All you need to know about visiting Santa and getting your festive season photo fix.
It’s finally time to visit the fat man and place those Christmas orders! Santa photo options in Hong Kong are limited, but what we lack in Santas we make up for in beautiful festive displays that offer endless Insta-moments for 2018 Christmas albums. Here’s a round up of this year’s photo opps.
1. Harbour City
If you need to get in the seasonal spirit or you’re looking for beautiful Christmas photos, get yourself down to Harbour City’s forecourt and wander along the Christmas Treasures display. A highlight is walking through the world’s largest video kaleidoscope. At 16 meters long, 4.5 meters high and 4.5 meters wide, the triangle mirror kaleidoscope is the largest one in the world, and it delivers some beautiful Christmas visuals. You’ll need to make a HK$50 donation to enter.
Where: Ocean Terminal Forecourt, Harbour City, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
When: Noon to 9pm, until 1 January
Web: harbourcity.com.hk
2. Pacific Place
Pacific Place is a go-to for Santa photos for many Hong Kong families. Visit Santa’s study this year for a glimpse into his magic mind and all his wonderful Christmas ideas. Santa is ready to take orders and special photos from 1 December. New mums be warned, you’ll need to buy a ticket and make a date with Santa to see him. The ticketing counter at Pacific Place opened on 26 November. All proceeds, like past years, will be donated to Operation Santa Claus. Pacific Place is also running Santa’s Little Helper Treasure Hunts on Saturdays and Sundays in the lead up to Christmas.
Where: Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
When: 11am to 8pm, until 25 December (for Santa photos)
Web: pacificplace.com.hk
3. IFC
IFC is pledging to help us all find our inner Santa this silly season with Santa Academy. Have you always wondered how Santa does it all during the holiday season? Santa Academy offers six interactive checkpoints to help you get to know the fat man a little better. From learning Santa’s signature “Ho-ho-ho” belly laugh to postcard writing and learning how to dress in his iconic red and white, you’ll hone your Santa skills and receive a personalised certificate and “graduate” into a Santa!
*Note: Santa is very busy and not personally at the academy to take Christmas orders
Where: IFC Mall, the Oval Atrium, Central
When: 10.30am to 10pm daily, until 1 January
Web: ifc.com.hk
4. 1881 Heritage
1881 Heritage always puts on a beautiful Christmas display. This year, head over to TST and feel like royalty while you explore “A Christmas Coronation”. You can even sit on a throne and be crowned for a day in your own coronation ceremony. Christmas dreams really do come true! The Grand Piazza at 1881 Heritage will be transformed into a majestic 13-metre tall Christmas Kingdom until 1 January, with Winter Enchanting Music Performances some nights at 6pm.
Where: 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
When: 10am to 10pm, until 1 January
Web: 1881heritage.com
5. Elements
This Christmas, Elements has partnered with Saint-Louis, a prestigious French crystal manufacturer, to present “A Crystal Tale”. This extravagant Christmas installation features a six-metre-tall crystal chandelier Christmas tree made from over 20,000 crystal pieces. The crystal tree throws out a beautiful kaleidoscope of crystal reflections!
Where: 1/F Metal Zone, Elements mall, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui
When: 10am to 10pm, until 31 December
Web: elementscrystaltale.com/en/index.html
6. Cityplaza
Oh Deer! Cityplaza has been overrun by a herd of Santa’s deer! Watch their silly antics at the Oh Deer! Happiness Factory as they make magic with light and sound. Stroll down to the Centre Bridge and give them a helping hand (or hoof) on the interactive screen. Write your Deerest friend a postcard, and send it by Deerlivery. All this and more awaits you… explore it all, and be Deerlighted!
Where: 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing
When: 11am to 10pm, until 1 January
Web: cityplaza.com/en/events/oh-deer-xmas-2018.aspx
7. Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival
The centrepiece of Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival is undoubtedly the massive Christmas Tree at Statue Square, with lights to rival the skyline. There’s also a winter edition of the Symphony of Lights that starts at 8pm every night, with pyrotechnic effects on certain nights in December (see the link below for dates).
Where: See the tree at North Statue Square, Central (adjacent to Mandarin Oriental) and view the light show from lots of vantage points around the city.
When: 8pm to 11pm, until 1 January
Web: discoverhongkong.com
8. Gold Coast Plaza
This one is for all the homesick Brits! If you love Paddington, then head down to Gold Coast Piazza this Christmas. The courtyard of the Piazza has been transformed into a London-themed Christmas street. Paddington has even organised for a classic double decker and a red postbox. There’s also a floral swing chair for the romantics.
Where: Gold Coast Piazza, 1 Castle Peak Road (Castle Peak Bay), So Kwun Wat
When: 12pm to 10pm, until 1 January
9. Hong Kong Disneyland
If you’re missing the snow, head out to Hong Kong Disneyland for a magical snow experience this Christmas. The park boasts an 18-metre Christmas tree, beautiful decorations and snowfall at the close of the Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball performance. Mickey, Minnie and all their pals will be in the Christmas spirit, and they’ve even invited nine local community choirs to share the stage with them and put on a special Community Choir Sing Along. Don’t forget, there’s also the Disney hotels if you’re looking for a special Christmas staycation.
Where: Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island
When: 10.30am to 8pm, until 1 January
10. Ocean Park
If you’re trying to put a uniquely Hong Kong spin on your Christmas, head out to Ocean Park for Ocean Park Christmas Sensation. This year features the Park’s first-ever special collaboration with Hong Kong’s cartoon character McDull. Ocean Park is a ‘Made in Hong Kong’ brand too, so this is a great experience if you’re new to the city or 2018 is your last Christmas in the 852. The Park’s 40-foot tall Christmas tree is a great stop for loved-up couples looking for a cute, festive Insta post.
Where: Ocean Park, Hong Kong Island
When: Until 1 January
Web: oceanpark.com.hk/en/park-experience/christmas-sensation-2018?ref=hp-main
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