The best things to do in Hong Kong today

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.

M+ in West Kowloon Cultural District is honouring the late Ryuichi Sakamoto with a museum-wide programme from now until July. Comprising a site-specific installation, moving image works, a listening experience, and film, ‘Seeing Sound, Hearing Time’ celebrates the enduring legacy of the Japanese composer, producer, and artist. ‘Async–Immersion’ presents a three-dimensional, audio-visual representation of Sakamoto’s personal album, combining sonic experience with optical immersion. Nam June Paik’s ‘All Star Video’ explores Sakamoto’s influences and creative encounters, while ‘Vinyl Sessions with Music by Ryuichi Sakamoto’ allows visitors to engage with his compositions, alongside reflections on his work from three Hong Kong-based sound artists. Additionally, ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: Music in Film’ will screen two films to allow for an intimate look into Sakamoto’s life, profound artistry, and innovative creative process.

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.

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.

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.

Taiwanese lifestyle platform Everyday Object is making its overseas debut in Hong Kong with a curated three-month pop-up at East Hong Kong’s Domain (1/F). 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.

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.

For the first time, HKU’s University Museum and Art Gallery is pairing Swiss and Chinese paper cuttings together, setting up side by side to highlight what makes each tradition so special. The Swiss works, drawn from the collection of Interlaken collectors Elsbeth and Niklaus Wyss, mostly use black paper to capture slices of Alpine life with fine, eye-catching details. On the Chinese side, red paper is often used to depict different themes and subjects like tigers, peacocks, opera masks, or pagodas – each carrying deep symbolic meanings. Both approaches are all about storytelling, pulling from Swiss village scenes or Chinese folklore to offer the audience a chance to appreciate how two cultures turn the same craft into something uniquely their own.

The city is gearing up for a dazzling dose of cabaret magic. This June, the inaugural WestK Cabaret Festival, presented by WestK Performing Arts, takes the stage at the Xiqu Centre with a nine-day carnival of cross-cultural music, dance, comedy and storytelling from May 30 to June 7. The city’s first-ever cabaret festival is an immersive extravaganza, featuring Broadway stars, Parisian icons, West End headliners, and a dazzling line-up of local talents all under one roof. Whether you're craving a sophisticated date night, a wild evening with friends, or just a fantastic excuse to dress up, here is why this festival needs to be on your radar. Expect something different on every stage. The main stage at Grand Theatre is stacked with unmissable highlights. Catch three-time Tony Award winner and Broadway legend Patti LuPone in her only Asian stop with A Life in Notes (June 3), or experience the flamboyant overseas premiere of Mon Premier Cabaret by Paris’ oldest and most historic Paradis Latin (June 6-7). Do not miss the Asian debut of four-time World Irish Dance Champion, Bobby Fox, in Mr. Entertainment (June 2), and local star Alex Lam’s sci-fi cabaret, 3026: A Cantopop Odyssey (June 4) and more. The allure goes beyond the main stage. If you prefer your entertainment with a cocktail in hand, the Tea House Theatre is your destination, which sees no barrier between stage and audience, creating an intimate, bar-style atmosphere perfect for edgy, fringe-style musical comedies...

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.