The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (December 8-14)

In response to one of Hong Kong’s most devastating tragedies in several years, JIA Group’s chef will unite at Louise for a one-night-only charitable dinner that goes towards aiding the Hong Kong Red Cross. Culinary talents from Louise, Estro, Mono, Andō, Leela, and 22 Ships will be participating in a cross-cultural menu that includes dishes such as red tuna  with Baikal caviar and Kyoho grapes, langoustines with Ecuadorian cacao expressions, Konkani cod fish curry, and yellow chicken with morel mushrooms and alba white truffles.

Priced at $3,888 per diner, including food and wine, all proceeds from this dinner will be donated to the Hong Kong Red Cross, who have been on the frontlines of Tai Po providing emergency relief, shelter support, and psychosocial services to victims affected by the deadly fire.

The Rescued Feast, billed as Asia’s first-ever sustainable dining experience where all dishes are made using food surplus, is hosting their last dinner of 2025 and donating the proceeds to help the affected residents of Tai Po. This special edition of The Rescued Feast will transform surplus ingredients, food scraps, and unwanted produce into a gourmet meal. Aside from raising awareness about Hong Kong’s food waste, the event will also turn over all the net proceeds to Bethune House, a charity organisation that provides emergency shelter, food, and essential care for migrant domestic workers and others in need, and who are currently supporting those affected by the fire at Wang Fu Court.

Tickets are available for $550 per person, which includes the dinner buffet, one drink, a goodie bag with gifts from the event sponsors, and a discount code for Fenxiang since the evening will turn into a late-night disco. You can also purchase raffle tickets to try your luck at winning a range of sustainable prizes during the dinner. These cost $50 for two entries and $100 for five entries – there’s no limit to how many you can buy to increase your winning chances

American fast food chain Shake Shack has teamed up with Regent Hong Kong for a limited-time menu, and it’s nothing like your usual Shake Shack fare! Get ready for the world-exclusive Foie Gras Shack ($195), available only from November 12 to December 12 at the Lobby Lounge, which features a potato bun, an Angus beef patty, melted Gruyere, caramelised onion, black truffle mayonnaise, and foie gras torchon.

No Shake Shack meal is complete without crinkle-cut fries, and Regent Hong Kong’s thought of something spectacular for that too: the luxurious Shack Caviar Fries ($225), served with crème fraîche bavarois, chives, and irresistible caviar. You can also opt for Dom Pérignon White Luminous Vintage 2015 ($398 per glass, or $2,280 per bottle) to go with the meal.

If you’re lucky enough to be among the first 100 guests to get your hands on the Foie Gras Shack, not only will you walk away with bragging rights, but also a special-edition collector’s goodie bag that commemorates this first-of-its-kind collaboration.

Make your reservations here to be the first to try this exciting launch!

Chubb Life is running a mini film festival to highlight the lives of dementia patients and their caregivers – the December schedule includes a screening of A Good Child. This Golden Horse Awards nominee is a Singaporean film based on the true story of well-known drag queen Sammi Zhen. Without giving too much away, the plot follows drag queen Jia Hao who returns home after years of estrangement when his mother is diagnosed with dementia. Seeing an opportunity to heal and mend bridges, he leverages her failing memory to make his mother believe that he is a daughter instead of a son. 

Catch this excellent queer story and brutally honest depiction of dementia on December 13 at Emperor Cinema in Central. 

Immerse yourself in the forgotten days of the Kowloon Walled City at this epic movie set exhibition, located on the original site of the infamous Kowloon Walled City. Featuring incredibly detailed recreations of shops and other setups from the award-winning Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, the exhibition will let visitors travel back in time to the Walled City in the 1980s.

From the local cafe to the dental clinic, the attention to detail is truly impressive. There's even a small 'screen room' mimicking the rooftops of old buildings back in the day, where visitors can sit and watch the neighbourhood turn from day to night, and listen to the roaring sound of low-flying airplanes over the Walled City area.

Check out our guide for everything you need to know about the exhibition, from dates and opening hours to highlights not to be missed.

This November, Maggie Choo’s is launching a brand-new cabaret show that combines soulful jazz with captivating acrobatics, rhythmic tap dancing, and more. The new choreo-heavy show is set against a background of original live music, and comes with an upgraded menu of cocktails and mocktails. 

What Maggie Wants kicks off in November and runs from 9.30pm till midnight every Thursday. As always, you can enjoy Maggie Choo’s cabaret show with the purchase of a drink, which goes from $140 per glass. 

M+ Cinema is sending audiences on a black to the past with its Autumn Edition 2025, taking place from October to December, and the programme is filled to the brim with special exhibitions, showcases, and tributes to Hong Kong’s rich cinematic legacy.

