HKJC PRESENTS SIMPLE GIFTS OF JOY 2023 Introduction

As the city readies itself for the graceful transition of autumn to winter, an undeniable sense of excitement permeates the air. Streets are adorned with fallen leaves, while dusk greets the sky earlier, and cheeks are gently kissed by the chilled breeze. What is the perfect gift for the holiday season? Often, it is the intangible things that have the most lasting impression – those spontaneous smiles, those warm embraces, those moments shared together. Christmas is that special time of year where these little things take on an extra special meaning. Together, Tai Kwun and The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), as an annual tradition, will present a resplendent season of play and joy, infusing new meaning and setting the stage for an unforgettable Christmas season in the Parade Ground of Tai Kwun this December.

Truly bedecked with more than boughs of holly, the annual festivities of HKJC Presents Simple Gifts of Joy will thrill Hong Kong with everything from Christmas carols to experimental contemporary circus spectacles, including comedies, a parade of giant giraffe puppets, gravity-defying acrobatics and a competitive playoff of edgy circus skills, all within the twinkling glow of the towering Christmas tree in the Parade Ground. Singers and circus performers from Hong Kong will be featured alongside brilliantly entertaining international acts such as Gregarious (from Catalonia/Sweden), Giraffes (Spain) and Funny Business (UK) as each weekend of December grows and buzzes with more excitement and joy for everyone to enjoy.

A BEACON OF TOGETHERNESS

12-metre-tall Christmas tree in 2022

At a towering 12 metres in height, the Christmas Tree, adorned with elegant decorations, beckons friends and families to gather and celebrate the spirit of togetherness at Tai Kwun. With a daily light show starting from 1 December, the evening sky atop Tai Kwun will transform into a breath-taking spectacle of lights and colours. Visitors can immerse themselves in the Christmas ambience at the Parade Ground as the heritage buildings' façade will be covered in fairy tale lighting, enveloping the area in an enchanting glow.

Christmas Light Show

• Date: 1 December 2023 - 1 January 2024
• Time: Every half an hour from 6pm – 9:30pm*
• Venue: Parade Ground, Tai Kwun
• Price: Free of Charge

THE GIFT OF MUSIC

Music lovers will be delighted at the chance to embrace the beloved tradition of carolling at Tai Kwun at "The Gift of Music". A beautiful musical experience that resonates with the spirit of the festive season, the public is invited to join in the celebration.

The Gift of Music – Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Gift of Music – Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Date: 1 December 2023
• Time: From 6:30pm
• Venue: Parade Ground, Tai Kwun
• Price: Free of Charge

The Gift of Music

The Gift of Music

• Date: 2, 8 & 9 December 2023
• Time: 6:30pm – 7:10pm
• Venue: Parade Ground, Tai Kwun
• Price: Free of Charge

TAI KWUN CIRCUS PLAYS

Prepare to be dazzled as Tai Kwun Circus Plays returns with an even grander spectacle. Against the backdrop of Christmas and New Year, the annual event is a highlight of mid-December and early January, featuring the finest contemporary circus artists and street performers from around the world. Circus Plays showcases the latest trends in circus arts, enthralling audiences with extraordinary performers and a series of captivating circus programmes on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays. The lineup includes both local talents and international sensations, allowing visitors to witness the fusion of culture and creativity only offered by Tai Kwun.

Source of the above information: Tai Kwun official website