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Christmas

Christmas
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Christmas. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
A still from a social media video shows staff strolling across the deck of an Australian cruise liner in all-white jumpsuits and cone-shaped hats evoking the distinctive white robes and masked hoods worn by the racist Ku Klux Klan. Photo: X/LidZen5
Australia

Australian cruise ship operator denies staff dressed in Ku Klux Klan fancy dress

P&O Cruises Australia said the staff, who appeared in all-white jumpsuits and cone-shaped hats, were actually dressed as ‘snow cones’.

Offbeat

Don’t eat your Christmas tree, Belgians warned, after city posts food tips

Singapore

Singapore defends interception of Indonesian fishing boats due to incursions

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s air passenger traffic soars to pre-pandemic levels over Christmas

Secretary for Transport Mable Chan says the number of flight movements on a single day peaked at about 1,150 during Christmas period.

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The city’s transport minister has pledged to increase flight frequency. Photo: Elson Li
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for January 3-5

Stay warm with winter menus, enjoy auspicious afternoon tea, and prepare for King’s Day with Butterfly Patisserie’s Galette des Rois.

Hong Kong economy

Number of Hongkongers leaving city over Christmas holiday rose by 50%

Immigration data shows 905,035 local residents left Hong Kong on Christmas Day and Boxing Day of this year, compared with 599,083 last year.

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What to do in Hong Kong

AIA Carnival super fans, including one who moved house to fit all her prizes

Running from December 20, 2024 to February 16, 2025, the much-loved event featuring rides, games, even a circus attracts dedicated visitors.

People play booth games at the AIA Carnival, at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, on December 22, 2024. Photo: Elson Li
Pope Francis

Pope opens Holy Door for Catholic Jubilee at Rome prison: ‘do not lose hope’

The opening of the Holy Door at the prison was the first since the start of the Jubilee year tradition in 1300.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong records net outflow of 592,740 trips over 6-day Christmas period

But catering sector reports an 8 per cent boost in business on Christmas Day compared with last year.

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Donald Trump

Trump takes aim at Canada, China, ‘left lunatics’ in Christmas wishes

The Republican’s messages were in stark contrast to US President Joe Biden’s post emphasising ‘kindness and compassion’.

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US president-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters
King Charles III

UK’s cancer-hit King Charles hails doctors in Christmas speech

The monarch and daughter-in-law Kate Middleton were diagnosed with cancer just weeks apart, removing two senior royals from frontline duties.

Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, on Wednesday. Photo: AP
War and conflict

Pope urges ‘all people of all nations’ to silence arms in Christmas address

He called for an end to conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in the region.

English Premier League

English Premier League: Liverpool host Foxes, Arsenal prep for life minus Saka

After returning to rampant form against Spurs last weekend, the league leaders will hope to finally capitalise on their position this season.

English Premier League

Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot spends Christmas Eve helping homeless at charity

Portuguese international defender turned up unannounced with his partner at the homeless charity, surprising visitors with clothing and food.

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Diogo Dalot with his donations to Lifeshare’s Christmas Project in the Manchester city centre. Photo: Facebook/Fabrizio Romano
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong restaurants and bars enjoy business bump over Christmas

Businesses in Lan Kwai Fong roll out festive offerings as they observe some spending patterns are shifting towards ‘affordable deals’.

Businesses in Lan Kwai Fong have rolled out festive products to attract customers. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Old Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s darkest December brought a season without peace or goodwill

Hong Kong’s array of wartime memorials means the city will never forget those lost in the traumatic aftermath of December 1941 and the surrender on Christmas Day.

Pope Francis

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world

The pontiff opened the Catholic Holy Year, which happens only every 25 years and is expected to bring 32 million tourists to Rome.

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Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong logs 1 million arrivals, but half are residents heading home for Christmas

Arrival number is 300,000 more than last year, but about 50 per cent are residents returning to city.

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The Winter Harbourfront Pyrotechnics that began at 8pm on Tuesday. Photo: Sun Yeung
Food and Drinks

For the love of cod, why bacalhau is Portugal’s classic Christmas fish

In cod they trust – for centuries Portuguese have eaten the preserved fish, and it is traditionally served during the holiday season.

Hong Kong economy

Christmas on the mainland? Hongkongers opt for festive fun across the border

Holidaymakers say Shenzhen’s open spaces and budget-friendly options drew them to city’s attractions.

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Fashion

Are second-hand gifts the new trend? UK charity shops do a brisk trade

This Christmas, a time of year often criticised for promoting consumerism, more Britons than ever before are buying ‘preloved’ gifts.

A customer browses second-hand items inside an Oxfam charity shop in London. This Christmas, more people than ever are buying “preloved” gifts from charity shops and online second-hand retailers. Photo: AFP
Climate change

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Global warming is making it less likely

An analysis of winter temperatures showing fewer freezing days spells bad news for fans of snow at Christmas. Europe is warming the quickest.

Melted snowmen may become an increasingly common sight in the northern hemisphere, particulary Europe, as climate change caused by burning fossil fuels leads to warmer winters with fewer days at or below freezing. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong restaurants expect Christmas boom thanks to Shenzhen visa change

A 10 per cent year-on-year bump in business is expected over the holiday as many restaurants are fully booked.

King Charles III

Chocolate maker Cadbury loses royal warrant under King Charles

Campaign group B4Ukraine had urged king to remove companies ‘still operating in Russia’, singling out Cadbury’s owner Mondelez International.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong cardinal urges empathy over revenge in Christmas message

City’s top Catholic priest Stephen Chow says renewed hope needed despite Hong Kong’s sluggish economy and rise in mental health cases.

Cardinal Stephen Chow has acknowledged the challenges facing Hong Kong and the world, including the sluggish economy and increasingly tense geopolitics. Photo: Handout
Food and Drinks

Your perfect week: what to do in Hong Kong, December 23-28

Indulge in Michelin-starred Christmas fare at Petrus, drink classic cocktails at Darkside, enjoy the harbourside AIA Carnival, and check out MGM Macau’s new show.

Darkside’s new cocktail menu features classic recipes from the 1920s and 1930s. Photo: DarkSide
Food and Drinks

Drink in Focus: Festive Manhattan at DarkSide

This classic cocktail gets a thoroughly festive makeover for the holidays, complete with a side of panettone.

Hong Kong tourism

‘Christmas vibe’ lures tourists to Hong Kong but more residents heading off

13 million passenger trips will be recorded at Hong Kong checkpoints over the Christmas and New Year period, the Immigration Department estimates.

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