The best things to do in Hong Kong today

From now to July 13, Airside is hosting ‘The World of ASMR’ exhibition that was at London’s Design Museum. This will be the Kai Tak venue’s first time collaborating with an international museum since its opening, and we’re so excited that it’s going to be this special exhibition on the euphoria or calm triggered by sound, touch, and movement. This immersive experience delves into the crackles, pops, feather brushes, whispers, and tappy noises that have become a whole culture and community around the world. Showing over 40 works by contemporary artists, ASMRtists, and designers, the Hong Kong edition also features newly commissioned works by local artists which capture our city’s unique auditory identity. The highlight of the show is a sculpture of wavy, bendy pillows woven together to form over a kilometre of squishy comfort, where visitors can lounge while watching various ASMR-related videos. There’s even an entire room dedicated to Bob Ross, who many in the community dub the ‘Godfather of ASMR’.  Don’t forget to try your hand at creating your own ASMR noises before you leave! Tickets to this exhibition at Gate33 Gallery cost $30.

The internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil is coming to town on the first stop of their Asia tour – this will be the troupe’s first appearance in Hong Kong since 2018. Their Kooza show first started in 2007 and toured in more than 70 cities across 23 countries before being relaunched in 2022 with new production elements. Expect to see high-flying acrobatics and whimsical characters amidst gorgeous sets, highlighted by the lavish costumes and powerful music that Cirque du Soleil has always been known for. This new production also includes a solo aerial silk performance, a repertoire of Icarian games, and a high-octane diabolo act with a triple world champion – all never seen before in Hong Kong.  Since there has been overwhelming demand, the Cirque du Soleil has extended Kooza’s run for an additional three weeks, so the show will be in town until July 13. Tickets run from $450 to $1,998 – VIP ticket holders can enjoy the exclusive bar and appetisers an hour before the show starts and during intermission. 

From now to June 30, Nonfiction collaborates with Salisterra to present an exclusive afternoon tea experience that combines the brand’s refined aesthetics with exquisite culinary creations. This thoughtfully curated tea set invites guests on a sensory journey inspired by summertime moments and Nonfiction's citrus collection. The menu brings vibrant citrus notes to life through delicately crafted treats like the bergamot & honey tart, grapefruit pâte de fruit, and yuzu chocolate ganache with brown sugar shortbread – each showcasing the complexities of citrus paired with natural ingredients and aromatic flavours. A Nonfiction pop-up will also be available at The Upper House (The Tea Room, level six) until May 31. Visitors to the pop-up store can immerse themselves in the brand's calming world and explore a collection of signature perfumes, home fragrances, body and hand care products, and curated gift sets.   

The Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is presenting incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nightlife along Lan Kwai Fong, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway – and look out for the new dioramas like the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and more. These miniature displays will be on show at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong, a large-scale exhibition has been set up at Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) from now to June 13. Created by internationally acclaimed artist Simon Ma, the exhibition features hundreds of inflated transparent 'water droplets' – with two giant water drop sculptures at heights of 28.8m and 18.8m respectively – to symbolise inclusion and vitality. Please note that advance online booking is required. Each person is allowed to book no more than one session (lasting 20 minutes) at a maximum of five quotas each day. 

Visit this special exhibition at M+ to see more than 60 masterpieces by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso spanning from the late 1890s to the early 1970s. Co-curated with the Musée national Picasso-Paris (MnPP), which holds the largest repository of Picasso’s work in the world, this is the first time that pieces from the MnPP are being shown together with works from an Asian museum collection. By placing Picasso’s work in dialogue with Asian contemporary art – approximately 80 works by more than 20 Asian and Asian-diasporic artists – the master’s enduring influence on art to this day is highlighted. Split into four sections that show how Picasso fits into four artist stereotypes – such as the genius in his self-mythologising works, and the outsider with how he consistently chose to upend artistic styles and traditions – this exhibition explores how Picasso became the quintessential modern 20th-century artist.  Tickets cost $240, with half-price concessions and adult-and-child combo deals available. Visitors with special exhibition tickets can also access the ‘Guo Pei: Fashioning Imagination’ exhibition, as well as all M+ general admission exhibitions starting from March 15.

The second edition of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) returns to Hong Kong this summer with over 280 performing arts programmes, film screenings, exhibitions, and other events.  Running from April 16 through to September 28, keep an eye on the schedule of upcoming CCF performances and events here. Tickets will open for sale from April 15, and prices will differ depending on the specific events, but there will be a limited-time discount of up to 30-percent off until April 30.

The Hong Kong Space Museum is now screening a new 3D dome show at its Space Theatre, immersing viewers into the Arctic wilderness through the year’s seasons, offering intimate glimpses of its wildlife such as polar bear, seals, and walruses, and bringing awareness to the impacts of climate change. Follow walruses as they go through their annual molt during summer, made more difficult by ever-increasing temperatures; young harp seals as they grow from white furry bundles into sleek swimmers; the indigenous Inuit people as they make their increasingly dangerous journeys with sled dogs across the thinning sea ice; and more. Unless you’re the Steve Irwin type, this is probably the closest immersive experience you’ll get to being in an animal documentary. This Arctic 3D show will be screened from January 15 until October 13, at 2pm and 6.30pm on weekdays, and 12.30pm and 5pm on weekends and public holidays. Tickets are priced at $30 for front stalls and $40 for stall seats. There’s lots of time to catch this immersive show, but note that the Hong Kong Space Museum is closed on Tuesdays, unless it falls on a public holiday.

To celebrate the ongoing football frenzy in the city, Times Square is collaborating with Supremem FC to host the 'Matchlegacy: Shirts that defined the game' exhibition from now until June 15. Footie fans will have a ball checking out the range of match-worn shirts and gear from renowned Manchester United players. Additionally, a limited-time pop-up store will be offering various exclusive items signed by current Manchester United players. Stock is very limited though, so act fast!

As part of LMO Freshly Baked's Tastemaker series, Asia's Best Bar(2024) Bar Leone is stepping in for the month of June with three exclusive dishes that bring a taste of Roman flair to the menu. Approachable, playful, yet refined, the time-limited menu includes a spinach ricotta pie (vegetarian option), Italian chicken salad with Bar Leone's famous smoked olives, and the tramezzini tonno e pomodoro sandwich. For every item sold, $10 will be donated to registered charity Mindset to raise awareness and support mental health initiatives as well as community care in Hong Kong.