Kicking things off is M+ Restored, an initiative dedicated to preserving Hong Kong cinema history through the restoration of nine feature films. ‘Rediscoveries—Chinese Diaspora in Hollywood’ celebrates the significant cinematic contributions of the Chinese diaspora and the considerable challenges they had to overcome within the American film industry. 

With spooky season coming up, M+ Cinema has prepared two special screenings to celebrate the occasion. ‘Every Bruce Was Kung Fu Fighting’ centres on ‘Bruceploitation’ – the low-budget, imitation genre that sprung up as the immediate aftermath of Bruce Lee’s untimely passing – featuring two grindhouse classics and one documentary. M+ Cinema is also bringing the 4K restored versions of Ju-On and Ju-On 2 (2000) to the big screen for anyone keen to revisit the horror classic in time for Halloween.

‘Fresh Eyes’ will showcase two animated films: Bambi (1942), which was brought to life through concept art created by the late Chinese-American artist Tyrus Wong – who served as the lead production illustrator on the film – and Shrek (2001), the animation of which was supervised by Hong Kong-born animator Raman Hui.

See the full programme and how to purchase tickets on the M+ website.

Following Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s immersive Le Petit Chef dining experience, the hotel is set to unveil ‘The Magic Table’, a brand-new dining experience that fuses captivating 3D projection mapping technology with exceptional fare. From September 19 onwards, this one-of-a-kind show features Thommy Ten & Amélie van Tass from America’s Got Talent, as they deliver dazzling magic performances and storytelling to leave guests enthralled. During ‘‘The Magic Table’, diners can choose from the Wizard’s Essentials ($1,550 per person) or the Grand Illusion ($1,850 per person) to enjoy a curated menu with sumptuous dishes like beef tartare, foie gras with port wine gel, butternut pumpkin topped with potato foam, a choice between surf or turf for mains, and a delectable chocolate sphere with poached peaches to conclude.

Vegetarian diners will enjoy the Enchanted Garden menu ($1,150 per person), featuring sumptuous options such as beetroot tartare and baked celeriac. Little ones can also join in the fun with the Young Magician’s Feast ($750 per child), ensuring an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Landmark never disappoints when it comes to annual Christmas displays, and this year’s installation ‘Noëlia’ is no different. We’ve got gingerbread men, we've got an airship, and we’ve got… a whale breaching water? It’s a fantastical scene, to be sure. Noëlia will feature a winter village, a lighthouse, and an interactive wishing lake called Lake Lumière that welcomes visitors to share their heart’s desires, which will then be magnificently displayed. 

After making your wish, you can meet the charming cast of characters at Noëlia, explore their homes and workshops, and take part in even more interactive experiences on-site. Photo opportunities abound, and will surely enchant and delight visitors of all ages.

“Choo choo” goes the festive train at Christmas Grand Central this holiday season! Pacific Place and Starstreet Precinct are presenting ‘Ticket to Christmas’ from now until January 2, 2026, and this merry yuletide voyage is poised to take visitors on a ride to experience Christmas magic. Expect cute photo ops, whimsical installations, immersive ‘train’ journeys, and even a ‘Santa Express’ where you can meet Santa Claus and snap a photo with the man himself – ticket sales for this meet-and-greet will go toward a good cause, too, as a donation to Operation Santa Claus.

Afterwards, shop for a souvenir at the ‘Wonderbox’ merchandise store, watch live performances, or join an interactive workshop to craft Christmas cake candles, timepieces, and Christmas wreaths! You can register for Santa Express and festive workshops through the Pacific Place website.

The Winter Wonderland has moved from its home on the West Kowloon waterfront to Island side this year, so Statue Square Garden will be home to not only the tallest Christmas tree in town, but also a seasonal Christmas town, a joyous Christmas market, and enough lights, baubles, globes, and illuminated decorations to rival the traditional Christmas markets of Austria, Switzerland, and Germany! 

Meanwhile, nearby Chater Road will transform into ‘Starlight Boulevard’ through dazzling decorations and light displays, an homage to six decades ago when Hongkong Land put on a seasonal light display on the same road – the city’s earliest recorded one, in fact.

Kowloon Shangri-La is bringing back its highly acclaimed, oft sold-out Japanese Artisanal Bread Breakfast Buffet this autumn! Head to the Lobby Lounge to nosh on an expansive spread of exquisite Japanese pastries and breads, featuring 20 different kinds of artisan baked goods that run the gamut from savoury to sweet.

New items to the bread breakfast buffet include the shaved truffle egg salad doughnuts, the chestnut Mont Blanc danish, and mini ‘nama’ cream doughnuts. You can also sink your teeth into made-to-order mini mentaiko baguettes, a Hakata speciality from Fukuoka, and fluffy Japanese white toast slathered in butter and jam from Okinawa. We’re personally most excited for a bite of the sea salt butter red bean bread. Known as a shio croissant, this delicious morsel perfectly balances savoury and sweet, thanks to a dusting of salt flakes and a filling of butter and red bean.

