The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (December 22-28)

The China Hong Kong City Car Boot Christmas Market returns to its prime harbourfront spot in Tsim Sha Tsui for 10 days across December! Working in collaboration with local woodworking brand Start from Zero, this year’s market features over 100 stalls and a strong local line-up that includes independent fashion labels, handmade accessories, celebrity brands, vintage finds, and classic car displays. As you shop around and enjoy food and drink ranging from satay bites to craft coffee, a six-metre-tall Christmas tree will light up the space while local bands and DJs turn up the energy with live music on selected nights.

For the first time, Citygate Outlets is teaming up with Asian design platform Pinkoi to bring a massive Christmas market where you can check off your Christmas gift list all in one go. Running from December 19 to 21 and 24 to 26, the Ho~Ho~Holiday market will play host to over 100 independent designers – many of whom will be making their Hong Kong debut – flying in from all across Asia, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and beyond. Expect a joyful mix of Japanese minimalist jewellery, stylish Korean fashion, stationery from the UK, Thai artisan bags, plus award-winning coffees and festive treats from around the region. 

Live indie buskers and Christmas carollers will keep the atmosphere warm, while CLUB CG members can redeem points for wreath-making or paper-clay crystal-ball workshops. Spend anything at the market and you’ll walk away with a free gift, plus a $100 Citygate e-voucher if you sign up as a new CLUB CG member on the spot.

If you want to get lost in mesmerising visuals, head over to Kai Tak to visit FutureScope. This multi-sensory experience takes place inside a geodesic dome structure, and has been billed as “Hong Kong’s first large-scale art dome.” From now until January 4, visitors can catch a collaborative exhibit between local media art studio Xcept and Japanese artist Daito Manabe, promising unique geometric patterns created from visitors' faces, an electric soundscape that transforms in response to facial expressions, and more. Head to our blog here to get the full rundown of this free experience. 

Escape to the sunny shores of Lantau and immerse yourself in a festive Italian getaway this Christmas! The enchanting Italian-style Christmas Market returns to DB Plaza, transforming the square with cosy wooden huts from December 25 to 28. Discover a delightful selection of handmade holiday goods, savour exceptional wines, and indulge in delicious gourmet treats. Adding to the festivities, visitors will also be able to meet Santa as he hands out little gifts, see magicians performing fun tricks, enjoy kids’ dance shows, and catch an exhilarating rope-skipping show.

Calling all Labubu fans – this is not a drill. Kasing Lung, the creator of the mega-hit The Monsters series, is celebrating the work’s 10th anniversary and showcasing original artworks at an exhibition from now until January 4 at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre. Here, visitors have the exclusive chance to see how Labubu and the other Monsters characters came to be, oggle at large-scale sculptures and rare figures, and even snap photos in an interactive room completely covered in colourful Labubus. Tap here for more details about this limited-time exhibit.

This season, Hongkongers have the rare opportunity to sign up for guided tours to visit King Yin Lei. Built in the 1930s, this pre-war mansion has been a declared monument since 2008 and showcases antique Chinese and Western architectural elements. Although the historic residence has been closed for some time and is sporadically available for public tours, visitors can register to visit this building every weekend until January 4 on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out how to get tickets by reading our blog for more info.

Christmas in Hong Kong just got more joyous with Merry Balloon Hong Kong, a cheerful three-part event featuring an adorable lineup of internationally beloved characters in the form of helium balloons making appearances throughout the city. Make your way around town from now until January 11 to join the Merry-Go-Around Town, where you’ll hunt for helium balloons using augmented reality and purchase exclusive festive postcards to collect stamps for a chance to redeem holiday-edition character pins. 

