Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

If you haven’t made your way up to The Peak for a while now, there will soon be a fantastic reason to do so: the Museum of Illusions is opening in Hong Kong. This brand-new entertainment destination marks the museum’s biggest location in the Asia region, with over 11,000 sq ft to play around in. More than 50 mind-bending exhibits will be housed in The Peak Galleria, with plenty of immersive illusion rooms, interactive installations, holograms, and optical illusions that merge into a visual and sensory playground for all ages. The first attractions to be unveiled include an infinity room where you’ll be surrounded by endless reflections, an Ames room where visitors can appear to grow or shrink depending on where you stand, a spinning vortex tunnel, and a head-on-a-platter illusion that makes your body disappear. Photograph: Courtesy Museum of IllusionsMuseum of Illusions This new Hong Kong location will also house brand-new installations that are exclusive to our city, such as a ‘reversed room’ themed around our iconic ding ding trams, and an optical illusion set inside a dim sum restaurant. Aside from Instagram-worthy sights to jolt the senses, what makes the Museum of Illusions even more fun is that it is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for the photo ops! The Museum of Illusions Hong Kong will soon open at Unit G03, 101-103 &105, Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak. 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: Standard Chartered Arts in the Park returns next month for its biggest edition yet Clockenflap confirms Hayley Williams, Keshi, Slowdive, Queens of the Stone Age, and more for the 2026 lineup MGM Reserve Zhuhai review: A luxurious garden mansion escape less than two hours away from Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s annual outdoor youth arts festival, the Standard Chartered Arts in the Park, has confirmed its return to Causeway Bay in November. This year, the carnival will be themed after fairytales and we can’t wait to see magical characters from our cherished childhood tales take over the streets. Everyone from young dreamers who like their bedtime stories to adults revisiting childhood favourites will get a kick out of seeing tales like Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin, The Happy Prince, and other classic stories represented in creative ways. There will be creative arts booths, live storytelling sessions in both English and Cantonese, African drumming workshops, 60 live performances, and more than 900 pieces of artwork exhibited over two days. Of course, the highlight of the carnival is in the parade featuring giant puppets. Photograph: Courtesy Hysan Development Company LimitedStandard Chartered Arts in the Park The Night Parade starts at 8.30pm from Lee Garden One, featuring five illuminated puppets, 18 varieties of twinkling costumes, and more than 150 performers including a marching band, a juggling team, a rope skipping troupe, and plenty of dancers.  The next afternoon on Sunday sees the Grand Finale Parade kick off at 2.30pm to make its way from Great George Street to Victoria Park. 10 four-metre-tall puppets depicting fairytale characters will be the stars of the show, accompanied by costumes, music, and dance. Catch the Standard Chartered Arts in the Park 2026 on the weekend of November 14 and 15. 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: Clockenflap confirms Hayley Williams, Keshi, Slowdive, Queens of the Stone Age, and more for the 2026 lineup MGM Reserve Zhuhai review: A luxurious garden mansion escape less than two hours away from Hong Kong New Central bar Patina merges three nightlife concepts into one venue

As we edge closer to the end of the year, there always comes a growing swell of excitement for the arrival of our large-scale music and culture festival Clockenflap. This year’s event is already shaping up to be a good one, as the organiser has just dropped the first wave of this year’s music lineup and we’re glad to see some fantastic musicians coming our way! Alt-R&B singer-songwriter Keshi tops the bill on Friday night, while none other than Paramore’s frontwoman Hayley Williams will be headlining on Saturday, which means Hongkongers will be the first in this region to experience Williams’ solo performance live.  