Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Delicate and rooted in authentic flavours, Cantonese cuisine has long been well-loved among foodies in the know, as well as Hongkongers with our particular palates, and it looks like the rest of the world is definitely taking notice. The Chinese Restaurant Awards (CRA) recently unveiled their list for the Elite 15 Asia Awards 2025 at a grand ceremony in Vancouver, Canada, marking the first time the CRA has ranked Chinese restaurants across both Asia and Canada.  From 30 top-tier honourees, 15 eateries were ranked on the prestigious list, with six Hong Kong restaurants making the cut. Meanwhile, the panel also recognised three individual honours in Asia’s Chinese culinary scene – categorised under Master Chef, Dim Sum Chef, and Rising Star Chef of the Year – with a Hong Kong chef and a Macau chef tying for the title of Rising Star Chef for 2025.  Photograph: Courtesy The Chairman | Wing Restaurant With six restaurants winning spots on the Elite 15 list, Hong Kong is undoubtedly the leading region in the world for top-notch Chinese food. It will not come as a surprise to connoisseurs that the Michelin-starred The Chairman has snatched the top spot on CRA’s elite list for its exemplary, locally sourced Cantonese fare. In second place, Wing Restaurant is honoured for its modern regional Chinese cuisine prepared with western culinary techniques. Both these restaurants are famously among the hardest to book in Hong Kong – and for good reason. Slightly lower on the list sits Seventh Son Restaurant in fifth place, while Shanghainese restaurant Xin Rong Ji comes in seventh for its diverse Taizhou menu, followed closely by Yong Fu’s authentic Ningbo cuisine at number eight. Finally, Man Ho Chinese Restaurant rounds out Hong Kong’s wins at rank 13, with its chef Jayson Tang additionally being awarded Rising Star Chef of the Year for his innovative approach to traditional Cantonese cuisine. In a rare tie to the final voting process, this honour is being jointly shared with chef Henry Zhang of Macau’s Drunken Fish. Our neighbouring Macau was also represented in the Elite 15 Asia Awards by the two-Michelin-starred Chef Tam’s Season in Wynn Palace coming in at number 10. Photograph: Courtesy Xing Rong Ji | Yong Fu | Man Ho Chinese Restaurant The CRA has become a definitive guide to Chinese cuisine in Metro Vancouver since its founding in 2008. Expanding its expertise to Asia, the Elite 15 Asia Awards are compiled by a distinguished panel of chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants, cultural leaders, and entrepreneurs across major Asian cities. Honourees are assessed for the overall dining experience at each venue, the chefs’ technical mastery, and their ability to showcase the uniqueness of regional cuisine with contemporary flair. See below for the list of top 15 Chinese restaurants in Asia this year as well as their regional specialties.  Winners of the Elite 15 Asia Awards 2025: The Chairman, Hong Kong – Modern Cantonese  Wing Restaurant, Hong Kong – Modern Chinese  Ru Yuan, Hangzhou – Hangzhou (Hangbang Cai) Meet the Bund, Shanghai – Min Cai  Seventh Son Restaurant, Hong Kong – Cantonese  102 House, Shanghai – Refined Cantonese banquet cuisine  Lingnan House, Guangzhou – Cantonese  Xin Rong Ji, Hong Kong – Taizhou  Yong Fu, Hong Kong – Ningbo  Chef Tam’s Season, Macau – Cantonese  1996 Si Chuan Cuisine, Beijing – Modern Sichuanese  Jie Xiang Lou, Hangzhou – Jiangnan  Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, Hong Kong – Cantonese  The House of Dynasties, Beijing – Imperial court, Cantonese  Silks House, Taipei – Cantonese  Click here for more information about The Chinese Restaurant Awards and the Elite 15 Asia Awards 2025.  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 first traditional Chinese medicine hospital to open in December, with discounts for the first year Plant-based bar and restaurant Peridot opens at The Henderson Cookie DPT is closing their Central Café after three years in Soho

