Best things to see and do in Hong Kong this weekend

The Life Photo Studio exhibition launched in Korea in 2016 to offer visitors a self-service “photo-taking amusement park” featuring aesthetically pleasing and highly photogenic booths with professional lighting and illumination, allowing visitors to take impeccable photos with just a simple click on their phones. The exhibition has since been held more than 20 times in 12 cities in Korea, and now it has finally made its way to Hong Kong!

A total of 30 photo booths will be exhibited in the Hong Kong edition of the show, combining popular elements from past exhibitions in Korea with unique Hong Kong-style designs inspired by local culture – think bamboo steamers, dai pai dong scenarios, neon signs and more. All elements have been specially considered and designed to enhance the experience: lighting, colour, and background music all work together to create a harmonious set, giving visitors a chance to not only capture photos but also to experience and appreciate Korean arts and culture.

The city's biggest street art festival is back! From May 8 to 16, the annual street art and mural festival will be giving Sai Kung a colourful makeover this year with an exciting lineup of artists painting different murals in the neighbourhood. A thematic exhibition titled Tools of the Trade will also be held at Soho House in Sheung Wan from May 8 to June 6. Framing the history of street art and graffiti through the tools that artists use to create their work, the exhibition will feature artists and tools dating back to late 1960s USA, including acclaimed American photographer Martha Cooper, juxtaposed with the King of Kowloon who started painted the streets of Hong Kong as early as the mid-1950s.

Organised by local charity HandsOn Hong Kong, Serve-a-thon is an annual community service event mobilising volunteers across Hong Kong to support communities in need. This year, the event will be held from May 8 to 16 and will be focused on helping those affected by the pandemic. From delivering care packages for low-income households to caring for abandoned animals, the nine-day event offers numerous programmes that welcome families and young people to volunteer. If you want to do your part and give back to the community, you can take part in Serve-a-thon by simply registering as a volunteer and selecting your preferred activity on the volunteer activity calendar.

Temperatures are rising, so the special Perrier x Murakami Poolside Party Exhibition might be the perfect way for you to cool off this May. Held at New Town Plaza until May 31, the pop-up exhibition consists of six highly 'grammable spots, including a colourful pool featuring Murakami's signature smiling flowers, an eye-catching archway featuring the artist's quirky pair of anime characters Kaikai and Kiki, a special photo booth, a bubble tunnel, and more! When you're done snapping pictures, don't forget to get your hands on one of the four limited-edition Perrier x Murakami bottled sparkling water by spending a designated amount at the mall ($500 for plastic bottles; $800 for glass bottles).

When May arrives, you know what that means – Le French May. The annual two-month-long festival brings with it a raft of Gallic events, cinematic experiences, performances, gastronomy, and entertainment. Highlights this year include a cinema concert Jazz in French Films, a solo exhibition featuring renowned Chinese- French abstract artist Chu Teh-chun, a musical tribute to famous French composer Michel Berger, and a French May Cinema Program. Click here to see a full list of the festival's programmes this year.

New York contemporary artist Mr.Likey returns to 13A New Street Gallery with Melt Like Dali, an exhibition that blends together elements from well-known paintings with the artist's signature playful style and use of cartoon characters. By doing so, the artist gives the famous artworks a  contemporary interpretation with a bold visual impact. Throughout the exhibition, which runs from now until May 16, Mr.Likey will be popping by the gallery to surprise his fans from time to time. So if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to snap a pic with the artist himself!

If you’re looking for afternoon tea and beauty treats this May, head over to Madame Fù and book a French-themed afternoon tea. The new afternoon tea menu is inspired by the verdant meadows of Provence and is presented in partnership with French skincare brand L'Occitane. The afternoon tea menu features savoury and sweet bites to celebrate the launch of L'Occitane’s Immortelle Reset Triphase Essence – a three-part formula that helps to support radiance, balance, and the strength of the skin – from their best-selling Divine Immortelle collection.

As an extra gift, each guest will get a complimentary L'Occitane trial kit – 30ml Oil-to-Milk Makeup Remover, 5ml Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-In-Serum, two 35ml Almond Shower Oil, 20 percent off on Spa L’Occitane facial treatment, and a $50 conditional shopping coupon. 

Take a walk on the wild side at the miniature East African prairie made with 800,000 pieces of Lego at V Walk shopping. Created by the first Chinese Lego Certified Professional, Andy Hung, the installation showcases an interactive Lego Creative Scene, where different lighting, sound effects, and narration will take you through the day and night at the safari. Be sure to catch the six giant wild animals built with Lego dotted around the space, including a three-metre-tall giraffe, a vibrantly pink flamingo, a majestic lion, and more!

