The best things to do in Hong Kong today

Step into a world where airport security gets a wacky makeover at Barminski’s Runway 51 at JPS Gallery. The American artist has transformed the space into a full-scale airport terminal crafted entirely out of cardboard – complete with security checkpoints, terminal restrooms, and alien officers working at customs. Rendered in Barminski’s signature black outlines with bright pops of colour, the exhibition invites visitors to walk through the terminal, peer into secret surveillance rooms, and question the idea that, perhaps, cosmic beings have been walking among us all along.

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!

Tai Kwun pays tribute to the social value of camaraderie and having brothers-in-arms with its newest summer exhibition ‘Better Together – Partnering Up for Hong Kong Movies’, which celebrates the ethos of paak zyu soeng (拍住上) – a Cantonese phrase for team spirit which evokes the image of partnering up with arms around shoulders – as seen in several decades of filmmaking since the 60s. Among the immersive recreations of iconic scenes from eight films and sequels, visitors can expect to walk through the famous upside-down heist scene from Once a Thief starring Chow Yun-fat; contrast two robotic figures from Aces Go Places 2 and Gen-Y Cops; and an iconic stunt action sequence involving a helicopter, motorbike, and gold bars from Police Story 3 – Super Cop. A must-visit for any Hong Kong film buff.

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.

Update, August 25: Marrow has extended its run due to immense popularity. Meat lovers can now enjoy their open-fire seafood and meat dishes until September 30. Click here for details, including brand-new dishes. 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.

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.

Celebrating the city's cherished 3.15pm (aka ‘saam dim saam’) tea culture, Cordis, Hong Kong has partnered with Yau Ma Tei’s historic Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop and food illustrator Kai to present ‘Art In Residence: Tea Time Stories’ from August 17 to October 31. The takeover spans across both Cordis and Tai On, featuring an exhibition of Kai’s signature dining sketches, alongside a reimagined menu of classic afternoon tea treats – including peanut butter mille-feuille, caramelised peanut toast cakes, coconut red bean baked French toast, and peanut butter egg tarts. Visitors stopping by both Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei locations at 3.15pm can also catch daily interactive activities and get their hands on limited-edition merchandise.

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.

The Hong Kong Palace Museum’s new thematic exhibition takes ancient imperial history for a spin through the lens of modern Hong Kong life. Featuring works by nine local artists across multiple disciplines, including painting, sculpture, and multimedia, the showcase reinterprets Qing dynasty court traditions using contemporary urban elements, local pop culture, and everyday city rhythms. The exhibition is open from now until February 22, 2027. Standard entry is included with a general admission ticket ($70 for adults, $35 for concessions), and tickets can be booked directly through the museum website or the WestK app.

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.