The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend

Swire Properties’ charity book sale 'Books for Love @ $10' returns from May 9 to 12 and 16 to 19. Heading back to its regular venue at ArtisTree and Berkshire House in Taikoo Place, this year's event invites bookworms to dig through over 320,000 pre-loved books of various genres – all for just $10! To elebrate the 12th anniversary of the book sale, there will also be a special buy-10-get-two promotion, a dedicated wellness-themed area with over 7,000 books on wellbeing and psychology, a Star Wars parade, storytelling, and a series of family-friend activities.

As always, the eight-day event will donate all proceeds to support the Treasure Trove project led by The Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong (BGCA) and to help the Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS) promote the development of sustainable volunteerism.

One of Hong Kong's biggest traditional festivals returns to delight city dwellers with delicious street food, nostalgic bites and experiences, Cantonese opera performances, and more! Happening twice a year during the third and fourth lunar months, the Tsing Yi Bamboo Theatre is a cherished celebration honouring the Chun Kwan Emperor and Tin Hau, the Empress of Heaven.

From now to May 12 (2.30pm-10.30pm), visitors will be treated to an array of street food – from cat paw-shaped buns to non-alcoholic beer – from 40 different stalls and vendors offering a mix of dry goods, seafood, and nostalgic treats. There are also various cultural activities to experience, including goldfish-catching, candy-blowing, Cantonese opera, and more.

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Show your appreciation for mama bear this year at Lee Tung Avenue (LTA) as it transforms into the perfect Mother's Day destination, featuring a giant bouquet standing over 3.5 metres high! Created by renowned floral design brand Aurora Blooms, the bouquet is made up of 1,000 lifelike artificial roses, symbolising the message of love. As you stroll along LTA, you'll also find rose decorations adorning the benches. On May 11 and 12 during specific time slots, visitors who spend $100 or more at any LTA merchant can receive a complimentary carnation and enjoy a free family photography service (limited quantities are available on a first-come, first-served basis). Additionally, on May 12, seniors aged 65 or above can enjoy the free family photography service and receive a complimentary printed photo. For more information, visit leetungavenue.com.hk.

Calling all beer lovers! The Hoppening is returning to PMQ for a two-day beer fest, offering over 85 different types of craft beers from breweries in Hong Kong and around the world. This year's festival features an expanded lineup of local and international breweries, doubling the vendor count from the previous year. With over 20 vendors and breweries showcasing their fresh draft beer in individual booths, attendees can engage with each vendor to learn about their represented breweries. Taste all types of brews, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts to fresh sours.

The event's Beer Garden at PMQ Courtyard is the perfect setting to relax with a freshly poured beer, enjoy music, and partake in games like cornhole and Jenga.   

The event emphasises eco-friendly practices through the use of reusable eco-aluminium cups, available for $20. Additionally, free water fountains provided by Life Solutions will be available at the venue to eliminate single-use water bottles, with spittoons also on hand for drink disposal 

All purchases at the festival will be made through The Hoppening’s cashless system and all major credit cards will be accepted across the venue. 

The Doulos Hope has finally arrived in Hong Kong! Offering a literary adventure for the public, the giant floating book fair boasts over 2,000 book titles of various genres ranging from novels and science to arts, cooking, religion, and more. There will also be a selection of souvenirs and merchandise available, including bags, mugs, t-shirts, keychains, and pens. When you're done book shopping, head over to the Hope Café for drinks and small bites!

The Doulos Hope will be in town from now to May 26, opening from 12.30pm to 8.15pm daily (except Mondays). Bookworms eager to hop aboard the ship will need to make a reservation in advance, and an admission fee of $20 (cash only) will be collected at the door.

Click on the video below for a first look at the offerings!

Michelin-starred modern European restaurant Whey is celebrating its third anniversary this month by launching a limited-time collaboration with local bakery Dough Beings. Chef Barry Quek has infused a collection of pastries together with the local bakery with distinct Singaporean flavours. Priced at $458 per box, the assortment includes sweet and savoury doughnuts, croissants, and choux. The selection features croissants filled with lobster and Whey’s signature laksa mayo, pandan coffee hazelnut flavours, doughnuts filled with braised pulled pork shoulder and Whey's bak kut teh sauce reduction, strawberry with vanilla and ginger flower, and choux filled with dulce de leche and buah keluak custard, topped with shaved candlenuts.

