China (Hong Kong SAR), Asia

Hong Kong in December

Excellent weather and festive lights. Christmas to New Year is busy and pricier; early December is the sweet spot.

BestCool and dry, highs near 70F (21C)

Victoria Harbour Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong SAR) — Hong KongPhoto: Wilfredor, CC0

The straight answer

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Hong Kong. Excellent weather and festive lights. Christmas to New Year is busy and pricier; early December is the sweet spot.

Weather: Cool and dry, highs near 70F (21C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What December is like in Hong Kong

December brings cool, dry, sunny weather, with highs near 70F (21C) and comfortable evenings. The city puts up festive lights along the harbor and in the malls. Early December is the sweet spot, with great weather and lighter crowds. From Christmas to New Year, the city gets busy and prices climb, especially for harbor-view hotels on New Year's Eve.

It suits families, couples, hikers and anyone who likes festive city breaks in mild weather. Go early in the month for value, or book well ahead for the holidays. If December does not work, November is the single best month, and January is similar and often cheaper.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Hong Kong this month.

Festive lights along the harbor

Buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour glow with holiday lights. Ride the Star Ferry at dusk for the best view.

Cool-weather hiking

The trails are dry and comfortable, and a ridge walk followed by a beach lunch at Big Wave Bay is a perfect day.

Disneyland at Christmas

The park adds holiday decorations and shows. Weekdays in early December are the calmest.

What to pack for December

A light jacket or sweater for evenings
Comfortable walking shoes
Hiking gear for the trails
Sunglasses for bright, clear days

Our timing tip

Plan your trip for the first half of December, before the Christmas to New Year rush pushes prices up.

Book Hong Kong for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Hong Kong
Opens a hotel search for Hong Kong in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Hong Kong
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Hong Kong
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Hong Kong for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Hong Kong

Full guide

Victoria Peak

Go up on a clear, dry day (so October to December) and time it for late afternoon so you see the city in daylight and then lit up. The tram line gets long by late morning.

Tickets and tours →

Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour

The Tsim Sha Tsui to Central crossing takes under ten minutes and is the cheapest great view in Asia. Ride it at dusk.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tian Tan Buddha via Ngong Ping 360

The cable car over Lantau is spectacular in clear weather and pointless in fog. Weekday mornings avoid the queues.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

M+ museum

Asia's big museum of visual culture on the West Kowloon waterfront. A perfect rainy-day or typhoon-season fallback.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Dragon's Back and the country parks

The classic ridge hike ends at Big Wave Bay beach. Best from October to March; in summer start at dawn and carry more water than you think.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Happy Valley races

Wednesday night racing under the lights with the skyscrapers towering over the track. The season runs roughly September to mid July.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Avoid the mainland Golden Week holidays (roughly May 1 to 5 and October 1 to 7): Tsim Sha Tsui, the Peak, and Disneyland are at their most crowded.
Take the Peak up on a weekday right after opening, or walk up the Old Peak Road, and skip the tram queue entirely.
Do the big hikes on weekdays. Weekend trailheads on the Dragon's Back and Lion Rock have lines for the bus and the photo spots.
Dim sum halls are calmest right when they open (often 7am to 9am) and slammed at weekend lunch. Go early and eat like a local.

Know before you go

Chinese New Year: the first two to three days close many independent restaurants, market stalls, and small shops. Malls, hotels, and major attractions mostly stay open.
Typhoon Signal 8 or higher and Black Rainstorm warnings close offices and many attractions, suspend ferries and most buses, and cancel the Ngong Ping cable car. The underground MTR usually keeps running.
Ngong Ping 360 runs periodic maintenance closures and suspends in high wind; check before you trek out to Lantau.
Happy Valley and Sha Tin racing pause in the summer off-season, roughly mid July to early September.

Hong Kong in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Hong Kong?

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Hong Kong. Excellent weather and festive lights. Christmas to New Year is busy and pricier; early December is the sweet spot.

What is the weather like in Hong Kong in December?

Cool and dry, highs near 70F (21C).

Is Hong Kong crowded in December?

Hong Kong is busy in December, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.