If you prefer holistic herbal medicine to being prescribed bags of unpronounceable pills, then you’ll be glad to know Hong Kong will soon offer something new for your health journey. The Health Bureau has recently announced that The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) will begin operations in phases starting from December 11, 2025. The hospital will follow an integrated Chinese-Western medicine approach to diagnosis and treatment. All primary attending clinicians will be Chinese medicine practitioners, with TCM principles playing a main role in diagnosis and care, and supported by western medicine where appropriate.  During its first year of operation, the CMHHK will offer outpatient and day-patient specialised Chinese medicine services. These fields of practice include internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology, paediatrics, orthopedics and traumatology, and the Asian-centric acupuncture and moxibustion. Chinese medicines will be available in various forms from the hospital’s state-of-the-art integrated Chinese-Western pharmacy, including granules, processed herbal medicines, and proprietary, decocted, and compounded varieties. In addition, the hospital will also offer interventional measures such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, tui-na and bone setting, fumigation and bathe, and dressing application.  Photograph: AFP Meanwhile, the CMHHK will gradually roll out special diseases programmes following its opening in December, including diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular diseases, chronic joint diseases, cancer rehabilitation and palliative care, pre- and postnatal care, and stroke rehabilitation. In-patient services will commence during the hospital’s second year of operation, where patients will receive holistic and personalised catering and exercising programmes as part of their treatment plans.  While western medicine is prevalent in the city, many Hongkongers continuously turn to traditional Chinese medicine for alternative remedies. The holistic nature, personalised care, and overall prevention-over-intervention principle offered by TCM is at times favoured over the one-size-fits-all and often aggressive treatment procedures of western medicine. Governmental regulations of private TCM clinics and Chinese medicine dispensaries have tightened over the past few decades, and the opening of the CMHHK comes as a response to an increasing public demand for a regulated, science-based traditional Chinese medicine provider in Hong Kong.  Similar to other public hospitals, the CMHHK will offer both subsidised and market-oriented pricing schemes, with application for fee waivers available for those in need. Consultation fees start at $180 for eligible residents, and the hospital will offer an experience discount during the first year of operation. Patients can enjoy 10 to 30 percent off the original price on selected designated services from December 11, 2025 to December 11, 2026. The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong is located at 1 Pak Shing Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O. You can make an appointment online at the CMHHK website or via the hotline +852 3121 3121 from November 1, 2025.  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: Plant-based bar and restaurant Peridot opens at The Henderson Cookie DPT is closing their Central Café after three years in Soho Rosewood Hong Kong recognised as No. 1 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025

Interior design aficionados will love this one: a beautiful new bar and restaurant is now open at The Henderson. Sitting on the 38th floor of Hong Kong’s latest lifestyle hub is Peridot, a bold new concept designed to dazzle local gourmands with everything from its innovative plant-based food menu and terroir-focused cocktails and rare spirits to striking interiors by Studio Paolo Ferrari.  The quarterly rotating drinks menu at Peridot doubles as an appreciation of distinctive terroirs – environmental qualities like geography, climate, and soil that complete a spirit. Meticulously crafted by the director of beverage François Cavelier, the opening programme takes visitors to Kagoshima, Japan, through a curation of cocktails that brings the coastal city’s agricultural and artisanal heritage to life. Highlights include the rich yet citrusy 3am Whisky, peppery and refreshing Nude Study, and aromatic, rum-based Durian’s Consent. Photograph: Courtesy The Henderson Meanwhile, diners can look forward to fermentation-forward, plant-based bar snacks and tasting menus. Conceptualised by chef Lisandro Illa, the food programme at Peridot is set to revolutionise vegetarian haute cuisine. Some dishes of note include the nourishing Koji carrot pumpkin ginger soup, hearty asado mushroom with chimichurri forest and chorizo tempeh, and chef Illa’s signature fleshy fruits cold cuts – a charcuterie of nut-based cheeses and fruit-based ‘meats’.  Your experience at Peridot is complete with a comprehensive entertainment programme that offers soulful live music alongside high-octane DJ sets. Set within an interior brought to life by award-winning Studio Paolo Ferrari, visitors can enjoy Peridot’s unique cocktails and snacks within a luminous light green space where over 20,000 hand-crafted lights, glowing glass, and sculptural marble combine to create a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.  Photograph: Courtesy The Henderson Peridot is now open from 12pm to 2am, Monday to Saturday, at Summit 38, 38/F, The Henderson, 2 Murray Road, Central. More information is available at peridothk.com. 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: Cookie DPT is closing their Central Café after three years in Soho Rosewood Hong Kong recognised as No. 1 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 Hong Kong police to expand AI-driven CCTV system to public housing estates, traffic lights, and more

