10 things we love about Hong Kong during the holidays

Hongkongers love to get away whenever they have the chance – this is one of the most stressed-out cities after all – resulting in a mass migration come Christmas. That means, those of us who have opted to stay, can enjoy a short reprieve from bad traffic and road rage. Now you can clear the Cross Harbour without without being stuck in gridlock. It’s literally a Christmas miracle.

2018 is finally coming to an end and it’s absolutely justifiable to rest on your laurels. And what better way wave goodbye to the year (or flip it off if it’s been a less-than-ideal 12 months) than by treating yourself to an extra-long holiday? Thanks to Hong Kong’s generous public holidays, you only need to take four days off from work to enjoy 11 consecutive days away from the office where you can catch up on sleep. The cherry on top: we only need to suffer through another month before Chinese New Year arrives in early February with another slate of days off.

Almost as soon as Halloween is over do we step into November and colourful festive light displays start to materialise on buildings and inside shopping malls, lighting up the city. They range from ones with super adorable Disney Tsum Tsum characters to incredibly Insta-worthy installations down by the Central Harbourfront. Whatever shape they take, the Christmas spirit is undeniable and will turn any Hong Kong Grinch into the happiest of elves.

Who doesn’t love a good bargain? Unlike places like Britain where shoppers have to wait until the 26th for insane Boxing Day sales, Hongkongers can enjoy all the shopping perks ahead of the big day as sales start early here. We end up Christmas shopping for ourselves almost as much as our loved ones.

All-you-can-eat-buffets, an onslaught of sugary festive treats, mulled wine – it’s virtually impossible not to overindulge during the festive period. To all those people who ordinarily judge you for going for a second slice of cake or ordering another bottle of wine, this is the one month you can give them the metaphorical middle finger by vacuuming up an entire Christmas log and downing a pitcher of festive cocktails, because ‘it’s fucking Christmas’. Bring on the feasts!

It might be cheesy but it’s true. Christmas is a beautiful time where friends and family – whether they’re flying in from overseas or simply coming from across town – get together under one roof to celebrate the special occasion. Sure, there’s always WhatsApp and Skype, but it’s just not the same as seeing them in the flesh and sharing the love. It is, after all, what Jesus would’ve wanted. 

Unlike Chinese New Year and many other countries, most of Hong Kong’s shops and restaurants remain blessedly open throughout this period. Whether you’ve messed up the turkey or have an unfortunate fight with the fam – it happens, no judging – and are in need of somewhere to go, you can count on cha chaan tengs and trusty chain eateries like Café de Coral to welcome you. Even if you’re looking for last-minute booze, there’s always 7-Eleven. That being said, treat the workers extra nice as they are working through the holidays.

This applies not just to Hong Kong but everywhere in the world. It’s the one time of year where you can belt out Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas and have Michael Bublé’s incredible Christmas album playing 24/7 without people thinking you’re a lunatic. It’s a shame that there aren’t more holiday-themed tunes from local artists, so we’ll just have to make do with Eason Chan’s sad-yet-catchy Lonely Christmas on loop. 

You might dream of a White Christmas in Hong Kong. But in reality, snow is a huge safety hazard that eventually turns into a nasty black slush by the side of the road. The weather in Hong Kong during the holiday period the past few years has been an absolute corker: perfectly cool without freezing temperatures, and not grossly humid like the city suffers throughout the rest of the year. It’s a true blessing. 

What makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year is that it brings with it plenty of festive events. While it's tough to compare our town to classic European Christmas markets, Hong Kong still has its fair share of holiday markets that boast a wide range of themes. From Italian-centric to zero waste to a dog-friendly one in Stanley, not to mention the return of the city’s biggest carnival, the AIA Carnival, there’s so much entertainment to enjoy that there’s no reason you should be staying at home.