Pre-orders start on May 13 for pickup or delivery on Fridays and Saturdays from May 17 through June 1. Delivery is available on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon from 2pm to 6pm. Orders can be placed via this link.

Let’s face it: a large part of the Hallyu’s phenomenal success has to do with South Korea’s attractive celebrities and pop culture personalities, and boy, do they have pretty boys in spades. So how would you like to see a group of buff, objectively hot Korean men gyrating across a stage without having to fly to Korea yourself? The hugely popular Wild Wild Show has worked plenty of women up into a frenzy when it visited Taiwan and Macau last year, and now, these nine well-oiled oppas with rippling abs are making their way to our shores.

Designed to cater to every type of female desire with the male actors presenting loving, romantic, gentle, and wild fantasies, the Wild Wild Show in Korea bars anyone under 19 from entry – so that should give you an idea of just how hot things might get on stage. Expect modern dance numbers, aerial and pole dances, men in uniforms, men in barely any clothing, and interactive performances that are just short of public indecency. 

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There will purportedly be four shows altogether in May, three of which are only for women, and one for everyone interested regardless of gender. Three members of the Wild Wild troupe – leader Lee Kug-young, along with Kang Chun-il and Jeong Han-saem – will also be going around Hong Kong on an open-top bus to tease the show on March 14. They’ll be touring around Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, North Point, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, and finally the Central Star Ferry pier, so keep your eyes peeled when you’re out and don’t forget to pick your jaw up off the floor! 

Tickets to the Wild Wild Show run from $380 to $1,880 for a VIP experience with ‘fan benefits’.

Popular French bakery Sucré is making its first international debut by collaborating with the Hong Kong branch of Kyoto-based speciality cafe Kurasu. Co-founded by Victor Selle and Louise Hoi Lam Lui, Sucré was created during the pandemic and initially operated out of a home kitchen. Currently, the bakery has locations in Reims and Senlis, and a third branch is set to open in Paris later this year. 

From May 9 to 12, the French bakery will whip up seven specially selected cookie flavours for Hongkongers to purchase at the cafe. Opt for classic varieties like Valrhona milk chocolate as well as Valrhona dark chocolate with hazelnut, or try innovative flavours such as lime confit with coconut jam, Sucré’s signature apple jam with speculoos, and espresso with vanilla – made with Kurasu’s house blend dark coffee. Sucré will also offer cookies made with milk tea, as well as sesame and chocolate to incorporate beloved local flavours.

Sucré and Kurasu’s pop-up collaboration will run from 10am until all cookies are sold out each day.

Japan's hugely popular Naked Flowers exhibition is coming to Hong Kong for the first time! Set to run from April 27 to October 27 at 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui, the exhibition will take visitors on an immersive journey through the world of flowers and uncover their hidden secrets. Explore colossal flower gardens and interactive spaces, and delve into the mysteries of floral life across eight experiential rooms, including the 'Naked Big Book' featuring original Naked design with projection mapping; the 'Big Flower Garden' where visitors can enjoy the fragrance of flowers; 'Microscopy of Flowers', a kaleidoscope-like space with mirrors that rotate to reflect digital art; and more. Be sure to stop at the Naked Cafe Bar where visitors can enjoy floral teas (or cocktails after 6pm!) on an interactive round table with projections of floral designs when a drink is placed down.

Tickets are available at $180 and $150 for children aged three to 11, full-time students, persons with disabilities, and seniors aged 65 or above. Children under the age of three can enter for free. Bank of China Chill Card credit card holders can also take advantage of an exclusive package for $260 to get two adult tickets and a BOGOF deal on selected drinks at the Naked Cafe Bar.

Highlights of Naked Flower Hong Kong: 

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The Hoka Flylab has arrived in Hong Kong. Held by the promenade at K11 Musea, this four-day pop-up invites every racer and sports enthusiast to explore the brand's innovative footwear, including the Skyward X trainer made with Hoka's signature cushioning, and the Cielo X1, the ultimate road-racing show for athletes.

