The best things to do in Hong Kong this August

As part of Gelato Messina's ongoing collaboration series with Hong Kong's culinary talents and food and drink community, the gelateria has joined hands with Central's modern all-day bakery, Social Goods, to offer exclusive pastry-inspired creations from July 21 to August 3.

By combining traditional gelato craftsmanship and French pastry-making techniques, the gelato store has whipped up two limited-edition flavours to try. The ever-classic Mille-Feuille croissant gets reimagined in One in a Millelion, a buttery cream gelato with caramelised croissant pieces. For something warm and comforting, the Cinphony in Brioche-Major combines mascarpone gelato with cinnamon-soaked brioche and a crunchy walnut praline to recreate irresistibly decadent cinnamon rolls. What's more, customers can also enjoy their scoops of gelato in Social Goods' custom sourdough cone. 

These exclusive flavours will be available in limited amounts at Gelato Messina's locations on Pottinger Street and The Peak, so be sure to arrive early to get a taste of these treats before they sell out.

M+ and Leeum Museum of Art are teaming up to present a comprehensive exhibition featuring the groundbreaking works of influential South Korean contemporary artist Lee Bul. More than 200 pieces will be shown, spanning the artist’s career from the late 1990s to the present to trace the evolution of Lee’s artistic approach. Split into three sections, ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’ interrogates ideas of utopian and dystopian existence, the relationship between body and technology, and Lee’s creative process.

M+ Cinema will also screen a number of Lee’s performance works during the exhibition period. ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’ opens on March 14 and will be commemorated with a talk at the Grand Stair; Lee herself will be present to speak about her artistic vision.

Chiu Tang and Kinsman are joining forces at The Galleria on August 12 and 13 for In the Mood for Flavours, an exclusive two-night pop-up merging Chiu Chow culinary traditions with modern Cantonese mixology. Curated by executive chef Cheung Lam Por and Kinsman’s Gavin Yeung, this exclusive dining experience features an eight-course menu paired with signature cocktail pairings. Set against a backdrop of mid-century Hong Kong nostalgia and retro tunes, guests are invited to dress in traditional Qipao or Tang suits for an unforgettable evening of vintage charm and exceptional flavour. Online bookings are now open for tables of two guests or more.

K-pop icon T.O.P is heading to Hong Kong this summer as the first stop on his highly anticipated Pre-Studio 2026 solo Asia fan meeting tour. Marking his first solo tour across the region in two decades, the multi-talented artist is set to take the stage at the AsiaWorld-Arena on August 15, 2026, before continuing on to cities including Taipei, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Kaohsiung. Exact ticketing details and merchandise packages are still under wraps, with official pricing and sales platforms to be announced through his official channels soon.

Shanghai’s drag collective, House of Linglong, is heading to our city for an exclusive two-night takeover at Eaton HK’s Music Room on August 14 and 15. Founded by drag artist and creative director Kudos (Lian Longqing), the acclaimed group is renowned for pushing queer artistry through a bold fusion of avant-garde drag, high fashion, live performance, and culturally inspired storytelling.

Led by Kudos, the lineup features Queen of the Universe star Woowu alongside a stacked lineup of performers and DJs. Early bird entry will set you back $300, while general admission sits at $360 (both inclusive of one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink). Those looking to catch both nights can pick up a two-night bundle for $580, which comes with two drinks.

Get ready for the ultimate girls' night out as Australia’s Thunder from Down Under makes its return to Macau. From August 14 to 16, the world-famous Las Vegas residency will take over the G Box theatre at Galaxy Macau for a three-night summer run. Featuring everything from fast-paced group numbers to steamy solo routines, this year’s production is dialling up the heat with an upgraded stage, immersive choreography, and a handful of fresh (and very chiselled) faces joining the troupe. Tickets are available across major ticketing platforms, with both standard ($480) and VIP options ($799) available.

Cj Hendry will be taking over Pacific Place with Juju world, an immersive experience centred around the signature character with the floppy ears and a flower over one eye. First up, a huge sculptural centrepiece will display Juju characters amidst a surreal universe; then, there’s also an infinity mirror zone where visitors can step into a dream-like reflection of Juju’s world. The star of the show, though, has got to be a room where you can be cocooned by over 400 Juju plushies.

This exhibition event will also come with Jujus to be collected. The limited series features nine distinctive colourways that have slightly iridescent bodies, inspired by Hong Kong’s ever-changing energy and metropolitan spirit. These nine Juju types will be solely exclusive to our city, so get ready to grab your blind boxes!

