The best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend (July 17-19)

Beat the summer heat this July and pop down to Scoop & Cone Gelato Fest at Airside. Bringing together nearly 20 of Hong Kong’s favourite gelato and dessert brands, the festival serves up more than 200 icy creations, ranging from classic Sicilian pistachio to unconventional flavours like fried garlic and coriander. There’ll also be a variety of playful treats, such as a traditional candy and coconut wrap with coriander ice cream, caramel tofu ice cream macarons, ice cream croissants, and plenty more – we won’t judge if you try them all.

This spring, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is hosting a two-part exhibition that combines interactive multimedia with a collection of rare historical treasures. The first section, Meet Mona Lisa, uses an immersive multimedia installation to follow the five-hundred-year journey of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, featuring a personal narration from the lady herself. The second half, Portraying the Renaissance, showcases over 100 precious works from leading European institutions, including four of da Vinci’s original manuscripts on the human body and faces exhibited in Hong Kong for the first time.

The exhibition runs from May 1 to July 27, 2026, and is completely free to enter from 10am to 6pm on weekdays (except Tuesdays) and until 7pm on weekends and public holidays.

Step into a world where imperial grandeur meets Impressionist beauty at ‘Blooming: The Art of Gardens in East and West, a massive new showcase at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Bringing together more than 100 sets of rare artefacts and paintings from the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Palace of Versailles, the exhibition explores how nature has been shaped and celebrated by kings, scholars, and artists alike.

The real highlight is the arrival of Claude Monet’s iconic Water Lilies (1906) and Water Lily Pond (1900), which are on loan from Chicago for a limited time. Alongside works by masters like Zhang Daqian and Wen Zhengming, visitors can wander through an immersive display and interact with virtual wine cups in a digital recreation of the famous Orchid Pavilion Gathering. Running until July 29 at HKMoA’s Special Gallery, the exhibition is completely free to enter – so there’s really no excuse not to visit.

Get ready for a culinary trip across the continent at Flavours of Europe, a limited-time food fair taking over Market Place locations across the city. Running from June 26 until July 30, the event brings together a premium selection of regional delicacies, coastal seafood, European wines, and more. Selected flagship stores will also feature themed zones and various events, including professional prosciutto carving and tasting sessions. Perfect for stocking up the summer pantry.

It's time to dine like royalty with Chinesology’s new ‘Tales of History’ tasting menu, launched in a unique collaboration with the Hong Kong Museum of History. Running from now until July 31, this limited-time menu offers a contemporary Cantonese reinterpretation of the legendary Manchu-Han Imperial Feast – a historic grand banquet famously known for serving more than 100 dishes over multiple days. Designed by chef Saito Chau alongside cultural scholars and culinary masters, the condensed eight or 10-course menu translates historic recipes into stunning modern delicacies, including stewed geoduck in 20-year-aged Huadiao wine, slow-simmered bird’s nest, and roasted Ningxia beach lamb. If you’re ready for a true feast fit for an emperor, remember to book your table at least seven days in advance to allow for the extensive preparation required.

Taiwanese lifestyle platform Everyday Object is making its overseas debut in Hong Kong with a curated three-month pop-up at East Hong Kong. Running from now to July 31, the residency showcases a collection of over 60 independent brands from both Taipei and Hong Kong, with each month dedicated to a specific theme: travel in May, office life in June, and the home in July. Visitors can browse an array of niche design goods, ranging from vegan skincare to handcrafted accessories and even yuenyeung-flavoured canned cheesecakes.

There’ll also be a limited-time coffee takeover by Taichung-based Sumugaga Coffee Roasters, where you can download the Scannow app to get a five percent discount on a special Taichung pourover and unlock a digital map of the city’s best-kept creative secrets. Whether you are hunting for rare Taiwanese accessories or simply looking for a fresh shot of caffeine and inspiration, this three-month pop-up has everything under one roof.

Curated by architectural historian Charles Lai and product designer Kay Chan Wan Ki, this exhibition brings together architects, carpenters, filmmakers, and chefs to examine Hong Kong’s favourite diners from every angle. Highlights include the preserved neon sign of Wan Chai’s Sun Fung Kee, the original door of Sheung Wan’s demolished Hoi On Cafe, and a full-scale beverage station where you can suit up and try assembling orders at cha chaan teng speed.

The exhibition is now on view at Airside’s Gate33 Gallery and runs until July 31. Admission is free until March 31, after which tickets cost $20 (except for kids aged three and under).

Jesus Christ Superstar is making its long-awaited Hong Kong debut this summer! The iconic rock musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber retells the biblical story of Jesus Christ’s final days through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, unfolding entirely through song with well-known numbers like Superstar, I Don’t Know How to Love Him, and Gethsemane.

