Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Hong Kong theatre fans have only waited a few decades but hey, we made it – Jesus Christ Superstar is finally coming to town! This summer, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre will host the legendary rock opera from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber for its long-awaited Hong Kong debut as part of its international tour. Originally released as a concept album before storming the Broadway stage in 1971, this timeless musical retells the biblical tale of Jesus Christ’s final days from the perspective of Judas Iscariot. The story is told entirely through song, with a rock score featuring well-known numbers like Superstar, I Don’t Know How to Love Him, and Gethsemane. Just last August, Cynthia Erivo herself starred as Christ in a three-night-only production of this musical at the Hollywood Bowl, alongside Adam Lambert playing Judas – we won’t be seeing them in Hong Kong unfortunately, but it’s still going to be spectacular. Photograph: Courtesy Evan Zimmerman / Jesus Christ Superstar Directed by Timothy Sheader and choreographed by Drew McOnie, this reimagined production by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre picked up the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in 2017 and the Evening Standard Award for Best Musical in 2016. After selling out in London, touring North America, Australia, and the UK, it’s finally our turn in Hong Kong. Catch Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre from July 8 to August 1, 2026. Showtimes are Tuesday to Friday at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm. Running time is approximately one hour and 50 minutes including interval, and the performance will be in English with Chinese subtitles. Photograph: Courtesy Evan Zimmerman / Jesus Christ Superstar Tickets range from $588 to $1,088, with concessions for full-time students, seniors, persons with disabilities, and CSSA recipients. Priority booking opens at 10am on March 25 to 26, while general sales start on March 27. Head over to jesuschristsuperstar.hk for more info, or sign up for their priority list to get a sweet 10-percent discount. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Everything you need to know about the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 Japanese rock band King Gnu makes their Hong Kong debut this May Hong Kong just experienced its warmest winter ever since records began

Arts Month is undoubtedly one of Hong Kong’s most happening periods, with large-scale events such as Edible Art Fair and Art Basel, as well as niche gallery showings. To cap off a jam-packed month, don’t miss the Art Week Afterparty on March 27 — the big finale you won’t want to miss. Organised by Clockenflap and Umami Events, this Pier 1929 nightlife event brings together standout names from the international DJ scene: Perth’s jersey-club and baile-funk producer Tye Turner and Italy’s multi-genre selector Sgamo. Plus, catch New York-based EDM/house DJ Hansel, Berlin’s jungle and Afro-electronica artist Katagyal, and local drum-and-bass talent Just Bee as they take over the stage throughout the night.  Along with pulsating tunes to keep the vibes high, the Art Week Afterparty also promises an immersive multi-sensory experience with semi-hologram projections, old-school TV installations, hypnotic VJ visuals, and mesmerising lighting to blur the lines between music and art. Additionally, attendees will get to sip on tipples created by some of Hong Kong’s hottest bars, including award-winning speakeasy The Old Man, inventive cocktail bar Dead Poets, and restobar-slash-DJ hotspot Aer as the night unfolds. Check out Umami’s Instagram page for more updates about Art Week Afterparty’s DJ lineup, and head to their website to grab your tickets before they’re gone.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Iconic rock musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is coming to Hong Kong for the first time Everything you need to know about the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 Japanese rock band King Gnu makes their Hong Kong debut this May

Springtime is here, and if you’re a seasoned Hongkonger, you know what that means: the Hong Kong Flower Show is back! Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Department, the Hong Kong Flower Show is a staple in the city’s annual events calendar, bringing together hundreds of organisations and dozens of exhibitors for dazzling floral displays to delight and thrill fans of gardening and flowers. Here’s everything you need to know. When is the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 open? You can visit the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 for a period of 10 days from March 20 to 29; the event’s opening hours are from 9am to 9pm daily. What’s the theme for this year’s Hong Kong Flower Show? Guests can look forward to a programme designed around ‘A Fragrant Journey Through Hong Kong’, featuring the sun-loving stock as the theme flower. Native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, stocks (Matthiola incana) are perennial fragrant flowers with tall clusters of four-petalled, cross-shaped blooms and a stocky appearance. Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk How much are the tickets? General admission costs $14 per person. Concession tickets – available to children aged four to 14, full-time students, seniors aged 60 or above, and people with disabilities and their carers – cost $7 per person. On Mondays to Fridays, the senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities and their carers can enjoy free admission. How do I get to the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026? Seeing as the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 is held at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, getting to the venue is straightforward with multiple transportation options available. Make your way to either Tin Hau MTR station or Causeway Bay MTR station and follow the signposted exit to get to Victoria Park. Expect a short distance of walking from the station to your destination. Franchised bus routes and trams also have designated stops at Victoria Park, if that’s a more convenient option based on your starting point. Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk What’s there to see and do at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026? Details on the kinds of floral exhibitions we can expect to see are still under wraps, so all that’s mentioned so far is we will experience a range of potted plants, stunning floral arrangements, and expansive landscape displays. If previous years are anything to go by, visitors can look forward to major installations that feature an abundance of flowers presented as a ‘sea’, thoughtful arrangements alongside themed props, grand attractions with a sense of place, and carefully landscaped plots. Also, commercial stalls will sell flowers and horticultural products, so those with green thumbs can stock up on goodies. Aside from marvelling at floral displays, the Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 will also present a range of educational and recreational activities, such as a student drawing competition, photo competition, plant exhibit competition, music and cultural performances, floral art demonstrations, workshops, guided tours, and family-friendly games, so there’s plenty to pack your day with for a busy, engaged visit. Is there anything I can get for free? As a matter of fact, yes! It’s practically tradition at this point for organisers to distribute leftover flowers and plants to the public to take home after the Hong Kong Flower Show has ended. Usually, these free giveaways will draw a crowd, so come prepared. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Japanese rock band King Gnu makes their Hong Kong debut this May Hong Kong just experienced its warmest winter ever since records began Hong Kong tattoo legend Jimmy Ho passes away at 82

