Hong Kong’s best Christmas displays

Pacific Place

The glitzy Admiralty-located mall can be relied on to pull out all the stops for the festive season and this year looks to be no different. A huge tree forms the focal point of the A Fairytale Christmas-themed event. 

The large arber, Snowfall Hollow, stands amongst a fairy-inhabited Christmas forest, with glowing mushrooms, giant luminous flowers and twinkling lights.

The dramatic decorations are complemented by an hourly ‘fairy’ light show as well as enchanted forest-themed workshops, including making a snowdrop lamp, a fairy wreath or a mushroom terrarium.

Pacific Place is also one of the city’s most renowned homes to Santa; book in advance online to meet the big man in person in Santa’s Grove and have your picture taken. 

The decorations and events will run from November 17 to January 2, 2024. Online registration for Santa’s Grove and the workshops opens at 11am on November 17, go to  https://christmas.pacificplace.com.hk. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and proceeds will be donated to Hong Kong charity, Operation Santa Claus. 

Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty.

ifc

The Central Waterfront shopping mall is channelling a traditional white Christmas this year with its SnowPark display.

Ever ahead of the game when it comes to tech, the mall is employing AI technology and simulation activities to entertain visitors. Picture taking and tagging opportunities abound. And not forgetting the commercial element to Christmas, the installation also includes a ski gear pop-up from winter sportswear specialist, Moncler. 

The theme behind the SnowPark display is to bring a quintessential European ski resort to Hong Kong. The installation includes an eight-and-a-half metre Christmas tree, cable car and winter activities. 

The main display is located at the mall’s Oval Atrium and visitors are invited to head to the kiosk to create a digital Explorer Pass with an AI-generated photo. This allows access to the SnowPark and they will be able to board a cable car-style ski lift to enter the Christmas tree. Inside the tree can be found the ‘Snowiverse’, featuring dancing snowflakes and ice crystals created using projection mapping. By touching the wall, visitors can enjoy a snowfall effect. 

Inside the tree there’s also a Nordic ‘Take a Break’ cosy cabin with a roaring fireplace and more Christmas tree decorations. 

Along with the Christmas tree experience, attractions inside the park include sledging, ice fishing and a ski simulator experience. 

The SnowPark opens on November 22 and runs until January 1, 2024. The Explorer Pass costs HK$100, with proceeds going to UNICEF HK. 

ifc, Oval Atrium, Podium Level 1, 8 Finance Street, Central.

Landmark

Landmark has unveiled Mount Santa Paws. The display is based on the tale of a mouse called Emma and Santa Paws and their journey to catch the Wishing Star. Along the way, they meet a variety of festive friends.

Mount Santa Paws has been envisaged as a gigantic polar bear-shaped snowy mountain. The friends have gathered at the mountain with Emma and Santa Paws to capture the Wishing Star which grants special Christmas wishes.

Visitors can expect ten festive installations including a ski lift soaring towards the mountain peak and a multi-coloured Northern Lights Aurora. Photo spots include Snow Turn and Tumble, Fuzzy Foxes Snow Spa and the Alpine Adventure Ski Lift. 

There’s also a five metre Snowy Sled Slide and a Timmy’s Ski Adventure immersive ski experience. Tickets are also available to take a look inside the Santa Paws Ski Chalet where Emma, Santa Paws and their friends have gathered to make their Christmas wish.

Festivities run from November 19 to January 1, 2024. Proceeds from installation ticketing, festive merchandise and Christmas charity booths will be donated to designated charity partners, including Changing Young Lives Foundation, Mindset, We R Family Foundation and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Head online LANDMARK website to reserve time-slots for Christmas installation activities.

Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central.

Discovery Bay 

Discovery Bay is laying on a Christmas Wonderland this year with a month-long festive celebration.

Highlights at the Lantau town include Italian-themed decorations, snow and light displays, Christmas and charity markets, ice skating performances and staycation packages.

DB North Clock Tower has been transformed into a 13m replica of Milan cathedral, surrounded by three-metre tall illuminating angels. And there’ll also be a six-metre Christmas tree with a gondola-shaped tree base with plenty of glittering lights and light projections. Two open-air Christmas markets take place on Sunday December 10 and Sunday December 17 as well as a charity market from from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day. 

Students and coaches from DB Ice Skating School will perform Joyous Christmas on Ice on December 16 and 17 and Auberge Discovery Bay is offering a Christmas staycation package (details online). 

The Christmas Wonderland runs from November 24 for one-month during which the North Plaza will be lit up every night.

DB North Plaza, 92 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay North Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau.

K11 Musea

The glamorous shopping mall will be hosting an event-packed Christmas season that takes its theme from London’s glittering Crystal Palace and the Great Exhibition of 1851. 

A Christmas Village Pop-up is hosted on the sixth floor of the mall on certain days throughout December, with 25 booths featuring more than 40 brands. Goodies on sale include food and drink, jewellery and homewares. The festive decorations and sparkling views over Victoria harbour are sure to put shoppers in a festive mood.

And be wowed by a 15m Dior Christmas tree and fairy carousel on the K11 Promenade. The display, which aims to channel the magic of Les Tuileries Royal Garden in Paris, is complemented by a Dior Christmas all-day high tea. The tea has been curated by Dior and is served with a cocktail at what is the first ever Cafe Dior in Hong Kong. 

And littlies can take advantage of the Legoland Discovery Centre which will be transformed into a Christmas town for the holiday period, with Lego snowman photo spot, Christmas Lego Creative Workshop, a Christmas Mystery Treasure Hunt and K11 treats. 

K11 Musea Christmas Village Pop-up takes place at 6F, K11 Musea, 12pm to 9pm on December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 & 22-31 and on January 1, 2024; and from 3pm to 9pm on December 8 and 15.

The Dior Carousel of Christmas Dreams and Christmas tree will be at Promenade, G/F, K11 Musea, 10am to 10pm, November 25 to January 1, 2024.

Cafe Dior will be ‘popping up’ for high tea from November 25 to December 10, 10am to 10pm, Artisan Lounge, G/F, K11 Musea (advance booking is required).

K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Times Square

Lumi the Christmas elf has transformed the popular Causeway Bay mall into a Christmas Elfventure including a six-metre Christmas tree.

Lumi has been inspired by the Finnish Christmas elves who prepare the presents in Santa’s workshop and is created by Japanese artist Kohei Ogawa.

A variety of interactive installations have been placed in the open-air atrium at Times Square and visitors must first enter the Elfventure photo booth to download a customised ‘e-work pass’ QR code which can be used to trigger the various displays in the ‘workshop’ into action. 

At 3, 6 and 9pm Lumi and the elves ring Christmas bells to cheer on the other working elves. 

Inside the mall Santa can be found alongside a further photo booth where visitors can create their own festive WhatsApp stickers. Santa meet-and-greet is available on December 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 25 between 4 and 6pm at 2/F Atrium.

On December 19 between 5.30 and 6.30pm students from St Stephen’s Girls’ College will host a carolling event accompanied by violin students from Kalvin Chau School of Music. 

The Christmas display runs until January 1, 2024 from midday to 10pm.

Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay.