Things to Do in Kowloon in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Kowloon
Long-run averages for December
68°F (20°C)
High Temp
57°F (14°C)
Low Temp
0.7 inches (18 mm)
Rainfall
66%
Humidity
6
Sunny-Day UV
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December brings Kowloon's clearest skies. The crisp, dry air makes neon signs along Nathan Road explode against the night. You can pick out details on distant Hong Kong Island from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Visibility peaks this month.
- + Humidity vanishes. Comfortable coolness replaces it. Walking Mong Kok's chaotic market lanes becomes pleasure, not punishment. Catch the pungent brine of dried seafood on Tung Choi Street. Hear mahjong tiles clatter from upstairs windows. No sweat.
- + Eat now. Street vendors sell chestnuts roasted over charcoal braziers. Sweet, smoky scent curls into evening air. Dai pai dongs serve claypot rice with crackling, caramelized edges. This is winter comfort food.
- + Crowds thin. Summer tourists have gone. Holiday crush hasn't arrived. You get moments alone on the Avenue of Stars. Listen to harbor water lap gently. No jostling. No tour groups.
Considerations
- − Days stay pleasant. Evenings turn cold near the water. Victoria Harbour's breeze refreshes at 3 PM. By 8 PM, it cuts through thin shirts. Unprepared tourists shiver. Pack layers.
- − Shoulder season means variability. Trade monsoon certainty for unpredictability. Some days hit perfect: sunny, 68°F (20°C). Others turn overcast with damp, penetrating cold. Sham Shui Po's shadowy alleys chill bones.
- − December brings maintenance closures. Parts of the Star Ferry pier might be wrapped. Sections of the Hong Kong Museum of History could be shuttered. Check operational hours. Verify your must-see spots.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Victoria Harbour Night Cruise Tours
Cool, clear evenings suit this well. Summer haze disappears. The Symphony of Lights laser show from Tsim Sha Tsui promenade finally has something to reflect against. Central's glittering skyscrapers appear sharp across dark water. The chill makes open decks bracing, not bothersome. Bring that jacket. These tours run year-round. December viewing conditions are arguably best.
Booking Tip: Boats are plentiful. Same-day booking usually works. Seek smaller vessels or open-top decks for unobstructed views. The booking widget below shows current evening departure options.
Kowloon Walled City Park & Heritage Walks
Dry, mild weather suits outdoor exploration. Spend hours tracing Kowloon's layered history. The former Kowloon Walled City site is now a serene classical Chinese garden. Plum blossoms may appear in late December. Their scent mixes with trickling water features. Guided walks through Kowloon City and Sung Wong Toi connect this park to aviation history and wartime relics. No summer exhaustion.
Booking Tip: Find historical walking tours focused on Kowloon's heritage. Knowledgeable locals often lead these. Book days ahead, not weeks. Check the booking section for guides covering 'Hong Kong history' or 'Kowloon exploration'.
Temple Street Night Market Evening Tours
The market wakes as temperatures drop. Sizzling wok heat feels welcoming now, not oppressive. Crowds carry local, post-work energy. Hear fortune tellers' raspy calls. Listen to ceramic ware clack. Catch stir-fried clams with black bean sauce sizzling. Guided food tours in December sample seasonal street eats. Try warming congee. Taste curry fish balls. Learn market lore under bare bulbs that give the place its timeless, cinematic glow.
Booking Tip: Night market food tours abound. December reliably delivers good weather for this outdoor activity. Find tours with tastings at old-school outdoor stalls. That means authentic.
Lion Rock Hiking Tours
Hike Lion Rock now. The trail stays dry and firm. Air clarity delivers postcard views. Tackle the 495 m (1,624 ft) ascent without battling crippling humidity. Your reward: a wind-swept vista of the entire urban peninsula. See Mong Kok's chaotic grid. Spot cruise ships at Kai Tak. Cooler temperatures let you linger on the summit. No rush.
Booking Tip: Book Lion Rock hikes with insured, knowledgeable guides. Locals love weekend hiking. Reserve weekday tours a few days ahead. See the widget for current guided hike options.
Mong Kok & Sham Shui Po Market Exploration Tours
This is immersive Kowloon. Cool weather makes it endurable. Guided exploration navigates sensory overload efficiently. Hear the goldfish market's metallic clang. Feel vintage denim in Sham Shui Po fabric stalls. Smell sweet, doughy wife cakes from century-old bakeries. These dense districts pulse with Kowloon's energy. In December, you absorb it fully. You won't melt.
Booking Tip: Find small-group tours specializing in 'local markets' or 'street culture'. Guides provide context you'd miss alone. Advance booking rarely required. Check the widget for available guides.
Where to Stay in Kowloon in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
聖誕節
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
聖誕節翌日
Known in English as Boxing Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
聖誕節
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
聖誕節翌日
Known in English as Boxing Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
聖誕節
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
聖誕節翌日
Known in English as Boxing Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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View Kowloon Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals head to the claypot rice shops in Temple Street or Yau Ma Tei on cool nights. Go late. Around 9 PM, the rice at the bottom of the pot has had time to develop the best, crunchiest *guo ba* (crispy rice crust).
For the best holiday lights without the Central crowds, walk the promenade from Tsim Sha Tsui to East Tsim Sha Tsui. The buildings on the Hong Kong side put on the main show, and you get the full panorama with more space.
December is a great month to visit the older, family-run cha chaan tengs (tea restaurants). They start serving seasonal specials like hot ginger milk curd and steamed egg pudding, which are warming, comforting desserts.
If a day turns grey and damp, skip the outdoor markets and dive into the Kowloon branch of the Hong Kong Museum of History. Its permanent exhibition is fantastic, air-conditioned, and tells the chaotic story of the place you're walking through.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't underestimate the evening cold. Showing up for a harbour cruise or night market in just a t-shirt and shorts will leave you miserable.
Avoid only sticking to Tsim Sha Tsui. The real texture of Kowloon is in the inland neighbourhoods like Mong Kok, Jordan, and Sham Shui Po, which are well walkable in December.
Don't assume all attractions have the same hours year-round. Some museums or smaller heritage sites might have reduced winter hours or maintenance closures, so a quick online check the day before is smart.
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