Photograph: Courtesy Clockenflap2025 Clockenflap’s 2026 lineup also includes shoegaze rock band Slowdive, alt-R&B star Malcolm Todd, South Korean indie favourites Hyukoh, influential alt-rockers The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon. We’re also particularly excited to see rock legends Queens of the Stone Age (and Josh Homme, obviously) live on home soil – who else is manifesting that they bring on Dave Grohl as a guest drummer?? General ticket sales for Clockenflap will open at 3pm on Saturday, October 10, with single-day tickets going for $1,380 and three-day weekend passes at $2,180. Festival-goers under 18 years old can enjoy a discounted price of $980 for single-day tickets and $1,680 for three-day passes. However, eligible American Express cardholders can already access their exclusive pre-sale with 15 percent off all tickets from now until 2.59pm on October 10. Clockenflap will take place from December 4 to 6 this year, at their usual home on the Central Harbourfront Event Space. 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: MGM Reserve Zhuhai review: A luxurious garden mansion escape less than two hours away from Hong Kong New Central bar Patina merges three nightlife concepts into one venue Sincere Department Store to close down their century-old Central location in December

There was a bit of a furore among the F&B and hospitality industry in July when the results of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list dropped and Hong Kong’s Bar Leone, which won the title of the World’s Best Bar in 2025, slipped slightly down the list to third place – but our city has come out swinging once again, as Bar Leone has just been named the World’s Best Bar for the second year in a row! The 18th edition of The 50 Best Bars’ live awards ceremony was held in Milan on October 7, with a list that features outstanding drinking spots from 26 cities and Bar Leone sitting pretty at the top. Co-founded by Lorenzo Antinori and Justin Shun Wah, Bar Leone brings a taste of traditional bars in Rome’s Trastevere district to the heart of Hong Kong with cocktail popolari (‘cocktails for the people’), warm hospitality, a banging mortadella sandwich, and the most addictive smoked olives. Photograph: Courtesy Bar LeoneBar Leone Hong Kong is also represented by three other bars on the top 50 list, cementing our status as Asia’s leading cocktail city. Argo at the Four Seasons Hong Kong has reentered the chat at No. 25, which is a great comeback from its position in the 51-100 extended list last year. There are also two new entries from our city: Montana at No. 36, followed by Gokan at No. 41. The Cuban-inspired Montana is also Antinori’s brainchild in collaboration with Simone Caporale, the mixologist behind Sips in Barcelona (which has ranked at No. 16 on the list, by the way), and serves our favourite coffee cocktail in the city. Gokan’s founder, the globally respected mixologist Shingo Gokan, was also honoured with the Roku Industry Icon Award. As for how everyone else fared on The 50 Best Bars 2026, Milan’s Moebius Milano is No. 2, followed by Alquímico in Cartagena at No. 3 and Bangkok’s Bar Us at No. 4, with Line in Athens rounding off the top five bars in the world this year. Photograph: Courtesy The 50The 50 Best Bars 2026 Click here to see more on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2026. The 50 Best Bars 2026: Bar Leone, Hong Kong Moebius Milano, Milan Alquímico, Cartagena Bar Us, Bangkok Line, Athens Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City Zest, Seoul Connaught Bar, London Lady Bee, Lima Bar Mauro, Mexico City Schmuck, New York Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou The Cambridge Public House, Paris Sip & Guzzle, New York Bar Nouveau, Paris Sips, Barcelona Paradiso, Barcelona Jigger & Pony, Singapore The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens Exímia, São Paulo Tres Monos, Buenos Aires Mamba Negra, Medellín De Vie, Paris Himkok, Oslo Argo, Hong Kong Danico, Paris Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara Satan’s Whiskers, London BKK Social Club, Bangkok Victor Audio Bar, Buenos Aires Waltz, London Locale Firenze, Florence Mirror Bar, Bratislava Tan Tan, São Paulo Montana, Hong Kong Sastrería Martinez, Lima Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore Bar Carmen, Medellín Barro Negro, Athens Gokan, Hong Kong Mimi Kakushi, Dubai Nouvelle Vague, Tirana Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo Caretaker's Cottage, Melbourne Martiny’s, New York Tlecān, Mexico City Virtù, Tokyo Bar Snack, New York Angelita, Madrid 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: MGM Reserve Zhuhai review: A luxurious garden mansion escape just under two hours away from Hong Kong New Central bar Patina merges three nightlife concepts into one venue Sincere Department Store to close down their century-old Central location in December