For even more fun, secure tickets for the Merry Balloon Park at the Great Lawn at West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). Here, visitors of all ages can wander through a whimsical wonderland with giant inflatable attractions, including a giant bouncy castle with a seven-meter-tall inflatable slide, as well as snap photos with cartoon character balloons. Finally, the celebrations culminate with the Merry Balloon Parade on January 11, where beloved balloon characters from around the world will be parading around WKCD’s Art Park to put a smile on everyone’s face. Visit Merry Balloon’s website for complete details on the events.

Immerse yourself in the forgotten days of the Kowloon Walled City at this epic movie set exhibition, located on the original site of the infamous Kowloon Walled City. Featuring incredibly detailed recreations of shops and other setups from the award-winning Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, the exhibition will let visitors travel back in time to the Walled City in the 1980s.

From the local cafe to the dental clinic, the attention to detail is truly impressive. There's even a small 'screen room' mimicking the rooftops of old buildings back in the day, where visitors can sit and watch the neighbourhood turn from day to night, and listen to the roaring sound of low-flying airplanes over the Walled City area.

Check out our guide for everything you need to know about the exhibition, from dates and opening hours to highlights not to be missed.

This November, Maggie Choo’s is launching a brand-new cabaret show that combines soulful jazz with captivating acrobatics, rhythmic tap dancing, and more. The new choreo-heavy show is set against a background of original live music, and comes with an upgraded menu of cocktails and mocktails. 

What Maggie Wants kicks off in November and runs from 9.30pm till midnight every Thursday. As always, you can enjoy Maggie Choo’s cabaret show with the purchase of a drink, which goes from $140 per glass. 

Stanley Plaza's annual Christmas market is a must-visit every holiday season. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the seaside holiday market is amping up the merriment with the playful theme ‘Merry Gingermas’, a nod to ginger as both a warming spice and the Cantonese slang for ‘gutsy’ (gau geung; 夠薑).

For 10 consecutive days (December 19-28), the piazza and Murray House will gather over 100 stalls packed with creative gifts, handicrafts, and seriously good food. With nearly 30 food and drink brands joining in the festive fun, visitors will be pleased to see returning favourites like Hugo’s Cheese, Biergarten’s German classics, and The Nutter Company’s local gelato, alongside newcomers such as Michelin-recognised Fisholic, Curry Boy, and Jacques n Grill’s pop-up serving exclusive ginger-spiced dishes. Clan & Company by Magnolia Lab will also offer a special ginger cocktail to keep everyone warm and buzzy while browsing for gifts.

M+ Cinema is sending audiences on a black to the past with its Autumn Edition 2025, taking place from October to December, and the programme is filled to the brim with special exhibitions, showcases, and tributes to Hong Kong’s rich cinematic legacy.

Kicking things off is M+ Restored, an initiative dedicated to preserving Hong Kong cinema history through the restoration of nine feature films. ‘Rediscoveries—Chinese Diaspora in Hollywood’ celebrates the significant cinematic contributions of the Chinese diaspora and the considerable challenges they had to overcome within the American film industry. 

With spooky season coming up, M+ Cinema has prepared two special screenings to celebrate the occasion. ‘Every Bruce Was Kung Fu Fighting’ centres on ‘Bruceploitation’ – the low-budget, imitation genre that sprung up as the immediate aftermath of Bruce Lee’s untimely passing – featuring two grindhouse classics and one documentary. M+ Cinema is also bringing the 4K restored versions of Ju-On and Ju-On 2 (2000) to the big screen for anyone keen to revisit the horror classic in time for Halloween.

‘Fresh Eyes’ will showcase two animated films: Bambi (1942), which was brought to life through concept art created by the late Chinese-American artist Tyrus Wong – who served as the lead production illustrator on the film – and Shrek (2001), the animation of which was supervised by Hong Kong-born animator Raman Hui.

See the full programme and how to purchase tickets on the M+ website.