Kowloon Shangri-La’s perennially popular Japanese Artisan Bread Breakfast Buffet ($198 per person) will be back from November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026 on Fridays to Sundays and on public holidays from 8am to 10.30am, so if you’re hoping to load up on carbs, run, don’t walk, to make your reservation, as walk-ins are not accepted.

Tai Kwun Contemporary is presenting a two-part exhibition under the theme ‘Stay Connected: Art and China Since 2008’. Centred around an expansive exploration of the transformations and social shifts within 21st-century China brought about by the prolific spread of the internet and digital technologies, the first chapter will take over all three floors of the JC Contemporary art spaces, running for a little over three months.

‘Stay Connected: Navigating the Cloud’ will present more than 50 pieces mapping the creative pursuits of over 35 artists and groups whose practices are influenced by social media, the internet, and digital technologies. Divided into themed segments such as artificial intelligence, information bubbles, online communities, and more, the showcase explores how to ‘stay connected’ in today’s world. Li Shuang, Li Yi-fan, Miao Ying, Wong Ping, Lu Yang, Shao Chun, Zhang Yibei, and the Xijing Men collective are among the many artists exhibiting. Collaborative duo Sun Yuan & Peng Yu – whose claim to fame is the Can’t Help Myself kinetic sculpture with a robotic arm – is also participating.

Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, and Christmastime is the most magical time of the year, so put the two together, and what do you get? Only the most fabulous festive event of all time! Until January 4, 2026, visitors can step into a world of Christmas magic at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, featuring magical ‘snow’ and brightly decorated Christmas trees at World of Frozen, Disney characters dressed in cosy yuletide styles, a ‘Holiday Wish-Come-True’ tree lighting ceremony to capture the jolliness of the season, and the unmissable ‘Disney Christmas Live in Concert!’ to spread the joyous spirit. 

Coinciding with the release of Zootopia 2, beloved characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will be making appearances at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s Adventureland from November 27 onward. Emporium at Main Street, U.S.A. will be stocking a collection of Zootopia-themed products – there’s an adorable doughnut shop whose stock might not be what they seem… The most terrible thing that can happen here is not being able to choose between the recording carrot keychain or the recording carrot pen!

Black Sheep Restaurant’s winter-exclusive Chalet des Alpes has returned to Central for the third time, transforming the space on 18 Shelley Street into a warm, cosy retreat, much like traditional Alpine chalets. From now until January 15, diners can indulge in a hearty menu ($1,088 per person) that’ll burst your belly. From festive appetisers such as salade de Mâche, assorted charcuterie boards, and ooey-gooey raclette, to their irresistible fondue of gruyère and Emmental cheese, this is the epitome of winter comfort food, even if you’re not leaving town for colder climes this year. 

Additionally, the Chalet will be giving away nightly prizes to the dining group with the best après-ski outfits, so be sure to don your overalls, fuzzy hats, and obnoxiously large ski goggles.

Chinese restaurant Hutong has launched a new menu celebrating the fiery flavours of northern cuisines. Titled ‘Qian Jiao Bai Wei – The Essence of Heat’, the menu spotlights five dishes elevated with a secret ingredient: Hutong’s housemade chilli sauces. Crafted using five chilli varieties native to northern China, each sauce brings a distinctive kick to traditional recipes. 

Diners can savour three sauces at the restaurant: Yunnan Pepper and Kumquat Chilli Sauce, Hunan Nutty Spicy Almond Sauce, and Sichuan Erjingtiao. Meanwhile, the Hutong Chilli Sauce and Hutong Peppercorn Oil is also available for purchase. The ‘Qian Jiao Bai Wei’ menu will be available at all Hutong locations worldwide until January 18, 2026. The Hutong Chilli Oil and Hutong Peppercorn Oil are made fresh daily and priced at $200 each. 

A new exhibition at M+ showcases 12 immersive installations by pioneering women artists from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including three new works by Asian artists. Dream Rooms: Environments by Women Artists 1950s–Now emphasises the multisensory experience of art and highlights women’s contributions to installation art, a field often overshadowed by male artists. Visitors can actively engage with the environments, which include nine historic pieces that have been painstakingly reconstructed, such as Aleksandra Kasuba’s Spectral Passage (1975), which invites individuals to journey through interconnected nylon structures as a metaphor of the life cycle; Judy Chicago’s Feather Room (1966), an all-white space filled with 300 pounds of feathers; and more.

M+ will also host talks with co-curators Andrea Lissoni and Marina Pugliese to discuss the concept behind the exhibition, and a panel discussion with the three Asian artists whose new, commissioned work is part of Dream Rooms. Additionally, M+ Cinema will screen three documentaries about some of the exhibited artists to supplement the show.

