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Happenings & Events: January!

Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Woman in sunglasses smiles, holding a pine tree branch, wearing a colorful shawl. Background has white pillars. Sticky note: "At Green Icon!"

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING

Did you know there are not one but two ways to recycle ‘real’ Christmas trees in DB? You can take them to the Green@ Islands recycling spot, which is open every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm at Green Icon, or you can schedule a home pick-up by calling Winson Cleaning Services at 3176 3188 (a service fee applies). In both cases, the collected trees are further handled by the EPD and are either converted into compost or upcycled at Y·PARK, the government-operated yard-waste recycling centre in Tuen Mun.


Figure skater in a black outfit performs on ice with focused expression. Blue note says "January 2 to 4" in the background.

DB OPEN FS CHALLENGE

The 2nd DB Open FS Challenge is taking place from January 2 to 4 at DB Ice Rink. Endorsed by ISIAsia, the event gives skaters from different regions a chance to every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and compete under a shared standard. There are opportunities for young skaters and beginners to gain competitive experience, and for advanced skaters to showcase fully choreographed freestyle routines. To find out more, visit www.dbicerink.com.


Modern apartment building by the sea with colorful gardens. Text on sticky note says "Launching Q1 2026." Bright and inviting.

TOSCANA: DB NORTH MID-LEVELS

Toscana, the Italian-style oceanfront residential complex in DB North, is already creating a buzz, with HKR International expected to launch first-phase sales (320 units) early this year. The development will cover over 650,000 square feet, with around 1,400 units (one- to four-bed) providing 1,300,000 square feet of living space.


Whether or not you are looking to take up residence, the property is well worth a visit. For a start, there’s the onsite sales centre with garden and rooftop terrace, which showcases Toscana’s signature design style – modern Italian luxe meets DB resort living. You can also explore Park Toscana, a meticulously landscaped green space spanning over 160,000 square feet. The views across the bay are unparalleled and there are 13 carefully crafted, Italian-themed zones encouraging visitors (and soon homeowners) to immerse in nature, sports and art.


A central part of HKRI’s MP7 expansion/ master plan for the DB North area, Toscana integrates housing with recreational and lifestyle facilities. Art is a major focus with a Toscana-themed Italian Art Festival already under way. To kick off the festival, Italian artist Francesco Lietti and teachers and students from Discovery Bay International School were invited to collaborate on Never So Close – an exhibition of oversized, Italian style masquerade and carnival masks. Four works, themed Waterfront Living, Green Living, Luxury Living and Happy Living, are on display through January 25. More activities promoting Italian culture and art are in the offing. To find out more and track listings, visit www.toscana.com.hk.


Man and child run joyfully on a sunny beach, wearing colorful clothes. Onlookers cheer. "January 31" written on pink note. Energetic scene.

VIUTV SOUND BEAR FAMILY RUN

Postponed in November out of respect for all those who lost loved ones in the Tai Po fire, the ViuTV Sound Bear Family Run has been rescheduled for January 31 at DB South Plaza, from 8am to 3pm. The participation quota is a whopping 4,000+ people and there’s something for everyone: a 10km (16 years and above); two 3km races (10 to 15 years, 16 years and above); and two parent-child beach obstacle races, one with a 1km run and one without. To find out more and enrol, visit www.viutvfamilyrun2025.com


Man sculpting sand at the beach, wearing a straw hat. Two people watch. Text reads "Sand-sculpting activities!" Sunny, urban background.

SANDAE BEACH

Sandae Sand Art, headed up by DB resident Gary Melsom, continues to evolve with exciting new sand-sculpting activities. Their newly launched team building programme – Sandae Golf! – challenges groups to design and construct their own miniature golf courses entirely from sand. Teams work together to create playable holes complete with obstacles and bunkers, then enjoy a friendly tournament on their handcrafted course. To book a corporate retreat, visit www.sandae.online.


Group of children in black shirts striking playful poses indoors with gray curtains. "February 2 to 7" text in the upper right corner.

THE SNOW QUEEN

DB’s The Performer’s Studio Theatre Company – a semi-professional troupe of 30+ child actors led by director-producer Emma Tielus-Ward – is staging Paul Boyd’s The Snow Queen from February 2 to 7 at the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Shouson Theatre. A modern interpretation of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, the show brings catchy songs, fastpaced choreography and larger-than-life characters. To find out more and book tickets, visit www.theperformersstudio.com.



Dates For Your Diary



JAN 03 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in Community Green Square from 2pm to 4.30pm. Visit FB @db.community.hk.


JAN 17 | SHOP THE DB MARKET in DB South Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.


JAN 17 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the Nim Shue Wan gate at 2.10pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org.


ALL MONTH | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit FB @dbmf.collection.



Person silhouetted against a vibrant mandala pattern, with text "Arts for health!" on a pink note. Colorful, creative atmosphere.

WELLNESS SCENE

Arts for Health founder Rachelle Conradie is hosting three wellnessfocused events in DB this month: a women’s singing circle at Beach Village on January 14; a community dance fundraiser at YogaUp in DB North Plaza on January 17 and an art journalling workshop at Mountain View on January 20. To find out more and enrol, visit https://linktr.ee/artsforhealth.hk. For more on the DB wellness scene, turn to page 18.


Hands holding Chinese character cards, playing on a teal surface. A sticky note reads "Launching January 15." Cards and box visible.