Visitors can also find their perfect Hoka shoes by trying out the state-of-the-art SafeSize 3D foot scanner, which analyses each of your steps to provide personalised recommendations. Once you've got your new kicks, be sure to join one of Hoka's community runs, which will take you to and from the pop-up and Hung Hom Ferry Pier. It's completely free to join so visit hokaflylabhk.com to sign up now!

This Mother’s Day, Rosewood Hong Kong is set to impress with an extensive range of promotions across the hotel’s restaurants. Venues such as Bluhouse, Bayfare Social, and Asaya Kitchen have each created menus full of delightful dishes that will be exclusively available until May 12. Treat the special lady in your life with a bountiful brunch experience ($880 per person) at Holt’s Cafe full of seafood-focused dishes, or opt for The Legacy House’s lavish lunch and dinner menus (from $1,080 per person) to make Mum’s heart skip with joy. Don’t forget to check out Butterfly Patisserie’s curated range of celebratory desserts, such as heart-shaped madeleines, rose-shaped bonbons, and a special strawberry and passionfruit oolong chiffon cake.

The Ikea Weekend Market is back! Taking place every Saturday and Sunday from now to May 26 at various Ikea locations (see below), the market features eight kiosks offering a range of sustainable and environmentally friendly products – from soaps and scents to accessories and handmade items – from homegrown brands, artisans, and social enterprises. Pick up some upcycled bling made from glass, or try natural skincare products made right here in Hong Kong. Do some bulk shopping and stock up on teas and locally-made Hong Kong-style snacks. While you're there, don't forget to check out the various displays showcasing how folks can live a more sustainable lifestyle with Ikea products. Happy green shopping!

Weekend Market dates and locations:

Tai Koo Plan and Order Point (April 27-28, May 4-5)
Sha Tin (May 11-12)
Tsuen Wan (May 18-19)
Kowloon Bay (May 25-26)

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Starting on May 9, the eastern neighbourhood of Shau Kei Wan will host a nine-day festival in honour of Tam Kung, the deity of wind and rain. Every year, the festival consists of parades and lion dance performances, but this is the first time in which a 300-metre dragon will be featured. Since this dragon will illuminate the nighttime festivities, participants are encouraged to dress in dragon costumes as well to match.

See the luminous dragon dance on the night of Saturday, May 11, when it will make its way from the Eastern District Cultural Square towards Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, before ending at the Factory Street Playground. Apart from lion dances, a thanksgiving Chinese opera performance, variety shows, and over 70 local merchants selling their wares at a special discount, the festival will also be giving out traditional Tam Kung pastries for free. 

Traditionally held from the fourth to the 10th days of the fourth lunar month, the Tam Kung Festival is the largest traditional festivity held in the Shau Kei Wan area. According to Chinese folklore, Tam Kung is a deity who can hail the wind and rain, as well as heal the sick. It is this power to control the weather which endeared him to fisherfolk, and followers built the Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan in 1905.

French online patisserie Le Dessert has collaborated with consultant and pastry lover Florence Tsai to curate a Mother’s Day collection in anticipation of the upcoming occasion. Treat the special matriarch figure in your life with the patisserie’s best sellers like the heart-shaped raspberry and lychee Ispahan cheesecake (from $290), or opt for the Nomade Montebello Pistachio entremet cake (from $650) for a show-stopping sweet treat. Le Dessert’s special collection also sees new products such as the Mother’s Day bakery box ($220) which contains a heart-shaped croissant, a bi-colour croissant filled with raspberry cream, a strawberry Danish with raspberry and strawberry cream, and a French brioche bun topped with a butter craquelin. Additionally, Le Dessert has collaborated with florist brand Blooms and Blossoms to specially create gorgeous bouquets (from $850), which can be purchased with the patisserie’s sweet treats in exclusive bundle deals.

