Christmas Bazaars 2016

One way of getting your Christmas shopping done and support charities in Hong Kong is by visiting the numerous Christmas Bazaars. Here are a few to get you started:

HELENA MAY CHARITY BAZAAR
This is an annual event at Helena May where the public is welcome and can visit more than 50 stalls selling handmade crafts, jewellery, accessories, books etc.

Date: Thursday, 13 October 2016

Time: Please call the Helena May for details.

Place: The Helena May, 35 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong

MICHAELMAS FAIR 2016
A Hong Kong institution run each year by St John’s Cathedral, this fair offers games, marching bands, old books, household items, clothing stalls, book stalls, food and drink and much more. Fun for the entire family!

Date: Saturday, October 29 2016

Time: 10am to 4pm

Place: St. John’s Cathedral, Li Hall, 4-8 Garden Road, Central

SEDAN CHAIR RACE & BAZAAR
The annual Sedan Chair Race is the main fundraising event of the Sedan Chair Charities Fund. The fund raised goes to support charitable organisations that are lesser known and have very limited resources to do fundraising themselves – none go to the Matilda International Hospital where the event is held each year. Watch as teams wearing all sorts of colourful costumes race by. There are also games and food stalls.

Date: Sunday, October 30 2016

Time: 10am to 1:30pm

Place: Matilda International Hospital, The Peak

SANDY BAY CHARITY FAIR at DKCH
Since 1981, the annual Sandy Bay Fair has been held on the first Saturday in November, from 10:00 am to 5:00pm. Held at the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay at Pokfulam, the Fair is legendary. Loads of bargains, lots of fun, laughter and delicious food as well as their famous limited edition Christmas cards. All net proceeds are used to support the Hospital to improve medical facilities.

If you can’t make it to the fair, you can order their Christmas cards by mail. To download this year’s catalogue, please click on this link.

Date: Saturday, 5 November 2016

Time: 10am – 5pm

Place: The Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay, 12 Sandy Bay Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

JWA ANNUAL CHARITY BAZAAR
The Jewish Women’s Association of Hong Kong (JWA) invites you and the whole family to their annual bazaar! It is slated to be bigger and better than before! Happy holidays and happy shopping! All proceeds will go to charity.

Date: Sunday, November 6 2016

Time: Please call the Jewish Women’s Association for more information.

Place: Island School, 20 Borrett Road, Mid-levels

LAMMA FUN DAY
Lamma Fun Day Beach Music Festival is one-day charity event with something for everyone live music on stage on the beach, DJs, market stalls, a licensed bar, arts and crafts, tasty food, free water, a charity auction, bric-a-brac stalls, plus sports and activities for kids during the day. Entrance is free – the event is run by volunteers and CWS Hong Kong, with the generous support of Lamma and Hong Kong businesses. Now in its 16th edition, this year’s event will raise money for education projects in Nepal.

Date: Saturday, November 12, 2016

Time: 11am till late

Place: Yung Shue Wan, Tai Wan To, Lamma Island

Michaelmas Fair 2015

St. John’s Cathedral has held its annual Fun Fair for local charities every year since 1946. Set up in the grounds of the Cathedral under brightly coloured awnings, the fair offers marching bands, games, book and clothing stalls, food and much more. Great place to stock up on Christmas cards. Don’t forget the raffle with sumptuous prizes.

Proceeds benefit various charities supported by St. John’s.

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2015

Time: 10am – 4pm

Location: St. John’s Cathedral, Garden Road, Central

Michaelmas Fair 2013 + Pre-Sale

The Michaelmas Fair is the annual fair of St. John’s Cathedral in Central. With many bargains to be had, it features new and used books, potted plants, china, handicrafts, household goods, clothing and numerous items from cards, wrapping paper to décor for Christmas. Don’t forget the raffle with sumptuous prizes. Proceeds benefit various charities supported by St. John’s. Programme includes
– Live entertainment
– Mrs Li’s famous cakes and jams
– New and used books
– Stamps and coins
– Household items
– Bouncy castle
– Games
Fun for the whole family

Date: 26 October
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: St. John’s Cathedral

Free admission

And there is the Michaelmas Fair Pre-Sale
Early birds, come and get some great bargains! Items chosen from donations for the pre-sale include quality handbags, household items, clothes, home accessories, decorative items etc. Don’t miss the chance for the first pick of some of the best items from the Fair.

