11 of Hong Kong’s best Christmas fairs and winter festivals to stock up on gifts
In case you missed it (though we’re sure you haven’t), we’re only 32 sleeps away from Christmas morning. You’ve probably already got your Christmas decorations up, your seasonal cards are in the post, and you’ve sorted all your presents for your friends and family. But just in case you haven’t – er, and not that we at Young Post are in the same situation at all – here are 11 amazing fairs, markets and bazaars where you can find ALL these things (and more).
German Swiss International School
November 26, 10am-4pm
Kick off the festive season in style this Saturday at the annual GSIS Christmas bazaar. This family-friendly event will be packed with things like a Games Alley, stalls to browse, a book fair and much more. Don’t miss out on the traditional German and Swiss food, or the baked Christmas goods that’ll be served.
Entrance is free, and frequent shuttle buses will be provided to and from Central (a schedule can be found on the school’s website).
Find it: German Swiss International School, 11 Guildford Road, The Peak
Shoppinghongkong
December 1-2, 12pm-7pm
Shoppinghongkong well and truly understand how hard it can be sometimes to find that perfect present for your loved ones. That won’t be an issue here, though! With high-quality gifts from fancy jewellery to fine foods, this is your one stop shop for all your seasonal goodies this Christmas.
Entrance is free.
Find it: Anita Chan Lai Gallery, G/F, The Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central
American International School
December 2, 3.30pm-8pm
The American International School’s annual winter fair returns with game booths, student performances, and more than ever before at their international food stall. They’ll also be holding a lucky draw where you could win something special!
Entrance is free, but food, game and raffle tickets can be purchased at the fair.
Find it: American International School, 125 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong
Bradbury School
December 2, 5.30pm-8.30pm
With local vendors, arts and craft stalls, food stands, games, music and prizes to be won throughout the evening, there’s no reason to miss out on any of the fun of this winter night market. Don’t forget to attend the silent auction.
Entrance is HK$30 per person, of HK$100 for the entire family – and you’ll get a Bradbury School shopping bag to pop all your purchases in too. There’s no parking available, so either hop on the regular shuttle bus from Central and The Cricket Club or take a taxi.
Find it: Bradbury School, 43c Stubbs Road
Quarry Bay School
December 2, 6pm-8.30pm
This Christmas winter fair will have amazing international food stalls run by the parents of students, selling some seriously swoon-worthy specialities from their countries. Look out for the lucky draw during the night, with some amazing prizes up for grabs.
Entrance is HK$10
Find it: Quarry Bay School, 6 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, North Point
HKUST
December 3, 9am-2.30pm
Students here hold a garage sale twice a year, but that doesn’t mean you should be skipping out on their biggest and best sale yet. It will have almost 200 tables with both new and secondhand goods. Have too much stuff already? Well it’s the season of giving, so bring your unwanted items – in good condition – to the designated donation area to pass them on to various charities.
Entrance is free
Find it: LG3 car park at HKUST, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon
French International School
December 3, 10am-5pm
With more than 35 different stalls stocked full of the things you could need for gift-giving, house decorating, or simply a treat for yourself. There’s also a fun-filled kids’ wonderland and all the festive refreshments that you could ask for. Bring your kid brother or sister along with you and watch their faces light up when Santa drops by for a visit.
Entrance is free
Find it: French International School, 34 Price Road, Jardine’s Lookout Campus, Happy Valley
Italian Women’s Association
December 3, 10am-5pm
Last year the Italian Women’s Association made more than HK$1 million for charity, and the association expect to be able to match that this year at their 33rd annual Il Mercatino – which means “the market” in Italian. For an entire day, the beach will be transformed into a bustling Italian fair.
Entrance is HK$20. There’s no parking so hop on a bus or take a taxi – and remember to bring your own tote bag.
Find it: Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital, 12 Sandy Bay Road, Pokfulam
Discovery College
Saturday December 3, 12pm-5pm
The school’s biggest event of the year is back for more winter thrills, with more delicious food stalls, a tonne of fun new games, and activities for people of all ages (who doesn’t love a bouncy castle?), live music and entertainment – and much more.
Entrance is free
Find it: Discovery College, 38 Siena Avenue Discovery Bay, Discovery Bay
Island School
December 3, 3pm-10pm
The school is throwing open their doors for an arts extravaganza to celebrate 50 years of Island School. The event – dubbed the Island 5-0 – will feature entertainment from local artists including Asyndeton, Red Stripes and Jamie Maddock, a student musical, dance performances, gymnastics and much more. Oh, and an international food hall. Tasty.
Entrance is HK$20 and there’s no parking – but there’s a shuttle bus to and from City Hall (check the school’s website for schedule).
Find it: Island School, 20 Borett Road, Mid-levels
King George V School
December 9, 5pm-8pm
The fair is being held in conjunction with Kowloon Junior School and Jockey Club Sarah Roe School, and will boast delicious food from their famous international food stalls and warming drinks for young and old alike. Even the most Scrooge-like people in your family will be bursting into Christmas song at the 6pm student concert.
Entrance is free
Find it: King George V School, 2 Tin Kwong Road, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon
Hullett House, 1881 Heritage
December 2-4, various times
1881 Heritage never do anything by halves, and this Christmas Market (their fifth so far) is no different. With hand-made accessories, gourmet food and beverages, fancy fashions to pick up and dazzling decorations to snap up, Christmas shopping in TST has never been this good!
Entrance is free
Find it: 50 Pigeons Courtyard, Hullett House, 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Edited by Sam Gusway