If you’re wondering what to do in Hong Kong at the moment, here’s our guide to what’s on in Hong Kong Island this weekend and the coming month, plus events in Kowloon and beyond. You’ll find fun activities for the kids and family, cool things to do in HK at night – plus online Hong Kong events you can enjoy at home. We’ve kept everybody in mind, so you should find something to keep you occupied among our list of top things to do in Hong Kong.
Note: Some events may be affected by current restrictions; refer to individual websites for updates, and see the end of this article for details of rescheduled events.
“More Than a Label: This is Our Story” Exhibition
A partnership between Mind HK and MINDSET HK, “More Than a Label” is a new anti-stigma campaign featuring real life mental health stories and recovery journeys. The campaign aims to lower the stigma against those suffering from mental health conditions and develop more positive attitudes towards mental health in Hong Kong society.
When: Until 19 October
Where: The Wild Lot @ Sheung Wan
More: morethanalabelhk.com
SPARK 2021
Celebrating connections and inclusion in our communities, the British Council is hosting a series of online events across art, music, dance, education and more. Check out the full programme and pre-register for events here.
When: 20 to 23 October
Where: Online
More: britishcouncil.hk
Retykle Fall Pop Up
Following the success of the summer pop-up, Retykle is back with an even bigger three-week pop-up store in Central. Shop the range of new and preloved baby and children’s clothes, shoes and accessories from over 2,500 designer brands.
When: 22 October to 14 November
Where: 49 Hollywood Road, Central
More: fb.me/e/3OHcPSkwg
Creative Workshop Series @PMQ
Workshops this October take on a Halloween theme, including a Festive Limited Pumpkin Lantern Workshop, Halloween Slime Kids’ Science Classes and lots of other fun workshops for kids and adults to enjoy. See the full list here: bit.ly/3hYW55u.
When: Until 31 October
Where: PMQ
More: pmq.org.hk
21st Hong Kong International Literary Festival
Entitled “Rebound”, the 21st edition of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival will focus on themes of resilience, recovery and mental health, with an emphasis on new fiction and the joy of reading.
When: 5 to 15 November
Where: Asia Society Hong Kong
More: festival.org.hk
AWA Charity Bazaar 2021
Get your Christmas shopping done early at The AWA Annual Charity Bazaar this November. Featuring more than 50 vendors showcasing their wares, there’ll be everything from food and wine to jewellery and homeware.
When: 11 November
Where: PMQ Courtyard
More: awa.org.hk
Sunbeam Children’s Foundation ‘Light Up Lives’ Virtual Gala
Sunbeam Children’s Foundations annual fundraising gala seeks to raise HK$1.5 million to support children in the Sunbeam Children’s Village in Baiwan. This year’s virtual event will include a raffle, silent auction and the chance to win a private kitchen dinner or dinner hamper and goodie bags. Grab your friends and family together and save the date!
When: 20 November
Where: Online
More: sunbeam.org/en-fundraising-events
Prestige Christmas Fair at the Conrad Hotel
The popular Christmas Fair at the Conrad Hotel returns this year with more of Hong Kong’s finest creative offerings. Head along for some fab fashion finds, children’s toys, home accessories, gifts and more!
When: 9 December
Where: Conrad Hotel
More: prestigefairs.hk
HKA Personalised Tour/ Virtual Consultation
Hong Kong Academy invites prospective families to book a personalised tour or virtual consultation to find out more about the school’s educational programmes. Click here to sign up.
When: Until 31 December
Where: Hong Kong Academy, Sai Kung/ Online
More: bit.ly/3AkEDj1
Fun Activities for Kids & Family
Ocean Park’s Water World Opens in Hong Kong!
The much-anticipated theme park Water World has opened at Ocean Park With five different zones to explore there’s plenty to be excited about!
When: Now!
Where: Ocean Park, Aberdeen
More: waterworld.oceanpark.com.hk/en
Cup Noodles Museum
The famous Cup Noodles Museum by Japanese Ramen brand Nissan has landed in Hong Kong! Spanning nearly 10,000 sq. ft. the museum features interactive workshops, exhibitions, photo opps and a shop offering exclusive merchandise. Highlights include the Noodle Wall showing different flavours and packaging from around the world and the 3-metre Noodles Cup.
When: Now!
Where: China Hong Kong City, TST
More: cupnoodles-museum.com.hk
Cool Things to Do in Hong Kong at Night
BaseHall Dining Events Programme
Basehall, the multi-concept food hall in Jardine House, hosts a programme of entertainment throughout the year – including DJ nights, drag events, music nights, Friday happy hour and more. Check out the website for this month’s entertainment line-up.
When: Ongoing
Where: BaseHall HK, Central
More: basehall.hk
The MET HD Live 2021/22 Season
After a turbulent last year, The Metropolitan Opera of New York (The Met) will be reopening on September 27, 2021 with the Met premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. The 2021/22 season line up will include Met premieres of three contemporary operas, six brand new productions including new works and all-time classics and a holiday presentation of Cinderella.
