It is that magical time of the year once again when people glow in the wonderful spirit of unselfish giving and sharing. Yes, blessed Christmas is just around the corner (so to speak) and for sure there would be a lot of eager people booking those precious plane tickets and top of mind hotels in their favorite holiday destinations in Asia, that is, if they still have not done so way in advance.

Travel buffs from all corners of the world, who plan to be in Hong Kong during the holiday season, are in for a big surprise. This is because Hong Kong, also fondly called the Events Capital of Asia, will be celebrating Christmas with a bang. There are endless thrilling activities lined up for everyone who will be in the City of Neon Lights next month.

All these activities are part of what is called the Hong Kong WinterFest! This year’s WinterFest will start on November 28 and will run until January 4, 2009. During this festive period, Hong Kong is assuring all visitors of activities that are overflowing with glitz, glamour, and staggering bargains. Read on to find out more about those alluring activities that will take place in Hong Kong during the WinterFest:

OCEAN PARK CHRISTMAS SENSATION (December 13 to January 4, 2009) – Spending Christmas will not be the same if you decide to spend it at Ocean Park.

Take time to watch the Ice Odyssey, Ocean Park’s ice skating show that is staged at the Tai Shue Wan Plaza. Hold your breath as performers exhibit heart-stopping stunts and aerial acrobatics. If you fell in love with the cast of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa then you’ll be thrilled to know that the lovable characters crash landed once again and ended up at the Cable Car Plaza. You surely shouldn’t miss having your photos taken with them.

Would you like to pay Santa a visit and go to the North Pole? At Ocean Park, you can take a tour of Santa’s bustling workshop and watch Santa at work in his toy factory. Yup, you can meet Santa himself!

At the Tai Shue Wan Plaza, you can also stand in the middle of 200 themed Christmas trees. Take a souvenir photo under the 40-foot Christmas tree!

Ocean Park opens its doors at 9:30 am and closes at 8:00 pm.

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND’S SPARKLING CHRISTMAS (November 28 to January 2, 2009) – You’ve been to Disneyland but if you think that you have already seen everything there is to see in this dreamland then you I suggest that you think again. This is because Hong Kong Disneyland will be offering everyone a sparkling Christmas.

The entire theme park will be transformed into a huge Christmas playground to give everyone a one of a kind Christmas experience.

The park made sure that you can have a feel of your own white Christmas as there would be gentle snow falling when you walk along Main Street U.S.A! Marvel at the nice Christmas Tree that you will find along the way and listen to sweet Christmas carols. Live your own childhood fantasies when you take part in the fairytale world of Princess Aurora’s Royal Christmas Ball. This ball is an entirely new stage show where you get to watch interesting characters dressed in grand costumes. This happens every night and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is surrounded with a breathtaking display of dancing lights as if covered with millions of dazzling diamonds!

Make sure to catch the “Let It Snow” Christmas Parade where Mickey Mouse and the rest of his friends including colorful costumed dancers showcase their dancing prowess where they boogie to upbeat versions of famous Christmas songs while they sashay down Main Street U.S.A. Visit Sleeping Beauty’s lovely castle and find yourself in the presence of royalties – ice sculptures of four Disney Princesses. You can also get the rare chance of watching Santa and his hardworking elves while they busy themselves in Santa’s workshop preparing special gifts for those who have been “nice” during the entire year. That’s not all as you can end your day by watching the fascinating Disney in the Stars fireworks and see the Disneyland castle sparkle with a rainbow of lights.

Park hours during this festive season start at 10:00 am and end at 9:00 pm.

A lot of hotels also take advantage of the holiday season when an increased number of tourists flock to Hong Kong for their celebrations. Here’s a glimpse of what some hotels will offer to their valued clients:

THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL HONG KONG –The Mandarin Hotel Hong Kong is known for its Christmas celebrations brimming with warmth and hospitable first class service. Be prepared to be serenaded with Christmas Carols by the Hong Kong Youth Choir on December 24 from 3:00 pm to 3:30pm. There is another set on December 25 from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Festive hampers, as always, will be prepared for all its clients. These hampers are the perfect way to show appreciation for colleagues and key business contacts.

For more information on the festive hampers and line-up of events, please call +852 2825 or e-mail mohkg-hampershop@mohg.com. Alternatively, you can inquire directly at the Mandarin’s Festive Desk located at the East lobby.

THE PENINSULA HOTEL HONG KONG – Located along Salisbury Road in Kowloon, the Peninsula Hotel will once again offer their delicious cakes like the Raspberry Yule Log Cake, Valrhona Milk Chocolate Cake and the Chestnut Cake. There is something for all chocolate lovers too. Get hold of truffles and pralines that simply melt in your mouth.

THE GRAND HYATT HOTEL HONG KONG - The Grand Hyatt Hotel is located in Wanchai. They have prepared a festive programme for all their clients who wish to spend the holiday season with them. On Christmas day, a special set menu will be served at Club JJ’s from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. At the Grand Café, Tiffin and Grissini, a lunch buffet and dinner buffet will be served with Santa Claus complete with exciting giveaways.

With all these things happening in Hong Kong, the trip would surely be worth every penny. There would be lots of happy memories to re-live even after your holiday vacation. But we also have to remember that the importance of Christmas is not measured by the number of places that you will get to visit, the sumptuous feast that you will savor or the number of suitcases that you will fill with all your shopping finds. Christmas will always be meaningful and worthwhile when you spend it with your entire family and with all the people that matter most.

May you all have a splendid Christmas!

Posted in Events, Hong Kong

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm and is filed under Events, Hong Kong. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.