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Our city has plenty of great museums, but if you’re looking for something beyond the four walls of art institutions, there’s a much more immersive way to soak up local culture as the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Month returns from May 30 to June 30.
The festivities kick off with a massive opening ceremony and carnival at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on May 30 and 31. From 11am to 6pm, the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront will be buzzing with everything from lion dance performances to Cantonese opera. Expect to see the Tai Hang LED Little Fire Dragon making an appearance, alongside flash mob performances of nanyin, the hauntingly beautiful narrative singing style of the region. There’ll also be a creative market where you can pick up handicrafts, traditional food, and various products inspired by ICH elements.
The energy continues through the month with a series of dedicated fun days and carnivals. On June 13 to 14, the Sam Tung Uk Museum in Tsuen Wan will host a family-friendly celebration featuring Hakka folk song performances, traditional shadow puppet shows, paper craft displays, and a ton of interactive activities and workshops. If you’re more of a foodie, the ICH Cuisine Carnival on June 20 and 21 is a must on your calendar. Masters of the craft will be hosting demonstrations and workshops on everything from egg tarts and Hong Kong-style milk tea to dim sum and rice dumplings – and yes, you get to taste the results.
Even if you can’t make it to the main carnivals, there are still plenty of ways to pick up a new, albeit ancient, skill through a packed schedule of workshops running throughout the month. You can try your hand at making pineapple bun keyrings at the Hong Kong Science Museum on June 13, or join a flour figurine DIY session at the Kowloon City Public Library on June 27. Other sessions across the city offer lessons in jewellery making, traditional Chinese bookbinding, shadow puppetry, paper cutting, and even treasure hunting. Check out the workshop schedule here.
As for those looking to explore our city’s hidden corners, there are nine thematic tours covering eight districts, including a deep dive into the art of qin making in Sham Shui Po and marinated food techniques in Kowloon City. Registration for the tours opens on May 15, and they tend to fill up fast, so don’t miss out if you want a rare behind-the-scenes look at the masters and shops that keep these local traditions alive.
The Hong Kong Space Museum is also getting involved, as its exterior will be transformed from mid to late June with a multi-dimensional light show themed around the history and cultural significance of the horse. And if you’re flying out of the city during the month, be sure to stop by the pop-up at Hong Kong International Airport between June 1 and 30 to see an engaging intangible cultural heritage display or catch a milk tea demonstration during the first week of the month.
With so much scattered across town throughout the month, be sure to visit the official ICH website for a full rundown and start making plans!
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