Annual Hong Kong Events

Below are the current Hong Kong events. Usually there are arts or international festivals throughout the year. Hong Kong events include concerts by famous international artists and local Canto-pop singers. Hong Kong is also a major film centre and theatre productions include dramas, Broadway musicals, contemporary and Chinese dance, as well as ballet.

The calendar also features thrilling sports, including horseracing, rugby, golf and soccer. Click on any of these links to find out more about your favourite event in Hong Kong plus information on the many performing companies featuring home-grown talent.

In the cultural side, throughout the year several local arts companies perform shows ranging from Cantonese opera to English plays. Locally produced drama and dance shows are quite entertaining. And the number of international and foreign acts is also impressive. Hong Kong stages several annual events, including the Hong Kong Arts Festival in February/March, and the Hong Kong International Film Festival in April. Sometimes the government subsidizes the cost of imported shows so ticket prices are generally very reasonable.

Ching Ming Festival

Falling on the 106th day after the Winter Solstice, Ching Ming is a family affair among the Hong Kong Festivals. It is the day when relatives flock to their ancestors' graves. They tidy the tombstones and arrange fresh flowers and three glasses of wine before them. They burn joss sticks and paper objects, in the belief that the dead will receive these "the other side".

This can be a fantastic sight as incense and joss sticks are burned and a variety of food is left - including, in unique Hong Kong style, takeaway rice and pork. Paper cars, money, mahjong sets, even cellular phones go up in smoke. The families also present roast piglets, fruit and other food to the deceased but that doesn't go to waste. The day usually ends with a family feast.

Chinese New Year

One of the most important if the not the most colourful Chinese Hong Kong event celebrated by the Chinese majority. Three days of celebrations mark Chinese New Year, culminating with a fantastic firework display in Victoria Harbor and a traditional parade. During ten days of the festival there are a huge number of events - from the long dragon and lions dance on the streets, crowds visiting temples, lantern displays, flower decorations and plenty of entertainment in the squares of the city. Its the time of year to greet others "Kung Hei Fat Choi" and offer "Lai Si" (red pockets) to young friends and relatives.

Feb - Lunar New Year Fireworks Display

15th day of the First Moon is the Lanterns Festival, being equally the Valentine's Days in the Chinese tradition. At night, the celebrations continue with colorful lanterns placed around. Small balls of glutinous rice is prepared as dessert, for homophonic reasons and symbolizes the "ribbon of friendship", "family reunion" or "good luck" for the Chinese.

Cheung Chau Festival

Wacky and wonderful, the week long Cheung Chau Bun Festival reaches the climax with a parade of children on stilts and the infamous bun tower climbing competition. The bun competition is a mad race to the top of bun-clad towers. The higher the bun the greater the luck and the glory. Originally made of bamboos the local government has changed them to steel after one time when the structure collapsed. Moreover, now only bonafide climbers using ropes can ascend the tower. Definitely one of Hong Kong's unique events.

Cricket Sixes

This is a great chance to see some international cricket matches in Hong Kong and in this part of Asia. This week long cricket match is at par with the Rugby Sevens. The format also follows a format that offers a faster and more entertaining game format. The Cricket Sixes attracts a lot of people including both cricket buffs and those new to the game. Definitely good for cricket.

Tuen Ng or Dragon Boat Festival

Arguably the most exciting festival of the year. In an adrenalin filled version of the Oxford and Cambridge boat races; eight men dragon boats, ornately decorated, do battle over three days in what is fierce competition. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races take place in bays and harbours all over, usually in June. Fiercely competitive teams train up for months ahead of the event.

Tuen Ng or Dragon Boat Festival

Arguably the most exciting festival of the year. In an adrenalin filled version of the Oxford and Cambridge boat races; eight men dragon boats, ornately decorated, do battle over three days in what is fierce competition. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races take place in bays and harbours all over, usually in June. Fiercely competitive teams train up for months ahead of the event.

Hong Kong Arts Festival

The annual Arts Festival brings to Hong Kong entertainment a plethora of world class acts offering performances ranging from Shakespeare to modern offerings of top Chinese directors.

Hong Kong Flower Show

The most botanic Hong Kong festival of the year which is a big colorful show of flower arrangements, plants and flowers in full bloom, landscape displays and all things botanical. The orchids are particularly popular. Great time to find that green residents always wanted to bring home to their small apartments among the stalls selling plenty of green and decorations.

Hong Kong International Film Festival

The Hong Kong International Film Festival is held on April is another event to watch hundreds of films in cinemas all across the islands. A great time for film buffs to enjoy over two weeks of cinema. Make sure to book early for popular films which are often sold out. Check out the South China Morning Post and other English language newspapers or entertainment magazines for this event listing as well as the usual daily cinema listings.