When Hongkongers think of going up to mainland China, we tend to immediately envision huge malls that take hours to shop through, restaurants with prices at a fraction of Hong Kong’s menu listings, and cheap massages all day – in other words, all city-based activities. We don’t usually consider our neighbouring Chinese cities in the Greater Bay Area when it comes to quiet retreats, but in nearby Zhuhai, there is definitely one such urban oasis that’s perfect for unwinding in nature. Nestled within Phoenix Hill and overlooking the Xiangshan Lake, the MGM Reserve Zhuhai is a luxurious, contemporary resort that sits right on the edge of Zhuhai’s city centre. It takes little to no effort to get there from Hong Kong; I hopped onto a 70-minute ferry ride from Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan then straight into a cab from the ferry terminal, which only takes about 25 minutes to reach the sprawling resort estate. Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiMGM Reserve Zhuhai courtyard Inspired by the aesthetics of Cantonese gardens and Lingnan-style mansions, the architecture of MGM Reserve Zhuhai and its grounds draw urban living and an appreciation of nature into a contemporary sanctuary that remains firmly rooted in tradition. Lingnan mansions, engineered to handle the subtropical humidity of the Guangdong region, are all about courtyards – multiple entry points and bays are typically configured around a central open-air courtyard for optimal air circulation. Walking through the hotel entrance’s grey brick walls accented with oyster shells (another nod to traditional Lingnan construction materials) and their resident blue parakeet, and past the high-ceilinged lobby to the central courtyard of the MGM Reserve Zhuhai, featuring rain chains and a stone sculpture, will give you an idea of this traditional layout. Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiMGM Reserve Zhuhai villas The hotel villas and rooms The property offers 148 guest rooms and villas, all elegantly appointed in Chinese-style furnishings with modern amenities. I had the pleasure of spending a night in a one-bedroom pool villa, which came with a sun deck and a pool not quite large enough to swim in but certainly spacious enough for a couple of guests to float and relax. At the entrance of each standalone villa is a different sculpture – sometimes fruits, sometimes animals, with one Chinese-style lion spotted on a walk – which speaks to MGM Reserve Zhuhai’s love for traditional artistry. Dark wood furnishings make the bespoke artworks in all the rooms pop nicely, while the closet-like mini bar is a thing of beauty in itself. The first round of drinks and snacks provided in the mini bar is complimentary, by the way. While the hotel does not offer a pillow menu, their existing pillows were fluffy enough for my tastes, and I also appreciated that the three-pronged Type G plug sockets and USB ports scattered around the room rendered my travel adapter unnecessary. Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiMGM Reserve Zhuhai villa Perhaps the best part of the villa was the bathroom, a spacious black-and-white tiled affair with separate stalls for the toilet and the rainfall shower, a double vanity with octagonal bronze basins for sinks, and a big egg-like bathtub sitting in the middle of it all. The turn-down service left two hydrating face masks on the bathroom counter, which I thought was a nice touch and promptly used while soaking in the tub. The MGM Reserve Zhuhai also offers pet-friendly villas which come with a small courtyard instead of a pool, that leads directly out to the central landscaped garden. There will soon be a dog park with play areas and pet facilities opening on the grounds as well, so if you’re considering bringing your furry companion on holiday, this hotel could be a good option. Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiMGM Reserve Zhuhai outdoor pool The hotel amenities and grounds The MGM Reserve Zhuhai grounds are large enough that the hotel has a fleet of golf buggies used to ferry guests around. You could definitely explore on foot, though waiting for cooler weather to do so might be a good idea since there isn’t much shade. The estate is arranged in a loop around its own lake with well-tended paths, pavilions dotted around, and small flocks of ducks and swans that make meandering around very pleasant. The main hotel block houses an indoor swimming pool, a gym, and a children’s playroom with an outdoor play area. A short walk away lies the outdoor infinity pool, which seemingly extends into the lotus pond itself. There is also a ballroom and VIP rooms available to book out for events. Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiXiangshan Mansion and presidential suite The crown jewel of the MGM Reserve Zhuhai is the Xiangshan Mansion, a three-storey building standing away from the rest of the hotel on the other side of the small lake. Designed to feel like a hotel within a hotel, this structure houses the presidential suite, seven regular guest rooms, function rooms, a gym, a karaoke lounge, a mahjong and games room, and its own indoor swimming pool that’s pretty much the same size as the hotel’s communal one in the main block. Apparently, popular Chinese celebrity and competitive car racing driver Wang Yibo stayed for a week in the Xiangshan Mansion while he was in the area for a motorsports event. Guests can stay in the two-bedroom presidential suite, or choose to book out the entire mansion. It costs a fortune of course, but we couldn’t help imagining a massive rave event that comes with beautiful rooms for friends to crash in when the party’s eventually over… Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiRoyal Court Chinese Restaurant The restaurants and food This Chinese-style garden resort has three dining venues to choose from. Fangfei Lounge overlooks the lotus pond and is where the breakfast buffet is served, switching to offer Western and local delicacies later in the day. There is a private dining room available, but for an added taste of exclusivity, you can even opt for a private kitchen meal prepared by Hong Kong culinary figure Ruby Lau. Known for her unrivalled expertise in premium olive oils, Lau’s French-inflected menu includes dishes like chilled abalone with tapenade and truffle oil, barbecued sweet and sour pork ribs, and clam capellini in green pesto. I loved her olive oil chocolate ice cream, a smooth, creamy delight moulded into the shapes of Chinese-style buildings. Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiRuby Lau’s private kitchen at Fangfei Lounge Meanwhile, Chinese cuisine is represented by the Royal Court Chinese Restaurant with regional classics and Cantonese techniques, and the Pinju Zhuhai with its open kitchen layout and signature dishes from dim sum to stir-fries. Photograph: Courtesy MGM Reserve ZhuhaiMGM Reserve Zhuhai The verdict As the world’s first luxury property under the MGM Reserve brand, this Zhuhai hotel resort is well worth a visit if you want to feel like you’re away from it all, while actually still being a 15-minute walk from a mall and a quick Meituan delivery away from boba tea. Walking around the pagodas, ponds, and tea-filled slopes of the resort is like wandering onto the set of a historical TV series set in imperial China, and the fact that the hotel wasn’t packed with other punters made it easy to relax.  I would have enjoyed the presence of a spa, but the vibe here is more revelling in the nature around us and less having the tension kneaded out of our bodies. And let’s be real, a quick foray onto the streets outside the resort will probably turn up several massage parlours at dirt-cheap prices anyway. For a well-designed short vacation in a spacious resort that’s barely a year old – and most importantly, barely an hour and a half’s journey from Hong Kong – the MGM Reserve Zhuhai is worth going on your list. I’d recommend splashing out on one of the villas though, because the little standalone mansions are exactly what sets this resort apart from other aesthetically pleasing hotels. 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: New Central bar Patina merges three nightlife concepts into one venue Sincere Department Store to close down their century-old Central location in December The Big Picnic festival returns to Discovery Bay next month after seven years away

While the Central and Soho nightlife district couldn’t be easier for bar and club hopping, there’s something to be said about staying in a single venue that you don’t even feel the need to leave because the experience stays fresh. Central’s newest bar addition Patina is designed as a multi-concept destination that combines three bar experiences into one space. Named after the marks and patterns that develop on an object through age, use, and exposure, Patina is designed to reveal more layers the deeper you head into the space. The Iron area lies right behind their doors, all metallic surfaces and soft lights, serving a menu of 12 clarified cocktails and Japanese bites.  Photograph: Courtesy PatinaPatina Head upstairs to find Copper, a warm, amber-lit space that promises music, mixology, and high-energy glamour that is probably where visitors will spend most of their night after a few drinks downstairs. Finally, Patina is hidden behind velvet curtains, accessible only for those who have completed the rounds in both previous spaces. Among the teal and jade hues in intimate lighting, here you can kick back with bespoke tableside martinis – not commonly found in most Hong Kong bars – as well as a whisky collection that includes independent labels. Progress through Iron, Copper, and Patina in sequence to witness this bar evolving as the night ages for seamlessly differing experiences, all without ever having to step back out onto the streets. Photograph: Courtesy PatinaPatina Patina opens on October 23, and is located on 4 Arbuthnot Road, Central. 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: Sincere Department Store to close down their century-old Central location in December The Big Picnic festival returns to Discovery Bay next month after seven years away M+ explores 200 years of Asian fantasy and pre-modern mythology in their newest exhibition