If you’ve had Hakujitsu on repeat since 2019 or can’t stop listening to the Jujutsu Kaisen soundtrack, the wait is finally over. Clockenflap Presents just dropped the news that Japanese rock band King Gnu will touch down in Hong Kong to perform for the very first time, bringing their ‘King Gnu CEN+RAL Tour 2026’ – the band’s largest-ever tour – to the AsiaWorld-Arena for two nights only this May. Who are King Gnu? Formed in 2017, the four-piece band – comprised of Daiki Tsuneta (vocals/guitar), Yu Seki (drums), Kazuki Arai (bass), and Satoru Iguchi (vocals/keyboards) – have carved out a niche with their self-described “Tokyo New Mixture Style”, blending alternative rock, jazz, hip-hop, and classical elements that shift from track to track. Their breakthrough came in 2019 with the hit song Hakujitsu, which racked up over 500 million views, but they’ve since dominated global charts with anime soundtracks like SPECIALZ, Ichizu, and Sakayume from Jujutsu Kaisen, and the recent TWILIGHT!!! for the newest Detective Conan film. When and where are the King Gnu Hong Kong shows? The band will be performing on May 29, 2026 (8pm) and May 30, 2026 (6pm) at AsiaWorld-Arena. Photograph: Courtesy Sony Music King Gnu Hong Kong ticket prices and sale dates Tickets are now on sale exclusively via KKTIX with four price categories to choose from. Standing and assigned seating tickets are available for $1,480, while assigned seating alone is priced at $1,280, $980, and $780. Do note that there’s a limit of two tickets per transaction. A 360-degree experience Apart from King Gnu’s signature sound, fans can look forward to the setup of the show itself. For their Hong Kong debut, the band is breaking with tradition by stepping up to a centre stage that plants them right in the middle of the venue. The layout is designed to immerse you in their world from every angle, offering the entire audience a 360-degree experience. ‘King Gnu CEN+RAL Tour 2026’ Hong Kong setlist Nothing official has been confirmed, but we can make some educated guesses based on their recent Japanese shows, which have clocked in around 25 songs over two and a half hours. If the Hong Kong shows follow suit, expect an exciting mix that dives into their discography. These include heavy hitters like the Jujutsu Kaisen tunes (SPECIALZ, Ichizu, AIZO, Sakayume), newer materials like the Detective Conan theme song TWILIGHT!!!, and of course, the global smash hit Hakujitsu. Other anthems that fans have reported to be on recent setlists include Hikotei, Prayer X, and Teenager Forever. Speculations aside, King Gnu’s live energy, their music, and a 360-degree view of the whole thing is pretty much a winning formula for a memorable night, so grab your tickets while you still can. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong just experienced its warmest winter ever since records began Hong Kong tattoo legend Jimmy Ho passes away at 82 Korean artist Lee Bul’s first major Hong Kong exhibition opens at M+

