Let us inspire you with our weekly pick of best events and things to do in Hong Kong. Whether you’re looking for something to do this weekend or during the month, we might have great ideas for you. From exhbitions to special events happening in Hong Kong, we surely have something that will suit you.
Events in Hong Kong This May
Jazzing Cinema: Chungking Express — May 1–2
This open-air event invites you to step into the dreamlike world of Wong Kar Wai’s Chungking Express with a rooftop jazz experience. Featuring the jazz collective Fountain de Chopin, the performance uses curated film fragments to evoke the movie’s signature urban romance.
Set against the Victoria Harbour skyline, the multisensory evening captures the drifting rhythm and fleeting connections of the film’s iconic Kowloon setting. Guests are encouraged to wear green or yellow to match the film’s distinctive colour palette.
When: May 1–2, 2026
Where: 6F, Sculpture Park, K11 MUSEA, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: HK$498 (standing only). Buy tickets via Art-mate
Star Wars Night Run — May 1
May the Fourth spirit arrives early this year as Hong Kong hosts its first-ever Star Wars Night Run on 1 May at The Whampoa and Hung Hom Promenade. Open to participants aged four and above, the evening event blends fitness with fandom, featuring a 1 km cosplay run and 2 km race. A pre-run carnival, themed booths, and exclusive merchandise make it a must-visit celebration for Star Wars fans.
When: May 1, 2026
Where: The Whampoa and Hung Hom Promenade
Tickets: From HK$380. Visit Klook for details and tickets
French May Arts Festival — May 1-June 30
Now in its 33rd edition, French May Arts Festival 2026 unfolds under the theme Re/naissance, suggesting a fresh dawn for culture in Hong Kong. The programme brings together major highlights such as the DJ Snake live show on the Central harbourfront, the immersive exhibition Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the aerial‑circus spectacle VOÛTE at Tai Kwun, and French GourMay, a series of food and wine experiences celebrating French gastronomy.
When: May 1-June 30, 2026
Where: Various venues across Hong Kong
Tickets: Visit the website for full programmes and ticketing info
Opera: Bizet’s Carmen — May 7–10
As a key highlight of the French May Arts Festival, Opera Hong Kong presents a bold reimagining of Georges Bizet’s Carmen. Director Jia Ding transports the timeless tale of passion and destiny from 19th-century Spain to the glamorous, high-energy landscape of 1970s Hong Kong.
Featuring a predominantly French cast, this production follows Don José’s tragic spiral into jealousy through iconic local settings. Accompanied by the Opera Hong Kong Orchestra and Chorus, it is a visually stunning fusion of French lyricism and nostalgic Cantonese flair.
When: May 7–9 at 7:30pm and May 10 at 2:30pm
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: HK$280–HK$1,280. Buy tickets via URBTIX
DJ Snake Live in Hong Kong — May 8
DJ Snake headlines the French May Arts Festival’s opening electronic music show on 8 May at Central Harbourfront Event Space. The outdoor concert brings together French and Hong Kong music influences, with a lineup including Higher Brothers, DJ Wordy, and Cantomania’s DJ Fabsabs and DJ Steffunn. With Victoria Harbour as the backdrop, the event promises a high-energy night of music, performance, and cross-cultural collaboration.
When: May 8, 2026
Where: Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central
Tickets: From HK$680. Visit Cityline for details and tickets
HYROX Hong Kong — May 8-10
HYROX Hong Kong is back and bigger than ever from 8 to 10 May at AsiaWorld‑Expo, offering a full‑body challenge that blends steady running with strength‑based stations. Athletes complete eight 1 km runs, each followed by a functional workout, repeating the sequence eight times across the day. Registration opens at 8:00 am, with the first wave starting at 9:00 am.
When: May 8-10, 2026
Where: AsiaWorld-Expo, Chap Lap Kok
Tickets: Various packages available. Visit website for details and buy tickets on Klook
Lin Heung Lau Official Farewell Party — May 9
After 99 years as a cherished Central landmark, Lin Heung Lau is hosting an official farewell party to celebrate its final weekend before relocating. This historic evening transforms the traditional teahouse into a high-energy celebration, featuring an open-format mix of retro hits and Canto-pop classics curated by DJ Yin, DJ Tak, and a full lineup of local talent.
Guests can toast to nearly a century of memories with a choice of drinks, including the exclusive Kowloon Alcohol Tea Sours, paired with signature dim sum baskets or roast meat plates.