THURSDAY MANDARIN SCHOOL

Yifan Mandarin is launching Thursday Mandarin School at DB North Plaza on January 15. Designed for children aged 4 to 10 (K2 to P4), the systematic classes build Chinese literacy in a 100% Mandarin environment, making them perfect for bilingual families. And Yifan has an exclusive offer for Around DB readers: enjoy a free trial class plus 10% off full-term fees when you enrol with the code 2026YF@ADB. To find out more, WhatsApp 9208 7611 or visit www.yifanmandarin.com.


A person relaxes on blue balls in a play area with a colorful slide. "Here to stay!" text on a blue note. Fun, playful atmosphere.

CINDERELLA ADVENTURE

Fans of Cinderella Adventure get ready to be happy! We have confirmation that the ‘popup’ will be in place at the former EpicLand in DB North Plaza for the next six months at least. Guests get to enjoy all the playcentre facilities plus handcrafting activities. Cinderella Adventure is open from 10am to 6pm daily; children must be accompanied by an adult – entry is HK$288 for two, HK$100 for each additional visitor. To find out more or make a booking, call 6315 0611.


Roasted pork with crispy skin in a tray. Background is blurred with outdoor setting. A note says "January 24," adding a casual touch.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD & BEER FESTIVAL

Make your way to Midvale playground on January 24 to take part in One World Spirit’s International Food and Beer Festival. Everyone who attends is asked to bring a popular dish from their hometown to share with friends and neighbours. Capacity is limited with priority given to OWS members; find out more at www.facebook.com/1worldspirit.




Clean Up Your Act!


Commit to embracing the 3 R’s in 2026

REDUCING IS THE BEST SOLUTION


We all know the mantra of REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, but did you know that reducing is the key solution to solving our waste and plastic pollution problem? Here are some tweaks to your daily routine that you can make to ensure you’re part of that solution.


  • Carry your own water bottle every day, and a coffee cup, food container and cutlery for takeaways

  • Reduce how often you ‘order in’ meals and shop online to avoid single-use packaging

  • Bring your own bag when shopping, and choose products with no or minimal packaging

  • Be conscious of the food you buy to avoid food waste and make a point of using your leftovers

  • Choose bar soaps, shampoos and cleaning products. If you prefer liquids, bring your bottles to a shop for a refill

  • Sell or give away good-condition unwanted items like toys, clothes, gadgets and homeware

  • See if you can buy the things you need second-hand, before buying new


Man wearing a hat holds a computer monitor, smiling, in an outdoor recycling area. Cardboard boxes and green signs in the background.

WASTE REDUCTION IN DB


  1. Make sure all recyclables are clean.

  2. Only plastic bottles go into DB’s plastic recycling bins. Keep the cap on.

  3. Drink boxes must be clean and dry, with the plastic spout, cap and straw removed.

  4. Don’t put plastic bags in the food waste bins – only food waste.

  5. Don’t put paper cups or food containers in DB’s paper recycling bins.


Recycling is important but reducing is the best solution!



START SMALL! MAKE A BIG IMPACT!

Together, our choices create a cleaner, greener future for everyone!


Find more from DB’s homegrown environmental charities at

FB @DB Green and www.plasticfreeseas.org.




What's Happening Across HK!



Person nestled in colorful, striped inflatable shapes. Yellow sticky note reads "Through January 18." Bright and playful atmosphere.

DREAM ROOMS

Celebrating seven decades of visionary work, Dream Rooms: Environments by Women Artists 1950s–Now is showing at M+, West Kowloon Art Park through January 18. The exhibition invites visitors to navigate 12 immersive, multisensory installations – there are mirror-lined rooms, feather-filled rooms, and pillow-filled rooms you can reshape with your own hands. Purchase tickets at Klook.


Colorful carnival rides with people swinging joyfully; Ferris wheel and skyscraper backdrop. Text reads: "Through March 1."

AIA CARNIVAL

This year’s AIA Carnival is now in full swing running through March 1 at Central Harbourfront Event Space. Enjoy 30+ rides and attractions, with a focus on traditional rides like chair swings, giant slides, bouncy castles and a carousel, plus an outdoor ice rink. There’s also Gandeys Circus back for the event’s 11th edition, that brings together top performers from around the globe. Purchase tickets at Klook.


Family in black outfits poses with varied expressions inside a gold frame. Text reads "January 11 to February 8." Dark, moody setting.

HONG KONG MUSICALCON

A major new musical convention, Hong Kong MusicalCon is running from January 11 to February 8 at the Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District. Highlights include Café I Do – The Musical, a tribute to Canto-pop icon Leslie Cheung; The Addams Family Musical, a Broadway favourite; and Ephemere the Little Witch, a musical for the whole family originally from France. Purchase tickets at Art-mate.


A person with a magic ball and several people wear red hats, excited beneath a flying sandwich. Text reads "January 14 to February 15." Bright colors.

KIDSFEST!

An exciting festival for the whole family, led by A BA Productions, KidsFest! sees well-loved children’s books brought to life and presented vividly on stage. The fun starts on January 14 with five world-class productions running consecutively at Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre, HKAPA through February 15: The 91-Storey Treehouse, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Koala Who Could, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Charlie Cook's Favourite Book. Purchase tickets at Cityline. To save 15%, quote ‘STAGE15’ when booking – applies to all weekday performances.


Three people in blue jackets hold air horns, smiling, against a backdrop with Hong Kong Marathon logos. A sticky note reads "January 14 to 18."

HONG KONG MARATHON EXPO

The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Expo, being held at Kai Tak Sports Park from January 14 to 18, provides an excellent pre-race and race-day experience for both local and international runners, as well as their friends and families. This year’s newly added Youth Run on January 17 is a highlight aimed at fostering the next generation of runners. Crowds of over 100,000 people are expected over the four days, entrance is free.

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