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Hong Kong - Things to Do in Hong Kong in December

Things to Do in Hong Kong in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Hong Kong

20°C (68°F) High Temp
16°C (61°F) Low Temp
0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Peak comfort weather - December brings Hong Kong's most pleasant temperatures at 16-20°C (61-68°F), perfect for hiking the Dragon's Back trail or exploring street markets without the oppressive summer heat. You'll actually want to be outside all day.
  • Minimal rainfall despite 10 rainy days listed - Hong Kong's December typically sees almost no measurable precipitation, and those rainy days tend to be brief morning mist rather than actual downpours. The 0.0 inches average tells the real story.
  • Festival season overlaps perfectly - you'll catch the tail end of Winterfest light displays in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, plus Christmas markets at various shopping districts. The city feels genuinely festive without being overwhelmingly commercial.
  • Clear visibility for Victoria Peak and outlying islands - the cooler, drier air means you'll actually see Lantau Island from Central on most days, and sunset photos from Victoria Peak won't be ruined by summer haze. This matters more than guidebooks admit.

Considerations

  • Accommodation prices spike 40-60% during Christmas week - hotels that run HK$800 in November jump to HK$1,400+ from December 20-27. If your dates are flexible, arrive before December 18 or after December 28 to avoid the markup.
  • Popular hiking trails get crowded on weekends - the perfect weather brings out every local hiker, and trails like Lion Rock and Lantau Peak can feel like rush hour between 9am-2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekday mornings are dramatically quieter.
  • Outdoor humidity still sits at 70% - while temperatures are comfortable, that persistent moisture means cotton clothing takes forever to dry and your camera lens will fog when moving between air-conditioned spaces and outdoors. It's not summer-level oppressive, but it's noticeable.

Investigate Other Months

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Best Activities in December

Victoria Peak hiking and viewpoint visits

December's clear skies make this the absolute best month for Victoria Peak. The reduced humidity means visibility extends 20-30 km (12-19 miles) on most days - you'll actually see the full harbor, Kowloon mountains, and outlying islands instead of summer's gray haze. Morning temperatures around 16°C (61°F) make the uphill hike from Central comfortable rather than brutal. Skip the Peak Tram crowds and walk up Old Peak Road or Hatton Road for 45-60 minutes. Arrive by 4pm for optimal sunset lighting around 5:45pm.

Booking Tip: The Peak Tram requires advance booking during December, typically HK$88-120 for round-trip fast track tickets. Book 3-5 days ahead through official channels. Alternatively, take bus 15 from Central Exchange Square for HK$9.80 - it takes 40 minutes but saves money and avoids tram queues. For guided nature walks incorporating Peak trails, expect to pay HK$400-600 per person for 3-4 hour tours. Check current hiking tour options in the booking section below.

Outlying island day trips to Lamma and Cheung Chau

December weather transforms Hong Kong's islands from sweaty endurance tests into genuinely pleasant escapes. The 20°C (68°F) highs and lower humidity make the 30-40 minute ferry rides comfortable, and you'll want to walk the coastal paths that are miserable in July. Lamma Island's 5 km (3.1 mile) Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan trail offers seafood village stops without the crowds you'd find in October. Cheung Chau's temples and beaches see mostly locals in December. The UV index of 8 still requires sun protection, but you won't be hiding in shade constantly.

Booking Tip: Regular ferries from Central Pier 4 to Lamma and Pier 5 to Cheung Chau run HK$20-40 round-trip on weekdays, no advance booking needed. Weekends get busier - consider the 8am or 9am departures to avoid 11am crowds. Guided island tours including lunch typically run HK$600-900 per person for 5-6 hours. See current island tour options in the booking section below.

Temple Street Night Market and Kowloon street food tours

December evenings at 16-18°C (61-64°F) make outdoor market browsing actually enjoyable - you're not dripping sweat while negotiating for knock-off watches or eating claypot rice at the dai pai dong stalls. Temple Street comes alive after 7pm with fortune tellers, opera singers, and food vendors. The cooler weather means locals linger longer, creating better atmosphere than summer's quick-grab-and-leave vibe. Jordan and Yau Ma Tei areas surrounding the market offer authentic Cantonese restaurants where December's weather makes waiting in line tolerable.

Booking Tip: Temple Street itself is free to wander, but guided food tours covering multiple neighborhoods typically cost HK$500-800 for 3-4 hours including 6-8 food stops. Book these 5-7 days ahead during December as groups fill up. Going solo works fine - arrive around 7:30pm when stalls are fully set up but before 9pm peak crowds. Budget HK$150-250 for a full meal at street stalls. Check current Kowloon food tour options in the booking section below.