As part of the large-scale outdoor art project Art@Harbour 2024, the international art collective teamLab will present teamLab: Continuous at Tamar Park as well as the Central and Western District promenade. The installation will consist of hundreds of luminous ovoids that continuously change colours based on how visitors interact with them. Dozens of trees in the park will also be lit up to change colours and play sounds in response to the ovoids. See this stunning installation on the lawns of Tamar Park, where they will extend out onto Victoria Harbour to highlight Hong Kong’s vibrant waterfront. 

Art@Harbour 2024 will also see the Science in Art exhibition along the Central and Western District promenade, featuring two interactive art installations called Harbour Cup and Schrödinger’s Bed. Visit the waterfront to experience these art exhibits for yourself – teamLab has extended its run until June 8. Pre-registration will also no longer be required starting Wednesday, May 8.

Hong Kong creative Vaevae Chan and New York-based artist Jordan Kasey have collaborated to present a joint project that reflects the parallels between their lives, even though they live halfway across the world from each other. Hidden behind four identical doors in a nondescript industrial building – some of which simply open to artsy dead ends – Chan has created a subterranean world which follows on from her cave installation She Told Me to Head to The Sea from a couple of years ago, only this time the pitch-black darkness has been lifted by crystals and their refracted rainbows.

Make your way through the exhibition space to find a series of charcoal drawings and murals by Kasey which play on light, darkness, and the ensuing shadows. This is truly a multisensory journey that deserves to be experienced. See if Chan happens to be in her art space when you visit, and have a chat to understand the deeply personal story of loss, collective trauma, and multi-dimensional parallel universes that drove this series of work.

Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong has partnered with skincare brand Farmacy Beauty to launch an afternoon tea set inspired by the brand’s newest product range, which spotlights natural ingredients like honey, chamomile, and fig. Each tea set features sweet and savoury bites made with the skincare line’s featured ingredients, such as brie croissant with truffle spread and fresh figs, as well as parma ham crostini topped with fig chutney and whipped burrata. Other treats to look forward to include lemon and elderflower chiffon cake, and freshly made honey waffles served with chamomile whipped cream. Guests that enjoy Hyatt Centric’s collaborative tea set will receive a complimentary skincare set and a 15 percent discount coupon for Farmacy Beauty’s products.

Broadway International Group brings the International Tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music to make its Hong Kong stage debut. Catch the heartwarming tale of governess Maria as she joins the family of Captain Von Trapp and his seven children, and ignites their love of music, all set against a pre-World War II backdrop. The original Broadway musical has won Tonys and Grammys over the years, and will be celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2024.

Audiences will also get to hear perennial favourite songs such as My Favourite Things, Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, and the title track The Sound of Music. Having been sold out for its seasons in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the soon-to-open Shanghai, make sure to catch the Sound of Music stage production at the Xiqu Centre from April 16 to June 9.

Black Sheep Restaurants is relaunching its Plated series, offering diners incredible deals each month at selected venues within the dining group. Every Monday and Tuesday this month, guests can enjoy set menus for only $388 per person at venues like Carbone, Buenos Aires Polo Club, and Grand Majestic Sichuan. 

At Carbone, patrons can enjoy classic New York-Italian dishes such as chicken parmesan served with broccoli AOP and pepperoncino, as well as the restaurant’s crowd-pleasing spicy rigatoni vodka. Head to Buenos Aires Polo Club to relish a lavish dining experience and begin with crispy Argentinian empanadas, before selecting between General Pico Black Angus, ribeye, or sirloin steak. Be sure to pair your steak with delightful sides such as creamed spinach, sautéed broccoli, or a portion of indulgent duck-fat fries. At Grand Majestic Sichuan, chef Theign Phan has created a six-course menu full of Sichuan fare like poached local three yellow chicken in sesame sauce, ma po tofu with Angus beef and Sichuan peppercorns, as well as wok-fried prawns with cashews in a house special gong bao sauce. 

Aside from discounted set menus, Black Sheep Restaurants is also rolling out Cork by Plated each month, allowing guests to enjoy waived corkage fees. For May, guests can bring their own wine bottles to Belon without any additional charges. Stay tuned to our page to find the newest details about the Plated series each month.