When: May 9, 2026
Where: Lin Heung Lau, 160-164 Wellington Street, Central
Tickets: Early Bird HK$480; General Admission HK$680. Buy tickets on Eventbrite
Mother’s Day — May 10
Mother’s Day in Hong Kong is a perfect occasion to honour the matriarchs of the family. This second Sunday of May, which falls on May 10 this year, typically revolves around lavish family gatherings, with many hosting traditional dim sum lunches or elegant dinner celebrations.
From gifting classic carnations and fine jewellery to booking indulgent spa retreats and luxury afternoon tea experiences, the day is dedicated to relaxation and gratitude. It remains one of the city’s most cherished dates for bringing generations together. Early booking is highly recommended for restaurants and spas
When: May 10, 2026
Cheung Chau Bun Festival — May 10, 24, 25
Cheung Chau’s Bun Festival draws tens of thousands of visitors each year for its mix of ritual, sport, and island‑style festivity. On 10 May, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay and Ultimate Team Challenge headline the Climbing Carnival at Pak Tai Temple Playground, where teams race up a bun tower while the public joins in stall games, handicraft making, and variety shows.
The climactic Bun Scrambling Final takes place late on 24 May, running into the early hours of 25 May, as 12 finalists scramble up the bun tower to collect lucky buns amid cheers from the crowd.
When: Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay and Climbing Carnival on May 10; Bun Scrambling Competition Final on May 24-25, 2026
Where: Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau
Tickets: Free admission. Visit website for details
Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong — May 14-17
The Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong comes back from 14 to 17 May, inviting visitors to explore a curated mix of contemporary art at approachable prices. Running at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event brings together more than 105 galleries and artists from 15 countries, offering works from roughly HK$1,000 up to HK$100,000.
From bold statement pieces to subtle accents for the home or office, the fair provides a welcoming entry point for first‑time collectors and seasoned art lovers alike.
When: May 14-17, 2026
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
Tickets: General admission at HK$175 per person. Concession tickets available. Visit website for details and buy tickets on Eventbrite
Extravaganza Latin Carnival — May 23-24
The Extravaganaza Latin Carnival returns to Central Harbourfront, flying in world-class champion dancers, including the 2026 Rio de Janeiro Carnival champion samba school, Viradouro, and a soulful live band for a non-stop fusion of samba, salsa, and funk. This immersive, high-energy visual experience features neon body-painted dancers on a fluorescent stage alongside an LED-illuminated, motion-sensing interactive dance floor.
Explore a hundred-square-meter night-glow garden filled with massive light installations, while enjoying authentic Latin cuisine and DJ sets under the Victoria Harbour skyline.
When: May 23-24, 2026
Where: Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central
Tickets: From HK$148. Visit the website for more information and buy tickets on Klook
Tsz Shan Monastery Buddha’s Birthday Open Day — May 23–24
To honour the birth of the Buddha, Tsz Shan Monastery invites the public to its annual Open Day, featuring a series of solemn Bathing Buddha ceremonies held three times daily. This immersive spiritual experience allows visitors to participate in the traditional ritual of cleansing the Buddha statue with fragrant water, symbolising the purification of one’s own heart and mind.
Set against the serene backdrop of the monastery, the event includes formal offerings to the Triple Gem and collective prayers for world peace and social prosperity. It is a unique opportunity for families to explore the stunning grounds while cultivating merit on this auspicious occasion.
When: May 23–24, 2026
Where: Tsz Shan Monastery, Tai Po
Tickets: Free admission; online registration is required via the official website
Buddha’s Birthday — May 24
Buddha’s Birthday, falling on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, honours the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama. On May 24 and 25, the public holiday in Hong Kong, devotees perform the “Bathing of the Buddha” ceremony, pouring fragrant water over statues to symbolise purification. Major temples like Po Lin Monastery become focal points for prayer and vegetarian feasts, celebrating this significant occasion with spiritual reflection.
When: May 24, 2026
UFC Macau — May 28–30
UFC Fight Week 2026 brings the world’s premier MMA organisation back to Galaxy Arena, Galaxy Macau, from 28 to 30 May. The highlight is UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SONG vs. FIGUEIREDO, a high‑stake bantamweight contest under the lights of the arena, while the preceding ROAD TO UFC events spotlight Asia‑Pacific prospects competing for a place in the UFC.
