn cocktail, a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336167/chefs-guide-making-traditional-christmas-meal-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3336167/chefs-guide-making-traditional-christmas-meal-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:00:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to spend money on gifts, parties and travel this holiday season? If you are feeling financially strained, know that you are not the only one feeling that way, says Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, a social worker and therapist based in the US state of Michigan who has certifications in financial therapy and the trauma of money. To avoid putting additional pressure on your finances, use the holidays as a time to be extra mindful of how you spend. Remember that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336441/how-avoid-financial-stress-holiday-season-expert-tips-budgeting-saying-no?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336441/how-avoid-financial-stress-holiday-season-expert-tips-budgeting-saying-no?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:15:08 +0000 Andrea Lo Andrea Lo I have always felt confused by early arrivals at dinner parties. My family always show up hours before the meal is supposed to start. When I joined my mum at dinner parties hosted by a close friend, we were encouraged to arrive early. Any guests who enter my home before the appointed hour, however, will find me in a state of barely concealed hysteria – sauce still reducing, candles unlit, playlist half-finished. You’ll be handed whatever wine I panic-bought at 7-Eleven and deposited on my sofa... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336045/impossible-art-being-good-guest-hong-kong-christmas-gathering?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336045/impossible-art-being-good-guest-hong-kong-christmas-gathering?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:00:11 +0000 Douglas Parkes Douglas Parkes As the festive season approaches, the quest for the perfect holiday meal begins. This year, ditch your oven gloves and basting brush, and let the city’s finest restaurateurs take care of you. From timeless feasts to modern marvels, these festive offerings are the main event, promising to “sleigh” your guests and leave your own oven green with envy. So, gather your loved ones, make a list (and check it twice), and prepare to indulge. Embla On Upper Station Street, chef Jim Löfdahl and his team... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3336070/hong-kongs-best-christmas-feasts-mandarin-oriental-osteria-marzia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/dining/article/3336070/hong-kongs-best-christmas-feasts-mandarin-oriental-osteria-marzia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 04:00:11 +0000