Best things to see and do in Hong Kong this weekend

Ocean Park’s annual Halloween Fest is here! Turning into the largest haunting ground in Hong Kong, the park invites brave souls around town to travel across time and space with a hell load of exhilarating immersive experiences. 

This year, be prepared to meet aliens and run for survival at Space Wrecked, and gear up to defeat the almighty demon in the Ruins of the Damned battlefield. Then, make your way through the Mausoleum of Madness, where you'll have to keep an eye out for deadly pitfalls and hidden traps; and be sure not to touch any of the strange dolls when you enter The House of Wraith Puppet, where vengeful spirits that suffered from a series of deadly misfortunes will try to trap you inside forever! Ocean Park is also taking things to the virtual realm this year by teaming up with Adventure in Reality (AiR) for its first-ever series of Halloween virtual games. Simply download the AiR app from the App Store or Google Play and you can dive into the Halloween Parkaverse no matter where you are.

Aside from these freaky activities, Ocean Park also has plenty of family-friendly experiences on offer, such as the Laughing Ghost Camp, where kids can create their own spooky looks, and the Darkness Invasion evening dance party, featuring video game characters, ghosts, and spirits from different dimensions. Also, don't forget to take pics with the Pumpkin Monster and his Jack O’Lantern followers at the Summit Plaza – if you dare. 

The Ocean Park x AXA Halloween Fest 2022 daytime experience is available from now to Oct 31 (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, excluding Oct 4). The full day and night experience featuring all shows and performances will be available on Oct 14 to 16, Oct 21 to 23, and Oct 28 to 31.

Embrace the flower power this season as LCSD's Blossom Around Town city-wide project turns various parks and green spaces across the city into beautiful themed garden displays. From now until October 18, the public can visit designated parks across all 18 districts decked out with themes that will whisk you away to holiday resorts in Southeast Asia, traditional Chinese gardens, blissful Bali temples, western courtyards, tree houses, the countryside, and many more. While surrounded by colourful flowers and lush greenery, don't forget to cast online votes for your favourite garden plots for a chance to win special prizes with a value of up to $2,000.

Prepare yourself for a magical night of tricks and treats as the wicked yet lovable Disney villains stir up some trouble around the park this Halloween. 

See your favourite villain take centre stage in the Let’s Get Wicked musical, or make your way to the Wicked Fun Party Zone where Cruella De Vil awaits. If you're in the mood for more mayhem, be sure to join Mickey’s Halloween Time Street Party, where upbeat music will fill the air and all your favourite Disney pals – including the mystery-solving fox LinaBell – will appear atop a giant jack-o’-lantern, together with parade performers, Vampirina, and Princess Sofia.

To top off your spooky experience, there'll also be tons of Halloween-themed merchandise as well as frightfully delicious food and drink offerings – from villainous headbands and glow-in-the-dark tattoo stickers to devilish Halloween sweet treats and creepy snack bowls! Ready for a wicked time?

The Mills has partnered up with British inflatable design group Designs in Air to transform the cultural hub into a marine wonderland with inflatable monsters and terrifying tentacles! From now to October 31, visitors will be able to take part in a Seek the Sea Monster photo hunt and search for various inflatable installations around The Mills. The first three people who complete the scavenger hunt each day will win a surprise gift. During the campaign period, those who spend $500 or more across two transactions can also redeem a Fantastical Beasts of The Sea limited-edition tattoo sticker (available on a first-come, first-served basis).

Shake Shack sends your taste buds to Korea this September with their limited-time gochujang chicken menu. Combining the Korean fermented chilli paste with their menu items, Shake Shack’s gochujang offerings span from a sumptuously sweet and spicy chicken thigh sandwich, chicken bites drizzled with a spicy glaze, and crinkle-cut fries topped with applewood-smoked bacon and a gochujang mayonnaise. Get your hands on the Korean-inspired menu at Shake Shack branches across Hong Kong from September 19 until late October.