Dragon's Back and Hong Kong Trail hiking

This 8.5 km (5.3 mile) section of Hong Kong Trail becomes genuinely world-class in December when you can actually complete it without heat exhaustion. Starting from Shek O Road, the ridge walk offers 360-degree views of the South China Sea, Shek O Beach, and Stanley Peninsula. December's clear conditions mean you'll see everything the trail promises instead of hiking through humid fog. The exposed ridge that's punishing in summer becomes perfectly breezy. Allow 3-4 hours including photo stops. The trail ends at Big Wave Bay, where December water temps around 22°C (72°F) make a quick swim refreshing rather than necessary survival.

Booking Tip: Dragon's Back is free and accessible via bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR to Shek O Road, then walk 20 minutes to the trailhead. Total transport cost HK$15-20. Guided hiking tours including transport and lunch run HK$700-1,000 per person. December weekends see heavy traffic between 10am-2pm, so start by 8:30am or go on weekdays. No advance booking needed for independent hiking. See current hiking tour options in the booking section below.

Tai O fishing village and Lantau Island exploration

Lantau Island's western Tai O village showcases traditional stilt houses and dried seafood markets that are far more pleasant to explore in December's mild weather. The 90-minute bus ride from Tung Chung becomes scenic rather than sweaty, and walking Tai O's narrow lanes at 18-20°C (64-68°F) lets you actually appreciate the preserved architecture. December also offers clearer views of the Tian Tan Buddha and Ngong Ping plateau. The 3.5 km (2.2 mile) Wisdom Path trail near the Big Buddha is comfortable rather than brutal. Local boat tours through Tai O's waterways cost HK$20-30 for 20 minutes.

Booking Tip: Bus 11 from Tung Chung MTR to Tai O costs HK$15-20 one-way and runs every 20-30 minutes. Full-day Lantau tours including Tai O, Big Buddha, and Ngong Ping 360 cable car typically cost HK$800-1,200 per person with lunch. Book these 7-10 days ahead in December. The cable car alone is HK$235 round-trip and should be booked online 2-3 days ahead to avoid 60+ minute queues. Check current Lantau tour options in the booking section below.

Central and Sheung Wan neighborhood walking tours

December weather makes Hong Kong's steep Mid-Levels escalator district and SoHo area walkable without arriving drenched. The 800 m (2,625 ft) Central-Mid-Levels escalator system connects street art lanes, antique shops on Hollywood Road, and Man Mo Temple without the oppressive heat that makes this miserable June through September. Sheung Wan's traditional medicine shops and dried seafood stores are easier to appreciate when you're not desperately seeking air conditioning. The Possession Street area where the British first landed offers historical context that's more enjoyable in comfortable temperatures.

Booking Tip: Self-guided walking is free and ideal - start at Central MTR and work your way up the escalators, allowing 3-4 hours for the full loop back down through SoHo. Guided heritage walks typically cost HK$400-600 for 2-3 hours and provide historical context worth the investment. Book these 3-5 days ahead. Avoid weekday lunch hours when locals crowd the escalators. Check current Central walking tour options in the booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

Late November through early January

WinterFest Hong Kong

Central's Statue Square and surrounding areas transform into a European-style Christmas market with light installations, outdoor bars, and live music stages. The event typically runs from late November through early January, making December the peak period. Evening temperatures around 16°C (61°F) make outdoor wandering comfortable - locals actually show up in light sweaters and scarves, which is as close to winter as Hong Kong gets. The installations extend to Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for synchronized light shows.

Mid December

Hong Kong Cyclothon

This city-wide cycling event typically happens in mid-December, closing major roads including sections of the harbor tunnel for recreational cyclists. Even if you're not participating, it's worth seeing thousands of locals on bikes taking over highways that are normally traffic nightmares. The post-race festival in Central offers food stalls and live music. December weather makes this event actually viable - summer heat would be dangerous for the 50 km (31 mile) route.

Early December through December 26

Christmas markets at various shopping districts

Times Square in Causeway Bay, Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, and various shopping centers set up German-style Christmas markets throughout December. These lean heavily commercial but offer mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and European holiday foods that Hong Kong residents genuinely enjoy. The outdoor setups work because December evenings are cool enough to stand outside with hot drinks. Markets typically run from early December through December 26.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light layers including a thin sweater or hoodie - mornings start at 16°C (61°F) and you'll want long sleeves until 10am, but by afternoon you're back to t-shirt weather. Locals break out their winter wardrobes in December, but you don't need actual cold-weather gear.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours - that UV index of 8 is deceptively strong despite the comfortable temperatures. The winter sun angle hits exposed skin on hiking trails more directly than you'd expect.
Breathable cotton or linen clothing, not polyester - the 70% humidity means synthetic fabrics will feel clammy even at 20°C (68°F). Your clothes won't dry overnight in hotel rooms either, so pack extras.
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - Hong Kong's hills and stairs are relentless, and December rain makes marble steps dangerously slick. Those 10 rainy days tend to be brief morning drizzle, but surfaces stay wet for hours.
Light rain jacket or packable umbrella - despite the 0.0 inches average, those 10 rainy days mean occasional mist or brief showers. A compact umbrella fits in your day bag and doubles as sun protection.
Day pack for hiking and island trips - you'll be carrying water, sunscreen, and layers as temperatures shift throughout the day. A 20-25 liter pack handles the 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mile) trail essentials without being excessive.
Portable phone charger - you'll be using maps, translation apps, and taking photos constantly. Hong Kong's excellent public WiFi drains batteries faster than you expect, especially in December's comfortable weather when you're outside all day.
Lightweight long pants for temple visits - major temples like Wong Tai Sin and Man Mo Temple appreciate covered legs and shoulders. December weather makes long pants tolerable, unlike summer when you're desperate for shorts.
Reusable water bottle - Hong Kong's water fountains and 7-Eleven stores make refills easy, and December hiking requires 2-3 liters (68-102 oz) for a full day despite the moderate temperatures.
Small towel or bandana - the humidity means you'll want to wipe down after climbing stairs or hiking, even in December's milder conditions. Hotel towels are too bulky to carry around.