If you remember winters in Hong Kong being much colder in the 1990s and 2000s – and you keep reminding people of the fact that December used to feel cold – it’s not just your imagination: winter in Hong Kong this year has indeed been warmer than usual. In a newly published monthly weather summary, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) confirmed that Hong Kong recently experienced its hottest winter ever since records began in 1884. Warmer-than-usual temperatures were charted in the past three months – December to February – causing Hong Kong to log a mean temperature of 19.3 degrees Celsius, which is two degrees Celsius above normal. Moreover, the maximum average temperature during that period was recorded as 21.9 degrees Celsius while the minimum average temperature was 17.3 degrees Celsius – the highest and the second-highest on record for Hong Kong winters, respectively. On top of that, only five days during that same three-month period were classified as ‘cold days’, one of the third-lowest on record. HKO defines a ‘cold day’ as any day that logs a temperature of under 12 degrees Celsius. February 2026 was called out as being “unseasonably warm” with an average temperature of 20.1 degrees Celsius – that’s three degrees Celsius above the norm – which contributed to the overall results for Hong Kong’s warmest winter ever, as it was one of the second highest on record for the month. In comparison, just a year ago, February 2025 logged a monthly mean temperature of 17.3 degrees Celsius, which is close to the normal of 17.1 degrees Celsius. Oddly enough, February 2026 was also a wetter month than usual, thanks to a trough of low pressure on the last day of the month, causing a total monthly rainfall of 41.6 millimetres, which is seven percent above normal.  “Under the background of global warming, the mean temperatures over Hong Kong have shown a marked increasing trend in the past 30 years,” according to a blog post on HKO. Back in 2024, Hong Kong saw 11 months as warmer than usual, tracking only 11 ‘cold days’ total – 4.2 days fewer than normal from 1991 to 2020. In 2025, HKO recorded all 12 months to be warmer than usual with only six ‘cold days’ logged, and no Cold Weather Warning issued in all of November and December since the Cold Weather Warning System was introduced in 1999. It seems that things will only get hotter from here… Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong tattoo legend Jimmy Ho passes away at 82 Korean artist Lee Bul’s first major Hong Kong exhibition opens at M+ Brooklyn-based artist 7SoulsDeep’s work spotted around Hong Kong

News broke last week that Jimmy Ho, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic tattoo artists, has passed away at the age of 82. For anyone who’s been part of the city’s tattoo culture or just appreciates the old-school roots, Jimmy was more than an artist – he was a pillar of the local tattoo scene. Born in 1944, Jimmy Ho grew up in the trade. His father, James Ho, is widely credited as Hong Kong’s first professional tattoo artist, opening Rose Tattoo Studio back in 1946 after arriving from Shanghai. Jimmy jumped into the family trade at just 14 years old and spent his entire career honing his skills, building a reputation for bold designs that blend American traditional style with Japanese and Chinese influences. Photograph: @jimmyhotattoo While tattoos once carried heavy stigma, mostly tied to rebellion, triads, and gang activity, Jimmy championed the distinctive style of the Hong Kong tattoo genre and devoted his life to preserving the craft. He was a true OG in every sense – dedicated, skilful, and pivotal in turning tattoos into a celebrated art form. Jimmy eventually took a step back from tattooing in his later years, and around 2019 his protégé Justin Ng took over the day-to-day operations of the shop, International Tattoo (國際紋身)/Jimmy & Justin Tattoo. No official word has surfaced on whether there’ll be any changes going forward, but for now, it seems that Jimmy’s legacy will live on through Justin. Jimmy’s ink tells stories that’ll outlast us all. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next tat, consider swinging by their Mong Kok shop (Flat C, 2/F, Po Lun Building) to pay your respects. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Korean artist Lee Bul’s first major Hong Kong exhibition opens at M+ Brooklyn-based artist 7SoulsDeep’s work spotted around Hong Kong World-renowned musical Cats returns to Hong Kong this August

