The best things to do in Hong Kong this October

Tai Kwun pays tribute to the social value of camaraderie and having brothers-in-arms with its newest summer exhibition ‘Better Together – Partnering Up for Hong Kong Movies’, which celebrates the ethos of paak zyu soeng (拍住上) – a Cantonese phrase for team spirit which evokes the image of partnering up with arms around shoulders – as seen in several decades of filmmaking since the 60s.

Among the immersive recreations of iconic scenes from eight films and sequels, visitors can expect to walk through the famous upside-down heist scene from Once a Thief starring Chow Yun-fat; contrast two robotic figures from Aces Go Places 2 and Gen-Y Cops; and an iconic stunt action sequence involving a helicopter, motorbike, and gold bars from Police Story 3 – Super Cop. A must-visit for any Hong Kong film buff.

For two weekends, The Mills is bringing together over 50 standout coffee brands from Japan and Hong Kong. The exclusive Overseas Coffee Experience Zone spotlights 11 premier independent roasters and specialty coffee spots from across Japan. Among these Japanese artisans who are flying in to hand craft their signature brews are some independent micro-roasters making their first-ever appearance in Hong Kong, so if you’re missing a taste of coffee in Japan, the solution is to make the much shorter trip to Tsuen Wan. 

Over 40 popular specialty cafés, bakeries, and pastry makers will also be around to visit for free, including Manteigaria with its Portuguese egg tarts, Wave Patisserie serving French pastries, and Soul Coffee & Matcha by IDFC with signatures like their Matcha Strawberry, French Caramelised Banana Toast, and Coconut Hojicha. 

Meanwhile, there will be a vinyl music experience onsite with Basement X holding a time-limited pop-up. Flick through over 100 selected records ranging from jazz, R&B, and more that will be played live and are also available for purchase. We dare you to find more chill weekend plans than records, coffee, and snacks.

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with large themed lantern displays across its grounds and Wong Tai Sin Temple Square, turning the area into a luminous playground to mark its 105th anniversary. Visitors can spot 106 birthday sheep lanterns and a tribute to Hong Kong’s first female astronaut, while evening guests arriving after 6pm can collect a complimentary glowing gift. The 18-day celebration also features DIY lantern-making workshops, riddle-solving games, stargazing sessions, free ice cream pop-ups, and a glowing dragon parade in front of the Main Altar.

The lantern festival runs from September 17 to October 4, open until 9pm on weekdays and 10pm on weekends and public holidays, with extended hours to 11pm on September 25 for Mid-Autumn night.

Don Pedrop has recently launched The Good Bottle Club, a recurring dinner series built around an invited sommelier or a standout winery. The idea is for each featured winery or sommelier to share their favourite wines, while the kitchen whips up a five-course menu to match the bottles. The first dinner will highlight Catena Zapata, Argentina’s oldest family-run winery that was named the World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2025 by Drinks International.

Expect robust flavours to go with each pour, such as bluefin akami with dulce tomatoes and green olives paired with the 2023 Catena Alta Chardonnay; seared beef tongue with romesco and butternut squash with the 2022 Catena Zapata Birth of Cabernet Sauvignon; and a classic roasted Argentinian striploin with bone marrow bordelaise, crispy potatoes, and glazed carrots accompanied by the 2022 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino.

If you’re chronically on the Internet, you’ve probably seen a clip of Morgan Jay delivering his hilarious autotuned commentary and crowd work at his comedy sets, along with his signature “can I get a LOL or a ha ha ha?” jingle. Known for his unique blend of music and comedy, this American stand-up comedian has amassed over five million followers on Instagram and performed countless sets across North America and Europe. 

Before you book a flight to catch his shows overseas, you’ll be glad to know that the viral comedian will be performing in Hong Kong next October as part of his Goofy Guy tour. Jay’s show will happen on October 8, 7pm at the Kitty Woo Stadium, Tung Po, with tickets priced at $380, $580, and $680. Those on the comedian’s mailing list will get access to Ticketflap’s artist presale on December 17, whereas the general public will be able to purchase their tickets on December 19.

Hong Kong’s largest gelato market has taken over PMQ, with 20 brand stalls bringing together artisanal gelato crafted by master gelatiers from Hong Kong, Macau, Italy, and Portugal. This edition debuts over 30 event-exclusive and brand-new gelato flavors, so have fun ordering cup after cup. Interesting treats include Kai’s Gourmet caviar gelato, garlic and cilantro flavours from Dino Gelato, and The Frozen Club x Kwan Hong Bakery’s Hong Kong-style French toast gelato.

