Best things to do in Hong Kong in March
The phrase ‘March madness’ is no exaggeration when it comes to Hong Kong next month. There’s a ton of amazing events and happenings packed into the month’s 31 days. Top of the bill, Art Basel, the city’s biggest art fair, makes a grand return to the Convention Centre as part of the massive Hong Kong Arts Month. That means world-class exhibitions and numerous art events like Art Central and HK Walls will be rolling into town.
If art isn’t your thing, fear not. Foodies can rejoice with the return of Taste of Hong Kong, bringing more gourmet food and booze to the Central Harbourfront. Speaking on the waterfront, The Hong Kong ePrix is also back promising thrilling racing action. BTS, Tom Odell and Pet Shop Boys complete the exciting line-up of international pop acts coming our way. There’s no shortage of things to do to fill up your calendar in March. Enjoy!
RECOMMENDED: Keep up to date with all the best art exhibitions in Hong Kong taking place this month.
Hong Kong events highlight
Hong Kong International Film Festival 2019
It can be tough getting tickets for Asia’s oldest film festival – have those credit cards ready when booking finally opens later this year, usually around early March – but that’s because the array of films screened at HKIFF is almost always stellar. Highlights already announced for 2019 include a retrospective of pioneering Chinese actress Li Lihua – star of Storm over the Yangtze River and the first winner of two Golden Horse Best Actress Awards – and a look back at the work of the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, a group that includes the likes of Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige and Zhang Junzhao.Screenings take place across the city from the likes of the HK Arts Centre in Wan Chai to The Metroplex in Kowloon Bay, so be sure to check locations as well as the times films are showing.
Mndsgn
Ringgo Ancheta, aka producer Mndsgn (pronounced mind design), is set to make his 852 debut at Eaton HK. A can’t-miss act for hip-hop and electronic fans, Mndsgn is best-known for his 2016 LP, Body Wash, as well as the mix-tape, Snax, which he released in 2018.
Kaws: Holiday
For anyone who’s been missing the presence of the colossal rubber duck, the hugely popular public art in 2013 by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, you can keep your eyes peeled for another giant float making its way to our shores. Renowned American artist and designer Kaws is bringing a 37m long, monumental inflatable sculpture of his signature character, Companion – think of it as a morbid version of Mickey Mouse – to Central Harbourfront. Reclining on its back and with Xs for eyes, the floating sculpture Kaws:Holiday, invites Hongkongers to join Companion to lie back and relax, or amuse themselves with the image of what is essentially is a gigantic dead mouse left adrift on Victoria Harbour.
Taste of Hong Kong 2019
Asia’s finest food and drink producers come together at Taste of Hong Kong to bring visitors an amazing four-day festival. The event features dishes from some of the city’s best restaurants, including John Anthony, Old Bailey and Chôm Chôm. And with fantastic drinks and live entertainment, this exciting event should satisfy any foodie!
Ruel
Described as a “young-pop-prodigy” by Time, singer-songwriter Ruel is set to make his Hong Kong debut at KITEC this March. The 16-year-old is best known for his breakthrough single Don’t Tell Me, which showcases his impressive vocal range. The young singer has also been praised by the likes of Elton John and supported Khalid on his recent tour. Catch him live if you want to hear one of pop’s most exciting young voices.
Hong Kong Arts Festival
Get ready for critically acclaimed stage performances, stunning dance pieces and sensational musical renditions all packed into a single month. Back for its 47th outing, the festival features more than 160 shows around Hong Kong, including Touching the Void, staged by Tony Award-winning theatre director Tom Morris, and a concert led by Brazil’s revered São Paulo Symphony Orchestra.
HK Walls
Hong Kong’s biggest street art festival is back! Taking over the streets of Wan Chai district, HK Walls features an exciting lineup of events including live painting sessions by top local creatives and international graffiti artists, as well as a pop-up print exhibition. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates on locations and events during the festival!
Underground Legends
Local music showcase The Underground celebrates its 15th anniversary with a literal bang by inviting some of its favourite acts from across the years to perform at this all-star gig. Featured acts include Airtub, who played at The Underground's debut back in 2004; Brothers of Roadkill, who use bass and keys as melodic anchors in their kick-ass blues tunes; Thinking Out Loud, fronted by The Underground's founder Chris B; as well as The David Bowie Knives, known for their hook-driven rock songs described as “somewhere between Oasis, The Stooges and Eagles of Death Metal”. All tickets include one drink.
Art Gallery Night & Brunch
Schmooze and booze with fellow art connoisseurs and enthusiasts at the annual Art Gallery Night hosted by the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association. The free event welcomes the public to pop into any one of its 35 member galleries across town and check out special exhibitions on display, join art talks and enjoy plenty of mingling. Can’t make it on a weeknight? Join in the Art Brunch on March 30 instead.
Art Central
Whether it’s because of the harbourside locale, the open grass space for food or its ever-expanding diversity of works on display, Art Central’s popularity continues to be on the rise. A relaxed and less stuffy affair than Art Basel, this waterfront art fair is also known for its live performance art. This year sees four new interactive performances from leading contemporary artists from the Asia-Pacific region, including a cup noodle restaurant and conversations with a “ghost”. Also look forward to edgy, urban and contemporary artworks presented by more than 100 international galleries, as well as six specially commissioned large-scale installations.
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