M+ has just opened the doors to one of the most anticipated art events of the season, ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’. Fresh from a successful run at Seoul’s Leeum Museum of Art, where it drew over 100,000 visitors, the exhibition features more than 200 works spanning from the late 1990s to 2024. From cyborg figures that reimagine classical statues to sprawling installations that evoke the ruins of failed utopias, viewers will get to see the most complete picture of Lee’s visionary practice to date.  Photograph: Jenny Leung Who is Lee Bul? Born in 1964, Lee Bul is a South Korean artist who has carved out a reputation as a key voice in contemporary art. Shaped by her upbringing during Korea’s turbulent socio-political landscape, she first gained notice in the late 1980s with bold performances that challenged social norms. From there, her work expanded into a multifaceted practice, drawing on science fiction, critical theory, and art history to interrogate themes like the body, gender, and the allure of utopian ideals. Her pieces have graced major venues worldwide, from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to London’s Hayward Gallery, often prompting viewers to confront the double-edged nature of human advancement. Photograph: Jenny Leung What to expect at ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’ The exhibition is arranged in three parts, guiding visitors through the key phases of Lee’s artistic evolution. You’ll first encounter large-scale installations from her Mon grand récit series, which explore themes of utopias and the grand narratives of modernity, alongside two-dimensional works from the Perdu and Willing to Be Vulnerable—Velvet series. Photograph: Jenny Leung From there, you’ll move into the Cyborg and Anagram works of the late 1990s and early 2000s – the pieces that first brought her international attention – where classical statuary meets futuristic enhancements, and organic forms merge with biomechanical elements to question our assumptions about perfection, gender, and beauty. Photograph: Jenny Leung The final section offers a more intimate view, with around 100 drawings and dozens of maquettes that trace how philosophical ideas and imaginative concepts gradually take physical shape, serving both as independent works and as studies for her larger installations. There’s also more to explore beyond the galleries themselves: Throughout the exhibition period, M+ cinema is screening Lee Bul: Early Performances, a free programme of four documentaries that look back at her formative work from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. Between May and June, the museum will host four Family Days with interactive drop-in activities and Imagination Playground sessions inspired by the exhibition. On selected Fridays and Saturdays in May, the curators and exhibition team will also lead guided tours, sharing stories behind Lee’s works and the exhibition. Photograph: Jenny Leung Exhibition merchandise For those looking to take a piece of the exhibition home, The M+ Shop has launched a special collection inspired by Lee’s futuristic aesthetics. Highlights include a unique clock based on the work Civitas Solis II, a limited-edition printed T-shirt, a metallic balloon pouch and keychain, a tote bag made of metallic fabric, and more. In partnership with the Leeum Museum of Art and Thames & Hudson, M+ has also co-published Lee Bul: Life and Work, the first comprehensive monograph on the artist with in-depth essays looking into Lee’s multifaceted practice. Check out the full collection of merch at the M+ online shop. Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now When: March 14 to August 9, 2026Where: West Gallery, M+, WestKHow much: $190 (Adults), $100 (Concessions) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Brooklyn-based artist 7SoulsDeep’s work spotted around Hong Kong World-renowned musical Cats returns to Hong Kong this AugustSephora and Tabasco release chilli-infused plumping lip glosses

We’re halfway through Arts Month, and several arts happenings have been taking place in Hong Kong. Aside from large-scale events like Edible Art Fair and Art Basel, there’ve also been artsy vibes taking over the street, especially with mysterious graffiti spotted across neighbourhoods such as Central, Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and Tsim Sha Tsui. Photograph: CH  Netizens in Hong Kong have spotted graffiti sentences such as ‘I fell in Love in Hong Kong’, ‘Hong Kong isn’t the same without you’, ‘still a kid with dreams’, and ‘Can we still fall in love this Summer’, all with the name @7SoulsDeep written underneath them. But who is this mysterious artist?  Photograph: CH Turns out @7SoulsDeep is a Brooklyn-based street artist currently with 121K followers, who regularly leaves sentimental graffiti on walls and pavements, evoking love, romance, and spiritual communication through a simple sentence. Photograph: CH Earlier this March, @7SoulsDeep posted his debut photo in Hong Kong and announced that the city would be his first stop in Asia, and said that he would embark on this new journey while sharing his thoughts with everyone. We did a little snooping around Hong Kong Island and found some of his works on Hollywood Road, Staunton Street, and Queen’s Road West. Curious to see what we found? Watch the video below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories:World-renowned musical Cats returns to Hong Kong this AugustSephora and Tabasco release chilli-infused plumping lip glossesThis HKU exhibition brings Swiss and Chinese paper cuttings under one roof

Calling all musical-theatre fans: Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s world-class Cats returns to Hong Kong this summer. The Jellicle Ball will hit the Grand Theatre’s stage at Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon, with performances running on Tuesdays to Sundays.  Photograph: Courtesy Cats Since its world premiere in 1981, Cats has been performed in over 30 countries, translated into 15 languages, and presented to more than 73 million viewers worldwide, giving you all the more reason to catch this classic if you haven’t already. Aside from the show’s fantastical set, Cats features an iconic score composed by legendary composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber, the mastermind behind musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Combined with energetic choreography, intricate costumes, and unforgettable songs, the production creates an immersive theatrical experience that continues to enchant audiences of all ages.  Photograph: Courtesy Cats Hongkongers can catch Cats’ performances at 7.30 pm Tuesdays to Fridays, and at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm on weekends. Klook members have priority ticket booking from 12pm on March 17 until 11.59pm on March 24. Afterwards, general public sales will be available on March 26 on Cityline and Klook.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories:Sephora and Tabasco release chilli-infused plumping lip glossesThis HKU exhibition brings Swiss and Chinese paper cuttings under one roof 4 Hong Kong restaurants land on Asia’s 50 Best 51-100 extended rankings

