Things to Do in Kowloon in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Kowloon
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
68°F (20°C)
High Temp
57°F (14°C)
Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December is the driest month of the year in Kowloon, with clear skies and crisp, blue-sky days that feel like a reprieve from the usual subtropical haze. The air finally remembers how to behave. You can breathe.
- + The humidity drops from its oppressive summer levels, making long walks along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade or up the steep staircases of the Kowloon Walled City Park comfortable. No more shirts stuck to backs. Just stride.
- + The Christmas and New Year decorations that go up across the city are spectacular, turning Nathan Road into a canyon of neon Santas and the harbourfront into a glittering spectacle. But the crowds are still manageable before the late-December holiday crush hits. Snap early. Beat the rush.
- + You can finally sit outside at the dai pai dongs (open-air food stalls) without sweating through your shirt - the evening air is cool enough to enjoy your steaming claypot rice or beef brisket noodles. Steam meets cool. Perfect balance.
Considerations
- − While the rain stops, the humidity doesn't completely vanish, and that 70% can still make a sweater feel damp and clingy after a few hours outdoors, in the sun. Keep layers light. Expect sticky cuffs.
- − This is the start of peak tourist season for Hong Kong, so while Kowloon in early December is fine, the last two weeks see hotel rates jump and the sidewalks of Mong Kok become a slow-moving river of people. Book early. Brace elbows.
- − The water in Victoria Harbour turns a chilly grey-green, which means the well-known Star Ferry ride is more for the view than the breeze - you won't be lingering on the open deck for long. Inside seats win. Bring a scarf.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Victoria Harbour Night Cruise Tours
December's cool, clear evenings are made for this. The 'Symphony of Lights' laser show from the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island is visible every night, but it's the crisp air and lack of summer haze that makes the colours pop against the inky black sky. The contrast between the chilly breeze on the water and the warm glow of the city is the seasonal magic. Book through licensed operators (see current options in the booking section below) for an evening departure. Lights shimmer sharper. Worth it.
Booking Tip: Look for operators that use the traditional red-sail junk boats for a more atmospheric ride than the glass-walled tourist ferries. Booking a day or two ahead is usually sufficient, except for Christmas and New Year's Eve, when spots sell out weeks in advance. Red sails rule. Plan ahead.
Kowloon Foodie Walking Tours
This is the best eating weather in Kowloon. You can spend hours ducking into the steamy, fragrant alleys of Temple Street Night Market or the dai pai dongs of Jordan without feeling overwhelmed by heat. The scent of roasting chestnuts and egg waffles fills the air, and the queues for legendary spots like Australia Dairy Company for their silky scrambled eggs are marginally shorter. A guided tour helps you navigate the sheer density of options, from claypot rice to snake soup (a winter tonic). Eat now. Winter waits.
Booking Tip: Seek out tours that focus on specific neighbourhoods like Yau Ma Tei or Sham Shui Po, where the food is more local than tourist-focused. Most tours run in the late afternoon into evening, which is good for December's early sunsets. Check the booking widget for current guides and routes. Local beats glossy. Follow your nose.
Lion's Rock Hiking Excursions
December offers the clearest, most breathable days of the year to tackle Kowloon's most well-known hike. The 495-meter (1,624-foot) climb to Lion's Rock's summit is strenuous, but you're rewarded with panoramic views over the entire Kowloon peninsula and Hong Kong Island that are often obscured by humidity in other months. The morning air is cool and sharp, and you can see the layers of mountains fading into the distance. It's the one time of year the hike feels less like a sweat-fest and more like a proper adventure. Views stretch forever. Breathe deep.
Booking Tip: Guided hikes are a good idea for first-timers as the trailhead can be tricky to find. Morning tours are best to avoid the midday sun. Ensure your operator provides water and emphasizes the need for proper shoes - the granite path is uneven and can be slick. Options are listed in the booking section. Shoes matter. Guides help.
Historic Temple and Monastery Visits
The subdued, golden light of a December afternoon is good for exploring Kowloon's spiritual sites. The complex of the Wong Tai Sin Temple, with its clouds of sandalwood incense smoke hanging in the still air, feels more serene. At the Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill, the silence of the Tang Dynasty-style wooden architecture isn't broken by the sound of monsoon rain on the roof, letting you hear the faint trickle from the lotus ponds. The cool weather makes wandering the grounds a pleasure, not an endurance test. Light glows softer. Peace lingers.
Booking Tip: These are self-guided activities. But combo tours with nearby cultural sites like the Nan Lian Garden are common. No advance booking is needed for the temples themselves. But check seasonal opening hours. For context-rich visits, look for cultural walking tours in the booking widget. Wander freely. Tours add stories.
West Kowloon Cultural District Explorations
Hong Kong's large new arts hub on the reclaimed harbourfront is made for December wandering. You can comfortably stroll the vast, open lawns of the Art Park, visit the stark, angular M+ museum, or explore the bamboo groves of the Xiqu Centre without the punishing summer sun. The district often hosts outdoor winter festivals and markets this time of year, with the harbour breeze keeping things fresh. It's a different, more modern side of Kowloon that's best experienced on foot. Breeze keeps cool. Art feels sharper.
Booking Tip: M+ museum tickets should be booked online in advance, for popular exhibitions. For general exploration, just show up. The area is massive, so wearing comfortable walking shoes is non-negotiable. Look for combined M+ and district tours in the booking section for deeper insight. Shoes first. Culture second.
Where to Stay in Kowloon in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late November through Early January
WinterFest
This isn't a single event but a city-wide mood. The entire Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the Avenue of Stars and the Space Museum forecourt, gets draped in lights and installations. The giant Christmas tree and 'Symphony of Lights' show have extra holiday-themed music. It's cheesy, photogenic, and surprisingly festive - best experienced with a hot cup of sweetened ginger tea from a stall, the steam mingling with the cool night air. Steam rises. Lights twinkle. Smile.
Nightly, with extended shows in December
Hong Kong Pulse Light Show
The nightly light show turns full holiday mode in December. Cross to Kowloon. Plant yourself on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade rail. Skyline blazes back at you. Laser streaks skate across black harbour water. The crowd gasps when Bank of China ignites. That chorus is half the fun.
Packing Checklist
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View Kowloon Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
For killer Christmas light shots, climb the footbridge by Salisbury Road YMCA. Elevated, crowd-free, perfect angle down Nathan Road's light tunnel.
Eat like locals. December means claypot rice. Hunt the crispy bottom. Snake soup shops, She Wong Lam in Sham Shui Po, boom now. Winter tonic tradition.
Early sunset is a photographer's gift. Around 5:30 pm neon flares while sky keeps cobalt. Blue hour without a late night.
Cold snap? Skip tourist-trap sweaters. Hit Don Don Donki or Giordano for cheap, warm layers.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't pack only summer gear. That 68°F (20°C) high is a tease. Night drops fast. Harbour wind bites.
Dry season still drizzles. Foldable umbrella beats bulky coat. Misty days happen.
Rooftop bars demand a jacket. Wind at altitude is ruthless. Dress for autumn, not clubbing.
Book Experiences in Kowloon
Top-rated things to do in Kowloon this December
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