The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (December 19-21)

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.

In case you’ve been living under a rock during the second half of 2025, Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters has taken the world by storm with its catchy tunes and colourful animated characters. Building on this massive momentum, the creators have launched a themed pop-up store in Seoul in early December, which has been a huge success. What's more, the animated film’s themed store will tour Asia throughout December and January, with Hong Kong as its first overseas location. 

From December 18 to January 11, head to New Town Plaza to shop for exclusive merchandise of the Huntrix girls, the Saja Boys, and even adorable sidekicks Derpy and Sussie. Expect to find limited items like themed clothing based on the movie’s hit songs, keychains, plush toys, collectible photocards, and much more. Find more details about the pop-up by reading our blog.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

“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.

Disney comes to Tsim Sha Tsui this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in grand fashion! Five captivating ‘Magical Christmas @ Harbour City’ photo spots will bring holiday cheer to the Victoria Harbour waterfront and the Harbour City mall, featuring the likes of Mickey and Friends, Duffy and Friends, and World of Frozen. Find your favourite character decked out in festive garb, marvel at the nine-metre-tall ‘Magical Christmas Tree’, meet Duffy and LinaBell in person, and shop from more than 200 Disney-themed merchandise at the ‘Magical Christmas Pop-up Store’.  

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. 

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. 

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.

A good dose of laughter is a great remedy for the stressors of hectic urban life, which is why comedic comics have been so well-received since they appeared in Hong Kong in the early 20th century. By the 1950s, local comics truly began to take off, giving rise to iconic characters like Old Master Q, My Boy, and Sau Sing Chai. Visitors can see beloved comic works spanning from the 50s to modern-day characters used in our everyday group chat stickers.

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.

See what life was like in the legendary Kowloon Walled City and step inside this immersive 'real life' movie set exhibition! Featuring meticulously recreated shops and scenes from the award-winning film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, the exhibition will take you back into the 1980s inside the famous Walled City to explore everything from the local cafe to the neighbourhood dental clinic.

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

Ever since Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) launched its pet-friendly bus services, the response has been overwhelmingly positive in Hong Kong’s pet owners. KMB has since gamely added new routes to service more people, with stops now available in neighbourhoods like To Kwa Wan, Sham Tseng, Stanley, and more. Click below to find out more about week day pet bus routes, additional weekend buses, monthly tickets, and August-exclusive adventure buses!

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.

‘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.