For those who can handle spice, the discussion of how hot you like your food is always up for contention – from your go-to Tam Jai rice noodle heat level to whether you douse your siu mai in chilli oil when grabbing street food. But lip gloss? That’s definitely not been up for discussion. Beauty and skincare product retailer Sephora has collaborated with American hot sauce brand Tabasco to launch the Sephora X Tabasco Brand Outrageous Plump Volume Effect Lip Plumper, a spicy twist on the beauty retailer’s popular Outrageous Plump gloss. After creating a buzz on social media, the limited-edition products have finally landed in Hong Kong, and countless people (us included) took to Sephora locations across the city to grab them. Photograph: CH Each lip plumper comes in a silicone sleeve featuring Tabasco’s signature logo and a gold keyring with a mini chilli pepper charm, making them perfect for clipping onto a bag. The lip glosses are available in four shades, each with a different heat level. At level one, Jalapeño is a light green gloss that comes out as a nude shade, followed by Sriracha at level two, which applies as a brick red-brown. Aptly named Tabasco Red, the level three lip gloss pays homage to the iconic hot sauce brand through its pinkish-red hue. Finally, Extreme Heat tops the list at level four, and applies as a deep, smoky shade that appears almost black on the lips.  But most importantly, do they actually work? Each plumper is infused with capsaicin extract for a warm, tingly sensation, along with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and visibly plump lips. If you’re up for the challenge, the Sephora X Tabasco lip plumpers retail for $145 each and are available for purchase online and at Sephora locations across Hong Kong.Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories:This HKU exhibition brings Swiss and Chinese paper cuttings under one roof 4 Hong Kong restaurants land on Asia’s 50 Best 51-100 extended rankings Fully unwind with Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong’s new mindful living experiences

It’s no secret that we love this city and all it has to offer, and we’re always proud to call ourselves Hongkongers. But if there’s one gripe we have – a bone to pick, if you will – it is that Hong Kong is not exactly the most pet-friendly place in the world. We have the bustling city, the teeming nightlife, the lush greenery, and so much amazing food, but when we look at other cities all around the world, Hong Kong pet owners can’t help but think about how we can’t simply stroll into malls or places of entertainment with our furry companions, or even ride on the subway with them. Luckily, things are taking a turn for the better, with the Hong Kong government recently announcing the introduction of a special permit that will allow selected restaurants to welcome dogs indoors. Targeted for approval by mid-2026, between 500 and 1,000 permits will be issued to restaurants which apply for them. This means that we could see a sudden influx of restaurants that actively embrace patrons dining alongside their pets within this year – an absolute dream for dog owners who are tired of being relegated to outdoor seating with no air conditioning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by April & Artie (@aprilandartie) To address some of these queries: restaurants granted the pet permit will be allowed to determine the extent of their participation, and the policy does indeed cover air-conditioned areas in restaurants. Pet owners will be required to keep their dogs under control at all times with a leash no longer than 1.5 metres or secured to a fixed object. Dogs will also not be allowed on dining tables or to come in contact with food and tableware. It remains to be seen whether there’s a limit on how many dogs each pet owner can bring into eateries, and secretary for environment and ecology Tse Chin-wan also said on February 10 that dog diapers will most likely not be made mandatory as it may cause discomfort to dogs who don’t need them. High-risk venues like hotpot or barbecue restaurants will not be granted pet permits.  When asked which restaurants they would want to see welcome their pets in the near future, Hong Kong’s pet owners are not picky – they’re just happy that the option to do so is happening in the first place. Stephanie Lown, who works at the SPCA Hong Kong and is the founder of the outdoor adventure group Exploring Dogs, is just “thrilled to have any options open up to dogs at all!” Her rescue dog Lola is an energetic, active adventurer of the great outdoors, so Lown can think of “nothing better than ending a hike with your dog and being able to stop at a café or restaurant for a nice refreshing drink or meal”. Cho would love to see Korean restaurants and dim sum places adopt a pet-friendly attitude, while Dorathy wants to see their dining options expand to include cha chaan tengs or fast-food joints. We don’t know if Maxim’s Palace in City Hall or your local Café de Coral will soon embrace hungry pups, but it sure is a nice thought! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Life in Hong Kong with Lola (@livin_da_vida_lola) Promoting pet-friendly eateries is a great step in making Hong Kong a more inclusive city for animals. Considering that the local pet economy is a multi-billion dollar market driven by mostly younger citizens with the financial means and the inclination to provide the best for their animals, there is plenty more that can be done to make people happy while tapping into this sizable income pocket. Hong Kong is already trying out having pets on public transport, with select bus routes accommodating animals on certain days of the week and the Light Rail in the New Territories allowing pets on the weekends. Pet owners are now eagerly waiting for expanded transportation options, as well as regulations that don’t require their pets being placed in carriers – it’s easy to put a Pomeranian in a bag, but try doing the same with a Bernese Mountain Dog.  “Right now, I am always on foot or taking cabs everywhere whenever I travel with my dogs,” Cho muses. “I hope one day dogs will be allowed on either the MTR or on buses.” Dorathy concurs, saying that as a medium-sized dog owner, “it would be fantastic to bring my dogs on the MTR and buses”, adding that she wouldn’t mind putting her Samoyeds in diapers to ensure hygiene if needed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Exploring Dogs (@exploringdogs) Cho also adds that there are not enough dog-friendly parks and beaches in Hong Kong – dogs are currently banned from most parks and public beaches, with only a handful open to dog owners and their pups. “We usually end up on unregulated beaches that are filled with plastic, broken glass, and trash, which is so dangerous for dogs. Hopefully we’ll see more dog-friendly places so our fur babies can enjoy nature too.” Lown looks even further ahead, hoping to see more housing options open up to pet owners as well. “The last couple of years have definitely shown promise with ferries, KMB buses, and the MTR welcoming dogs for SPCA’s Dogathon, but we still have some ways to go. Other countries have had these pet-inclusive policies for years, if not decades!” Lastly, she hopes that with this recent wave of pet-friendly sentiment, the Hong Kong government might review the city’s animal cruelty laws, which she laments have not been updated in 90 years. “It would be good to see the government finally implementing a ‘Duty of Care’ policy which would help improve animal rights and welfare in Hong Kong.” Hear, hear! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans Macau is the most active region in Asia when it comes to love and sex, according to Time Out