Head to the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) to find our city’s first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Mughal art. The Mughal empire was one of the world’s most powerful kingdoms that encompassed much of modern-day Indian, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, ruling from the 16th to the 17th centuries. Though they ruled a mainly Hindu population, the Mughals were Muslim with Mongol origins, and were known for their rich culture and architecture – the Taj Mahal is one such legacy from this empire.

Over 100 artefacts from the golden age of the Mughal dynasty, from paintings and jewellery to weaponry, architectural segments, and even some rare surviving textiles from this period are now on show – Hong Kong is this exhibition’s only Asia venue after its London premiere in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Under the rule of three emperors, the Mughal court greatly fostered artistic development and embraced cross-cultural influences, shown here in jade pieces that have incorporated motifs from the Chinese court. Highlights include a casket with mother-of-pearl inlays, a thumb ring from Emperor Akbar’s reign with western enamelling that shows the Mughal court’s hybrid aesthetic, and a beautiful dagger sheath and hilt lavishly decorated with gold and red gemstones.

‘Treasures of the Mughal Court’ runs until February 23, 2026, and tickets are priced from $150 which also grants access to HKPM’s thematic exhibitions in galleries one to seven.

The Hong Kong Space Museum has launched a new 3D dome show catered to little Einsteins and space-loving adults. ‘The Great Solar System Adventure 3D’ replaces their previous programme exploring the Arctic wilderness with an immersive, interstellar voyage.

The show will run until October 14, 2026, with screening times at 2pm and 6.30pm on weekdays, 12.30pm and 5pm on weekends and public holidays at the Space Theatre. Tickets are priced from $15 to $40 per person.

This Christmas, Noodoll’s adorable potato plushies are bringing their pudgy physique and unique personality to Langham Place. Noodoll’s potato family will be making its debut at the ‘PotatoMAS Department Store’. Visitors will arrive to find Langham Place’s fourth-floor atrium transformed into a luxurious department store – think Hamleys on Regent Street, or Harrods in London – adorned with sparkling tinsel, glittered-up gift boxes, and towering Christmas trees.

There’ll be a range of Christmas-themed Noodoll potato toys to be redeemed, plus plenty of prizes to be won upon fulfilling purchase amounts in Langham Place, such as a new iPhone or Airpods!

The ‘Noodoll: Merry PotatoMAS’ takes place from November 14 to January 1, 2026 at 4/F, Atrium, Langham Place, Mong Kok. Stay tuned for more information on interactive programmes, giveaways, and more at langhamplace.com.hk/happenings. 

Moomin is celebrating its 80th birthday this month! To mark the occasion, an immersive, interactive exhibition is in Kai Tak Sports Park from November 14 until January 4, 2026. ‘The Beginning of The Moomins’ is set to be a wonderland for fans of these cute, hippopotamus-like creatures, featuring a historical corridor that details Moomin’s evolution since 1945, plus seven themed zones recreated from its origin story, Moomin and the Great Flood, complete with interactive installations and photo spots. 

Visitors will also find a pop-up store offering exclusive merchandise and a Moominhouse postcard customisation station. To commemorate the character’s 80th milestone, an adorable DIY wooden lightbox is available with the purchase of a special edition ticket ($300 per ticket), featuring Moomin and friends picnicking and frolicking in a whimsical open field. 

Hong Kong’s Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum (SYSM) has finally reopened to the public after months of renovation, just in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese statesman’s passing. As part of the revamp, the SYSM is presenting the ‘From Healing Patients to Saving a Nation - Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao’ exhibition from now until March 31, 2026, with free admission to all. 

After making touring stops in Zhongshan and Macau, the exhibition has now come to Hong Kong for its final leg to showcase the life story, ideological journey, and remarkable contributions of Dr Sun. More than 60 invaluable artefacts, documents, and historical photographs are on display, highlighting his ties to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau region. Among them is a historic photograph depicting the Hou Keng Reading Society, a glass negative of the ‘Four Great Desperados’, and significant letters and inscriptions.

If you’d like to deep-dive into Dr Sun’s philosophy, the SYSM will also host scholars from Hong Kong and Macau on November 29 and December 13 for two public lectures. 

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 Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Art Plaza Project at the Hong Kong Palace Museum’ is a multimedia initiative that takes traditional Chinese garden aesthetics as the main inspiration. The project features large installations by five local artists and an architect, each creative bringing a unique contemporary interpretation of traditional zen garden elements to the showcase, where iconic pavilions, flowing water, and aesthetic rock formations are reimagined with materials found in our bustling city, such as bamboo, metal, and fabric. 

This exhibition will be open to the public until November 2, 2026 at the Museum Plaza at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Entry is free of charge during the museum’s opening hours.