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The festive spirit gets into full swing at the "Christmas Concert in the Park - Party at Tamar" on December 24, from 4.30pm to 6.45pm.
Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a feast of music as the Hong Kong Children's Choir opens the concert with a selection of delightful Christmas carols.
The renowned Hong Kong Police Band will perform the main concert with Music Director Superintendent James Leung leading the musicians, including a pipe performance of the popular hymn "Amazing Grace".
Under the baton of conductor and composer Colin Touchin, the local Die Konzertisten Festival Singers will also perform well-known songs including "I was Glad" to the accompaniment of the band.
Other concert highlights will include a performance by soprano Yuki Ip, who will enchant the audience with a solo performance of "The Holy City", while flautist Sibei Weng will play "Fantaisie brillante sur Carmen", an arrangement based on the famous opera "Carmen".
The outdoor Christmas concert will be held at Viewing Platform No.1 at the Central and Western District Promenade - Central Section (near Tamar Park). Admission is free.
The concert is presented by Radio 4 of Radio Television Hong Kong. For details, please visit: www.rthk.hk/special/xmasconcert2013.
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The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) will demonstrate the spirit of giving at Christmas by staging a free show at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza C on December 25, from 4pm to 9pm.
Titled "Singing up Hong Kong - Greetings and Blessings to the City", the show will include a collection of a cappella singing, carols and band performances.
Also performing at the concert are The Exchange from the United States, SOLZICK from Japan, and The SINGERS from Denmark.
Singers from the HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers will give lively a cappella performances. Hong Kong pop duo Robynn and Kendy, and artiste Chan Hong-kin, will also delight music lovers.
Admission is free. For enquiries, please call 2395 5753.
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Everyone is invited to join the vibrant "Ethnic Harmony Extravaganza" at the Wan Chai Southorn Playground on December 29.
After the opening ceremony at 1pm, the public will be entertained with a variety of programmes including dragon and lion dances, Indonesian and Thai cultural dances and a marching band. Children can also enjoy a magic show and win prizes at the game stalls.
The extravaganza is organised by the Wan Chai District Arts, Cultural, Recreational and Sports Association. For free game tickets, please call 2895 5172. Admission is free.
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A ceremony will be held to mark the completion of the Hong Kong Velodrome, Hong Kong's first indoor cycling track, on December 30 from 2.30pm to 4pm.
Among the guests will be Hong Kong's top cyclist Sarah Lee, who won a bronze medal in the women's keirin event at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Lee and the Hong Kong Cycling Team will give demonstrations of pursuit and keirin events as well as artistic cycling.
Located in Tseung Kwan O, the velodrome has a 250-metre-long wooden cycling track that is built to international standards and a spectator stand with a seating capacity of 3,000.
The velodrome is well equipped for training cyclists to take part in international competitions. Facilities will be opened in phases for public use in the first quarter of 2014.
Admission to the ceremony is by tickets only. For enquiries please call 2878 8632.
The ceremony is a signature event of the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign under the "Vibrant Hong Kong" theme.
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Revellers on both sides of Victoria Harbour will be able to enjoy the "New YearˇD New World - Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations" on December 31, which will offer a dazzling eight-minute pyrotechnic and music show.
The celebrations will begin at 11pm when a pyrotechnics display of "shooting stars" begins from the rooftops of seven buildings in Wan Chai and Admiralty at 15-minute intervals.
At midnight, fireworks will be launched from harbour barges, the top of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and rooftops of nearby skyscrapers.
With choreographed music and lights, this year's pyrotechnics display will cover about 1 kilometre of the harbour from Causeway Bay to Central while fireworks soar up to 250 metres in the air. It will be the largest fireworks and pyrotechnics show in the history of Hong Kong's New Year countdown events.
To learn more about the countdown programme, please visit www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/events-festivals/highlight-events/countdown.jsp.ˇ@
This is a signature event of the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign under the "Vibrant Hong Kong" theme.
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People in Sha Tin can enjoy a packed programme at the "New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival 2013 - Fusion Feast of Hong Kong Style" to be held at Sha Tin Park and Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza cum City Art Square. The Carnival will run from 8.30pm on New Year's Eve to 12.15am on New Year's Day.
There will be themed stages for different performances. The main stage, named the Stage of Dancing Fire, will be set up in Sha Tin Park with highlights including a fire dance, performances by Cantopop singers and a grand parade before the countdown to the New Year.
The Stage of Community Love in Sha Tin Park Amphitheatre will feature a programme that includes a symphonic concert, hip-hop, jazz and street dance performances.
The side stage Just Jazz at City Art Square 1 will be dedicated to jazz music, while the side stage Boundless Province at Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza will host ethnic dances from India, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
There will also be a spectacular pyrotechnic display when the clock strikes midnight. Admission is free.
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The following events will also ensure memorable New Year countdown celebrations:
* The 2013 Central and Western District New Year Countdown will be held at Viewing Platform No.1 of the Central and Western District Promenade - Central Section (near Tamar Park) from 9.30pm to 12.30am. Please call 2852 3491 for free admission tickets.
* The Tsuen Wan District New Year's Eve Countdown Event at Sha Tsui Road Playground will run from 9pm to 12.30am on New Year's Day. Please call 2492 0877 for admission tickets.
* The Kwai Tsing District New Year's Eve Carnival will be held at two locations - Tsing Yi Promenade and outside the Metro Plaza on Hing Ning Road in Kwai Chung - from 7.30pm to 12.05am. Everyone is welcome.
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All these events and activities support the "Hong Kong: Our Home" public participation campaign, which aims to inject positive energy into society, foster social cohesion and promote care, mutual help and solidarity in the community.
A total of 249 Partner Organisations have so far pledged support for the Campaign.
Altogether, the Government and Partner Organisations are organising more than 1,100 events and activities under the four themes of the Campaign from the end of April to the end of December this year.
Full details of the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign can be found on the website www.hkourhome.gov.hk.
Ends/Sunday, December 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:00
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