The best events happening in Hong Kong this May

Hong Kong Design Centre is rolling out a nostalgia‑packed visual feast with ‘From Memory to Horizon: The Visual Language of Hong Kong Tourism’, now showing at The Design Museum in the DX design hub. Spanning seven decades, the exhibition dives into how the city has branded itself to the world since the 1950s – through posters, ads, hotel branding, and cinematic flair. Curated by designer David Lo and artefact collector John Wu, the exhibition unfolds across five themed zones, from typography and names to East‑meets‑West hospitality and the city’s natural landscapes. Expect rare archives, bold imagery, and plenty of retro charm. Until July 6, 2026, with free admission. See details here.

The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong joins hands with world-renowned samba school Viradouro to present this extravaganza dedicated to the vibrant spirit of Latin America. On May 8, 10, 15, 17, and 22, be dazzled by performances by Viva Dance Academy and on 22 May, world‑champion Viradouro Samba School from Rio de Janeiro ignites the stage with an electrifying Latin show, capturing the soul of Rio’s carnival, while a photo exhibition of samba and Brazilian culture will run until June 30.

The hotel has also prepared a Latin barbecue buffet for a hearty, unforgettable feast as well as special themed drinks like caipirinha and white sangria. Exclusive dining offers and VIP tickets to the carnival are also available for guests who book a stay during the festivities. Visit the official website or email fop.lighthouselounge@fullertonhotels.com for details and bookings.

Happy French Wednesday is back, bringing enticing Parisian flair to Happy Valley Racecourse on May 13, 20 and 27! Partnering with French May Arts Festival and French GourMay Food & Wine Festival, the Hong Kong Jockey Club presents a chic midweek escape filled with live music, cultural flair, and must‑see races – the French May Trophy & France Galop Cup on May 13 and the Sauternes Cup on May 27. Revel in the flavours of France with Savoie and Sauternes wine, soak in Parisian vibes with Insta‑worthy installations and join the fabulous giveaways, then groove to The Two of Us on May 13 and 27, and MsLolo’s dazzling vocals on May 20. Savour French bites, sip fine wines, and take home exclusive merchandise!

All activities and offers are subject to relevant terms and conditions. All photos are for reference only. All merchandise and gift items on sale or offer are designated items. Food and other items for sale are subject to availability. The Hong Kong Jockey Club may cancel, suspend or modify any content of the event (including but not limited to venue, date or time, performance or other activities, entry requirements, gift, discount or other offerings) or amend the relevant terms and conditions, at any time without notice, and without liability for refund, compensation or otherwise. 

 Racecourse entrants and those who bet should be aged 18 or above. Don’t gamble your life away.

After its successful debut last year, the first-ever Cantonese production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, presented by WestK Performing Arts and Motion 27, is returning to Freespace from May 15 to 31. This year’s run features 13 exclusive shows, with four additional performances added in response to overwhelming audience demand. Like the original Broadway classic – beloved for its unique drag artistry, raw rock score, and emotional queer storytelling – its Cantonese counterpart preserves its essence and energy while fusing local pop cultural elements.

Hongkongers can catch creative director Ivanhoe Lam’s adaptation of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which sees outstanding actor Jordan Cheng as the musical’s eponymous protagonist, who also undertook the translation of the script and lyrics. This year’s rerun further welcomes Cantopop singer-songwriter J.Arie, who joins the cast as Hedwig’s husband, Yitzhak. Before each performance, a DJ set will get the crowd hyped for the show’s boundary-breaking rock-and-roll energy. After the curtain falls, ticketholders are invited to join exclusive electronic music parties, where classic hits, Cantopop favourites, and pulsating dance tracks keep the fun going late into the night. 

Tickets range from $588 to $988 across three zones. Superfans shouldn’t miss the opportunity to snatch Sugar Parent Plus tickets, which include an intimate meet-and-greet with Hedwig herself!

