HKJC PRESENTS SIMPLE GIFTS OF JOY 2023

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.

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

12-metre-tall Christmas tree 

*The light show may be canceled without prior notice due to the on-site performances

Tai Kwun has undergone a magnificent transformation into a Christmas playground, where cherished childhood memories are set to be rekindled with the annual festivities of HKJC Presents Simple Gifts of Joy.

"The Gift of Music" is the opening concert of Tai Kwun's annual highlight "HKJC Presents Simple Gifts of Joy". On the 1st of December, chamber choir NOĒMA will present this special concert to celebrate the joy of giving.

Conductor Sanders Lau has hand-picked the finest professional choristers in Hong Kong to establish NOĒMA - a superb new vocal ensemble which has already asserted its musical identity with its impressive inaugural concerts and has already become a shining star in Hong Kong’s musical scene.

“The Gift of Music” is a free and festive concert of uplifting Christmas tunes, partly arranged by Hong Kong musician Joseph Ho to offer a unique flavor to these familiar titles.

Programme

Stuart Nicholson (arr.) ｜Ding Dong! Merrily on High

John Rutter｜Shepherd's Pipe Carol    

Joseph Ho (arr.) ｜God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

John Rutter (arr.) ｜Silent Night

John Rutter｜Star Carol           

Joseph Ho (arr.) ｜Joy to the World      

Joseph Ho (arr.) ｜Simple Gifts

Conductor: Sanders Lau

The Gift of Music – Tree Lighting Ceremony

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 2023

The Gift of Music 2023

Date: 2, 8 & 9 December 2023 

Time: 6:30pm – 7pm

Venue: Parade Ground, Tai Kwun

Price: Free of Charge

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.

Download Leaflet:

Embark on a joyful holiday adventure at Tai Kwun this Christmas! Join us amongst a delightful array of captivating performances and your participation will be rewarded with a special gift to thank you for making this season even more magical. Become a TK FAN and start collecting "Stamp of Joy" now to get special-edition “Socks of Joy” ！First-come-first-served while stocks last. 

Steps:

1. Download the TK app and become a TK FAN

2. Come and enjoy any 3 programmes including The Gift of Music and/or Circus Plays

3. Visit the designated stamp stations located at the programme venue and collect stamps in the TK app either during the performance, 15 mins prior or after the performance

4. Collect 3 stamps and redeem a special edition pair of Festive socks* at the Visitor Centre (Block 03)

*Terms and conditions apply.

How to check into the “Stamp of Joy” mission with the TK App: 

1. Become a TK FAN

2. Go to My Fan Page in the TK App and check into the "Stamp of Joy" mission in the Limited-time Rewards section  

3. Visit the designated stamp stations located at the selected programme venue and collect eStamps either 15 minutes before the performance, during the performance, or after the performance.

4. Once you have achieved three missions, you will automatically receive your special reward in the My Offers section of the TK App.

With dedication to rival Santa’s elves, the shops and restaurants at Tai Kwun have created magical experiences that combine artistic presentations with hands-on craft activities, adorned by a delightful array of seasonal flavours.

Lifestyle Offerings

Dining Experiences

HKJC PRESENTS SIMPLY GIFTS OF JOY WhatsApp Sticker is live! Download the pack now and send heart-warming festive blessings to your loved ones, together with Tai Kwun’s Christmas specials and playful stickers!

iPhone Users

1. Download "五色學倉頡ONLINE" Application from App Store
2. Open the WhatsApp sticker download link by Safari browser
3. Click “Add to iPhone”
4. Click “Open” in the prompt “Open this page in 五色學倉頡ONLINE?”
5. Save the sticker pack and it’s ready to use

Android Users

1. Download "Whatsticker" Application from Google Play
2. Open the WhatsApp sticker download link in browser
3. Click “Add to Android” and  it’s ready to use