The annual SummerFest is back! This year, the annual programme will be held at the Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space from April 5 to July 3, before heading over to the Central Harbourfront Event Space for its second round (dates TBC).

As with previous years, visitors can expect an exciting mix of events and activities spanning from arts and music to outdoor markets and sports. Thematic events will also be held on weekends, public holidays, and specific dates during this period. Together with the A-Maze-ing Harbourfront themed mazes, along with the illuminate! Run Beyond outdoor light installation, everyone is welcome to chill, play, and simply enjoy a great summer by our gorgeous waterfront.

Don't miss highlight events like the Hong Kong Dance Competition 2024, K-Wave Fiesta, Balance Bike Carnival, the Awaken Your Inner Warrior: Fit & Well Festival, Lanka Fest Hong Kong, and many more.

With upcoming art festivals like Art Basel and Art Central taking place in the city, vegetarian restaurant Jaja joins the fun by releasing their Taste of Arts afternoon tea set. This artsy tea set is full of colourfully decorated desserts like mushroom-shaped meringues, raspberry chocolate dipped croissants, rose-shaped mousse, and plenty more. As for savoury treats, diners can look forward to bites such as mini margherita pizzas, one-bite deep fried risotto balls, and maki sushi.

Gather around, Kirby fans! The beloved pink puffball is coming to Hong Kong to celebrate his birthday from April 26 to May 26 at LCX in Harbour City. Visitors are invited to strike a pose with a giant Kirby plush, try their luck on a Kirby-themed claw machine, try out Kirby's game series on Nintendo Switch, and meet Kirby in person on selected days between the pop-up period. Of course, the time-limited merch store is also not to be missed, offering everything for adorable Kirby plus toys to pouches, cups, tote bags, and more.

Step into the weird, wacky, and wonderful world of acclaimed British artist Gary Card at his first large-scale solo exhibition in Hong Kong titled People Mountain People Sea. Gary's diverse talents span painting, sculpture, illustration, graphic design, and set design, having worked with some of the biggest artists and designers from around the world. For this exhibition, Gary was inspired by the vibrant fusion of East and West cultures in Hong Kong. Using various objects and elements he's observed during his visits to the city, Gary has crafted a series of bold and unique artworks to transform the historic Oi! Warehouses into a multimedia art space, where animation and sound merge to create an immersive visual and sensory experience. Visit Oi! Street Art Space between now and July 28 to his works and be sure to snap pics of the giant outdoor sculpture on the Oi! Lawn.

Experience a series of top-notch performing arts programmes entirely for free across three Sundays, presented by young, local talents spanning music, theatre, dance, contemporary circus, and more.

A cappella group Boonfaysau will perform both arranged and original works, while the La P en V Innovative Dance Platform will present three pieces themed after emotional experiences such as serendipity and déjà vu. There will also be a theatre performance on classical notion of being a xiake knight, as well as a blend of contemporary dance and martial arts, tricking, parkour, capoeira, and live beatboxing by an award-winning Hong Kong dance and circus troupe. Apart from those core programmes, the Performing Arts Fun Day will also include activities like mentalist magic shows, a theatre piece about acclaimed singer Teresa Teng, and a Cantonese opera workshop. 

The Performing Arts Fun Day will be held at the Sha Tin Town Hall, the Tuen Mun Town Hall, and the Tsuen Wan Town Hall on May 12, May 19, and June 2, respectively. Admission to all programmes are free on a first-come-first-served basis.

Sri Lanka's legendary Ministry of Crab, ranked number 35 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, is debuting in Hong Kong at Ozone, the world's highest bar. Founded by acclaimed chef-restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa in collaboration with Sri Lankan cricket stars Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, this celebrated crab-centric eatery originated in a restored 400-year-old Dutch Hospital in Colombo and has expanded to locations in Shanghai, Maldives, Bangkok, among others.

Secure your spot at Ozone between May 3 and 19, from Wednesday to Sunday, 6.30pm to 10pm, to indulge in the five-course menu priced at $1,588, showcasing mud crabs and freshwater prawns from Sri Lanka. Enjoy delectable offerings such as crab liver paté with Melba toast, avocado crab salad, garlic chilli prawn, pepper crab, and coconut crème brûlée. Enhance your experience with wine pairing for an additional $788. 