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations before mid-November for December travel - prices jump 40-60% after Thanksgiving as both Western tourists and mainland Chinese visitors flood in for Christmas and New Year. Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay that run HK$800 in November hit HK$1,400+ from December 20-27.
Weekday hiking beats weekend crowds by a factor of five - Dragon's Back, Lion Rock, and Lantau Peak trails that feel like rush hour on Saturday mornings are nearly empty Tuesday through Thursday. Locals work long hours and save outdoor activities for weekends, so you'll have trails mostly to yourself midweek.
Octopus card works for everything and saves 10-15% on transport - load HK$500 on arrival at the airport and use it for MTR, buses, ferries, 7-Eleven, and most restaurants. You'll spend roughly HK$50-80 daily on transport if you're moving around actively. Return it at the airport for your remaining balance back.
The Star Ferry at HK$3.70 offers better harbor views than the HK$235 Peak Tram - tourists obsess over the tram while locals take the 10-minute ferry between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui multiple times weekly. December's clear weather makes this crossing genuinely scenic, and you'll see the same skyline for 2% of the cost.
December seafood is peak season for local oysters and mantis shrimp - Lei Yue Mun fishing village near Yau Tong MTR offers the freshest catch at prices 30-40% below tourist-trap restaurants in Central. Pick your seafood from tanks and have restaurants cook it for HK$50-100 cooking fee plus market price. December's cooler water produces sweeter oysters.
Air conditioning in malls and MTR stations runs full blast year-round - the 15-20°C (59-68°F) temperature difference between outdoor December weather and indoor spaces will shock you. Locals wear cardigans indoors and peel them off outside. Carry a light layer for restaurants and shopping centers or you'll freeze.
Typhoon shelter cuisine peaks in December - the protected bays where fishing boats anchor during storms give their name to a cooking style featuring crab, prawns, and clams in spicy black bean sauce. December weather brings boats back to these shelters more frequently, meaning fresher catches. Try typhoon shelter crab at any Cantonese seafood restaurant for HK$200-350 per crab.
Hong Kong's trail running community is most active in December - if you're a runner, join the free Hash House Harriers Monday evening runs or weekend trail groups that welcome visitors. December temperatures make the 8-12 km (5-7.5 mile) routes sustainable, and you'll meet locals who actually live here. Check Facebook groups for current meeting points.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming December is cool enough to skip sun protection - that UV index of 8 combined with reflected light off buildings and water means you'll burn in 20-30 minutes without SPF 50+. The comfortable temperatures trick tourists into staying outside longer without reapplying sunscreen, resulting in painful burns on hiking trails.
Booking Christmas week without realizing hotel prices double - tourists see December weather data and book randomly, not realizing December 20-27 costs 50-80% more than December 1-15. If you're flexible, arrive before December 18 or after December 28 to get normal rates. A week's difference saves HK$3,000-5,000 on accommodations.
Wearing heavy winter clothes because it says December - Hong Kong residents post Instagram photos in scarves and light jackets, making tourists pack actual winter gear. You'll roast in anything heavier than a thin hoodie. The 16-20°C (61-68°F) range is t-shirt weather with optional long sleeves, not sweater weather.
Taking taxis when MTR and buses are faster and cheaper - Hong Kong's traffic is brutal, and that taxi from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui that costs HK$80-100 takes 25 minutes in December traffic. The MTR costs HK$11 and takes 8 minutes. Taxis make sense late at night or to remote hiking trailheads, but not for point-to-point urban travel.
Skipping weekday hiking because you think weekends are fine - December weekend trails feel like Disneyland queues with hundreds of hikers on popular routes. The exact same trail on Wednesday morning offers solitude and better photos without people in every frame. This isn't a minor difference - it's the gap between enjoying nature and waiting in line to take summit photos.

Explore Activities in Hong Kong

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November

Travel guide for November

January

Travel guide for January

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Hong Kong

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