Following Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s immersive Le Petit Chef dining experience, the hotel is set to unveil ‘The Magic Table’, a brand-new dining experience that fuses captivating 3D projection mapping technology with exceptional fare. From September 19 onwards, this one-of-a-kind show features Thommy Ten & Amélie van Tass from America’s Got Talent, as they deliver dazzling magic performances and storytelling to leave guests enthralled. During ‘‘The Magic Table’, diners can choose from the Wizard’s Essentials ($1,550 per person) or the Grand Illusion ($1,850 per person) to enjoy a curated menu with sumptuous dishes like beef tartare, foie gras with port wine gel, butternut pumpkin topped with potato foam, a choice between surf or turf for mains, and a delectable chocolate sphere with poached peaches to conclude.

Vegetarian diners will enjoy the Enchanted Garden menu ($1,150 per person), featuring sumptuous options such as beetroot tartare and baked celeriac. Little ones can also join in the fun with the Young Magician’s Feast ($750 per child), ensuring an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Landmark never disappoints when it comes to annual Christmas displays, and this year’s installation ‘Noëlia’ is no different. We’ve got gingerbread men, we've got an airship, and we’ve got… a whale breaching water? It’s a fantastical scene, to be sure. Noëlia will feature a winter village, a lighthouse, and an interactive wishing lake called Lake Lumière that welcomes visitors to share their heart’s desires, which will then be magnificently displayed. 

After making your wish, you can meet the charming cast of characters at Noëlia, explore their homes and workshops, and take part in even more interactive experiences on-site. Photo opportunities abound, and will surely enchant and delight visitors of all ages.

New Town Plaza’s NTP Sky Garden is back, and all 40,000 sq ft of this outdoor space will be transformed into a spectacular wonderland this season! Digital art collective Naked Inc. will present a water projection performance called ‘Starlight Whispers: The Symphony of Light and Water’ that combines floral projections, music, and illuminations into a choreographed live show that’s sure to wow visitors.

Festive revellers can continue to bask in the holiday spirit at the ‘Christmas Circus TOWNival’ in New Town Plaza’s third-floor atrium, which features a six-metre-tall Christmas tree slide that will have guests shrieking in delight all the way down. Don’t miss the photo spots, especially the giant snow globe, which makes for jolly pictures that will have you dreaming of a white Christmas.

“Choo choo” goes the festive train at Christmas Grand Central this holiday season! Pacific Place and Starstreet Precinct are presenting ‘Ticket to Christmas’ from now until January 2, 2026, and this merry yuletide voyage is poised to take visitors on a ride to experience Christmas magic. Expect cute photo ops, whimsical installations, immersive ‘train’ journeys, and even a ‘Santa Express’ where you can meet Santa Claus and snap a photo with the man himself – ticket sales for this meet-and-greet will go toward a good cause, too, as a donation to Operation Santa Claus.

Afterwards, shop for a souvenir at the ‘Wonderbox’ merchandise store, watch live performances, or join an interactive workshop to craft Christmas cake candles, timepieces, and Christmas wreaths! You can register for Santa Express and festive workshops through the Pacific Place website.

The Winter Wonderland has moved from its home on the West Kowloon waterfront to Island side this year, so Statue Square Garden will be home to not only the tallest Christmas tree in town, but also a seasonal Christmas town, a joyous Christmas market, and enough lights, baubles, globes, and illuminated decorations to rival the traditional Christmas markets of Austria, Switzerland, and Germany! 

Meanwhile, nearby Chater Road will transform into ‘Starlight Boulevard’ through dazzling decorations and light displays, an homage to six decades ago when Hongkong Land put on a seasonal light display on the same road – the city’s earliest recorded one, in fact.

Kowloon Shangri-La is bringing back its highly acclaimed, oft sold-out Japanese Artisanal Bread Breakfast Buffet this autumn! Head to the Lobby Lounge to nosh on an expansive spread of exquisite Japanese pastries and breads, featuring 20 different kinds of artisan baked goods that run the gamut from savoury to sweet.