Admission is free but you can also purchase a Gelato Tasting Pass ($188) on-site, which allows you to redeem six mini gelatos at designated stalls. There’s nothing better than licking your way through inventive gelato flavors like foie gras brandy, black truffle, or pineapple bun-crusted crème brûlée in this heat!

Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department sets up numerous lantern decorations across the city. This year, the displays will light up from 6.30pm to 11pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza (Sept 6-Oct 11) and Victoria Park (Sept 17-27).

Over at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre is the ‘Moonlit Bunny Crew’, a colourful, geometric display of Hong Kong’s iconic attractions created by local creative team Stickyline. Alongside the International Lantern Spectacular at Victoria Park, there is also a series of lanterns themed around the city’s unique food culture and everyday life. A Mid-Autumn Creative Market will also take place on Saturdays and Sundays during the event period.

Launching for the first time this year, the Harbourside East Lawn will be taken over by al fresco fun over four consecutive weekends, conveniently spanning the Mid-Autumn Festival, Golden Week, and the Hong Kong Cyclothon. 16 vendors will offer food and drinks, ranging from Lau Kee Boat Noodles, Asian-French from Pano, vegan and vegetarian fare from Play with Years and Yau Veggie Truck, to coffee from Cupping Room. There will also be craft cocktails by The Captain’s Bar x Tankyu Distillery, modern street food staples from Kowloon Walled City, Korean-inspired bites from Dotom, doughnuts from Donut Demo x Being Soda, and craft beer from Mak’s Beer x Fisholic.

You won’t even have to bring your own picnic mats if you don’t want to, because WestK-branded picnic essentials will be available for rentals. Foldable chairs for both adults and children, picnic tables, picnic mats, portable fans, and even lanterns can be borrowed at $40 to $50. If you purchase designated food sets, you can even borrow two foldable chairs for free on the same day, so make sure you keep those receipts.

Don’t forget to get up from your mat every now and then to check out the themed workshops, live music performances, and wellness leisure activities like farm-to-table experiences, harp therapy, and botanical ceramics.

Back by popular demand, the lantern display at Wan Chai’s beloved Blue House returns from now until October 14. Featuring over 700 lanterns hand-painted by residents, neighbours, and local illustrators, the display stretches across Stone Nullah Lane, Kat On Street, Hing Wan Street, King Sing Street, and Queen’s Road East, turning the old tong lau and street corners into a brilliant community showcase. The lanterns light up every evening from 6pm to 9.30pm. 

No Curfew Club is back with a night for the revival of punk rock and we’re already shaking. Each hour of the event will focus on a different genre to cater to everyone’s mood. Alt-rock and acoustic jams from Coldplay, Hoobastank, Incubus, and more will warm up the speakers at 5pm, followed by high-energy pop-punk anthems from 6pm – think bangers by Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, and Blink-182!

The next hour might just see us crying a mascara-laden tear or two with alt-rock and nu-metal tracks from Linkin Park, Evanescence, Nickelback, and System of a Down. Finally, from 8pm onwards, we’ll be treated to peak emo and rock bangers by My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Paramore before our voices give out. If you haven’t screamed yourself hoarse by the end of the night, you’re definitely not doing it right.

Lee Tung Avenue has transformed its 200-metre pedestrian walkway into a sea of light for its Moon Fest Lumiere, hanging more than 800 traditional lanterns overhead. This year’s display combines the art of paper-cutting with modern light design, featuring custom palace lanterns with silhouettes that illustrate timeless folklore tales, family reunions, lantern-making, and more.

Beyond the canopy, visitors can explore a pop-up store from Hang Heung Bakery, a weekend market, and enjoy a Mid-Autumn concert on Sept 26 (2pm-6pm). The signature LED Fire Dragon Fiesta will also make its grand return on September 25 at 8.30pm, so mark your calendar!

Catch the Grammy-nominated singer and producer at Kai Tak Stadium on October 21, where Puth will be performing his timeless hits as well as some highly anticipated new tracks from his Whatever’s Clever album which was just released earlier in March. His new 80s-inspired soft rock sound also features interesting collaborations with the likes of Utada Hikaru, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Kenny G, and even Jeff Goldblum.

If you like Puth’s older (but no less iconic) releases like ‘Attention’, ‘We Don’t Talk Anymore’, ‘Left and Right’ featuring BTS’ Jungkook, and ‘Stay’, then this is one concert you won’t want to miss!

See details about pre-sale dates and ticketing here.

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.