Date: 20 October
Time: 10:45am – 1pm
Location: Li Hall, St. John’s Cathedral

2012 Hong Kong Christmas Bazaars & Fairs

I noticed a number of searches already for the annual Christmas bazaars and fairs that take place in Hong Kong each autumn, here are some. I will add to the list as and when information becomes available. They are all worthwhile causes and a great way to get your Christmas shopping done early.

CAB 2012 Charity Christmas Card & Handicraft Fair
Get your Christmas shopping done early with a wide offering of charity Christmas cards and handicrafts for sale.
Date: 11 & 12 October 2012
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: Li Hall, St. John’s Cathedral, Garden Road, Central

* * *

The Helena May Charity Bazaar
Visit more than 50 stalls selling handmade crafts, jewellery, accessories, books etc. on the day. Proceeds are donated to the Charity of the Year: RainLily Hong Kong’s first one-stop crisis center for the victims of sexual violence.
Date: 11 October 2012
Time: 9:30am – 6pm
Location: The Helena May, Garden Road, Central

* * *

Michaelmas Fair 2012
This is the annual fair of St. John’s Cathedral in Central. With many bargains to be had it features new and used books, potted plants, china, handicrafts, household goods, clothing and numerous items from cards, wrapping paper to décor for Christmas. Don’t forget the raffle with sumptuous prizes. Proceeds benefit various charities supported by St. John’s.

Date: 27 October 2012
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: St. John’s Cathedral

* * *

2012 Sedan Chair Race & Bazaar
In 1975 Nurse Joyce Smith created a competitive sedan chair race for charity as a means to showcase the location and facilities of the Matilda International Hospital. From this the Sedan Chair Charities Fund was established. Today the annual Sedan Chair Race & Bazaar is probably the most colourful fundraising event in Hong Kong’s annual charity calendar. The funds raised goes to support charitable organisations that generally do not receive assistance from the Hong Kong Community Chest, Hong Kong Jockey Club or the Government – none go to the Matilda International Hospital.

Date: 28 October 2012
Time: 12-3pm
Location: Matilda International Hospital, The Peak

* * *

AWA Charity Bazaar 2012
Have trouble finding gift ideas? Enjoy a stroll looking for item’s novel and new? Come to the American Women’s Association Charity Bazaar where dozens of vendors display the most unique products available, as well as sell their most popular. It’s a place to find a little something for you, your home, and perhaps your family pet. Find the famous AWA ‘Hidden Treasures’ flea market style tables, selling new & old items already filling the AWA warehouse with fabulous donations from factories and friends. Stop for a snack or take home dessert thanks to the AWA Bake Sale courtesy of the AWA ‘born to bake’ bakers. Visit for fun or to shop with a vengeance for the best cause of all- The AWA Charity Fund

Date: 1 November 2012
Time: 10am-6pm
Location: Hong Kong Jockey Club, Happy Valley Racecourse

* * *

Sandy Bay Charity Fair
Since 1981, the annual Sandy Bay Charity Fair has been held on the first Saturday in November, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. Organised by The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children and held at the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay at Pokfulam, the Fair is legendary and well attended. Loads of bargains, lots of fun, laughter and delicious food. All net proceeds are used to support the Hospital to improve medical facilities.

Date: 3 November 2012
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: The Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay

* * *

Christmas Bazaar of the German Speaking Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Hong Kong
If you are looking for traditional German Christmas items, look no further. This is it. Decoration items for Advent and Christmas abound, and there is more. Novelty items, toys, European fashion, cake and coffee. Not to be missed

Date: 16-17 November 2012
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: The Ebenezer School for the Visually Impaired, Pokfulam

* * *

St. Stephen’s Chapel, Stanley Christmas Fête – 2012
St Stephen’s Chapel Christmas Fete is one of the highlights of the year. It’s as near as you get in Hong Kong to a traditional English summer fete, with bouncy castles, charity stalls, coconut shy, games, bands, dancers and entertainment, Santa, and plenty of food and drink. And not forgetting the Chinese lion dancers and acrobats! The Fete is held on the School Playing Field, with space for children to play games and run around all day to their hearts’ content. Funds raised go to the charities they support.