Discover the fusion of art and community at the TypePop Show hosted by Gate33 Gallery (3/F) at Airside. As part of Hong Kong's Art Month, this exhibition showcases the creative works of 10 contemporary artists, including Katol Lo, Jonathan Mak, Chi-wing Lee, Adonian Chan, and more. Expressing art through words, they weave together stories of Hong Kong's sentiment, culture, and history, focusing on the neighbourhoods of Kowloon City, San Po Kong, To Kwa Wan, and Wong Tai Sin. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in large-scale installations and interactive works that capture the essence of these historic pockets of Hong Kong until June 12. 

After contemporary artist Park Yoon-kyung moved to Jeju Island, she found herself inspired by the locale’s natural landscapes and scenery, rich culture, and unique spoken dialect. In this latest body of work. Park uses vibrant colours and bold brush strokes to explore the connection between humans and the natural world around them. Look out for her mastery in incorporating painted frames to create interesting three-dimensional works that transcend the traditional canvas.

Celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) with their exciting Spring Programme 2024, Factory of Tomorrow. From now to July 14, immerse yourself in a fascinating group exhibition that showcases CHAT's contemporary art collection and newly commissioned works. With artworks by 19 Asian artists, the exhibition explores the role of textiles in Hong Kong's past while delving into the present and future. Through textile works, sculptures, immersive installations, and videos, artists examine themes such as technology, diversity, climate change, and our collective future. Additionally, be sure to experience new elements like the Misfitted: Unspoken Stories of Tailoring display, the interactive Illumin-Loom, as well as the reopening of the CHAT Lounge.

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After the overwhelming popularity of The Peninsula’s collaborative afternoon tea with the Star Ferry, the hotel returns with their Afternoon Tea on the Harbour experience until June 30. Diners can hop aboard a lavishly decorated World Star ferry and enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea package as they sail along Victoria Harbour. The Peninsula’s tea menu provides plenty of savoury bites, such as abalone tart with seaweed cauliflower mousse, ham and mustard seed sandwich, smoked salmon and avocado spread sandwich, and more. As for desserts, guests can indulge in treats like milk tea choux puff, fermented bean curd and peanut brownie with milk chocolate cream, and the hotel’s signature raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Hong Kong escape room, Lost, has joined hands with Lego to present Hong Kong's first-ever Lego themed escape room. Inspired by the Lego City sets, Lost brings the vibrant landscape of the Lego City Police Prison Island to life. With two distinct storylines, players (aged six and above) can either become inmates and find ways to escape prison, or take on the role of prison guards to investigate and prevent the jailbreak. Both rooms incorporate the use of Lego bricks to activate various mechanisms.

Book your tickets from Feb 1 to Jun 30 at Lost's Causeway Bay branch or the Lost Junior New Town Plaza location in Sha Tin. Each ticket also includes a $50 redemption coupon to redeem a special Lego souvenir! 

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Café 103 at The Ritz Carlton teams up with popular American cookie brand, Poppins, to launch an all-American inspired afternoon tea. The afternoon tea set throws it back to the United States in the 1940s and 50s, and allows guests to try a curated range of retro American morsels. Enjoy flavourful savoury bites like mini reuben sandwiches and barbeque smoked pulled pork in choux puffs, or dig into sweets like red velvet cake, key lime pie verrine, or carrot cake. During the afternoon tea, guests will get to savour Poppins’ best-selling item – Rocher hazelnut cream pie – as well as the pistachio cookie, an exclusive new cookie flavour created for the collaborative afternoon tea menu. All guests who enjoy Café 103’s afternoon tea set will receive a 10 percent discount voucher, which can be used to purchase the Poppins’ cookies from their pop-up store at Sogo in Causeway Bay.

To celebrate the grand opening of the new Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space, the 13,300sq m venue will turn into an 'A-Maze-ing Harbourfront' featuring five themed mazes that will transport visitors into a world of immersive art and adventure.

