Things to do in Hong Kong this weekend
Make the most of that sweet, sweet downtime with our pick of the top Hong Kong events, things to do, concerts, festivals and more
No plans for the weekend yet? Don’t worry! Here you’ll find the best events taking place from Friday night through to Sunday, along with the finest art galleries, museums and our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Hong Kong.
The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend
IRIS: Your Escape
Escape city life and find your inner peace at the non-stop two-day yoga event. Treat yourself with a good stretch and all kinds of meditation exercise classes - we’re talking hula-hoop dance, silent disco yoga and fun interactive art and music workshops. There are more than 60 classes to choose from and join, meet interesting individuals while picking up some healthy snacks, chic athletic gear and goodie bags. Last but not least, remember to bring your own mat!
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.
Still-Life by Jennifer Steinkamp
As a pioneer in the field of 3-D animation, Jennifer Steinkamp is bringing her stunning immersive video installations to Hong Kong this September. Offering a unique garden sanctuary that draws inspiration from Steinkamp's art historical predecessors, the exhibition titled Still-Life welcomes all to experience and gain a more comprehensive understanding of organic and abstract forms of art using computer technology.
Hong Kong Culture Festival 2019
Celebrating the diversity of local cultural heritage, the fifth edition of the Hong Kong Culture Festival returns to fill our city with a wide array of exhibitions, concerts, workshops, film screenings, dance performances, and more. Taking place over the course of three months, from September through to November, this annual festival aims to raise public interest and encourage participation in traditional culture, particularly among the youth. From stunning art exhibitions and music performances to festive traditions such as Fire Dragon Dancing and even Kung Fu, there are plenty of exciting activities to keep you happily entertained.
Textures of Memory by José Parlá
Featuring a range of sculptural works along with large-format paintings by Brooklyn-based contemporary artist, José Parlá, Textures of Memory showcases Parlá's most representative works spanning from 2004 to 2018. Using archives of walls and textures as a basis, along with his practice of abstract expressionism, this comprehensive exhibition takes places over two venues: The Annex (September 18 - October 12) and Ben Brown Fine Arts Exhibition (September 19 - November 6).
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.
Introspectives
Curated by Kevin Poon and the WOAW team, Introspectives invites viewers to explore and experience Korean-American artist Rostarr's innermost thoughts and ideas. The exhibition features never-before-seen abstract art pieces of different mediums, depicting faces and characters with bold images and colours. His attention to materials and medium allows viewers to explore his introspection through handmade paper, sumi ink and more. Rostarr often sees himself return to his deepest, innermost thoughts through his work, and invites us to reflect on our own ideas and feelings. To commemorate the opening of the exhibition, Rostarr will also launch a capsule series of his signature sculpture in three different colours: white, gold, and black. All collectible figures will be available for purchase exclusively in-store and online at WOAW.
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!