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you may want to grab a tissue for this news. Hong Kong baked goods brand Cookie DPT – pronounced Cookie Department – has just announced that they’re closing their flagship café and bakery in Central at the end of this week. Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Wil Fang, Cookie DPT quickly garnered attention with their American-style cookies, which are crisp on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside, exactly the way we like them. Since then, they’ve gone on to become a mainstay in most of Hong Kong’s food events, festivals, markets, and pop-ups, eventually opening their first brick-and-mortar café in 2022. Aside from cookies, their menu expanded to include brownies, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, pies, cakes, and all sorts of classics that any American grandmother would be proud of. We’re also big fans of the kimchi pasta and pancakes on their all-day breakfast and lunch menu. Photograph: Courtesy Cookie DPT But after three years, rising operational costs and leasing pressures have meant that Cookie DPT has made the decision to close down their Central flagship store on Sunday, November 9. Thankfully, the one glimmer of light in this situation is that the brand itself is not shutting down – they’ll still be selling their cookies and baked goods online, available for next-day delivery, events, and corporate catering. Fans can also look forward to seeing Cookie DPT in person again at the AIA Carnival this December, where they’ve promised to debut new treats and comfort food. As Fang says, “This may be the end of one chapter, but our story isn’t over.” Go visit their Central café for one last cookie stash or pancake stack before this Sunday, or swing by on Saturday for a farewell party starting from 3pm! 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: Rosewood Hong Kong recognised as No. 1 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 Hong Kong police to expand AI-driven CCTV system to public housing estates and more Hyatt to open Hong Kong’s first Andaz hotel in 2027

Hot on the heels of Hong Kong’s Bar Leone topping this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars list, another popular venue of ours has claimed the top spot as the best in the world. Rosewood Hong Kong has officially been awarded with the number one position on the prestigious list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, as well as claiming the Best Hotel in Asia. This marks the third year in a row that this glamorous hotel on the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront has ranked within the top five on this list, having secured number two in 2023 and number three in 2024. With 413 luxurious rooms and event spaces occupying 43 floors in the Rosewood Tower, the Rosewood Hong Kong is home to 11 dining concepts including the one-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant The Legacy House, classic French fare at Marmo Bistro, casual Italian at Bluhouse, and one-Michelin-starred refined Indian dishes at Chaat. Let’s not also forget the hotel’s sultry jazz-filled bar DarkSide, which was ranked number 17 in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list last year. Photograph: Courtesy Rosewood Hong Kong Meanwhile, Asaya is Rosewood’s fantastic integrated wellness concept, which includes a spa, an outdoor infinity pool, a fitness centre, lodges for customisable wellness-focused stays, and exclusive usage of products by Parisian beauty brand Guerlain. There is also the Rosewood Residences, a range of 186 rooms and apartments for rental stays at the pinnacle of luxury, which includes access to a private club, special services, and dedicated amenities. As for the rest of Hong Kong’s many excellent hotels, the Upper House sits at number 10, while the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong debuts on list at number 41. In the extended 51-100 list, The Peninsula Hong Kong has claimed the number 54 spot, and the Four Seasons Hong Kong took number 84. Six of the world’s top 10 hotels are all in Asia, with the Thai capital truly on a roll as the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River and the nearby Capella Bangkok were awarded the second and third best hotels in the world, respectively. Photograph: Courtesy Rosewood Hong Kong This annual awards list is determined by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, composed of more than 800 hospitality experts from around the world, ranging from seasoned hoteliers to travel writers and career globetrotters. See below for the list of top 10 hotels in the world this year. The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025, 1-10: Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok Capella Bangkok, Bangkok Passalacqua, Lake Como Raffles Singapore, Singapore Atlantis The Royal, Dubai Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Bangkok Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá Four Seasons Firenze, Florence Upper House Hong Kong, Hong Kong Click here to see the full list of 50 best 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: Hong Kong police to expand AI-driven CCTV system to public housing estates, traffic lights, and more Hyatt to open Hong Kong’s first Andaz hotel in 2027 The best events happening in Hong Kong this November