New items to the bread breakfast buffet include the shaved truffle egg salad doughnuts, the chestnut Mont Blanc danish, and mini ‘nama’ cream doughnuts. You can also sink your teeth into made-to-order mini mentaiko baguettes, a Hakata speciality from Fukuoka, and fluffy Japanese white toast slathered in butter and jam from Okinawa. We’re personally most excited for a bite of the sea salt butter red bean bread. Known as a shio croissant, this delicious morsel perfectly balances savoury and sweet, thanks to a dusting of salt flakes and a filling of butter and red bean.

Kowloon Shangri-La’s perennially popular Japanese Artisan Bread Breakfast Buffet ($198 per person) will be back from November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026 on Fridays to Sundays and on public holidays from 8am to 10.30am, so if you’re hoping to load up on carbs, run, don’t walk, to make your reservation, as walk-ins are not accepted.

Tai Kwun Contemporary is presenting a two-part exhibition under the theme ‘Stay Connected: Art and China Since 2008’. Centred around an expansive exploration of the transformations and social shifts within 21st-century China brought about by the prolific spread of the internet and digital technologies, the first chapter will take over all three floors of the JC Contemporary art spaces, running for a little over three months.

‘Stay Connected: Navigating the Cloud’ will present more than 50 pieces mapping the creative pursuits of over 35 artists and groups whose practices are influenced by social media, the internet, and digital technologies. Divided into themed segments such as artificial intelligence, information bubbles, online communities, and more, the showcase explores how to ‘stay connected’ in today’s world. Li Shuang, Li Yi-fan, Miao Ying, Wong Ping, Lu Yang, Shao Chun, Zhang Yibei, and the Xijing Men collective are among the many artists exhibiting. Collaborative duo Sun Yuan & Peng Yu – whose claim to fame is the Can’t Help Myself kinetic sculpture with a robotic arm – is also participating.

Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, and Christmastime is the most magical time of the year, so put the two together, and what do you get? Only the most fabulous festive event of all time! Until January 4, 2026, visitors can step into a world of Christmas magic at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, featuring magical ‘snow’ and brightly decorated Christmas trees at World of Frozen, Disney characters dressed in cosy yuletide styles, a ‘Holiday Wish-Come-True’ tree lighting ceremony to capture the jolliness of the season, and the unmissable ‘Disney Christmas Live in Concert!’ to spread the joyous spirit. 

Coinciding with the release of Zootopia 2, beloved characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will be making appearances at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s Adventureland from November 27 onward. Emporium at Main Street, U.S.A. will be stocking a collection of Zootopia-themed products – there’s an adorable doughnut shop whose stock might not be what they seem… The most terrible thing that can happen here is not being able to choose between the recording carrot keychain or the recording carrot pen!

Black Sheep Restaurant’s winter-exclusive Chalet des Alpes has returned to Central for the third time, transforming the space on 18 Shelley Street into a warm, cosy retreat, much like traditional Alpine chalets. From now until January 15, diners can indulge in a hearty menu ($1,088 per person) that’ll burst your belly. From festive appetisers such as salade de Mâche, assorted charcuterie boards, and ooey-gooey raclette, to their irresistible fondue of gruyère and Emmental cheese, this is the epitome of winter comfort food, even if you’re not leaving town for colder climes this year. 

Additionally, the Chalet will be giving away nightly prizes to the dining group with the best après-ski outfits, so be sure to don your overalls, fuzzy hats, and obnoxiously large ski goggles.

Chinese restaurant Hutong has launched a new menu celebrating the fiery flavours of northern cuisines. Titled ‘Qian Jiao Bai Wei – The Essence of Heat’, the menu spotlights five dishes elevated with a secret ingredient: Hutong’s housemade chilli sauces. Crafted using five chilli varieties native to northern China, each sauce brings a distinctive kick to traditional recipes. 