Celebrate Ngong Ping 360’s 20th anniversary this summer with its first-ever Cable Car Night Ride experience! On designated weekends in July and August, the cable cars will operate all the way until 10pm, allowing riders to glide over Lantau Island and soak up starlit views of landmarks like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the illuminated Big Buddha. Over 80 of the cabins have also been decked out in themed luminous designs, which visitors on the night rides will be able to uncover with a mini UV flashlight given to them. The celebration continues on the ground as Ngong Ping Village transforms into a nostalgic 1980s Hong Kong streetscape, complete with retro photo spots, live outdoor concerts, and more. Head over to the official Ngong Ping 360 website to book your spot.

Japan's hugely popular Flower Miffy boutique has officially made its grand Hong Kong debut, hopping into Causeway Bay for a limited summer run. Fusing minimalist floral designs with the adorable Dutch rabbit, the pop-up features a Flower Buffet where customers can create their very own plush flower bouquet and get their hands on a huge selection of themed merch, homeware, gardening accessories, and more. Big spenders looking to expand their Miffy collections can also walk away with limited-edition instant photo-style plastic collectable cards with any purchase of $300 or more.

Hopewell Mall is turning into an animal sanctuary this summer with the return of Exotic Pets World. The pop-up exhibition features four themed zones, showcasing over 15 rare and exotic species, including the Lesser Antillean iguana, the Aldabra giant tortoise, and the ever-adorable axolotls. Alongside a dedicated aquatic zone and fascinating wildlife displays, visitors can enjoy interactive experiences, hands-on workshops like insect specimen mounting, and a behind-the-scenes summer programme for kids aged seven and up. Admission to the main exhibition is free, with registration required for the workshops and educational activities.

From July 4 to August 23, MOSTown is transforming into a breezy seaside oasis featuring 30 adorable Namagaki and Friends designs. Expect a vibrant lineup of interactive, camera-ready photo spots, a treasure-filled sand pit, and a giant gashapon machine loaded with plushie prizes. Alongside the family-friendly fun, you can also browse the pop-up store packed with over 20 new MOSTown-exclusive items and more than 20 limited-edition collectables from Japan, or head over to PHI Coffee & Pancake for Japanese soufflé pancakes, Italian mains, and specialty coffee. Great for soaking up the summer vibes – minus the blistering heat and humidity.

The Mahou Dokoro Harry Potter pop-up is returning to Hysan Place! Open from July 24 to August 25, the new store offers a fresh lineup of official apparel, accessories, and other collectables inspired by both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. Highlights include glow-in-the-dark and colour-changing tees, house-themed pouches with plush bears, a candy-shaped Honeydukes shoulder bag, and a range of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans jewellery. Shoppers who spend $300 or more in a single transaction before July 31 will also score an exclusive, limited-edition ‘Happee Birthdae Harry’ cake pouch, available while stocks last.

Hong Kong’s transit network is getting an adorable upgrade this summer as the MTR Corporation and AllRightsReserved launch the ‘Next Station: Chiikawa Artiverse’ campaign. Running on weekends from July 25 to August 30, a specially decorated Light Rail train will operate four trips on each day from Siu Hong Stop towards Tuen Mun or Yuen Long, featuring character-shaped handrail straps, exterior glow-in-the-dark stars, and artwork of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi. Passengers can join the experience by purchasing an $88 Light Rail Travel Pass package on-site at Siu Hong (Platform 4), which covers one designated themed train journey, unlimited same-day Light Rail travel, and collectable merch. The transit takeover also extends into the main network with station installations at Admiralty and Lok Ma Chau, alongside an MTR Mobile app stamp card lucky draw offering 300 tickets to the upcoming Chiikawa Artiverse exhibition.

In a landmark collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) of Egypt, 250 treasures and relics from the land of the Pharaohs will be on display in Hong Kong for nine and a half months. Named ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’, this exhibition is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian artefacts Hong Kong has ever seen, displaying archaeological finds loaned straight from Egypt, many of which are being shown outside of their home country for the very first time.

Some of our favourite highlights include a set of canopic jars used to store internal organs in the mummification and burial process; statues of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and Rameses II; painted coffins of wood and stone; a Book of the Dead papyrus scroll; and even an ancient Egyptian toilet seat.

Swing by the gift shop to find a wide range of Egypt-related merch, including an adorable series of blind box plushies created by HKPM which depict pharaohs, canopic jars, mummies, and more.