After temporarily closing its doors for enhancements, The Peninsula Hong Kong's contemporary restaurant Felix is reopening this autumn with a special menu crafted by guest chef Masateru Kiriyama, The Peninsula Tokyo's chef de cuisine for Peter. Complete with breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour, Felix will indulge you with chef Kiriyama's curated menus, including a five-course 'Felix Experience' ($1,888 per person; +$600 four-glass wine pairing; +$800 five-glass wine pairing) available from September 17 to October 4. Highlights of the menu include a scallop ceviche with fig, prosciutto, and mint chimichurri; pan-fried foie gras and flan with rhubarb compote and pistachio; grouper meunière with braised turnip, spinach purée, and horseradish sauce; and Kagoshima A5 sirloin with black sugar spice, sea-urchin mashed potato, and skin-on shallot.

For reservations, email felixphk@peninsula.com or call 2696 6778. 

Samsung is celebrating the debut of its latest Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 with The Z Mansion, a unique pop-up store in Fashion Walk (Shop 6-7, G/F, Paterson Street, Causeway Bay) from now to October 4. Dressed in Bora purple with an eye-catching facade full of European flair, the pop-up is divided into five themed zones: The Space Room by Lousy, an artistic space designed and decorated by Hong Kong graffiti artist Lousy featuring a huge three-metre-tall pink Lousy toy; The Garden, a romantic English garden; The Music, where visitors can experience the multimedia functions of the new devices; The Glamour, which features LED holographic lights and an arch mirror art installation; and The Galaxy Lounge, where live-streams hosted by celebrities (every Wednesday night at 7.30pm) and workshops (every weekend or public holiday from 12.30pm to 6.00pm) will be held. Upon entering, visitors will get to rent a Galaxy Z Fold4 or Z Flip4 for free to take pictures and try out all the new devices' various functions.

Participants will also get to take advantage of shopping privileges such as an exclusive Lousy x Galaxy Z Series tote bag upon completion of simple tasks in-store, or a limited edition Starring bag and a 15W Wireless Charger Pad (original price $468) with every Galaxy Z Flip4 purchase at designated retail locations in Causeway Bay (while stock lasts). With the purchase of Galaxy Z Fold4, a complimentary Now TV H1 and Football Pack (6 months) with installation will be included (original price $2,582). 

Prepare to dive into the fantastical world of internationally renowned media artist Pipilotti Rist! Featuring 45 iconic works by Rist from the past 30 years, Behind Your Eyelid—Pipilotti Rist is the renowned Swiss artist's first solo exhibition in Hong Kong. Running from now to November 27, the highly immersive exhibition will take visitors on a whimsical journey filled with sounds, colours, and moving images that have already charmed audiences from around the world. Tai Kwun will also be hosting a wide range of programmes and events, including Tai Kwun Conversations with Pipilotti Rist; a Pipilotti Rist’s Choice evening featuring the artist’s favourite films and videos; pixel mapping and lighting workshops; curator's tours and much more. 

New media art studio Xcept is back with a brand new immersive galaxy installation this summer at Pacific Place. From August 12 to October 9, astronomy enthusiasts are invited to embark on an astral voyage which combines art and technology to bring you unique, immersive experiences that are out of this world.

Prepare for lift off and take a seat at the Space Station, where you can go virtual mining and design your own orbs by scanning a QR code. Then, continue your space adventure to the mysterious Black Hole, before entering the shimmering immersive Metaspace Galaxy. Finally, end your galactic journey and return to Earth by ascending into the luminous White Hole. Complete your journey by acquiring a special NFT token souvenir featuring your custom planetary creation or get your hands on other amazing exclusive merch.

Fashion and lifestyle brand Esprit makes its grand return to Hong Kong's retail scene with 'love, esprit', a three-storey pop-up store featuring art installations, interactive games, and a range of key items from the brand's latest collections.

Begin your journey from The Joy Department (G/F), where visitors are greeted by an origami installation of Joy the dolphin created by local artist duo Stickyline. Then, head over to the Heritage Gallery to find vintage posters and treasured images from Esprit's archives, along with other colourful artworks and installations that your camera will love. Up on the first floor, The Fashion Closet holds a selection of key items from the brand’s bold new collections, including the feminine Pretty Pleats capsule, Dolphin Tennis Club sports capsule, Neon Pop capsule, and more. There'll also be a digital claw machine game available for shoppers to try their luck at winning prizes such as 50 percent off coupons and $1,500 gift vouchers.

Finally, on the second floor is Joyground, a chic, welcoming lounge decorated with neon lights and pastel-coloured furnishing for visitors to kick back and relax after their shopping spree, and enjoy various food and drink offerings from a rotation of local cafe pop-ups at the kiosk. 