Hong Kong Marathon

Running 26 miles inside polluted Hong Kong is questionable but is proving popular. Probably runners are attracted by the crossing of the Tsing Ma bridge. There are also half marathons and 10k races for those wanting to save their lungs.

Hong Kong Sevens

Forms part of the World Sevens Series and probably the main event of the whole series. Hong Kong sevens offer a weekend of exiting, running and fast pace rugby. Rugby teams come from over 20 nations to compete, attracting fans from all over the world. For many regulars, its the beerfest of the year. Its always a long night in Wanchai and Lan Kwai Fong after the games each day.

Hong Kong World Festival

The largest mobile carnival and fanfare in the world comes to Hong Kong featuring over 70 rides, including a rollercoaster, and tons of games. Usually open from noon to midnight the carnival also offers a variety of food, drinks and gift items. Great fun for the whole family.

Horse Racing

Choose to place your bets at either the Sha Tin or Happy Valley racecourses. Horse racing runs in the blood of Hong Kong people. Prior to the handover, Deng Xiaoping found it necessary to reassure Hongkongers that the races would continue after 1997. A night at the races can be a real exciting. Sometimes its more interesting to see the reaction of people than watching the horses fly by. Join the Horseracing tour to enjoy one of the Hong Kong's pastimes.

September to July at Happy Valley and Shatin Racecourses.

International Arts Carnival

Great way to keep children busy over the summer vacations and for adults to indulge in some art pursuits. Other attractions include performances by acrobats and mime and comedy shows. Plenty of workshops are on offer for those wanting to learn or improve their singing, clowning, puppets and mime.

Lan Kwai Fong Julyfest

Lan Kwai Fong is always looking for an excuse to celebrate so for one day there is a party all along the street. On offer are street stalls serving food and drinks beginning at lunchtime. Shows, performances and competition struggles to attract your attention. Party all night long in Lan Kwai Fong.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Hong Kong's biggest festival other than Chinese New Year. This commemorates the Chinese revolution against the Mongolian Dynasty. Big and small lanterns appear all over town and there are dragon and lion dances. Everyone's favourite mooncakes make their annual appearance. Practically the Chinese families will be out in force carrying lanterns to see the moon. Visit the parks near you if not the Victoria Peak or the Victoria Park. Festival ends with a major clean up the next day.

Oxfam Trailwalker

This the endurace annua race event of the year. Teams of four gear up to finish the 100km long MacLehose hiking trail in under 48 long hours. The Gurkas and other faster teams run it, finishing the stretch within 14 hours. Many people of all ages join it for fun and their goal is simply to cross the finish line. All teams are sponsored, thus raising money for Oxfam's several charitable and relief projects.

 

Current Hong Kong Events

Sports Arena - 20 Jun 2008 - 4 Jan 2009

This Hong Kong Science Museum exhibition features dozens of exhibits comprising many interactive activities that introduces visitors to the nature of, the skills involved and the scientific principles behind a range of sports activities. Visitors can try to pitch like a major leaguer, take part in a 100-metre race, spike a ball in a virtual volleyball match, shoot a soccer ball in a simulated football game, and be judges at the Olympics! "Sports Arena" owned by the Saint Louis Science Center. Designed, fabricated and tour management by the Ontario Science Centre.

Story of the Horse | 27 Jun - 28 Dec 2008

The Hong Kong Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui is presenting a special exhibition focusing on the horse and its role in Chinese art and culture, part of Hong Kong¡¦s celebrations as it hosts the Equestrian Events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The exhibition includes around 40 pieces selected from the collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Exhibits include Chinese ceramics, bronzes, bamboo carvings, Chinese paintings, historical pictures and modern works of art.

The Ancient Olympic Games | 3 Aug - 24 Nov 2008

The Ancient Olympic Games exhibition in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a major cultural event to complement the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Olympic Equestrian Events being held in Hong Kong. In this exhibition, the British Museum has, for the first time, allowed the world-renowned marble sculpture The Discus Thrower to come to Hong Kong.

There are more than 110 valuable items including a sculpture of Zeus and other sculptures, pottery, goldware, bronzeware, coins and medals. It also introduces the ancient city of Olympia, the home of the original Olympics, the different events held at the ancient Games i.e. the discus, the javelin, jumping, running, boxing, wrestling, chariot and horse races, as well as the ceremonies honouring the winners and associated religious activities.

New Vision Arts Festival 2008 | 23 Oct - 23 Nov 2008

Featuring innovative artists from all over the world, this Festival continues to explore new frontiers in the arts and brings unique aesthetic experiences to the audience. Programme Highlights:

• 23-25 Oct: New Work, Tar and Feathers and Shoot the Moon by Nederlands Dans Theater I (The Netherlands)
• 24-25 Oct: The Tempest by Contemporary Legend Theatre of Taiwan
• 20-23 Nov: The Will to Build by Theatre du Pif