Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show

HONG KONG PULSE 3D LIGHT SHOW

December 9 to 28, Hong Kong

Enjoy magical moments in the form of a spectacular 3D light show with exciting audio-visual effects reflecting the upcoming festive season next month at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Clock Tower at Tsim Sha Tsui. Seize the chance to take in the unique glamour that echoes the vibrancy and enhances the festive ambience of Asia’s world city.

 

SHICHI-GO-SAN

November 15, Japan

Shichi-go-san is a festival celebrated by parents as their sons turn three and five years of age, and as their daughters turn three and seven. During the samurai era, children had their heads shaved until they reached the age of three. At the age of five a young boy would celebrate wearing his first hakama pants in public while at the age of seven, a young girl wears her first obi (a traditional sash) instead of strings. In Shichi-go-san days, the boys donned haori jackets and hakama trousers, while the girls would wear a special ceremonial kimono when making a shrine visit. Parents buy their children long red and white candy sticks called chitose-ame, which means “thousand years candy”. Red and white are lucky colours, and the long sticks symbolise long life. The candy sticks are carried in bags decorated with pictures of turtles and cranes, two long-living animals that also represent long life. 

 

HORNBILL FESTIVAL

December 1 to 10, Nagaland, India

The Hornbill festival, held in the first week of December in Nagaland, pays tribute to rich cultural heritage of the 16 major tribes and many sub-tribes in the area. The festival is named after the Indian Hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird, which plays an important folklore role in most of the state’s tribes. During the festival, warrior tribes come together in the Kisama Village to celebrate their heritage with concerts, art and games. Don’t miss their handicraft stalls.

 

WORLD DUCK CALLING CHAMPIONSHIP

November 21 to 28, Akansas, USA

The first National Duck Calling Contest was held on Main Street in Stuttgart, Arkansas, on November 24, 1936 in connection with the annual Arkansas Rice Carnival. The competition is now held annually over Thanksgiving week and welcomes more than 60,000 people. The first prize offered back in 1936 was a hunting coat. It was won by Thomas E Walsh, one of only two winners ever to triumph without the use of a duck call, instead impressively creating duck calls in the back of his throat, a far cry from the US$15,000 prize package today.

 

AMERICAN SANDSCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIP FESTIVAL

November 20 to 29, Florida, USA

Every year around 65,000 spectators and artists gather for the American Sandsculpting Championship Festival at Fort Myers Beach in Florida. More than 1,000 tons of sand are piled and sculpted into unbelievable works of art. By mixing water, sugar, fine white sand and artistic talent, masters and amateurs transform the beach into an art show. The event also features broadcast music, demonstrations and beach barbecues.

 

MANGO FESTIVAL

November 26 to 28, Broome, Australia

Broome Mango Festival is held annually over the last weekend in November in Broome Western Australia. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever along with the Great Chefs of Broome and the Great Bartenders of Broome, favourites such as the mango quiz night, mango jams, chutneys and cakes competition and mango tasting. Enjoy sampling fresh mangoes, mango drinks, mango cakes and chutneys, mango jams and mango-based dinners.