Staged at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre from July 8 to August 1, 2026, the show will be performed in English with Chinese subtitles. Tickets range from $588 to $1,088, with concessions available. Priority booking runs from March 25 to 26, followed by general sales from March 27. Sign up for the priority list now at jcs-hk.gmg-productions.com to get 10 percent off.

M+ and Leeum Museum of Art are teaming up to present a comprehensive exhibition featuring the groundbreaking works of influential South Korean contemporary artist Lee Bul. More than 200 pieces will be shown, spanning the artist’s career from the late 1990s to the present to trace the evolution of Lee’s artistic approach. Split into three sections, ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’ interrogates ideas of utopian and dystopian existence, the relationship between body and technology, and Lee’s creative process.

M+ Cinema will also screen a number of Lee’s performance works during the exhibition period. ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’ opens on March 14 and will be commemorated with a talk at the Grand Stair; Lee herself will be present to speak about her artistic vision.

Japan's hugely popular Flower Miffy boutique has officially made its grand Hong Kong debut, hopping into Causeway Bay for a limited summer run. Fusing minimalist floral designs with the adorable Dutch rabbit, the pop-up features a Flower Buffet where customers can create their very own plush flower bouquet and get their hands on a huge selection of themed merch, homeware, gardening accessories, and more. Big spenders looking to expand their Miffy collections can also walk away with limited-edition instant photo-style plastic collectable cards with any purchase of $300 or more.

From July 4 to August 23, MOSTown is transforming into a breezy seaside oasis featuring 30 adorable Namagaki and Friends designs. Expect a vibrant lineup of interactive, camera-ready photo spots, a treasure-filled sand pit, and a giant gashapon machine loaded with plushie prizes. Alongside the family-friendly fun, you can also browse the pop-up store packed with over 20 new MOSTown-exclusive items and more than 20 limited-edition collectables from Japan, or head over to PHI Coffee & Pancake for Japanese soufflé pancakes, Italian mains, and specialty coffee. Great for soaking up the summer vibes – minus the blistering heat and humidity.

Tucked inside Oi! Glassie, Hong Kong artist Chan Wai‑lap presents Jeremy’s Bathhouse – a dreamy, ceramic bathhouse as an extension of his ongoing ‘Swimming’ series. Inspired by love, connection, different bathing cultures, and the 2016 viral story of Jeremy, the left-spiral snail, the exhibition features a heart-shaped pool installation made with more than 1,200 handcrafted ceramic tiles designed by Chan.

Visitors will also find a set of shower cubicles lined with casts of real soap bars that Chan has collected from bathhouses around the world, and every so often, timed release of mist drifts through, softening the edges and shifting the whole atmosphere from crisp clarity to a dreamy haze.

Landing in Wan Chai for a two-month run from July 1 to August 31, Marrow is a sleek, meat-led pop-up restaurant offering an unconventional take on open-fire cooking. Curated by chef Chris Ma, the concept moves away from traditional steakhouses to highlight lesser-known cuts with distinct local and regional flavours. Alongside a selection of fire-cooked mains, diners can enjoy a playful menu of creative starters, seafood options, and nostalgic desserts. The restaurant is open daily for dinner only, and with a short summer residency, booking ahead is highly recommended.

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.

Make your way to Harbour City this summer as Toy Story 5 takes over the waterfront complex with a massive summer carnival! Meet giant two-metre-tall sculptures of Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye at the Ocean Terminal Forecourt, and challenge yourself to four interactive games featuring the animated franchise's beloved characters. Upstairs on the Deck, a towering 4.5-metre Buzz Lightyear stands next to colourful displays from Hong Kong Disneyland, while downstairs at the Main Concourse is an official pop-up store packed with over 800 exclusive merch. Fans can also snap photos with a Hong Kong-limited 1:1 scale Buzz-themed show car at Gateway Arcade, and explore rare animation sketches at Gallery by the Harbour. All proceeds from the event (after deducting costs) will go directly to Make-A-Wish Hong Kong.

Cool down this summer at Water World Ocean Park’s 80s-themed summer festival! From July 4 to August 31, the park will host a series of late-night Cantopop pool parties featuring a lineup of international DJs. Beyond the music, visitors can explore neon-lit photo spots, play interactive games like giant Jenga and Connect Four, join Aqua SUP yoga sessions, or make some new friends at a weekly matchmaking event. Head to the Water World Ocean Park website to check ticket options and book your spot for the season.

Premium French silverware brand Christofle has launched its all-new Malmaison Riviera plateware collection and collaborated with restaurant La Terrace by Louise and its executive chef, Loïc Portalier, to offer a specially curated menu featuring Southern French fare. 
Diners can visit the refined French eatery from now until August 31 to enjoy an exclusive menu of comforting sharing dishes that reflect the plateware collection's glowing yellow hues and hand-painted motifs.