When: May 28-30, 2026 (Road to UFC: May 28–29; UFC Fight Night: May 30)
Where: Galaxy Macau
Tickets: From MOP 480. Visit website for details and tickets
Hong Kong Comic Con — May 29–31
Comic Con will make its Hong Kong debut at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre next year! As one of the world’s most influential pop culture events, fans can look forward to celebrity appearances, cosplay competitions, gaming zones, art showcases, themed panels and exclusive merchandise spanning comics, anime, film, TV and games. Stay tuned for more programme details to come.
When: May 29–31, 2026
Where: Hall 3CDE, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
Tickets: General admission from HK$150 (adult) and HK$80 (child under 10). Visit the website for more details and buy tickets via Klook and Trip.com
Hong Kong International Reggae Ska Festival 2026 — May 30
The Hong Kong International Reggae Ska Festival will hold its 10th edition at PMQ on Saturday 30 May 2026, with doors from 17:30. The event brings together reggae, ska, rocksteady, dub and dancehall across one evening. Overseas guests include reggae singer Errol Dunkley, Mexico’s Travelers All Stars and UK sound system crew Mungo’s Hi Fi. The Hong Kong bill features The Red Stripes All Ska Orchestra, Mousefx and Umoja Rootz.
When: May 30
Where: PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St, Central
Tickets: HKD 680 on www.ticketflap.com
WestK Cabaret Festival — May 30–June 7
The inaugural WestK Cabaret Festival brings a variety of music, dance, comedy, and storytelling shows to the Xiqu Centre. This week-long programme features a stellar line-up of international icons from Broadway, the West End, and Paris, alongside a host of talented artists from the Asia-Pacific region. Highlights include a performance by Broadway legend Patti LuPone and Alex Lam’s futuristic 3026: A Cantopop Odyssey, offering an interactive deep dive into the world of contemporary cabaret.
When: May 30 – June 7, 2026
Where: Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District
Tickets: HK$240–HK$880. Visit the full programme on the official website and buy tickets via Cityline and Art-mate
Ongoing Events in Hong Kong
CR7 LIFE Museum Hong Kong — Until June
Opening July 7, Asia’s first CR7 LIFE Museum will arrive at K11 MUSEA. Celebrating football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the 12,000 square feet exhibition pay tribute to his extraordinary careers, with major trophies, rare memorabilia, and interactive displays like a UR CR7 YouTube studio replica. While we are waiting for the confirmation of the celebrity guest list at the grand opening, you can now buy tickets and get merchandise perks. Before the museum opening, you can visit the CR7 LIFE Flagship Store at Times Square for exclusive memorabilia from June 7.
When: Until June 2026
Where: 6F, K11 MUSEA, K11 Art & Cultural Centre Kunsthalle, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: From HK$180. Visit Klook.com.
Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West — Until July 29
The exhibition Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West opens on 24 April at the Hong Kong Museum of Art and continues until 29 July. The free exhibition features 106 paintings and artefacts from the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palace of Versailles, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, including two masterpieces by Claude Monet – Water Lilies (1906) and Water Lily Pond (1900).
The display examines garden culture in both Chinese and Western traditions, including grand imperial gardens of Emperor Qianlong and King Louis XIV, as well as artistic representations by masters such as Zhang Daqian and Wen Zhengming.
When: April 24-July 29, 2026
Where: Hong Kong Museum of Arts, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: Free admission. Visit the website for details and ticketing
Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now — Until August 9
Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now offers a focused look at one of Asia’s most influential contemporary artists, bringing together significant sculptures, installations, and works on paper from across her career. At M+, the exhibition unfolds in three parts: an open landscape of architectural forms from Mon grand récit, a section devoted to the gender‑conscious Cyborg and Anagram series, and an intimate studio‑style arrangement of sketches and models. The show invites visitors to explore how Lee Bul interrogates modernist utopias, technology, and the body while on view in the West Gallery, L2, until 9 August 2026.
When: Until August 9, 2026
Where: West Gallery, L2, M+ Museum, West Kowloon
Tickets: From HK$190. Buy tickets on Klook.
Hong Kong Story Permanent Exhibition — From April 1 onwards
The revamped ‘Hong Kong Story’ permanent exhibition is now open at the Hong Kong Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui with free admission. Spanning around 6,000 years across 10 galleries, it brings together more than 2,800 artefacts, historic photos, videos and interactive displays. Highlights include recreated 1970s street scenes, a Chinese medicine shop, a resettlement flat and rare historical objects tracing Hong Kong’s development from prehistoric times to the present day.