Diners can savour three sauces at the restaurant: Yunnan Pepper and Kumquat Chilli Sauce, Hunan Nutty Spicy Almond Sauce, and Sichuan Erjingtiao. Meanwhile, the Hutong Chilli Sauce and Hutong Peppercorn Oil is also available for purchase. The ‘Qian Jiao Bai Wei’ menu will be available at all Hutong locations worldwide until January 18, 2026. The Hutong Chilli Oil and Hutong Peppercorn Oil are made fresh daily and priced at $200 each. 

A new exhibition at M+ showcases 12 immersive installations by pioneering women artists from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including three new works by Asian artists. Dream Rooms: Environments by Women Artists 1950s–Now emphasises the multisensory experience of art and highlights women’s contributions to installation art, a field often overshadowed by male artists. Visitors can actively engage with the environments, which include nine historic pieces that have been painstakingly reconstructed, such as Aleksandra Kasuba’s Spectral Passage (1975), which invites individuals to journey through interconnected nylon structures as a metaphor of the life cycle; Judy Chicago’s Feather Room (1966), an all-white space filled with 300 pounds of feathers; and more.

M+ will also host talks with co-curators Andrea Lissoni and Marina Pugliese to discuss the concept behind the exhibition, and a panel discussion with the three Asian artists whose new, commissioned work is part of Dream Rooms. Additionally, M+ Cinema will screen three documentaries about some of the exhibited artists to supplement the show.

Head to the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) to find our city’s first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Mughal art. The Mughal empire was one of the world’s most powerful kingdoms that encompassed much of modern-day Indian, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, ruling from the 16th to the 17th centuries. Though they ruled a mainly Hindu population, the Mughals were Muslim with Mongol origins, and were known for their rich culture and architecture – the Taj Mahal is one such legacy from this empire.

Over 100 artefacts from the golden age of the Mughal dynasty, from paintings and jewellery to weaponry, architectural segments, and even some rare surviving textiles from this period are now on show – Hong Kong is this exhibition’s only Asia venue after its London premiere in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Under the rule of three emperors, the Mughal court greatly fostered artistic development and embraced cross-cultural influences, shown here in jade pieces that have incorporated motifs from the Chinese court. Highlights include a casket with mother-of-pearl inlays, a thumb ring from Emperor Akbar’s reign with western enamelling that shows the Mughal court’s hybrid aesthetic, and a beautiful dagger sheath and hilt lavishly decorated with gold and red gemstones.

‘Treasures of the Mughal Court’ runs until February 23, 2026, and tickets are priced from $150 which also grants access to HKPM’s thematic exhibitions in galleries one to seven.

The Hong Kong Space Museum has launched a new 3D dome show catered to little Einsteins and space-loving adults. ‘The Great Solar System Adventure 3D’ replaces their previous programme exploring the Arctic wilderness with an immersive, interstellar voyage.

The show will run until October 14, 2026, with screening times at 2pm and 6.30pm on weekdays, 12.30pm and 5pm on weekends and public holidays at the Space Theatre. Tickets are priced from $15 to $40 per person.

This Christmas, Noodoll’s adorable potato plushies are bringing their pudgy physique and unique personality to Langham Place. Noodoll’s potato family will be making its debut at the ‘PotatoMAS Department Store’. Visitors will arrive to find Langham Place’s fourth-floor atrium transformed into a luxurious department store – think Hamleys on Regent Street, or Harrods in London – adorned with sparkling tinsel, glittered-up gift boxes, and towering Christmas trees.

There’ll be a range of Christmas-themed Noodoll potato toys to be redeemed, plus plenty of prizes to be won upon fulfilling purchase amounts in Langham Place, such as a new iPhone or Airpods!

The ‘Noodoll: Merry PotatoMAS’ takes place from November 14 to January 1, 2026 at 4/F, Atrium, Langham Place, Mong Kok. Stay tuned for more information on interactive programmes, giveaways, and more at langhamplace.com.hk/happenings. 