Hong Kong-based artist Phoebe Hui has put together a large-scale installation titled The Moon is Leaving Us as part of the fifth Audemars Piguet Art Commission. Working in collaboration with Hong Kong curator Ying Kwok, the installation uses observations of the moon from different time periods to explore new perspectives on science through contemporary art. Two major artworks are featured for the show, including Selenite – a kinetic robot featuring 48 mechanical arms with screens showing historical drawings, visuals from NASA, and other online open-source data of the moon – and Selena, a hand-built machine that creates ink drawings of the moon. 

JPS Art Gallery has joined hands with Belowground to turn Landmark Atrium's basement into a mysterious underground subway station for the Time Travel group exhibition. Held from now until May 16, the exhibition features art pieces – including large-scale murals, canvas works, and sculptures – created by NYC graffiti artists Cope2 as well as homegrown artists Afa Annfa and Chino Lam. Inspired by the 1980 cinematic classic Somewhere in Time, the show invites its audience to step through modern subway doors and travel back in time to the late 1980s, the golden age of graffiti and street art in NYC.

Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy! From now until June 13, Donald Duck and his friends are taking over Times Square with a whimsical carnival featuring seven interactive fun zones. Expect to be greeted by a 2.7metre-tall 'Donald Duck Tail' (see what happens if you pat his cute duck bottom!) connected inside an interactive 'Donald Tunnel' where you can download limited-edition Donald Duck mobile phone wallpapers after completing some fun challenges. Other interactive zones include a six-metre-tall 'Donald Duck's Funny Hat', a swing, seesaws, a psychedelic funhouse, and more.

Visitors can also sign up to participate in a workshop held at the 'Donald Duck’s Neon House', or head to the 'Donald Duck’s Exhibition of Collectables' where limited-edition Donald Duck collectables, designed by famous figure designer Eric So for fashion brand Referee, is on display as well as a series of special items which is showcased for the first time in the exhibition.

Held from now until May 23, Art For Everyone @HKMoA is a city-wide art campaign that brings the unexpected world of visual arts to the public. Gathering 100 images of artworks from HKMoA’s core collections, the campaign transforms Hong Kong into a dazzling city with different images splashed across a total of 490 billboards, digital displays, transport hubs, as well as indoor and outdoor spaces in all 18 districts. Out of the 100 artworks, 10 are AR-enabled, allowing viewers to interact and view art in a new and unique format. Discover the AR pieces at locations such as China Hong Kong City, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre, Harbour City, and Hong Kong Museum of Art. For a full list of locations, artworks, and information about each artist, download the ArtForEveryone.hk AR app and find the nearest masterpieces around you!

Perrier Jouët, one of France’s most iconic Champagne houses, together with French luxury crystal maker Lalique, partners with three Michelin-starred restaurant L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon for an exquisite Champagne pairing menu. Sip on Perrier-Jouët cuvées served in elegant Lalique glasses and savour a unique lineup of dishes meticulously prepared by chef Adriano Cattaneo while enjoying a display of nature-inspired Lalique pieces around the restaurant. From delicious king crab with egg mimosa to Kagoshima Wagyu beef, the unique Art of Revealing Nature experience is an haute bubbly pairing that is not to be missed. 

Say hi to Jimmy the 'digital fitness trainer' at K11 Art Mall. Poking fun at the common everyday interactions that occur between people and their digital devices, local art collective Brainrental has created a Digital Fitness interactive experience store featuring fun illustrations and innovative training equipment to help get your fingers and thumbs in tip-top shape. 

Visitors can enjoy a full workout and train their fingers for some swiping, pinching, and scrolling action, get on a rowing machine for a literal thumbs-up and 'like', or 'run' on the treadmill with your eyes by simply looking up and down the social media feed being delivered on the belt! Afterwards, head up to the InConvenience Dept. pop-up store to discover a huge variety of collectables and crossover products, including figurines, candles, phone cases, fashion items, CBD-infused products, and much more.

Hi! Flora, Fauna is an exciting art project held at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens from now until June 30. Featuring 17 artists and art groups, the project investigates the relationship between human and nature through a variety of music performances, creative workshops, and various art mediums such as paintings, photographs, sculptures, installations, and much more. The artworks are scattered around the garden grounds, inviting visitors to go on an artistic journey inspired by the history, cultural significance, and natural surroundings of the garden. Click here to view a map guide to the artworks featured.