Since the start of 2025, the Hong Kong Police Force has installed over 4,500 AI-powered CCTV cameras across the city under the SmartView Initiative. The police claim that the main goal of implementing this surveillance system is to “aid crime prevention and detection”. In a press release published on October 16, the force announced that they will gradually expand SmartView’s coverage to locations such as public housing estates, traffic lights, and cross-harbour tunnels, while connecting existing CCTV cameras to the system.  Naturally, there are mixed feelings towards the police’s decision to expand its surveillance coverage across the city. Instead of immediately dreading the emergence of a Big Brother state, let’s take a look at what SmartView is able to record, what the footage is used for, and what this means for public interests and privacy. Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk What does the Hong Kong police use SmartView for? In the same press release, the Hong Kong police states that their AI-driven SmartView surveillance system has been instrumental in aiding their crime prevention and detection efforts, demonstrating “remarkable effectiveness” in “assisting the force in detecting more than 480 criminal cases and leading to the arrests of more than 840 individuals.”  Beyond crime, the police have also found SmartView an effective monitoring tool “during typhoons and extreme weather conditions”. In particular, surveillance footage from SmartView cameras proved useful in “monitoring flooding conditions in the city” as well as aiding rescue and recovery efforts after Typhoon Ragasa.  To date, SmartView’s integrated people-counting technology has proven useful for crowd control at large-scale events such as the National Day fireworks display. Meanwhile, cameras installed at public housing estates will continue to record goings-on at “lobbies, entrances, lifts, retail areas, and car parks”, with the footage “used for security and property management purposes”, as a Housing Authority spokesperson stated to Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP). Upcoming plans for expansion Currently, 4,000 CCTV cameras connected to SmartView are “installed on lampposts, smart lampposts, and government buildings”, with mobile cameras mounted on police vehicles. The force states that it plans to expand SmartView’s “installation platforms”, starting with “the first traffic light-mounted camera before the end of this year” – so no more sneaky jaywalking, folks. In addition to new cameras, the police also plans to “integrate CCTV cameras installed by other government departments and public organisations” by the end of 2025, and shopping malls by 2026, bulking up the 5,000 that are currently connected to SmartView.  Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk What does this mean for public interests and privacy? With SmartView gradually being integrated into living spaces at public housing estates, there is general concern over the police’s infringement on personal privacy. As expected, there are countless reassurances from government personnel, as a police spokesperson states to HKFP that “the SmartView expansion [will comply] with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance”, and the police “will ensure personal interests of the public are safeguarded.”  As for how long the public’s faces will potentially remain on the authorities’ recording system, a Housing Authority spokesperson states to HKFP that “footage is retained for no more than 28 days and is handled by management personnel according to privacy laws”, while footage “used for investigation or evidence will be retained until the relevant investigation or prosecution proceedings are completed”.  At least for now, the police’s implementation and use of SmartView is legal. Only time will tell whether their promises to safeguard public interests and personal privacy will ring true.  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: Hyatt to open Hong Kong’s first Andaz hotel in 2027 The best events happening in Hong Kong this November Blue is coming to Hong Kong for their 25th anniversary tour

The Hyatt Hotel Corporation announced plans for Hong Kong’s first Andaz branded hotel on October 27. Andaz Hong Kong Central is expected to open in 2027 as part of Central Crossing, a place-making project set to transform 118 Wellington Street with state-of-the-art offices, open green spaces, and heritage architecture.  Designed for those with a global sensibility, the Andaz brand is known for its personalised and attentive service as well as operational principles that are grounded in local culture and surroundings. Andaz Hong Kong Central will channel our CBD’s iconic dualities of East and West, commercial and the arts, and history and modernity in its design and operation. Within walking distance of the hotel include the city’s central business district along Queen’s Road Central, heritage compound Tai Kwun, local arts hub PMQ, world-class restaurants in Soho, and some of Hong Kong’s best drinking destinations.  Photograph: Courtesy Central Crossing / Wing Tai Properties The hotel is expected to feature 125 rooms and suites plus premium room types that double as intimate event spaces. A highlight of the property includes the brand’s first-ever Andaz Village, a premium retail hub featuring some of the world’s most sought-after brands across luxury, wellbeing, and gourmet experiences.  Meanwhile, the hotel’s lobby will act as a ‘Living Room’ where conversations unfold among guests and visitors, with refreshments available throughout the day. In addition, guests can expect an all-day restaurant to feature among the hotel’s diverse dining options, a fitness centre, and comprehensive wellness facilities and offerings.  Andaz Hong Kong Central is set to open in 2027 at 118 Wellington Street, Central. Stay tuned for more updates closer to the grand opening.  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: PMQ Coffee Agenda 2025 returns this weekend with exclusive beans, brews, tastings, and more The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (October 31-November 2) Blue is coming to Hong Kong for their 25th anniversary tour

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 Saturday, February 7, 2026, 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 start from $899, while the One Love VIP package will get you a pre-show group photo with Blue themselves, access to the pre-show soundcheck, a VIP laminate and lanyard, early entry, and an exclusive autographed poster. An HSBC Mastercard presale beginning at 12 noon on November 4, followed by a Live Nation members’ presale on November 5. Sales for the general public will then open from 12 noon on November 6. Tides is by no means a huge venue so these will literally be the hot ticket – set a calendar alert so you don’t 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: Foxglove is closing its doors this December after 10 years in Hong Kong HK Express launches $12 anniversary offers on selected flights Hong Kong records first locally transmitted case of chikungunya fever