Emmy-winning comedian, bestselling author, and former The Daily Show host Trevor Noah is taking over MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok for three consecutive nights this October! Known for combining his personal stories with sharp-witted commentary on global politics and social issues, Noah will be in town with his latest stand-up set on October 26, 27, and 28. Tickets range from $688 to $1,088 on Ticketflap.

Celebrating the city's cherished 3.15pm (aka ‘saam dim saam’) tea culture, Cordis, Hong Kong has partnered with Yau Ma Tei’s historic Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop and food illustrator Kai to present ‘Art In Residence: Tea Time Stories’ from August 17 to October 31. The takeover spans across both Cordis and Tai On, featuring an exhibition of Kai’s signature dining sketches, alongside a reimagined menu of classic afternoon tea treats – including peanut butter mille-feuille, caramelised peanut toast cakes, coconut red bean baked French toast, and peanut butter egg tarts. Visitors stopping by both Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei locations at 3.15pm can also catch daily interactive activities and get their hands on limited-edition merchandise.

Great news for party animals: Hong Kong’s beautifully shambolic bingo night returns to bring more high-octane gameplay, live performances, lots of unhinged crowd participation, and the best party atmosphere. Expect to compete in games sprinkled with a generous dose of surprises, tie-break play-offs on the stage, and plenty of giveaways.

With three hours of free-flow drinks, live entertainment, DJs playing bangers, and the mandatory dancing on chairs that always accompanies a Got Balls event, this Halloween is going to be a messy one! Keep with the ‘Netfl!x & Kill’ theme and arrive channeling silver-screen legends, killer villains, or horror versions of your favourite TV characters. The organisers have promised a massive prize for the Best Dressed award, so lock in!

Central Market is teaming up with Stormies once again to transform its ground-floor Oasis into a full-scale Bavarian beer hall from October 8 to 31. Get stuck in with roasted pork knuckle, grilled Nuremberg sausages, as well as renowned brews like Löwenbräu and Franziskaner Weissbier. German folk band Die Notenhobler will also be on stage to keep up the Oktoberfest vibes, alongside classic Oktoberfest competitions like stein-holding challenges and drinking contests.

The Family & Kids Oktoberfest also makes its return, offering family-friendly fun with games booths, face painting, and specially curated mini burgers and gelato. Ticket packages start at $200 for adults and $130 for children via Chef’s Market, with passes including entry, food, drinks, souvenir mugs, and festive hats.

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, HKI Gallery hosts ‘The World Trade Center: Before Memory’, an exhibition examining life before the tragedy. Hong Kong artist Gretchen So took these monochrome photographs on medium-format film in the early 1990s, when the Twin Towers were still standing as part of New York’s everyday cityscape.

So never intended to memorialise anything, and her photographs don’t necessarily present the World Trade Center as the subject. Instead, the outlines of the two skyscrapers simply exist in the frame as she captured New York’s streets, bridges, waterfronts, and public spaces – just an intrinsic part of the city as So saw it. Go visit and think about how the 9/11 incident has affected you, where you were when the news broke, and if you remember life before it happened.

We all know Disney villains are just as iconic as the heroes, and this Halloween, these bad-ass characters take the spotlight again at Hong Kong Disneyland, as antagonists crash the party to turn the celebrations into the baddest in town. Maleficent sweeps down Main Street, U.S.A. with other villains in a wicked dance party, while iconic hero-villain duos such as The Queen and Snow White, or Loki and Thor, will be roaming the park waiting to be encountered.

Ursula, Mother Gothel, Gaston, Maleficent, and Dr Facilier take the stage in the Let’s Get Wicked musical performance with spectacular vocals on iconic villain numbers. Halloween also means that the character encounters in Disneyland will switch up, so look out for figures like Cruella, Jafar and Jasmine, Gaston and Belle, Lady Tremaine with Anastasia and Drizella, and more popping up across the park. But we have to be honest, we’re most looking forward to finding and taking photos with everyone’s favourite talking trash can, which will be roaming around wearing a white sheet!

The Hong Kong Design Institute and the Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers have put together ‘Leslie・Grace at 70 Exhibition’, a free public showcase honouring the late Cantopop superstar Leslie Cheung. The exhibition features a collection of previously unpublished archival photographs, film negatives, and Polaroids from the 1980s and 90s, alongside his iconic silver microphone stand from his ‘Final Encounter of the Legend Farewell’ concert.

Divided into three thematic zones, the display also features a darkroom installation and contemporary creative projects by over 400 design students, as well as a limited-edition commemorative vinyl record created in partnership with Universal Music Hong Kong (only 500 copies available). Entry to the exhibition is free, with online registration required in advance.

