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. If you don't see anything you like, how about checking out some of the finest art galleries and museums in Hong Kong? Or better yet, explore our things to do page and see for yourself all the amazing things this town has in store – enjoy!
Best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend
As I Lay Dying - Shaped by Fire Asia tour 2020
MTV2’s “Ultimate Metal God” of 2007 finally comes back to Hong Kong to grace our ears with their divine post-hardcore sound that beautifully combines melodic death metal with grindcore. Influenced by the likes of Iron Maiden, Slayer, Pantera, Metallica, and Judas Priest, the Christian metal band has been dominating the scene since the 00s, performing with big names like Slipknot, Rob Zombie, All That Remains, and Trivium. This time in Hong Kong, AILD will be opened by Korean band End These Days and Malaysian band Sekumpulan Orang Gila. If you don’t want to miss out on this once-in-a-decade opportunity to headbang your heart out, better get your tickets now!
Victoria Park Chinese New Year flower market
Although there will be no dry good stalls this year, the annual Chinese New Year flower markets at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay is still a good place to go and pick up some blooms for the holiday. Head to the market between not and January 25 to discover bountiful offerings of orchid, cherry blossoms, daffodils and other festive blooms. There are plenty of food stalls at the market too, so after you're done shopping for plants, don't forget to fuel up with all kinds of street food and drinks available.
CNY movies & treats at the Wheel
For the first to the fourth day of Chinese New Year, five classic CNY movies will be played on the big HD screen at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park. Screenings include Agent Mr Chan, All's Well that End's Well, The Yuppie Fantasia 3 and Chibi Maruko-chan: The Boy from Italy. Visitors can watch these movies at the outdoor cinema by purchasing tickets online or on-site. There will also be turnip cakes and Chinese pudding available for sale!
Au fond des formes by Jérôme De Sousa
Ever shared an art piece with your family, friends or even a stranger? We mean share as in literally cutting it up into pieces! Introducing the #SplitMyArt concept, self-taught French artist Jérôme De Sousa brings eight visually eclectic creations to Chez Trente this January. All artworks are available to cut into pieces for purchase.
Travelling with Mahjong
Mahjong is a tradition that you can't shake away from whenever Chinese New Year comes around, but how much do you actually know about Mahjong? We're not just talking about the game's rules. From now until February 2, Hongkongers have the chance to learn more about this traditional game at the Travelling with Mahjong exhibition. Featuring beautiful illustrations from local artist Karen Aruba, as well as traditional and contemporary Mahjong tile carving designs on display, visitors will also be able to learn about the history of Mahjong tile carving in Hong Kong dating as far back as 1963. There are only a few remaining artisan mahjong tile carvers in Hong Kong, this exhibition will be a great way for all to learn about this culturally significant industry before it sadly fades away.
Lam Tsuen Well-Wishing Festival
The power of the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree is legendary. One of the age-old traditions of Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is a visit to this wishing tree in Tai Po where you write your wishes on a placard and tie it to a mandarin, which is considered an auspicious fruit. It is believed that by throwing the placard up high onto the tree without falling back will make your wishes come true. There are also food vendors selling local snacks and traditional Hakka food, as well as daily cultural performances like singing and lion dances.
Painting a noun… by Rose Wylie
Debuting in Hong Kong with her latest series of artworks at David Zwirner gallery, renowned British artist Rose Wylie's painting a noun...exhibition is truly one-of-a-kind. Highlighting the importance of memory, Wylie often creates her works using memory alone – with images as a prompt – resulting in masterpieces that are expressive, recognisable and feels strangely familiar. The artist's works are never set against any theme or narrative, thus, rendering them to open up to larger societal topics such as gender, beauty, art history and even the world of celebrities.
The New York Times: Carbon's Casualties
Presenting a series of mind-blowing photography works by The New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning staff photographer Josh Haner, the exhibition titled The New York Times: Carbon's Casualties puts a spotlight on natural habitats or settlements that are on the brink of environmental disaster. Through stunning captures of places like South Tarawa in Kiribati, the Tengger Desert in China and the Yellowstone National Parks in the US, Haner's series of works bring to attention the loss of nature and disappearance of sites of irreplaceable cultural history.
Silhouettes, Soufflés & Succotash by Peter Shire
Enter into a world of colour and light as Over the Influence brings an exciting art exhibition by legendary Los-Angeles based artist Peter Shire. Acclaimed for his humorous, whimsy and quirky designs, the Silhouettes, Soufflés & Succotash exhibition presents the artist's latest collection of works comprised of vibrant neon paintings, never-before-seen abstract sculptures and gouache works on paper.
AIA The Great European Carnival
Hong Kong’s biggest carnival is back. With all your favourite thrill rides, game booths and more toys than you can ever imagine – all waiting for you to take them home. Taking over the Central Harbourfront from now to February 16, the carnival makes for a perfect day. The carnival also sees the return of the Great European Circus, bringing incredible aerial skills, balancing acts and lots of fun entertainment lined up for the little ones, all of which will have you hanging on the edge of your seat. So start practising on your carnival games skills!