On October 26, beloved speakeasy, restaurant, and live music venue Foxglove announced its closure through a heartfelt Instagram post, posted through the words of its fictional founder, Frank Minza. The news came as a shock to both the bar’s regulars and Hong Kong’s live music scene.  Over its decade of operation, Foxglove has undoubtedly become a staple in the city’s nightlife and entertainment industry. Its 1950s-inspired interiors offered an extravagant recluse for creatives, gourmands, and everyone in between. The speakeasy-style restobar was known for its innovative cocktails, live music performances, and a menu of delectable dim sum. It certainly also helped that Foxglove’s iconic entrance masquerades as a fancy Kingsman-like umbrella store, and customers have to pull the correct one to access the restaurant proper. As one of the few Hong Kong venues offering a platform for local and international talents, Foxglove’s presence will be dearly missed once its doors shut permanently.  Photograph: Courtesy Foxglove But rest assured, the speakeasy is going out with a bang. From now until the end of December, regulars and fans of Foxglove can expect its usual offerings plus seasonal specials as Halloween and Christmas roll around. Highlights of upcoming performances include sets by On Point, Chris Palanco, The Carpio Brothers, and The Bloodest Saxophone.  Meanwhile, visitors can continue to enjoy Foxglove’s 10th anniversary dining offer. At $280 for lunch and $380 for dinner, you can enjoy a premium cut of US Angus ribeye or Wagyu Bavette with unlimited fries.  Foxglove is located at 2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central and will remain in operation until December 31, 2025.  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: HK Express launches $12 anniversary offers on selected flights Hong Kong records first locally transmitted case of chikungunya fever Hong Kong Space Museum launches new space-themed 3D dome show

Hong Kong’s favourite budget airline is celebrating its 12th year of operations with an attractive promotion! HK Express Airways’ 12th anniversary offer features unmissable deals on one-way fares that go as low as $12. On top of heavily discounted plane tickets, travellers can also upgrade their journeys with HK Express’ ‘Inflight Part Celebration Set’, which includes a complimentary blueberry mousse cake, greeting card, two drinks, and a surprise gift. Here’s when and how to buy tickets, what destinations are included, and more.  What destinations are included? As an airline that primarily services southern and southeast Asian destinations, HK Express’ anniversary promotion will cover most of its regular short haul routes. Eligible destinations include Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and mainland China.  What travel dates do the promotion cover?  Rest assured, you’ll have ample time to plan for your upcoming holiday as the 12th Anniversary Ultra Offer covers travel dates from April 14, 2026 to March 17, 2027.  How much are discounted tickets? The promotion applies to all round-trip flights departing from Hong Kong during the designated travel period.  For flights to Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and mainland China, travellers can enjoy one-way ‘Lite’ fares at $12 per person, which includes a small personal item and a carry-on baggage, and one-way ‘Essential’ fares at $112 per person, which includes a small personal item and a 20-kg checked-in baggage. Meanwhile, one-way ‘Lite’ fares to destinations in Japan and Korea are priced at $112 per person, and one-way ‘Essential’ fares at $212 per person.  When and how to buy discounted tickets? HK Express’ $12 anniversary offer is ongoing until 11.45pm on Wednesday, October 29. To purchase discounted tickets, simply visit HK Express’ official website and you’ll be redirected to the official promotion portal. Alternatively, get your tickets from the airline’s WeChat mini app during the same period. Flights and seats are limited, so grab yours before they’re all 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: The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (October 27-November 2) Hong Kong reports first locally acquired case of chikungunya fever Two large-scale art galleries are closing their locations in Hong Kong – for now

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! 

Free on Tuesdays? Head over to Hugo's in TST for their unlimited steak and frites night, which also come with Caesar salad, a dessert, and plenty of tipples – just remember to wear loose pants.

G'day foodies! Renowned chef Shane Osborn has just opened a laidback Aussie-style cafe inspired by Australian pit stops. Perfect for a casual meal when in Central.

This arts month, don't miss Hong Kong's first ASMR exhibition that will give you all kinds of tingles.

This ‘Picasso for Asia’ exhibition is the first time that masterpieces from the Musée national Picasso-Paris are being shown alongside works from an Asian museum collection. Find out what makes the Spanish master of Cubism so influential – you have until mid-July!