Ever wanted to go back in time and shop at a supermarket from the 1950s? It might come off as a rather specific fancy, but for those who harbour such a dream, you’re in luck: Hong Kong’s homegrown supermarket giant, Wellcome, is hopping aboard the nostalgia train with the launch of a retro-inspired concept store in Yau Ma Tei. Designed as a tribute to Hong Kong’s extensive retail history, Wellcome has repurposed its Prosperous Garden branch in Yau Ma Tei as an exhibition destination to celebrate the supermarket’s 80-year-plus legacy. Founded in 1945, Wellcome has been a constant in the lives of local families, serving the needs of generations of Hongkongers. As the city evolved, Wellcome evolved with it, but this branded concept shop preserves a slice of the supermarket as shoppers might have seen it back in the 1950s to the 1970s, complete with vintage character, photogenic interiors, and time-limited collectibles. Each aisle, stocked with a curated selection of products, doubles as a fetching backdrop oozing charm and colour, so no doubt this location will quickly become a popular attraction! Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Snap photos of the LED-emblazoned shopfront, which takes its cues from Hong Kong’s famous urban landscape of neon lights; discover classic interior design elements such as the vintage silver-and-green turnstile, a sea of red plastic lamps popularised in wet markets, and patterned floor tiles; and admire nostalgic grocery setups and heritage exhibits that showcase the allure and shared memories of Hong Kong’s past.  As part of the concept store activation, Wellcome is also launching special deals and brand collaborations to commemorate the occasion, including a reusable Wellcome Retro Eco Bag for $28 with a single transaction of $100 – it’s reminiscent of Wellcome’s old-school red-and-yellow carrier, making for a keepsake that’s both practical and sentimental. Additionally, Wellcome will team up with tech equipment manufacturer Smeg to offer a limited-edition Lifebox ($88 with any purchase of $100 or more) from February 6 to 19, and Hong Kong’s own lifestyle brand G.O.D. for a Lunar New Year-themed game set ($68). Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Wait, there’s more! While the weather’s still below 20 degrees Celsius, pop over to Prosperous Garden to sip warmed Vitasoy soy milk from glass bottles – a Hong Kong childhood memory that many will dwell on fondly. You can also take your chance at a Lee Kum Kee capsule machine from now until March 31, which will dispense a surprise miniature magnet depicting one of the condiment maker’s signature products. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Harbourside Swing Fest returns for its 2026 edition in late April Shiro brings its signature ‘crystal sushi’ to its second location in Tai Kwun Everything you need to know about Japan’s official cherry blossom forecast 2026