Begin with light plates including smoked cured sardines on grilled sourdough bread with romesco sauce, crispy sago and mimolette arancini, and a refreshing Datterino tomato salad with burrata and basil oil. For mains, guests can dig into Louise's signature roasted yellow chicken with Niigata rice served on a gorgeous platter; clams with nduja and seaweed beurre blanc; and choux farci stuffed with foie gras and dry plums. The indulgent French feast wraps up with an Amalfi lemon and basil sorbet, which ties in with the bright summer theme of Christofle's collection.

The golden age of Hong Kong cinema saw the production of blockbuster titles like A Better Tomorrow (1986), The Conman (1998), and Infernal Affairs (2002). Packed with action, suspense, and good ol’ “nonsense” humour, these iconic crime films not only offer gripping stories but also capture the essence of life in 70s and 80s Hong Kong. Now, cinephiles can relive their favourite scenes from these classics at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station. ‘Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey’ delves into local cop film classics through reconstructed sets, collectibles, original scripts, and much more. 

This nostalgic exhibition is now open at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station, 627 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei. Tickets are priced at $30 per person, with concessionary tickets available at $10 per person. Children aged six or below can enter the exhibition for free. Make sure to book your tickets online at cultural.cityline.com, as there will not be tickets onsite. Find out more at fpf.ccidahk.gov.hk. 

Focusing on non-solid media, multi-disciplinary artist Zheng Jing’s first solo show in Hong Kong uses water, sound, air, and light to transform several warehouses into a surreal world that invites viewers to wander through.

In Warehouse 1, visitors will feel as though they are submerged beneath Victoria Harbour, with mirrored installations that let you look up at wave movements through the manipulation of light. There’s also a giant vessel featuring a video projection of a human figure endlessly diving, plus a suspended cube from which light beams are projected outward in multiple directions. Stepping out onto the lawn, visitors will also discover five golden sculptures modelled after Taihu stones, placed in an elemental cycle of ‘breathing’ to allow energy and spirits to flow through continuously.

Discover the history, art, and cultural impact of gaming at CityUHK’s new interactive exhibition, The Power of Play. This hands-on showcase spans 5,000 years of gaming history, tracking the evolution of human play from ancient Egyptian board games and nostalgic 1980s arcades to immersive virtual reality experiences, modern esports, and collaborative robotics. Curated by professor Espen Aarseth, the exhibition offers a fascinating look at how society’s attitude toward gaming has shifted from a casual amusement to a global competitive phenomenon. 

The Power of Play runs from July 4 to October 25 at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery (18th floor of the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building at CityUHK). Doors are open from 11am to 7pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Entry won't cost you a penny, though you’ll need to register online before turning up.

Hong Kong football fans are in for a treat this May as the FIFA Museum makes its large-scale debut at Times Square. Kicking off on May 28, this six-month residency offers a deep dive into the history of the beautiful game, featuring The Rainbow installation of 211 member association jerseys alongside original trophies and artefacts from both the men’s and women’s World Cups. Beyond the glass cases, visitors can also catch screenings of short films or uncover unique stories from Asia and Hong Kong.

Tickets go on sale April 16 at 6pm via the Arena-Tix platform, with standard entry priced at $180 and concessionary tickets for $140. Limited VIP packages with guided tours and exclusive souvenirs are also available.

Running from June 27, 2026, to January 10, 2027, at M+, this highly anticipated interactive exhibition brings the viral Japanese showcase to Hong Kong with a unique local twist. Adapted from the hugely popular ‘Design Ah! neo’ exhibition, the family-friendly event features 21 playful stations themed around 10 ordinary daily actions like eating, walking, and sitting. From giant installations and interactive challenges to an immersive rhythm game, this creative exhibition shines a completely new light on the seemingly mundane routines and objects we often overlook. It's well worth a visit, so pencil it into your calendar!

See what life was like in the legendary Kowloon Walled City and step inside this immersive 'real life' movie set exhibition! Featuring meticulously recreated shops and scenes from the award-winning film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, the exhibition will take you back into the 1980s inside the famous Walled City to explore everything from the local cafe to the neighbourhood dental clinic.

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

Ever since Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) launched its pet-friendly bus services, the response has been overwhelmingly positive in Hong Kong’s pet owners. KMB has since gamely added new routes to service more people, with stops now available in neighbourhoods like To Kwa Wan, Sham Tseng, Stanley, and more. Click below to find out more about week day pet bus routes, additional weekend buses, monthly tickets, and August-exclusive adventure buses!

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.

‘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.