Say goodbye to the summer by hopping onto this party across two boats decked out in your best Y2K look – we’re talking cargo pants, mini skirts, and possibly even a Juicy Couture velour tracksuit. The same fashion rules apply to swimwear so there’ll probably be plenty of halter necks and bandeau tops.

DJ Crystal will be spinning a mix of the biggest names from 2000s airwaves such as Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Destiny’s Child, while Y2K props will be dotted around the junk for photo opps. Tickets to this special junk are going for $690 for early-bird prices and $790 for regular entry – the first 30 guests will also receive a gift from Glisten – and this is inclusive of six hours on the water with free-flow alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, alongside pizza from Amalfitana to line your stomach.

Hailing from Malmö in Sweden, this museum famously gathers over 80 of the world’s most polarising foods for your multi-sensory (dis)pleasure. Expect a real assault on your senses with a combination of real foods, models, photo and video archives, scent installations, and interactive displays. Some of the disgusting foods on display include Surströmming, fermented herring from Sweden that’s long been considered the smelliest canned food on Earth; fermented shark meat from Iceland; cheese with live maggots that’s officially banned by the EU; frog smoothies; and more.

Of course, after seeing everything, visitors will also have the opportunity to taste a curated selection of unusual foods. These could range from Australian Vegemite and crunchy crickets, to final bosses like Icelandic fermented shark! Keep your vomit bag handy, but if you manage to complete the challenge, you’ll earn the title of ‘Tastebud Warrior’.

The stylish restaurant and bar Felix on the top floor of The Peninsula Hong Kong hotel has launched a brand-new event series that focuses on DJs spinning tunes on vinyl records. Every Thursday, from 8pm to 11pm, a rotation of highly respectable DJs such as Brahms, Roy Malig, Johnny Hiller, and NeeNo will spotlight their own distinctive styles with curated playlists of both mellow tracks and upbeat grooves. This is a great opportunity to experience some deep cuts from each DJ’s extensive record collections, with genres ranging from soul and jazz to Mediterranean Balearic and funk.

There are also special drinks and snacks that take inspiration from the 80s and 90s to go with the tunes. See details about this weekly music series at The Peninsula here. 

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.

Maggie Choo’s launches its fifth seasonal production, ‘Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps’. Inspired by French Baroque, the brand-new cabaret show features gilded ornaments, hand-stitched costumes, and 12 numbers performed across three acts with a live vocalist and house band. The show runs every Thursday night from 9.30pm until midnight. Entry is $200 per guest and includes a choice of drink (cocktail, alcoholic, or non-alcoholic).

The golden age of Hong Kong cinema saw the production of blockbuster titles like A Better Tomorrow (1986), The Conman (1998), and Infernal Affairs (2002). Packed with action, suspense, and good ol’ “nonsense” humour, these iconic crime films not only offer gripping stories but also capture the essence of life in 70s and 80s Hong Kong. Now, cinephiles can relive their favourite scenes from these classics at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station. ‘Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey’ delves into local cop film classics through reconstructed sets, collectibles, original scripts, and much more. 

This nostalgic exhibition is now open at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station, 627 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei. Tickets are priced at $30 per person, with concessionary tickets available at $10 per person. Children aged six or below can enter the exhibition for free. Make sure to book your tickets online at cultural.cityline.com, as there will not be tickets onsite. Find out more at fpf.ccidahk.gov.hk. 

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!

The Hong Kong Palace Museum’s new thematic exhibition takes ancient imperial history for a spin through the lens of modern Hong Kong life. Featuring works by nine local artists across multiple disciplines, including painting, sculpture, and multimedia, the showcase reinterprets Qing dynasty court traditions using contemporary urban elements, local pop culture, and everyday city rhythms.

The exhibition is open from now until February 22, 2027. Standard entry is included with a general admission ticket ($70 for adults, $35 for concessions), and tickets can be booked directly through the museum website or the WestK app.

Celebrate the life and legacy of Hong Kong icon Leslie Cheung at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum’s retrospective exhibition, ‘Miss You Much · Leslie 70th Birthday · Exhibition’. Featuring over 300 curated items – including private collections loaned by Daffy Tong and Florence Chan – the display highlights 11 iconic stage costumes from his concert tours, never-before-seen items such as personal furniture and rare photos, along with an intimate recreation of his former home designed by his original interior designer. Visitors can also catch free screenings of six classic films, including A Better Tomorrow and Rouge, as well as a special screening of Cheung’s ‘Live in Concert 97’ towards the end of the year. Admission is completely free, with first-come, first-served film tickets distributed at noon on screening days.