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Spend your Christmas in Asia This Year

Christmas in Asia: Hong Kong Winterfest

Asia often gets overlooked as a Christmas destination. And while not every country counts it as an official holiday, there’s definitely a lot of holiday cheer to go around. KKday rounds up 4 Asian Christmas Festivals and Traditions worth checking out this year!

Hong Kong Winterfest

Christmas in Asia: Hong Kong Winterfest
Christmas in Asia: Hong Kong Winterfest (Flickr/Roderick Eime)

As soon as winter rolls in, Hong Kong becomes a glamorously festive. Hong Kong is in a holiday for a whole month long, which means one thing: Christmas shopping! Be on the lookout for all the great deals. After a long day of shopping for everyone, unwind by taking a stroll through the iconic Statue Square Christmas Tree, or take your significant other to see the Hong Kong Pulse Light Show.

  • Dates: December 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018

 

Japan: Tokyo Disneyland

Christmas in Asia: Tokyo Disneyland
Christmas in Asia: Tokyo Disneyland (Flickr/othree)

Japan is always a great country to visit if you’ve got your family in tow, with its cultural sites, shopping districts, and kid attractions. And at Tokyo Disnyeland and DisneySea, they pull all the stops to bring you a Christmas that kids and kids at heart will never forget. Visit the happiest place on earth and see the famous Christmas parade, see your favorite characters dress up for the holiday stage shows, and take ride on your favorite attractions that have put on their own festive hats. Cap the day with some seasonal delights at the park stores and restaurants, and watch the holiday fireworks show with the whole family. 

 

Korea: Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival

Christmas in Asia: Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm
Christmas in Asia: Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm (Flickr/Travel Oriented)

The Garden of Morning Calm is a beautiful place to visit year-round, but becomes especially festive once the Christmas season kicks in. Catch Korea’s biggest and most extravagant light festival and see 30,000 colorful lights adorn the trees, the paths, and gardens. In the middle of the blistering winter cold, the lighting festival is sure to warm you up and have ready for the holidays.

 

The Philippines: Simbang Gabi

Christmas in Asia: The Churches of Bohol
Christmas in Asia: The Churches of Bohol

The Philippines will proudly claim to have the longest Christmas season in the world. As early as September 1, you’ll hear Christmas songs on the radio and malls start hanging up festive decorations. One uniquely Filipino Christmas tradition is what they call ‘Simbang Gabi’  (‘Night Mass’), a nine-day series of Masses held at 4:30 in the morning, leading up to Christmas. Many believe that if you complete the novena, you’ll be granted a single wish. Whether or not you’re Catholic, be sure to check out the beautiful Churches this time of year.

  • Dates: December 16 to December 24, 2017
  • See some of the country’s most beautiful churches and more when you book a Bohol Tour with KKday!
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