Love dim sum and surreal imagery? You’re in good company. Hong Kong street artist Lousy, best known for his bold graphics resembling glyphs and pictorial shapes, is collaborating with viral food photographer-artist David Leung – also known as Davidgoodtime, who specialises in capturing reflected food images highlighting pareidolia – for a dynamic exhibition about dim sum and the ritual of yum cha.  Hosted at JPS Gallery, ‘Double Umami’ is an artistic ode to Hong Kong cuisine, reimagined through the unique lenses of two distinctly different creators, who shaped their love of dumplings and morning teas into a visual celebration of Hong Kong’s DNA.  Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery In the exhibition space, visitors will encounter a customised dim sum cart installation, decorated by David and Lousy, in addition to photographs depicting beloved dim sum dishes in Leung’s signature mirrored style, mounted inside bamboo steamers crafted by master artisan Lui Ming of Ming Sang Steel Bamboo Receptacle. ‘Crab’s Kid Burn & Sell’ shows siu mai in a different light, appearing almost like the face of a crustacean, while ‘Char Siu Cat No. 2’ draws parallels between char siu bao and felines. We also particularly liked the birdcage installation which houses real emu eggs and plastic cards from dim sum carts inscribed with the Chinese onomatopoeia for bird chirps. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery Branching out from photography onto canvas and installation work for the first time, Leung is also presenting the ‘Sauce’ series, applying the same mirrored techniques to create patterns reminiscent of Rorschach inkblot tests. Inspired by traditional Fu Lu Shou statues representing fortune, prosperity, and longevity, Leung uses foldable boards loaded with pigment to ‘find’ faces hidden in the paint. In contrast, Lousy – rather than focusing on the food aspect of dim sum – aims to capture the feeling of community and chaos experienced during a yum cha get-together. He paints and draws on top of old dim sum order sheets to give graphic form to the hustle and bustle of a Cantonese restaurant, depicting figures sat at a table, abstract interpretations of food, hands pouring tea, and more. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery David and Lousy’s collaborations don’t end there. Lousy has teamed up with Wendy’s Wok World for a ‘Special Collab Soy Sauce’. 22 bottles of Tiu Yuen small-batch soy sauce are covered in custom packaging artwork created by Lousy. Meanwhile, Leung worked with chef May Chow of Little Bao to wrap 50 bottles of her handcrafted Fook Jiang chilli sauce in original ‘chilli sauce’ Rorschach artworks, bringing the food-focused project one degree closer to the art of Chinese cooking. ‘Double Umami’ is on exhibition at JPS Gallery from January 30 to March 7. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Art book publisher Taschen is having a huge sale in early February Starbucks opens at the Hong Kong Palace Museum with Hong Kong’s first Chinese calligraphy shop sign and exclusive products Fujifilm releases a camcorder-instant camera hybrid in the instax mini Evo Cinema

Listen, we love a good beat drop or screaming chart-toppers like any other nighttime reveller in the city, but in this era of EDM and throwback pop-heavy party scene, it would be nice to enjoy something authentic that sounds different for once. Well, it looks like we got our wish, because a vinyl record-based bar has just announced they’ll be opening in Lan Kwai Fong. The brainchild of longtime friends Brian and Ah Hei, the 8055 vinyl bar has had previous iterations based in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, which grew in popularity to welcome even local celebrities and creatives like Eason Chan and Tyson Yoshi as patrons. The pandemic eventually saw the shuttering of the bar – but not for good. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is now back in the game with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique within our nightlife scene and, frankly, a breath of fresh air from all the other clubs around. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks turn the focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Staying true to the brand’s history, 8055’s new venue will also allow guests to freely draw, scribble, and unleash creativity all over the walls with graffiti markers, so if you’ve ever left your mark in bars like Not2Sweet, you’ll want to do the same here as well. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Check things out at 8055’s grand opening party on January 24, when they’ll be hosting a 10-hour DJ relay from 8pm onwards. The lineup will include Andrew Bull, better known as DJ El Toro or the ‘Father of Hong Kong DJs’, who is famous for initiating the city’s first disco in The Peninsula hotel as well as the iconic Canton Disco. Sounds like a party and a half! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Kodak Apparel opens a time-limited concept store in Hong Kong New brasserie Chouchou brings French comfort food to an elevated setting in Wan Chai Sai Ying Pun’s historic steakhouse Sammy’s Kitchen announces closure this month