When: Ongoing
Where: Online
More: themetinhongkong.info
More great events in Hong Kong
OneSky 10th Annual Charity Hike
Keep fit this summer for a cause by joining the OneSky Annual Charity Hike. Gather friends and family and hike 10,000km by 13 November to raise HK$500,000 to support vulnerable children across Asia.
When: Until 13 November
Where: Anywhere!
More: bit.ly/3i27m4j
St Peters Lutheran College Brisbane – Virtual Tour
For a great insight into the campus of St Peters Lutheran College, a co-educational day and boarding school in Brisbane, Queensland, visit the school website for a virtual tour.
When: Until 31 December
Where: Online
More: stpeters.youtour.com.au
The Hong Kong Smart Design Awards 2021 Winners Announced
View the winning designs in the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards 2021 organised by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association. From over 400 entries, 64 winners were chosen, with some designs welcoming in the future of smart living and others helping us to better transition into the new post-pandemic era.
When: Until 31 December
Where: Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (online)
More: sdawards.org.hk
Things to do in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
Explore the Avenue of Stars
The Avenue of Stars reopened last year after a three-year construction hiatus. Now it’s back, bigger and better than ever and it’s one of our favourite things to do with visitors! Head over to TST to meander along the foreshore and learn about some of Hong Kong’s home-grown stars, including the beloved, Bruce Lee.
When: Now!
Where: TST; to get there, walk from the Star Ferry or from MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit P1; use the staircase or the escalator adjacent to Tsim Sha Tsui East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus
More: avenueofstars.com.hk
American Women’s Association Coffee Morning
The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong holds a weekly coffee morning every Thursday; CHAT – Come Have A Talk. The informal gathering is for member, newcomers and non-members and provides a friendly atmosphere to have a coffee or tea and some “grown-up” time away from the little ones. It’s a drop-in activity so people are welcome to join anytime between 10.30am and noon. The group often stays for lunch.
When: Every Thursday (except public holidays)
Where: Cafe 8, Roof Level, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Ferry Pier No.8, Central
More: awa.org.hk
Cooee Coffee – Australian Association of Hong Kong
The Australian Association of Hong Kong holds a weekly coffee morning, Cooee Coffee, every Friday, which acts as a casual get-together for both newcomers to Hong Kong, as well as a chance to catch up with old friends. In addition to meeting new people, it’s also a chance to get some advice and tips on living in Hong Kong.
When: Every Friday (except public holidays), 10am-12pm
Where: Oolaa Petite Shop 2 Tower 2 Starcrest, 9 Star Street, Wan Chai
More: ozhongkong.com
Be a tourist in your own city
There’s never been a better time to explore Hong Kong. Many of the city’s iconic tourist attractions have minimal crowds and incredible deals right now. If you’re looking for things to do, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has created a special website hkison.com, which houses all the great deals around town. Check it out and see if there’s a deal that works for you or your guests. You’ll find deals on theme parks, restaurants and staycations. The tourism board have let us know that the site is updated regularly, so keep checking back for the latest.
Wycombe Abbey School Tour
Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong offer daily tours of their Tin Wan Campus during term time, providing prospective parents and students with the opportunity to experience the school in operation. Register for a tour to find out more about the school, tour the facilities and meet the staff.
When: Daily during term time
Where: Tin Wan Campus, 17 Tin Wan Street
More: wycombeabbey.openapply.com/openday
Happy Wednesday at Happy Valley Races
Wednesday night at the Happy Valley Races is a favoured Hong Kong pastime. It costs just HK$10 to get in and see the spectacle of race fans watching world-class horse racing against a backdrop of skyscrapers. During this time of social distancing, the races may be off, but you can stay up to date with the racing world by tuning into the Happy Wednesdays YouTube channel.
When: Every Wednesday all year round (gates open at 5.15pm, first race 7.15pm)
Where: Happy Valley Race Course, Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley
More: hkjc.com| Open Space YouTube Channel
More Must-Do’s in Hong Kong
Explore a park
Take an escalator from Pacific Place mall up to an unexpected oasis. Hong Kong Park contains fountains, an aviary and a children’s playground. Or escape Causeway Bay’s crowds at Victoria Park, where going early will get you a glimpse of local Tai Chi groups. Playground spaces and a rock park keep kids entertained. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Garden offers the chance to watch monkeys up close for free.
More: Parks, playgrounds and outdoor centres for the kids
Hang out at the beach!
Hong Kong has too many beaches to count, but all provide just what you need for an enjoyable day out without burning through the cash. Repulse Bay is a must-visit for its accessible and expansive arc of sand. Big Wave Bay is another popular one, attracting surfers to its decent break. And camping bays at Pui O allows you to wake to the sound of rolling waves.
More: Top Hong Kong beaches
See the light show
The city’s iconic skyline takes on a new glow as buildings each side of the harbour beam lights across the water. The Symphony of Lights spectacle takes place every night at 8pm. Head down to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for the best view and marvel at Hong Kong Island’s skyline at night.