Fusing elements of creative art, entertainment, and Instagrammable spots, each maze offers its own unique theme and experience suitable for visitors of all ages. The Time Maze will take you through a time-travelling tunnel using light and shadow, while the Infinite Mirror Maze allows visitors to view their endless mirror reflections and admire the beautiful Hong Kong skyline. Other mazes include Lost in the Woods, which draws inspiration from the iconic bamboo scaffolding structures of Hong Kong; Light Box Maze, featuring colourful lighting effects; and Air Maze, an inflatable maze specially designed for the little ones with various obstacles and hidden passages.

Mark your calendars for March 15 as the 'A-Maze-ing Harbourfront' opens for 10 consecutive days from 7am to 11pm. Best of all, admission is completely free of charge!

This year marks a century since the birth of Dr Louis Cha, better known by his pen name Jin Yong, the literary giant who wrote numerous hit martial arts novels that earned a place among classic Chinese literature. Starting from March 15, there will be a range of events and exhibitions that pay tribute to Jin Yong’s work and legacy, as well as to create unique cultural intellectual property that tells Hong Kong stories.

‘The World of Wuxia’ at Edinburgh Place will present 10 sculptures of Jin Yong’s most iconic characters, created by sculptor Ren Zhe. Apart from figures of Xiaolongnü, Yang Guo, Abbess Miejue, the Golden Wheel Monk, and more, there will also be a Mongolian yurt inspired by The Eagle-shooting Heroes, where visitors can recreate famous scenes with audio guides and AR technology. A larger exhibition of Ren Zhe’s sculptures will also be on show at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin from March 16 to October 7, along with seminars, talks, immersive experiences, and a manuscript display.

As the birthplace of Jin Yong’s wuxia novels, Hong Kong has always been known as a city of diverse peoples and cultures. The organisers of his centennial events have therefore collaborated with international institutions and foreign consulates in Hong Kong to create interactive artistic experiences that promote Jin Yong’s novels as a way to appreciate Chinese culture and tell Hong Kong stories. While most Hongkongers will already have vivid shared memories of Jin Yong and his famous works, younger generations can now also be  introduced to these literary classics.

The iconic singer and actor Anita Mui needs no introduction in Hong Kong. Since we’re approaching the end of the year, which marks the 20th anniversary of her passing, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum has organised an exhibition that celebrates Mui’s many achievements in music and film, as well as her remarkable contributions to Hong Kong’s pop culture.

Browse through 70 exhibits such as stage costumes, record covers, movie posters, film stills, and more. The prominent fashion designer Eddie Lau – who worked with Mui through the heights of her career and remained a lifelong friend – has generously donated 20 pieces to this exhibition, including eight stage costumes from different eras of Mui’s musical journey, as well as an autographed vinyl record.

There will also be a range of special programmes and public talks to complement the exhibition, including a screening of the 1988 movie Rouge, for which Mui won Best Actress at the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards.

This major special exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum highlights the former glory of the Yuan Ming Yuan imperial garden, which was also known as the ‘Garden of All Gardens’. With artefacts such as paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, architectural models, drawings, and prints – many of which are on display in Hong Kong for the very first time – this event provides a great look into the life and artistry of the Qing court. 

The garden-palace was first constructed by the Emperor Kangxi and later fully developed by his fourth son, Emperor Yongzheng, with a total of five emperors continually adding to the Yuan Ming Yuan over the course of more than a century. It was the most favoured imperial residence outside of the Forbidden City and boasted spectacular landscaping, scenery, and architecture. The Yuan Ming Yuan was sadly looted and destroyed during the Second Opium War, but this exhibition aims to transport visitors back to the height of its glory through five thematic sections on its overall layout, the seasonal festivities that were celebrated, its landscaping design, imperial family life within the grounds, and its eventual destruction.

The displays will also be complemented by documentary screenings of The Lei Family, who were the Qing dynasty royal architects over several generations and had worked on the Yuan Ming Yuan. Standard tickets cost $150 and will also grant access to other thematic exhibitions in the Hong Kong Palace Museum, while a special combo ticket costing $220 will allow visitors to also view the Botticelli to Van Gogh exhibition on the same day.