Landing in Wan Chai for a two-month run from July 1 to August 31, Marrow is a sleek, meat-led pop-up restaurant offering an unconventional take on open-fire cooking. Curated by chef Chris Ma, the concept moves away from traditional steakhouses to highlight lesser-known cuts with distinct local and regional flavours. Alongside a selection of fire-cooked mains, diners can enjoy a playful menu of creative starters, seafood options, and nostalgic desserts. The restaurant is open daily for dinner only, and with a short summer residency, booking ahead is highly recommended.

Make your way to Harbour City this summer as Toy Story 5 takes over the waterfront complex with a massive summer carnival! Meet giant two-metre-tall sculptures of Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye at the Ocean Terminal Forecourt, and challenge yourself to four interactive games featuring the animated franchise's beloved characters. Upstairs on the Deck, a towering 4.5-metre Buzz Lightyear stands next to colourful displays from Hong Kong Disneyland, while downstairs at the Main Concourse is an official pop-up store packed with over 800 exclusive merch. Fans can also snap photos with a Hong Kong-limited 1:1 scale Buzz-themed show car at Gateway Arcade, and explore rare animation sketches at Gallery by the Harbour. All proceeds from the event (after deducting costs) will go directly to Make-A-Wish Hong Kong.

Cool down this summer at Water World Ocean Park’s 80s-themed summer festival! From July 4 to August 31, the park will host a series of late-night Cantopop pool parties featuring a lineup of international DJs. Beyond the music, visitors can explore neon-lit photo spots, play interactive games like giant Jenga and Connect Four, join Aqua SUP yoga sessions, or make some new friends at a weekly matchmaking event. Head to the Water World Ocean Park website to check ticket options and book your spot for the season.

Running from August 1 to September 6, 2026, ‘Chiikawa Artiverse’ splits its adorable antics across four immersive zones at K11 Musea, featuring more than 130 original character sketches, interactive music setups, larger-than-life character installations, and the world's first Chiikawa-themed carousel, the Chiikawa-Go-Round. Advance ticket packages go on priority sale via Klook at 3pm on June 11, giving fans the exclusive chance to bag global debut merchandise, pick up interactive gadgets, or even reserve a seat for a spin on the adorable carousel.

Discover the history, art, and cultural impact of gaming at CityUHK’s new interactive exhibition, The Power of Play. This hands-on showcase spans 5,000 years of gaming history, tracking the evolution of human play from ancient Egyptian board games and nostalgic 1980s arcades to immersive virtual reality experiences, modern esports, and collaborative robotics. Curated by professor Espen Aarseth, the exhibition offers a fascinating look at how society’s attitude toward gaming has shifted from a casual amusement to a global competitive phenomenon. 

The Power of Play runs from July 4 to October 25 at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery (18th floor of the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building at CityUHK). Doors are open from 11am to 7pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Entry won't cost you a penny, though you’ll need to register online before turning up.

Hong Kong football fans are in for a treat this May as the FIFA Museum makes its large-scale debut at Times Square. Kicking off on May 28, this six-month residency offers a deep dive into the history of the beautiful game, featuring The Rainbow installation of 211 member association jerseys alongside original trophies and artefacts from both the men’s and women’s World Cups. Beyond the glass cases, visitors can also catch screenings of short films or uncover unique stories from Asia and Hong Kong.

Tickets go on sale April 16 at 6pm via the Arena-Tix platform, with standard entry priced at $180 and concessionary tickets for $140. Limited VIP packages with guided tours and exclusive souvenirs are also available.

Switch up your weeknight plans and head over to PMQ for Kebab Night at La Terrace by Louise. On August 20, October 8, and December 17 from 6pm onwards, the terrace will be serving up succulent chicken kebabs with sauce blanche, harissa, salad, tomatoes, and onions, alongside fries and a coconut soft serve with lime sorbet. A range of Burgundy wines by the glass and bottle will also be available for your pickings. It’s a hugely popular event, so be sure to make your reservation well in advance.

Running from June 27, 2026, to January 10, 2027, at M+, this highly anticipated interactive exhibition brings the viral Japanese showcase to Hong Kong with a unique local twist. Adapted from the hugely popular ‘Design Ah! neo’ exhibition, the family-friendly event features 21 playful stations themed around 10 ordinary daily actions like eating, walking, and sitting. From giant installations and interactive challenges to an immersive rhythm game, this creative exhibition shines a completely new light on the seemingly mundane routines and objects we often overlook. It's well worth a visit, so pencil it into your calendar!