In a fast-paced city like Hong Kong where businesses seem to change up every time you walk down the street, it’s rare for a shop to keep their foothold long enough to be considered historic, but Sincere Department Store is one such name. Unfortunately, this century-old brand, one of Hong Kong’s oldest department chains, has announced that it will close its Central store at the end of 2026. Sincere Company Limited issued a statement on October 4 announcing that the Central store lease will expire on December 31. The department store was unable to reach an agreement with the landlord regarding a lease renewal, and has therefore decided to cease operations around early December this year. Photograph: CHSincere Department Store in Cnetral Sincere intends to look for a new location in the Central and Sheung Wan area, where they have always operated, but as of the date of the announcement, a suitable venue has yet to be found. This means that we could be left with only one branch at the King Wah Centre in Mong Kok, as well as Sincere’s online store. Founded in 1900, Sincere Department Store is the first Chinese-owned department store in British colonial-era Hong Kong, and one of the longest-running in our city. It pioneered fixed pricing, sales receipts, and the employment of female sales clerks. In the 1930s and 1940s, Sincere’s Shanghai location – the first Hongkonger-owned Western style department store then – was hailed as the first of the “Four Great Companies”. Sincere Department Store originally opened on Queen’s Road Central before moving its main store to Des Voeux Road Central, sourcing fashionable, high-quality apparel and lifestyle goods from around the world. At the peak of its business, Sincere Department Store had six local branches, including Causeway Bay, Sham Shui Po, and Tsuen Wan – the Sham Shui Po Dragon Centre branch closed earlier this January. Photograph: CHSincere Department Store in Cnetral The Central store is currently holding a clearance mega sale, so take the chance to refresh your wardrobe and visit this historic Hong Kong business since whether Sincere can ever return to Central and Sheung Wan, where it has stood for over a century, remains to be seen. Sincere Department Store is located at Li Po Chun Chambers, 189 Des Voeux Road Central, operating from 10am to 7.30pm, seven days a week. 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 Big Picnic festival returns to Discovery Bay next month after seven years away M+ explores 200 years of Asian fantasy and pre-modern mythology in their newest exhibition Blue is coming to Hong Kong in February 2027 for their 25th anniversary tour

After wrapping up for a long seven years, Discovery Bay’s music festival The Big Picnic is returning to treat Hongkongers to a full day of live music performances, drinks at a beach bar, food vendors, and a market full of creative goods. For 11 straight hours on Saturday, November 21, festival-goers can chill on the beach, dance to music, take it easy with food and drinks, do some early Christmas shopping, or all the above in one convenient location. The last time we saw The Big Picnic was back in 2019, and the festival has always been fun for the whole family, so it’s great to see them make a comeback. Photograph: Courtesy The Big PicnicThe Big Picnic Discovery Bay This year’s music lineup includes Jaywalkers, Helium 3, Murphy and the Lawyers, Samba Lantina, the Hong Kong Male Welsh Choir, and many more performers. There will also be a Handmade Hong Kong market featuring small vendors and local makers selling creative finds or, in the organiser’s words, “the kind of shopping that feels good”. Early-bird tickets are currently available until October 16 at $198, while youngsters between the ages of five to 17 pay $98, helpers get a special rate of just $50, and little ones up to five years of age can go free. From October 17 to November 20, general admission prices will go up to $258 for adults, with a final hike up to $288 during the last chance push from November 21 or if purchased at the door. The Big Picnic will be held at Tai Pak Beach in Discovery Bay, from 11am to 10am on November 21. 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: M+ explores 200 years of Asian fantasy and pre-modern mythology in their newest exhibition Blue is coming to Hong Kong in February 2027 for their 25th anniversary tour Four Hong Kong bars have been named in the global 50 Best Bars 2026 list

