15 things to do in the Greater Bay Area this December

1. Hong Kong: ship of stars

Two historic Hong Kong icons reunite: The Peninsula is bringing back its Star Ferry Afternoon Tea Voyage . Sip tea and dig into scones aboard the World Star, a revamped Star Ferry with comfortable seating, live music, The Peninsula’s world-renowned service and an unbeatable view of Victoria Harbour. 

Weekends, until 31 March, 2025 

2. Hong Kong: do you wanna build a… 

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort pulls out all the stops for “A Disney Christmas” special. Experience a magical snowy escape for the first time in forever at World of Frozen. Meanwhile, spot characters dressed up in their festive best as the park transforms into a 
winter wonderland. 

Until 1 January

3. Hong Kong: East meets West

Two of the world’s most iconic royal exhibits are brought together at the Hong Kong Palace Museum this winter. The Forbidden City and The Palace of Versailles: China-France Cultural Encounters showcases 150 spectacular treasures that reveal centuries of mutual admiration, from French-crafted chrysanthemum pottery to a Guangdong-made silver jug that graced the court of Louis XIV. 

“We hope visitors from the world can join us in appreciating and exploring the intricacies this exhibition will bring,” says Laurent Salomé, Director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon, France.

18 December – 4 May 2025

4. Hong Kong: deck the malls

As Hong Kong gets into the festive spirit, its shopping centres offer some the best spots to see dazzling Christmas decorations.

Pacific Place

This Admiralty landmark always pulls out the stops for the season, with fairytale forest escapes, luxe designer collaborations and even an appearance from Santa.

IFC

Head to IFC ’s atrium, and you’ll find families sharing the joy of jaw-dropping Christmas installations, which have previously included festive North Pole scenery.

Landmark

This high-end mall always outdoes itself when it comes to Christmas decorations, such as with previous years’ towering snowy mountains and Northern Lights.

Tai Kwun

Lofty Christmas trees take centre-stage at heritage building Tai Kwun , where stunning decorations, light shows, live entertainment and more are all part of the fun.

5. Hong Kong: rare and fair

If you love collecting old books and scoring finds at antique fairs, here’s an event for you. Held at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Firsts Hong Kong brings together international dealers showing a selection of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, prints and works on paper. Firsts, which began in London, has become one of the most popular and prestigious rare book fairs in the world.

6-8 December

6. Hong Kong: Blunt force 

British crooner James Blunt brings his tear-jerking love songs to the city as part of his Who We Used To Be tour. Expect chart-topping tunes including You’re Beautiful, Goodbye My Lover and 1973 as well as newer, dancier tracks such as Some Kind of Beautiful. 

12 December

7. Hong Kong: Fujii rock

Japanese singer Fujii Kaze is coming to town , taking over AsiaWorld-Expo on one of the last dates of his multi-year Asia tour. Renowned for his swagger, piano prowess and fluid vocals, he’s a master of the heart-rending ballad, with hit tunes including Shinunoga E-Wa and Kirari.

4 & 5 December

8. Hong Kong: cup or cone? 

Singaporean dessert maker Ice Cream & Cookie Co. has arrived in Hong Kong, serving its bestselling ice cream sandwiches in classic flavours such as earl grey, pistachio and double chocolate, plus moreish Asian tastes. Mango mochi or pandan coconut onde onde?

18 Gough Street, Sheung Wan 

9. Hong Kong: shaken and stirred

James Bond’s favourite drink is having a moment around the world. Here are some of the best renditions of the martini in Hong Kong.

Argo: Marigold Martini

With marigold-distilled Belvedere vodka , this is a more floral and complex version.

8 Finance Street, Central

Bar Leone: Filthy Martini

Smoked olives and their brine define this drink created at Asia’s best bar .

11-15 Bridges Street, Central, 3196 8882

Bar Butler: Perfect Martini

Its name promises big things, and this smooth, dry iteration absolutely delivers on its promise. 

5/F, Mody House, 30 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724-3828

Quinary: Earl Grey Caviar Martini

Earl Grey caviar pearls, elderflower syrup and cointreau make this drink a best-seller .

56-58 Hollywood Road, Central, 2851 3223

Embla: Hernö Dirty Martini 

Classic olive brine is substituted for green plums, adding a refreshing tartness to this bar ’s drink.

11 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, 9736 0605

10. Guangzhou: rising stars 

Inspired by an ancient Han Dynasty armband unearthed in 1995, award-winning dance drama Five Stars Rising from the East dramatises the history and cultural exchanges of the ancient Silk Road, showcasing love, friendship, life, death and how the routes connected people beyond economic ties. Catch it this month at the Guangzhou Opera House. 

21-22 December

11. Shenzhen: Viennese whirl 

The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra Vienna will take to the Shenzhen Concert Hall stage on Christmas Eve to perform a programme of European polkas and waltzes , including Strauss’s Blue Danube Waltz and Hunting, and Ehrenberg’s Sleigh Ride in St. Petersburg under the baton of South African conductor David Scull.

24 December

12. Shenzhen: lighting it up

Founded in 2012 by conductor Tomomi Nishimoto, the IlluminArt Philharmonic Orchestra consists of award-winning musicians who’ve previously been principal players in orchestras worldwide. This performance at the Shenzhen Concert Hall will include Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64. 

28 December

13. Foshan: it’s all love 

Celebrated French pianist Richard Clayderman brings his Forever Love concert to the Foshan Grand Theatre, showcasing pieces from his vast discography spanning 40 years. As well as his renditions of classical Chinese works, including The Butterfly Lovers, expect scores from classic films like Star Wars, Titanic and Pirates of the Caribbean. 

15 December

14. Zhuhai: sonic globetrotter 

Japanese Brazilian singer and guitarist Lisa Ono returns to the GBA for a night at the Zhuhai Grand Theatre. Known for her languid vocals and the intimate atmosphere of her live performances, as well as her famed cover of Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose, the queen of bossa nova reigns unchallenged. 

22 December 

15. Macao: an evening with Charlie 

Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling singer-songwriter Charlie Puth brings his Something New tour to The Venetian Arena at The Venetian Macao. For one night only, the We Don’t Talk Anymore hitmaker will perform songs from his three studio albums, with add-on VIP experiences including a pre-show Q&A with Puth and access to exclusive commemorative merchandise. 

14 December