White Christmas Fair brings early cheer to Hong Kong in support of Operation Santa Claus
Themed ‘CampUnity’, this year’s fair was designed and run by 10 university students from the Swire Properties Placemaking Academy
More than 40,000 Christmas lights, mouth-watering snacks and an open-air cinema welcomed guests at an annual festive street fair, set up to raise funds for those in need.
Now in its 12th year, Swire Properties’ White Christmas Street Fair spanned Tong Chong Street, Taikoo Square and Taikoo Park. It even included Quarryside for the first time in history.
The five-day long fair, which took place from December 4 to 8, was held to raise money for Operation Santa Claus (OSC), an annual fundraising initiative held by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
Themed “CampUnity”, this year’s fair was designed and run by 10 university students from the Swire Properties Placemaking Academy after a six-month apprenticeship.
It transformed Taikoo Place into an outdoor camping site, with festive performances and more than 40 booths selling snacks and Christmas products.
Since its inception, the event has raised more than HK$9 million (US$1.1 million) for OSC.
In an interview with the Post, Tim Blackburn, chief executive of Swire Properties, underlined the importance of the fair’s partnership with OSC.
“Through our partnership with Operation Santa Claus, we have been able to support many beneficiaries across Hong Kong in various ways,” he said.