Date: 1 December 2012
Time: 11am-4pm
Location: Sports Ground, St Stephen’s College, Stanley (Entrance on Wong Ma Kok Rd, Stanley)

Charity and Christmas: Cards, Gifts, Fairs

As we near the end of the year, the many annual charity Christmas fairs, sales etc. are appearing. Many like the St. John Cathedral Michaelmas Fair and the Sandy Bay Charity Fair have been around for decades. All sell a variety of items including Christmas cards, gifts etc. and benefit various charities in Hong Kong. Some will offer other activities including game stalls, food tents, and entertainment. Here is a list of a few better known ones:

St. John’s Cathedral Michaelmas Fair
Date: 29 October, Saturday
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: St. John’s Cathedral, Garden Road, Central
About St. John’s Cathedral:
The history of St. John’s spans back to 1847 when the first cornerstone was laid. Deeply rooted in the traditions of Anglicanism and yet at the same time exercising ministries which reach out into the wider life of the community, the Cathedral is a much used and much loved building, an icon in Central. Their outreach efforts are numerous and include St John’s Cathedral Counselling Service, Helpers for Domestic Helpers, HIV Education Centre, and the Mission for Migrant Workers.

Sedan Chair Race and Bazaar
Date: 30 October, Sunday
Time: 12-4pm (Sedan Chair Race 10am-12noon)
Location: Matilda International Hospital, The Peak
About the Sedan Charities Fund:
In 1975 Nurse Joyce Smith created a competitive sedan chair race for charity as a means to showcase the location and facilities of the Matilda International Hospital. From this the Sedan Chair Charities Fund was established. The aim is to raise money for needy charities in Hong Kong mainly through the annual October Sedan Chair Race and Bazaar, supported by over 50 running teams and 3,000 visitors. They also organise various fund-raising activities to raise more money. The fund raised go to support charitable organisations that generally do not receive assistance from the Hong Kong Community Chest, Hong Kong Jockey Club or the Government – none go to the Matilda International Hospital.

Sandy Bay Charity Fair
Date: 5 November, Saturday
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay
About Society for the Relief of Disabled Children:
The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children (SRDC) was established in 1953 with the mission to provide medical, surgical, rehabilitation and educational services to disabled children in Hong Kong. The Society, using funds generated by the generosity of the community, established a convalescent home in Sandy Bay in 1955 for sick children stricken with skeletal tuberculosis. The home initially had only 50 beds but was subsequently expanded in stages to become the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay (DKCH) in 1968 and was in the front line fighting against tuberculosis, poliomyelitis and spinal deformities. The Hospital became internationally recognized for this work and since then, has remained to be a training center for surgeons and health workers around the world.
Currently, the Society is supporting the following programmes:
– providing disabled children with medical care in a loving environment in DKCH at Sandy Bay
– offering specialist medical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation services
– supporting clinical research in facilities built by the Society in DKCH
– allowing ventilation dependent children to lead better lives and to have normal schooling at JF Kennedy Centre at Sandy Bay
– providing scholarships for physiotherapists and occupational therapists to receive specialist training in management of disabled children
– supporting the Kids on the Block (KOB) Puppetry programme that travels around Hong Kong schools teaching children to understand and appreciate the disabled.

AWA Charity Bazaar
Date: 8 November 2011, Tuesday
Time: 10am-6pm
Location: Hong Kong Jockey Club, Happy Valley Racecourse
About AWA:
The American Women’s Association (AWA) of Hong Kong was founded in 1956 as a non-profit, charitable organization. As a voluntary organization of women, they support Hong Kong charities and schools through community service and monetary grants while also providing educational and social activities for our members. On average, the AWA provides approximately $1 million annually to Hong Kong charities and educational institutions to support programs and services that benefit children, the elderly, handicapped, women and families, community activities and students.

St Stephen’s Chapel Christmas Fete
St Stephen’s Chapel Christmas Fete is as near as you get in Hong Kong to a traditional English summer fete, with bouncy castles, charity stalls, coconut shy, games, bands, dancers and entertainment, Santa, and plenty of food and drink. Funds raised go to the charities they support. Entry $20 for adults, children free.
Date: 3 December, Saturday
Time: 11am-4:30pm
Location: Sports Ground, St Stephen’s College, entrance on Wong Ma Kok Rd, Stanley
Entrance: $20 for adults, children free
About St. Stephen’s Chapel:
St Stephen an Anglican / Episcopal Church is set in the lovely grounds of St Stephen’s College, Stanley, on the south side of Hong Kong Island. St Stephen’s supports three local charities and one in China through fundraising, publicity, and active involvement: Bethune House a Women’s Refuge for Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong, Crossroads International who recycle Hong Kong’s good quality unwanted goods, shipping furniture, clothes and equipment to developing countries around the world, and the Liangshan Leprosy Project which provides healthcare, health education and development assistance to leprosy villages in the mountains of Liangshan Prefecture, in the south of Sichuan Province.

Go have some fun, get your Christmas shopping done early and most important of all, support local charities.