The popular Japanese mascot series Namagaki is taking over Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong with a themed installation! Since Namagaki characters began popping up inside claw machines and arcades across town, so many hearts have been captured by their simple yet lovable designs and adorably blank expressions. The Namagaki Festival features a series of installations and exhibits for fans to take pictures with, as well as a charming merch pop-up with exclusive items for sale. Photograph: Courtesy Yell / Festival Walk At the centre of the installation is a four-metre-tall giant oyster can, where Namagaki characters spill out alongside rainbow-coloured sweets. Right next door is the pastel-coloured Namagaki Washoku House, where cute oyster characters act as chef and waiter at this makeshift traditional Japanese eatery. See if you can spot the pink pumpkins dotted around the space – it’s the installation’s discreet nod to the upcoming spooky season.  Beyond photo ops, fans will definitely delight in browsing through the themed pop-up store housing over 100 exclusive Namagaki products, including 80 first launches in Hong Kong that span everything from stationery to t-shirts and tote bags. Don’t forget to stop by the Namagaki claw machine and the collectible trading card capsule machine for an adorable surprise!  Photograph: Courtesy Festival Walk In the spirit of Halloween, Festival Walk is inviting visitors to trick or treat around designated stores in the mall. Exclusive to My Festival members, take part in this seasonal activity by purchasing a $1,000 gift card to receive a limited-edition Baby Namagaki birthstone bag charm and candy can clutch – where you can store your hard-earned sweets.  Namagaki Festival will be at Festival Walk from October 24 to November 13. See footage of the Namagaki Festival pop-up here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 18 hotels in Hong Kong and Macau have been awarded 2025 Michelin Keys OneRepublic is coming back to Hong Kong in February 2026 The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year

Remember when we all saw a giant Doraemon sitting unexpectedly at the dockyard along Tsing Yi last week? Well, the news is out and it’s not that a robotic cat is invading Hong Kong – instead, a fleet of floating inflatable sculptures will be making their appearance along Victoria Harbour next month. AllRightsReserved, the local creative brand behind last year’s thousands of panda sculptures and the recent Chiikawa exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, is putting on the Water Parade, where a set of four giant, floating inflatable figures will be making a debut at sea. In the lineup is Doraemon, perched on his favourite dorayaki snack; Elmo from the Kaws & Sesame Street collaboration; McDonalds’ purple blob-shaped mascot Grimace; and Labubu, the globally viral Nordic-inspired monster by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. After a trial run in the waters of Tsing Yi on September 20, these four figures will be set afloat along Victoria Harbour on October 25, and will be shown in brand-new poses. Visit them just off of Tamar Park in Admiralty and snap plenty of photos, because when else are you going to see such universally recognised and different cartoon characters all sitting together? Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved On November 1, the floating sculptures will be taken on a water parade between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing along both sides of Victoria Harbour, before departing from our waters on the evening of the same day. For the entire duration of the sculpture display, there will also be a Water Parade Market at the promenade near Tamar Park. Aside from pop-up stores, F&B stands, game booths, photo spots, and a capsule toy zone, the market will also feature other internationally popular IPs from KPop Demon Hunters, season five of Stranger Things, Squid Games, Snoopy and the Peanuts, as well as Hong Kong’s classic TOLO Founding Duck, which is marking its 40th anniversary. Early-bird tickets to the festivities will be available at $50 for adults, starting at 12 noon on September 26. Walk-in tickets can also be purchased on site, subject to availability. All tickets include a $20 merchandise voucher, which can be redeemed cumulatively on purchases of every $200. Attendees can also buy a viewing platform special ticket at $150, which includes entry to the Water Parade Market. See some footage of the Water Parade here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: The best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (September 22-28) Super Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong braces for the strongest typhoon of the year as it approaches the city

Do you remember an exhibition last summer that displayed miniature scenes of the Central and Western districts in Pacific Place? In case you missed it, the Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is back once again, this time with more incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. The 24 art pieces will highlight some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, cultural customs, and unique lifestyles. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nighttime revelry along Lan Kwai Fong, the customs of worship and pin wheel buying at Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway, views of Victoria Harbour complete with boats sailing and fireworks, and more.  Photograph: Courtesy Joyful Miniature Association The new miniatures at this show include the Kai Tak Sports Park, the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, night scenes of Temple Street, horse racing, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s transhipment history at the Insta-famous Western District Pier. The JMA brings together over 100 Hong Kong artists who collectively integrate the traditionally European craft of miniatures with our distinctly local culture using cutting-edge technology. If there’s one way to stroll through the most iconic sights and experiences of Hong Kong in just a few steps, this exhibition is definitely it. ‘Hong Kong: Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition’ will be on display at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong ranked as the 10th most walkable city in the world; 1st in East Asia Hong Kong Airport Express proposes fare increase of 9.4 percent The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is hosting a carnival this Sunday

We sit down with artist and designer Joe Foti before his new exhibition in Hong Kong

March in Hong Kong is not complete without a trip to the Wanchai Convention Centre to spend a day or two at Art Basel. This year’s fair gathers 240 global galleries, with large-scale installations, paintings, sculptures, digital art, live performances, video works, and more to see!

From a world without colours to her love of big city metros, we caught up with British artist Monster Chetwynd for a round of quick-fire questions while she's in town for her new installation at Pacific Place!