Things to do in Hong Kong this week
Our pick of this week's best events, things to do, festivals, nightlife and more
Want to plan ahead and fill up your calendar for the next seven days? Discover the biggest and best things to do in Hong Kong from Monday morning to Sunday evening with our ultimate list. From the latest restaurant openings and the best art exhibitions in Hong Kong to pop-up events and free community classes, we’ve got you covered for the rest of the week. And if you're looking to get some fresh air after a long day at work, why not fit in a hike on a weeknight?
This week's best events
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow Hong Kong
Down Under’s biggest comedy festival makes a rousing return to Hong Kong, bringing with it a huge cast of Australian and international performers including the likes of Fakkah Fuzz, a rising star on the Singapore comedy scene; Aussie Beck Lucas, award-winning and hilariously unpredictable comic Aaron Chen; teacher turned comic, musician and actor Ben Knight, and one of Melbourne’s favourite British guests Brennan Reece. The festival promises seven nights of top-notch sketches and slapstick. Get your tickets for a week’s worth of giggles.
Shakespeare's Globe 2019
Shakespeare’s Globe makes a return to Hong Kong with not one, but three plays. The tour brings with it The Comedy of Errors, Pericles and Twelfth Night, where the talented cast will be taking on multiple roles across all three performances. Can’t decide which play to go for? Join the show on its first night on September 24, where the choice of play is left in the hands of you and your fellow audience members! The rules are simple: the loudest cheer wins, and the action starts straight away!
Secret Theatre
Watch out, there's a serial killer on the loose. Touted as one of the city's best (or worst) kept undercover cultural events, the wildly successful Secret Theatre project returns to Hong Kong this September. Ticketholders can expect one-of-a-kind immersive storytelling, site-specific set designs and roaming characters at this exciting sho, along with a scrumptious pre or post-theatre dinner option at Aaharn. As the location of this year’s production won’t be revealed until the purchase of your ticket, you’ve got to pay out to find out!
East Side Pearl by Hecoheio
Independent gallery Chez Trente puts on a mini-anime show with a twist, featuring a newly created Tarot card deck by Hong Kong illustrator Hecoheio. The artist, who graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2015 and later worked on campaigns with Nissin and Sega Japan, draws on the colours, shapes and styles of Japanese pop culture. East Side pearl not only speaks to Hong Kong’s nickname from the 80s, it also represents the myriad subcultures that have formed in the city over the years and given it its multicultural edge. The exhibition launches on August 17 at 9pm. There will be tarot card readings, as well as cheap happy hour-priced drinks all through the night.
Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
Be moved by cinematic works of art that touch upon issues of prejudice and discrimination at Asia’s oldest LGBT-friendly film festival. Screening films fresh from the international film festival circuit, including Taiwanese drama Bao Bao and Ellen Page vehicle My Days of Mercy. Be inspired by these touching cinematic stories and do your bit to promote acceptance of different sexual orientations in Hong Kong.
Studio Ghibli
The popular Japanese animation powerhouse, Studio Ghibli, is back in Hong Kong as part of The World of Studio Ghibli’s Animation interactive world tour. The studio will bring to life classic scenes from eight fan favourite films: My Neighbour Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, in 3D installations, with hand-painted walls and floors for the full Ghibli experience. For those wanting to bring home some memorabilia, you can even pick up Studio Ghibli merch as well as Hong Kong-exclusive Ghibli items. Grab your tickets now!
Young Hysan: Anti Everything
Best known as a member of Hong Kong's popular Cantonese rap group, The Low Mays, Young Hysan will be taking the stage at E-Max Music Zone for his solo concert Anti Everything, performing songs from his freshly released debut album, titled Anti. Rapping in English, look forward to ninety minutes of skull shattering trap bangers and trans-galactic 4D psychedelic experiences. Supporting acts of the night include Billy Choi, Seani P and Tommy Grooves from the rap collective Bakerie, as well as local artist Tyson Yoshi. Tickets start at $180, don't sleep on this.