When the temperature drops to the 20s in Hong Kong, the boots, scarves, and gloves come out almost instantaneously. If you hail from anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, you might scratch your head in confusion. But when the locals bundle up

, it’s a good sign that Winter and the holidays are looming just around the corner.

If you’re yearning for a little taste of the cold, there are some ways to remedy that instead of waiting for the chill in February to come around.

Go to one of the indoor ice skating rinks for a blast cool air. Glacier, located at Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong, offers an unlimited skating time for $50 during their afternoon to evening session from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

For a more unique experience, Sky Rink at Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po has a large rink that simulates snow falls. There is an unlimited skating fee of $40 for morning sessions and $45 for afternoon sessions, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Lastly, there is Ice Palace at Cityplaza in Tai Koo, which holds morning and afternoon sessions for $45 and weekend sessions for $50.

But don’t let the lack of cold weather and snow define your winter experience in Hong Kong. Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Chinese New Year ignite the street markets, skyscrapers, and everything in between with a slew of parades, festivals, and special performances. Here’s a week by week list of holiday events for the season:

WEEK 1

Hong Kong Disneyland’s Sparkling Christmas

Date: 28 Nov 2008 - 2 Jan 2009

Time: 10am - 8pm

Price: Adults (starting at $295)

Kids (starting at $210)

Seniors (starting at $170)

Website: www.hongkongdisneyland.com

As expected from Disney, the theme park goes all out in generating holiday spirit with the lighting of the castle, the icicled store fronts on Main Street, and their parade procession complete with falling snow.

St. John’s Cathedral Lunchtime Recitals in Central

Date: 3 Dec 2008 - 31 Dec 2008, Wednesdays

Time: 1:15pm - 1:45pm

Price: Free

Website: http://www.stjohnscathedral.org.hk/recitals.html

Take 30 minutes out of your lunch hour to see some of Hong Kong’s best local performers for free. Add to the mix a beautiful mid-nineteenth century cathedral for a truly lovely experience. Note that there is also a charity shop that sells and accepts used goods, in addition to a bookstore that features seasonal gifts.

Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong

You may know about the ten-storey tall Christmas tree in Central, but did you also know that the largest indoor Christmas tree in Hong Kong was here? And that all of its decorations and lights are completely solar powered?

WEEK 2

Ocean Park Christmas Sensation

Date: 13 Dec 2008 - 4 Jan 2009

Time: 9:30am - 8pm

Price: Adults $208 Kids $103 Seniors Free (with HK ID)

Website: www.oceanpark.com.hk

Rivaling the spectacle of Disneyland is Ocean Park’s own event, which features a Christmas Tree “forest,” a performance on ice, the animals of Madagascar 2, and an acrobatic troupe.

Ichor International Hong Kong Cricket Festival at Mission Road Cricket Ground

Date: 5 Dec 2008 - 7 Dec 2008

Price: Free

Time: All day

Website: http://www.hkcricketfestival.com/tournament.htm

Tom Lee Music Carnival at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (Piazza Area C)

Date: 14 December 2008

Time: 2pm - 6pm

Price: Free

Website: http://www.tomleemusic.com/TLM/standardpage/event/event_details.asp?event_id=321&lang=en

If Christmas displays at the malls are getting to you, feel the beat of a drum circle and enjoy a performance from a live band on your Sunday afternoon instead.

Kassia Christmas Carol at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre

Date: 15-16, Dec 2008

Time: 8pm

Price: Available from URBTIX at $220 ($180 at concession)

Website: http://www.katterwall.com/

The Kassia Women’s Choir and Kassia Men’s Chorus will perform their rendition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” putting their own spin on it with both classic Christmas favorites and contemporary tunes.

WEEK 3

The Nutcracker Ballet at Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Date: 19-21, 23-27 Dec 2008

Time: 7:30pm, 19-21 & 23-27 Dec 2008
2:30pm, 20-21, 25-26 Dec 2008

Price: $140 - $1000

Website: www.hkballet.com

The quintessential ballet dance performed by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the Hong Kong ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score.

Chrysanthemum Show “2008″ at Yuen Yuen Institue

Date: 18 December 2008 - 4 January 2009

Time: 9am - 6pm

Price: Free

Website:

If you’re getting tired of all the unrealistic snow and yuletide logs, head back for a taste of Asia with the Chrysanthemum Show, where chrysanthemums from around China are featured inside this replica of the Temple of Heaven.

Thursday Happy Hour Performance by Viva Voce at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Date: 18 Dec 2008

Time: 6pm - 7pm

Price: Free

Website: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/HKCC/en/free/free_thu.html

Catch a free performance of Christmas choral songs by Viva Voce, the alumni of the Hong Kong Children’s Choir.

Chandni Chowk To Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui

Date: 25 Dec 2008

Time: 7:30pm

Price: $280 - $4800

Website: http://www.hkticketing.com/eng/

Shake up your Christmas this year by celebrating it with rappers, singers, and actors…Bollywood stars come to Hong Kong for a night of exciting performances.

WEEK 4

New Year’s Eve Countdown Carnival at Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza and Podium

Date: 31 Dec 2008

Time: 8:30pm - 12:30am

Price: Free

Website: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Entertainment/EntertainmentOffice/eng/festivalevent7.html

Join thousands of people in ushering in the new year in Sha Tin Town Hall. A large variety of artists, performers and other activities will keep you entertained. If you want to ring in 2009 as loud and boisterous as possible, this is the place to be.

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