Fantasy and folklore has always been central to cultures all over the world, but any Hayao Miyazaki fan will be able to tell you that Asian fantasy is a whole other beast that has had a major global impact on visual culture. M+ is soon unveiling a special exhibition that explores the role of fantasy in Asia against the shifting socio-political realities of the past two centuries, and how artists have been using contemporary visual culture to navigate the times they live in. More than 400 works are highlighted across art, architecture, fashion, video games, film, and more, showing that fantasy is not just simple escapism – it is a way of reimagining the world altogether. Supernatural, magical, and futuristic stories are created after reflecting on lived experiences and offered as diverse visions of alternative realities to the one we exist in. Photograph: Courtesy Yumoto Koichi Memorial Japan Yokai Museum (L); Oscar Chan Yik Long (R)Utagawa Kunisada woodblock (L) and ‘The King of Ghosts’ (R) The exhibition is arranged chronologically and thematically across four sections so start with pre-modern fantasy in Asian folklore that manifests as deities, ghosts, monsters, and more, mainly to address societal morals or taboos. Aside from Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Chinese shadow puppets, and Tibetan Buddhist thangkas, check out a brand-new piece by Helsinki-based Hong Kong artist Oscar Chan, inspired by the deity Zhong Kui, the King of Ghosts. Walk through the bizarre Surrealism section, brought back to Asia by Asian artists in Europe grappling with the destruction and social instability of wartime, before moving on to post-WWII, when Japanese pop culture started taking hold in international audiences. From Tezuka Osamu’s Astro Boy and the 1954 film Godzilla to iconic manga like Cardcaptor Sakura and anime such as Ghost in the Shell, fantastical worlds are brought to life as spaces to explore loss, social upheaval, and the hope for a better future. Photograph: Courtesy Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research Center; Seydina Issa Sow / M+, Hong Kong‘Toi hoshi no kioku’ by Takemiya Keiko (L); ‘Cayor’ by Seydina Issa Sow Finally, the globalised present sees artists working across visual arts, design, architecture, moving image, digital culture, and other mediums to tackle pertinent themes like technological anxiety, fluid identities, and reimagined mythologies. This is where you can look through the works of Fujimori Terunobu, Ayoung Kim, Lawrence Lek, Takashi Murakami, Ho Tzu Nyen, Philippe Parreno, and more. From pedagogical myths to the virtual avatars of the present, see how Asia creatives have long been using fantasy to address real life across the many long years. Aside from admiring the richness of Asia’s visual culture, take a while to think about how fantasy not only enriches, but also actively shapes, contemporary life with new ways of seeing, questioning, and imagining. Photograph: Courtesy Dark Comics & Toys Limited / M+, Hong Kong‘War of History’ by Khoo Fuk Lung ‘Myths and Monsters: The Art of Fantasy in Asia’ runs at M+ from October 17 to April 4, 2027. Admission tickets cost a flat price of $190 and grant access to all galleries in the museum, with concessions available. Combo tickets are also available at $250 for one adult and one child, or $400 for two adults and one child. 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: Blue is coming to Hong Kong in February 2027 for their 25th anniversary tour Four Hong Kong bars have been named in the global 50 Best Bars 2026 list Ne-Yo and Meovv to headline the Spooky Halloween music carnival this year

Early 2000s hit boy band Blue is celebrating their 25th anniversary of music making, and they’re bringing their celebratory tour to Asia, including a stop in Hong Kong! Fans of their nostalgic pop and R&B tunes should mark their calendars for Friday, January 22, 2027, when the four-piece act will take the stage at Tides, our newest music venue. It’s already been a quarter of a century since the release of their hit debut single All Rise, but Blue’s music remains timeless and iconic, and the night is sure to be filled with bangers such as Too Close, U Make Me Wanna, Guilty, Breathe Easy, If You Come Back, and more. Ticket prices are now on sale starting from $899, while the One Love VIP package ($2,099) will get you a pre-show group photo with all five members of Blue themselves, access to the pre-show soundcheck, a VIP laminate and lanyard, early entry, and an exclusive autographed poster. Tides is by no means a huge venue so get clicking now if you don’t want to miss out! 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: Four Hong Kong bars have been named in the global 50 Best Bars 2026 list Ne-Yo and Meovv to headline the Spooky Halloween music carnival this year LeonLollipop brings his iconic Gloomie cat to Harbour City for first solo exhibition

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!