Marvel over world-class art right here in the city as roughly 40 masterpieces by Italian Baroque artists goes on display for the first time in Hong Kong at HKMoA. Featuring works from the Farnese Collection and the Bourbon Collection of the Capodimonte Museum, the exhibition invites viewers to experience the charm of Baroque art in the 16th and 17th centuries, including religious, mythological, still life, and landscape paintings by masters such as Titian, Annibale Carracci, and Artemisia Gentileschi. Artistic responses by local artists Kingsley Ng, Chow Chun-fai, and Missquai can also be found at the museum, allowing visitors to connect with the artworks from a Hong Kong perspective.

Harbour City is putting on a fun summer party from now to October 4 to bring emojis to life. Discover classic game booths (opens daily from August 12 to 31; opens on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from September 1 to October 4), check-in hotspots including gigantic sea-view 3D photo frames, the emoji birthday party pop-up store, and join in on workshops to make 3D paper cakes. While you're there, be sure to check in at each station to collect stamps on the emoji summer game card in order to win different exclusive gifts. From August 18 to October 4, visitors can also pre-order a special set of emoji mahjong upon joining the Rewarding Every Day promo to spend a designated amount at Harbour City. More details can be found here.

Looks like Hong Kong has gone dino-mad this summer! Following the Robotic Dinos pop-up at Harbour City and Times Square, the Hong Kong Science Museum has just opened a new exhibition that's all about these historic creatures. Featuring fossil specimens and reconstructed skeleton models from museums all over the world, including Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Morocco, 'The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight - Dinosaur Revelation' showcases eight of the most iconic dinosaurs under one roof for the first time, boasting original fossil material, near-complete fossil skeletons, 3D renderings, and scientifically accurate reconstructions of the world's most giant predatory dinosaur and flying creature.

During the exhibition period, there will also be a series of educational activities for all ages, including the 'A Night with Dinosaurs' sleepover programme, Dino Yoga classes, films, workshops, guided tours and more. All visitors to The Big Eight exhibition and other permanent exhibitions, including Museum Pass holders, must make a booking in advance here.

Lifestyle brand Human Made has teamed up with HBX for its first-ever pop-up at Belowground. From May 13 to the end of October, visitors will get to browse through Human Made's brand new S/S22 collection featuring classic jackets, hoodies, chinos, sweaters, accessories, and other lifestyle items, as well as limited edition t-shirts inspired by Hong Kong's iconic double-decker trams.

Held from now until December 18, Art@Harbour features multiple outdoor art installations and digital art facades that integrate art, science, and technology along the promenades of Victoria Harbour. Over at Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Science in Art sees nine sets of interactive art installations and three pieces of 3D floor graphics created by local artists and art tech partners.

Meanwhile, at the Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom promenades, the Symphony of the Future features sculptures and digital displays that have been set up at the K11 Musea promenade, the Avenue of Stars and Salisbury Garden, including HΞXAVΞRSΞ by renowned Dutch artist Don Diablo, Looking Up, an augmented reality piece by American conceptual artist Tom Friedman, and a prelude for the future (2022), a performance by Hong Kong artist Olivier Cong.

Other Art@Harbour programmes include the Blossoming Hong Kong digital art facades at the Kowloon Shangri-La and the Kerry Hotel, as well as Sino Group's Heart to Heart digital art facades displayed at the Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, Empire Centre, and China Hong Kong City from now until October 9.

Creative Workshop Series @PMQ is here with a series of crafty workshops throughout this month for you to learn and get inspired. From upcycling your old pair of jeans to art jamming sessions to making your own shoes and clutch bags, you can participate in a multitude of fun and unique workshops that you won't be able to find anywhere else in Hong Kong. Check out the full list here.

To celebrate HKSAR's 25th anniversary and promote the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District, the West Kowloon Artour is a free circular bus route that will take the public through various areas of West Kowloon and Sham Shui Po. Available every Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday between 2pm to 6pm in July, August, November, December and on January 1, 2023, the bus tour will depart from M+ museum, and stop off at D2 Place, Jao Tsung-I Academy, Mei Ho House, and Nam Cheong Street, before heading back to M+ museum. A great weekend activity to explore different areas of Kowloon.