It’s a holly, jolly Christmas!

We may not have experienced much winter weather yet this season but take one step outside in Hong Kong and there’s no doubt it’s the run up to Christmas. Festive lights are in abundance and decorations are popping up everywhere. Hong Kong sure has a lot of gusto when the holiday season approaches and the magnitude of light displays is certainly something to behold. Very few things in life come for free and yet you can easily make a day of taking your children to visit the numerous displays across the 852 and it won’t cost you a penny. And what a magical day it would be.

Read more: Where to Visit Santa this Christmas

Taking on a whimsical approach to its display this year, Landmark has done it again with a breath-taking Christmas feature in the main atrium. This year Landmark is encouraging children to focus on a better world in its theme of ‘Unlock Your Imagination’. The display comes alive every half hour and on the hour with vignettes of children dreaming up ways to make the world a better place. There’s a pet clinic where a magic potion makes pets better with one sip, a magical fruit garden where the seeds can feed the whole world and much more to spark your little one’s imagination. 

To add to the magic, a voice-throwing ventriloquist will be telling stories every day until Tuesday, 26 December with performances at 12:40pm, 1:40pm, 2:40pm, 3:40pm, 4:40pm, 5:40pm and 6:15pm.

Landmark Atrium, 15 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong, www.landmark.hk

Head over to Tsim Sha Tsui on the Star Ferry and take in the sparkling display of Christmas lights adorning the buildings on the Harbour Front. We recommend going around “golden hour” at 5pm to take in the sunset!

Alight at Avenue of the Stars and head to Harbour City to take in this year’s displays. There you’ll see a giant Santa airship featuring more than 2,000 LED lights. Your kids will love hopping on board to meet the Santa captains. The Ocean Terminal Forecourt has also been transformed with an array of spaceships and hot air balloons showcasing the theme of ‘Christmas in the Air’.

Harbour City, 3-37 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. www.harbourcity.com.hk

This year Fashion Walk in Causeway Bay presents, ‘Tune into Christmas’ featuring the World’s Longest Outdoor Big Piano (it’s over 7 feet long!) and a 4-metre tall interactive Christmas tree installation. Dance along the piano or create your own Christmas tunes beneath the tree to ensure a show stopping musical Christmas treat. There are also a range of designer inspired Christmas trees lining the street – each with quirky decorations.

Fashion Walk, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, fashionwalk.com.hk

Pacific Place will see over 60 performances take place on its dramatic Garden Court stage with several world class companies. You’re going to want to get there early with the littles for a great spot in front of the stage, or on the floor above to watch it all! The lineup includes the Hong Kong Ballet performing excerpts from The Nutcracker and the Hong Kong Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The full schedule can be found here.

There are also Pop-Up stores just for the festive season including The Theatre Candy Bar operated by Sweet World. You can also join unique workshops to make personalised gifts that will make Christmas morning extra special. Free admission and register here

Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, www.pacificplace.com.hk

1881 Heritage has transformed its Grand Piazza into a beautiful antique toy shop complete with an elegant vintage rocking horse to bring all of your childhood Christmas fantasies to life.With a giant Ferris Wheel and opportunity to ride on the different rocking horses, there is plenty to see and do at this installation! You can also take a festive picture in different costumes with the rocking horses. There are also music performances happening from 6pm-7pm on the following dates: 10, 17, 24-26, 31 December and 1 January.

1881 Heritage Mall, 2A Canton Road, TST, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.1881heritage.com

Come and be Santa’s captain aboard his rocket or control your own spaceship through this space-inspired carnival. Santa Claus isn’t just Santa at IFC this year; he’s an astronaut in this beautiful display. Christmas trees have also been morphed into rockets. We’re loving this display for all our aspiring mini astronauts! There will also be a magician performing at the Oval Atrium on Podium Level 1 from now until 26 December at 12:45pm – 1:15pm and 6:30pm – 7:00pm (no performance on Monday, 18 December).

 IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central Hong Kong, ifc.com.hk

Head over to West Kowloon, as Elements Mall is transformed into a scene from The Snowman and The Snowdog, to celebrate 30 years of the British animation! Fly across the sky with Billy and then head to the annual snowman party with snowmen from around the world. In addition, you can join Family Storytelling Time to learn more about the heartwarming tales of love and friendship in the classic stories The Snowman and Snowdog.

Storytelling Dates: Saturday, 9 December, 4:00pm – 4:45pm in Cantonese, Saturday, 16 December, 4:00pm – 4:45pm in English

Register from 3:00pm on the event day. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.

Elements, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.elementshk.com

Christmas lights are a plenty on the Giant Tree at City Plaza as the Elves have transformed the mall into a magical wonderland. Head into the Elves’ cottage and then take a journey down the Christmas slide. Christmas patterns lights up as you slide making this a fantastic interactive experience for you and the kids.

A 46-foot-tall Christmas tree is also on display, decorated with chic versions of everybody’s favourite festive delights. During December the Elves will perform every weekend at 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm and 6:30pm on the following dates: 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24 December.

City Plaza 18 Tai Koo Shing Rd, Quarry Bay, www.cityplaza.com

This Christmas, Lee Gardens presents a truly special Christmas celebration that unites art, creativity, and the spirit of giving. Hundreds of personalised Christmas baubles have been hung at both Hysan Place and Lee Theatre in preparation for the Love Baubles event. There will also be a handicraft fair all through into the New Year to ensure affordable gift options. You can also take your picture at the fair and have it projected onto one of the columns!

Lee Gardens: Shop 303, 3/F, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, www.leegardens.com.hk

Along with the Christmas decorations that are adorning the mall, Festival Walk will see a “Joyeux” Christmas Parade tour amongst the shops on these dates: 9-10,16-17, and 23-26 December at 7:30pm.

An array of musicians and dancers will dazzle with French costumes and wonderful performances. On these dates there will also be a French accordion performance at 3:00pm and 5:00m. Most exciting of all, step into the French-themed cottage to visit Santa. You can find the full details for Santa here.

Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.festivalwalk.com.hk