Moomin is celebrating its 80th birthday this month! To mark the occasion, an immersive, interactive exhibition is in Kai Tak Sports Park from November 14 until January 4, 2026. ‘The Beginning of The Moomins’ is set to be a wonderland for fans of these cute, hippopotamus-like creatures, featuring a historical corridor that details Moomin’s evolution since 1945, plus seven themed zones recreated from its origin story, Moomin and the Great Flood, complete with interactive installations and photo spots. 

Visitors will also find a pop-up store offering exclusive merchandise and a Moominhouse postcard customisation station. To commemorate the character’s 80th milestone, an adorable DIY wooden lightbox is available with the purchase of a special edition ticket ($300 per ticket), featuring Moomin and friends picnicking and frolicking in a whimsical open field. 

Running until February 20, 2026 at Tai Kwun, ‘Book of Changes: The Art of Basil Pao’ is a thematic photography exhibition that explores the profound impact of the ancient I Ching text on Chinese life and cultural heritage through abstract visual dialogue.

As one of the Five Classics in Chinese literature, the I Ching – also known in translation as the Book of Changes – is a divination and philosophy text that fortune-seekers refer to for moral guidance and wisdom. Basil Pao is best known for his photography work on Michael Palin’s BBC travel programmes, which were later published as large-format books. In this exhibition of images, he interprets the concepts explained in the I Ching through two photography series: The Great Walls of China and Glimpses of Silence.

If your curiosity is roused by the I Ching and you’d like to gain a glimpse into the future, you can seek your own fortune through the ‘Consulting the Book of Changes’ interactive experience on-site. Visitors can also pick up an exclusive postcard featuring artwork from Pao’s The Great Walls of China photography series as a keepsake. If you’re a TK Fan member, you can make use of Tai Kwun’s special mailing service – just scribble down your message on the postcard and send it off to a local address!

Hong Kong’s Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum (SYSM) has finally reopened to the public after months of renovation, just in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese statesman’s passing. As part of the revamp, the SYSM is presenting the ‘From Healing Patients to Saving a Nation - Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao’ exhibition from now until March 31, 2026, with free admission to all. 

After making touring stops in Zhongshan and Macau, the exhibition has now come to Hong Kong for its final leg to showcase the life story, ideological journey, and remarkable contributions of Dr Sun. More than 60 invaluable artefacts, documents, and historical photographs are on display, highlighting his ties to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau region. Among them is a historic photograph depicting the Hou Keng Reading Society, a glass negative of the ‘Four Great Desperados’, and significant letters and inscriptions.

If you’d like to deep-dive into Dr Sun’s philosophy, the SYSM will also host scholars from Hong Kong and Macau on November 29 and December 13 for two public lectures. 

In a landmark collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) of Egypt, 250 treasures and relics from the land of the Pharaohs will be on display in Hong Kong for nine and a half months. Named ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’, this exhibition is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian artefacts Hong Kong has ever seen, displaying archaeological finds loaned straight from Egypt, many of which are being shown outside of their home country for the very first time.

Some of our favourite highlights include a set of canopic jars used to store internal organs in the mummification and burial process; statues of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and Rameses II; painted coffins of wood and stone; a Book of the Dead papyrus scroll; and even an ancient Egyptian toilet seat.

Swing by the gift shop to find a wide range of Egypt-related merch, including an adorable series of blind box plushies created by HKPM which depict pharaohs, canopic jars, mummies, and more.

‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Art Plaza Project at the Hong Kong Palace Museum’ is a multimedia initiative that takes traditional Chinese garden aesthetics as the main inspiration. The project features large installations by five local artists and an architect, each creative bringing a unique contemporary interpretation of traditional zen garden elements to the showcase, where iconic pavilions, flowing water, and aesthetic rock formations are reimagined with materials found in our bustling city, such as bamboo, metal, and fabric. 

This exhibition will be open to the public until November 2, 2026 at the Museum Plaza at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Entry is free of charge during the museum’s opening hours.