When: From April 1, 2026 onwards
Where: Hong Kong Museum of History, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: Free admission. Visit the website for details and tickets
Dial-A-Poem Hong Kong — Until August 30
Initiated by American poet John Giorno in 1969, Dial-A-Poem arrives at M+ to bring the spoken word into everyday life. This immersive installation features a series of telephone sculptures in the Focus Gallery, allowing visitors to listen to randomly selected readings by thirty local poets and musicians in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.
For the occasion, Hongkongers can also call +852 3009-9386 to hear the same newly recorded poems remotely, presented in their original languages by the participating local poets and musicians. The works highlight the sounds and rhythms of Hong Kong’s landscape, inviting audiences to experience poetry as it was intended: to be heard, not merely read.
When: Now until August 30, 2026
Where: Focus Gallery, L2, M+, West Kowloon
Tickets: Various ticket options are available for M+. Visit www.mplus.org.hk for more information.
Upcoming Events in Hong Kong — Save the Dates
Chinese Culture Festival 2026 — June-September
Chinese Culture Festival 2026 runs from June to September across Hong Kong, with 55 events. The programme explores Chinese legends, with Sui–Tang culture and Luoyang in focus. Highlights include Lady White Snake, Zhong Kui the Ghosteater, Harmony in Eternal Melody and Acrobatic Spectacle of Ancient Tang. Expect performances, film screenings, talks and exhibitions at major venues across the city weekly.
When: June to September
Where: Across Hong Kong (multiple venues citywide)
Tickets: Available via URBTIX for paid events as some events are free
Website: www.ccf.gov.hk
A State of Trance — June 12
A State of Trance is coming to Hong Kong to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special one-night event at AsiaWorld-Expo. Led by Armin van Buuren, this marks the first time the global dance music brand brings its anniversary edition to East Asia. While they’re yet to announce the line-up, fans can expect one of the biggest electronic music experiences of the year filled with trance and progressive sounds!
When: June 12, 2026, 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM
Where: Hall 3, AsiaWorld-Expo, Chap Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$680 (All Standing). Visit the website for more information and buy tickets on KKTIX
Dragon Boat Festival — June 19
The Dragon Boat Festival, or Tuen Ng, falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month to ward off evil spirits and negative energy. On June 19, a public holiday in Hong Kong, major dragon boat races will be held in Stanley, Tai O, and Aberdeen, while locals indulge in zongzi, delicious glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.
When: June 19, 2026
Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races — June 27-28
Celebrate a historic milestone at the 2026 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, marking the 50th anniversary of this iconic sporting event. Victoria Harbour comes alive once again as elite athletes compete in adrenaline-pumping races, including the 50th Anniversary Championship and the fan-favorite Fancy Dress Competition. Join the golden anniversary festivities at the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade to experience the electrifying energy of this time-honoured tradition, featuring a full lineup of international grand championships and vibrant celebrations along the Kowloon waterfront.
When: June 27-28, 2026
Where: Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade
Tickets: Free for spectators. Visit the website for more information
Jesus Christ Superstar Musical — July 8-August 1
The Olivier Award‑winning rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR arrives in Hong Kong this July, bringing the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 8 July to 1 August.
With music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the show reimagines the final weeks in Jesus’s life through a bold fusion of rock, opera, and soul, featuring classics such as I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane, and Superstar. Led by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie, it promises a visually striking and emotionally powerful theatrical experience.
When: July 8-August 1, 2026
Where: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: From HK$588. Visit the website for more information and buy tickets on URBTIX
Audi Football Summit 2026 — August 7
FC Bayern Munich will face Aston Villa at Kai Tak Stadium this summer as Audi Football Summit 2026 comes to Hong Kong. The one-off pre-season match marks Bayern’s first return to the city in 20 years and the first time the two clubs will meet here. Staged at Kai Tak Sports Park, the fixture will give local fans a chance to watch top European football at the city’s new flagship venue.
When: August 7, 2026
Where: Kai Tak Stadium, Kai Tak Sports Park
Tickets: To be announced. Visit the website for more details
Looking for more things to do in the city, have a look at the following guides:
- The best things to do in Hong Kong
- The best free things to do in Hong Kong
- The best things to do at night in Hong Kong
- The best tourist attractions in Hong Kong
- The best events for families and kids activities in Hong Kong
- The most beautiful places to visit in Hong Kong
Image Header Credit : gjp311, Leung Cho Pan, bedo via Canva