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Christmas

Christmas
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Christmas. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A Qing dynasty military commander is being reinterpreted as “China’s Santa Claus” due to his white beard and red hat, appealing to younger generations. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
Trending in China

Explainer | China Santa Claus: how Qing dynasty military figure ‘cutified’ into ‘Father Christmas’

Oboi has become a new pop culture icon in China, with related videos exceeding 1 billion views on Douyin.

Israel-Gaza war

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices in Bethlehem as peace returns to Gaza

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Malaysia

Malaysia allows halal hotels, eateries to deck halls with boughs of holly

Food and Drinks

Christmas spirits: 10 Hong Kong bars shaking up festive cocktails

From a Chinese-style eggnog to creative takes on mulled wine, check out these Hong Kong bars and their innovative cocktail menus.

The ‘Ho Ho Ho Mulled Wine’ is crafted with Ratafia Rossi, red wine, honey, and a signature blend of seasonal spices.
Wellness

Read this before lighting those scented candles for Christmas

Candles, fireplaces, and incense and oil burners can add ambience and soothing scents – but they’re best enjoyed in moderation, experts say.

Your Perfect Week

The best things to do in Hong Kong, December 20-26

A free Dr Sun Yat-sen exhibition, a harbourfront winter carnival, works by Zao Wou-Ki at M+ and a new Kai Tak art dome.

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Wellness

How to avoid gaining weight this Christmas while still enjoying great food

Diet experts weigh in on healthy festive eating to avoid weight gain, from foods with nutritional ‘superpowers’ to alternatives to sugar.

Experts suggest plant-forward dishes, lighter desserts and savouring meals for a healthier way to enjoy the festive period. Photo: Shutterstock
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, December 19-21

Head to a Christmas market, buy restaurant dinnerware to help Tai Po Fire victims, watch Two Seasons, Two Strangers and more this weekend.

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IPO

Holiday rush: Hong Kong IPO market sparkles with busiest December in years

From biotech to AI, December’s listings – including at least 15 down the stretch – crown the city’s revival in equity fundraising.

Food and Drinks

A Christmas table built from grapes, radicchio and a single red chilli

Food stylist Gloria Chung presents a masterclass in creating a deliciously quirky tablescape.

An “East-meets-West” festive tablescape by Gloria Chung. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Food and Drinks

Your 2025 guide to the best Christmas cocktails in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s bars are upping the ante with their festive cocktails, from exciting takes on mulled wine and eggnog, to gin ‘prescriptions’ and a cheesy pisco sour.

Hot Wine at The Aubrey, Hong Kong, one of the many seasonal drinks on offer in the city this year. Photo: Handout

Video | Filipino family lights up Christmas with bubble ‘snow’

A visual artist’s holiday display in Manila has been a festive attraction for children and families since 2020.

Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for December 19-21

Enjoy a festive menu from Bacha Coffee in Harbour City, pastries and hot chocolate courtesy of a Driscoll’s x Cupping Room collab, or a cured meats buffet at Hopewell Centre.

Food and Drinks

3 Hong Kong bars serving festive cocktails with a twist for Christmas

From Bar Q88’s Jingle Bird to DarkSide’s The New Century and Rajasthan Rifles’ spiked masala chai, here are the hottest tipples to spice up your holidays.

Inspired winter cocktails from some of Hong Kong’s top bars. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Tiny oven, big traditions: one chef’s Christmas recipe book

Cary Docherty of Island Shangri-La’s Lobster Bar and Grill on the festive dishes he loves – and how to pull them off in a small kitchen.

Lobster Bar and Grill’s Cary Docherty. Photo: courtesy Island Shangri-La
Wellness

How to avoid financial stress this holiday season? Experts share tips

From budgeting to giving experiences, a therapist, finance app boss and retail guru share how to enjoy the holidays without racking up debt.

Video | Japan’s official Santa meets children ahead of Christmas

Paradise Yamamoto, Asia’s first officially recognised Santa Claus, appeared at a public Christmas event in Kanagawa prefecture for the first time since the pandemic.

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Video | Cities across Asia light up for Christmas

Festive installations in Tokyo, Taipei, Shanghai and Manila draw visitors for the holidays.

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Hong Kong society

Wine snobs and Wi-fi cards: it’s tough being a Christmas dinner party guest

In Hong Kong, dinner party etiquette is less about following rules and more about guessing which version of the rules your host subscribes to.

Where to eat in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s best Christmas feasts, from traditional to more adventurous fare

Choices range from the Island Shangri-La and Four Seasons, to Feather & Bone, Little Bao and Tai Kwun’s Magistracy Dining Room.

Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: festive tables, Cantopop and Christmas lights

As the holidays arrive, we reflect on food, memory, music – and the Hong Kong rituals that still anchor the season.

A festive tablescape by food stylist Gloria Chung features on the cover of this week’s PostMag print edition. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Trip Inspiration

What the festive season looks like across Asia’s most vibrant cities

Christmas markets, fireworks and giant lanterns are all in store if you’re seeing in the season elsewhere in Asia.

New Taipei City Christmasland, Taiwan’s largest Christmas celebration, runs until December 28 this year in Banqiao district. Photo: Shutterstock
Britain

‘Make Christmas Great Again’: hundreds join far-right Robinson’s London rally

UK bishops express grave concern over the use of Christian symbols to ‘justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric’.

Your Perfect Week

Your cheat sheet for what to do in Hong Kong from December 13-19

Discover how Labubu creator Kasing Lung’s Monsters came to be, and hunt for interesting gifts at China Hong Kong City’s Christmas market.

On Our Radar

What to do in Hong Kong this Christmas, from feasts to circus acts

Our guide to some of the events lighting up the city this holiday season – plus the best takeaway menus for Christmas dinner at home.

The Ting Koo-ki Mad Skills Battle, part of the “Circus Plays” event, returns to Tai Kwun in Hong Kong this month. Photo: Visual Voices
Food and Drinks

Must-try Christmas and New Year’s meals in Hong Kong to check out

Restaurants across the city are dishing up festive fare, from fine dining and buffets to brunches. Here is a taste of what is on offer.

Until December 31, The Astor at the Eaton HK hotel transforms into a Christmas market, with its buffet taking centre stage. Photo: The Astor
Operation Santa Claus

Spirit of giving shines at Christmas fair as Hong Kong heals after fire tragedy

White Christmas Street Fair is held by Swire Properties to raise funds for Operation Santa Claus, the annual fundraising initiative organised by the Post and RTHK.

Hong Kong

How a washing machine inspired Hong Kong’s most magical Christmas lights

One of the city’s most prolific festive light designers recalls his career spent illuminating the Hong Kong skyline.

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