Hong Kong’s cabaret scene is about to dazzle like never before. This June, the inaugural WestK Cabaret Festival takes the stage at the Xiqu Centre with a nine-day carnival, blending international icons with homegrown talents. Broadway legend Patti LuPone headlines with her only Asian stop, Paris’ oldest and most historic Paradis Latin brings Parisian glamour overseas for the first time, and Irish-Australian showman Bobby Fox debuts in Asia. Beyond the mainstage spectacles, dive into cheeky surprise performances, late‑night dance parties, and free happy-hour pop-ups for an all‑out festival experience. For full programme details and tickets, visit WestK Cabaret Festival webpage.

M+ in West Kowloon Cultural District is honouring the late Ryuichi Sakamoto with a museum-wide programme from now until July. Comprising a site-specific installation, moving image works, a listening experience, and film, ‘Seeing Sound, Hearing Time’ celebrates the enduring legacy of the Japanese composer, producer, and artist.

‘Async–Immersion’ presents a three-dimensional, audio-visual representation of Sakamoto’s personal album, combining sonic experience with optical immersion. Nam June Paik’s ‘All Star Video’ explores Sakamoto’s influences and creative encounters, while ‘Vinyl Sessions with Music by Ryuichi Sakamoto’ allows visitors to engage with his compositions, alongside reflections on his work from three Hong Kong-based sound artists. Additionally, ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: Music in Film’ will screen two films to allow for an intimate look into Sakamoto’s life, profound artistry, and innovative creative process.

Step into a world where imperial grandeur meets Impressionist beauty at ‘Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West, a massive new showcase at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Bringing together more than 100 sets of rare artefacts and paintings from the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Palace of Versailles, the exhibition explores how nature has been shaped and celebrated by kings, scholars, and artists alike.

The real highlight is the arrival of Claude Monet’s iconic Water Lilies (1906) and Water Lily Pond (1900), which are on loan from Chicago for a limited time. Alongside works by masters like Zhang Daqian and Wen Zhengming, visitors can wander through an immersive display and interact with virtual wine cups in a digital recreation of the famous Orchid Pavilion Gathering. Running until July 29 at HKMoA’s Special Gallery, the exhibition is completely free to enter – so there’s really no excuse not to visit.

To mark 85 years since Bruce Lee’s return to Hong Kong, this special exhibition brings the martial arts icon back to the very site of his childhood home in Jordan. The centrepiece of the showcase is ‘Be Like Water’, a new 1:1 scale permanent sculpture that captures Lee in a moment of philosophical stillness. Visitors can explore a dedicated gallery space, featuring a curated treasure trove of rare posters and previously unreleased private photographs that offer an intimate glimpse into his early life in Kowloon. Located at the Prudential Centre – the former site where Lee lived as a boy – this exhibition is free to enter and will remain open to the public daily until May 31.

Curated by architectural historian Charles Lai and product designer Kay Chan Wan Ki, this exhibition brings together architects, carpenters, filmmakers, and chefs to examine Hong Kong’s favourite diners from every angle. Highlights include the preserved neon sign of Wan Chai’s Sun Fung Kee, the original door of Sheung Wan’s demolished Hoi On Cafe, and a full-scale beverage station where you can suit up and try assembling orders at cha chaan teng speed.

The exhibition is now on view at Airside’s Gate33 Gallery and runs until July 31. Admission is free until March 31, after which tickets cost $20 (except for kids aged three and under).

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.

Tucked inside Oi! Glassie, Hong Kong artist Chan Wai‑lap presents Jeremy’s Bathhouse – a dreamy, ceramic bathhouse as an extension of his ongoing ‘Swimming’ series. Inspired by love, connection, different bathing cultures, and the 2016 viral story of Jeremy, the left-spiral snail, the exhibition features a heart-shaped pool installation made with more than 1,200 handcrafted ceramic tiles designed by Chan.

Visitors will also find a set of shower cubicles lined with casts of real soap bars that Chan has collected from bathhouses around the world, and every so often, timed release of mist drifts through, softening the edges and shifting the whole atmosphere from crisp clarity to a dreamy haze.

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.

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.

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.