Take in a temple
For a free thing to do that’s instantly transporting, nothing beats a visit to a temple; and Hong Kong has plenty! We’ve already mentioned Wong Tai Sin, but another great temple to see is Man Mo on Hollywood Road. This atmospheric building is one of Hong Kong’s oldest temples, and is dedicated to the god of literature.
More: Must-see temples and places of worship in Hong Kong
Roam a rooftop
IFC Mall’s landscaped rooftop provides one of the city’s few free public seating spots, making it perfect if you bring a coffee and book or plan a city picnic with the kids. The sight of ferries chugging across the harbour never gets old.
Eye some artworks
Galleries along Hollywood Road are an ideal first stop for browsing artworks, but you can also head to the JCCAC artist colony in Shek Kip Mei, where about 140 artists have studios. It’s open from 10am to 10pm daily and is perfect for those who are looking for a Hong Kong attraction that is free and has a cultural flavour.
More: Your guide to Hong Kong’s cultural institutions
Mosey around a market
The vibrant street markets have a lively, bustling energy and provide great people watching, as customers haggle with stallholders. Of course, the cost of this outing will rise if you start buying things! There are also speciality markets such as the fish, bird and flower markets.
Hike in nature
About three quarters of Hong Kong’s land space is Country Park, so getting into green space is surprisingly easy. Central’s Morning Trail is a great first introduction. The paved stroll takes you up to The Galleria at the top of the Peak, with gorgeous city views to boot.
More: Family-friendly hikes in Hong Kong
Chase a waterfall
Why not tie your hike in with a visit to a waterfall? Hong Kong has its fair share, including the famous Bride’s Pool in Plover Cove Country Park, which has a fascinating backstory (follow the link below to discover it!). Some waterfalls here are easily accessible; others require a decent trek to get to. If it’s warm enough, there are some superb swimming opportunities to.
More: 5 of our favourite Hong Kong waterfalls
Hop on a Tram
Jump aboard at Western Market and view the city with new eyes as the tram trundles through Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. It’s just HK$2.30 to experience this piece of iconic local culture.
Online Things to Do
Enjoy a (free) performance
- Savour the world of art at home with virtually@HKMoA, Hong Kong Art Museum’s online portal which gives the public access to art through a variety of multimedia resources. Browse the website for audio guides, pamphlets, exhibition multi-media programmes and images from the featured collections.
- Stream comedies, cabarets, concerts, art exhibitions and more thanks to the The Social Distancing Festival.
- Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s YouTube channel, The Shows Must Go On!, includes streams of his musicals for free, or you can sing along with Broadway stars performing from their homes as part of Broadway World’s Living Room Concerts.
- Since mid-March last year, Billboard has been hosting Live At-Home concerts with the likes of Hunter Hayes, Josh Groban and JoJo. Watch them on the Billboard Facebook page.
- Shakespeare’s Globe is offering free streams of plays including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. Tune in via its YouTube channel.
- Turn your living room into a Disneyland Park, complete with Disney’s iconic parade. Watch the Disney Parks YouTube channel and virtually visit the happiest place on earth.
- Missing your regular club night? Hours and hours of house music was streamed from March through to May as part of the Defected Virtual Festival and is still available on the Defected Records YouTube channel.
Tour a museum (or a famous landmark!)
- Google Arts and Culture is packed full of interesting content. You’ll be able to view digital exhibitions and go on virtual tours at renowned museums and galleries across the world, from the Louvre in Paris to New York’s Guggenheim. There are also virtual tours of famous landmarks, from street views of the Sydney Opera House to the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
Go to the zoo (via a virtual tour)
- San Diego Zoo and Melbourne Zoo are among many that are bringing the wild and wacky to us. Watch pandas play and lions laze from the 24/7 live feeds in the animal enclosures.
- If seaside scenes are more your vibe, aquariums like the Vancouver Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium have jellyfish, otter and penguin cams.
Travel from home
- Tick off your bucket list with Google Earth or Google Street View, a virtual tour of interactive panoramas from positions along many streets in the world.
- Keen for the outdoors? Explore.org has up to 100 livestream webcams set up in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries around the world that you can view at any given moment – including the spellbinding Northern Lights!
- For those who miss a good night out, Ushuaïa Ibiza has launched #StayAtHomeSessions on Facebook – a re-stream of some of 2019’s best DJ sets from Ibiza, to bring the party atmosphere into your homes!
- Travel to Western Europe with Visit Monaco’s virtual tours. Enjoy 360-degree views of its streets and landmarks, including Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
- Travel company andBeyond has a live streaming service where viewers can enjoy wildlife sightings on Instagram Live and interactive three-hour safaris twice a day on YouTube and Facebook.
What’s On in Hong Kong: Best of 2021 Events, Rescheduled
Due to the current coronavirus measures in Hong Kong, the following events have been rescheduled, with new dates as below. Please check individual event websites for the latest information.
Avril Lavigne Head Above Water World Tour 2020: TBA
Standard Chartered Marathon: 24 October 2021
Clockenflap: 26-28 November 2021
Hong Kong Sevens: April 2022
Got an event to add? Contact us at editor@expatliving.hk!
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