Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

The popular Japanese mascot series Namagaki is taking over Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong with a themed installation! Since Namagaki characters began popping up inside claw machines and arcades across town, so many hearts have been captured by their simple yet lovable designs and adorably blank expressions. The Namagaki Festival features a series of installations and exhibits for fans to take pictures with, as well as a charming merch pop-up with exclusive items for sale. Photograph: Courtesy Yell / Festival Walk At the centre of the installation is a four-metre-tall giant oyster can, where Namagaki characters spill out alongside rainbow-coloured sweets. Right next door is the pastel-coloured Namagaki Washoku House, where cute oyster characters act as chef and waiter at this makeshift traditional Japanese eatery. See if you can spot the pink pumpkins dotted around the space – it’s the installation’s discreet nod to the upcoming spooky season.  Beyond photo ops, fans will definitely delight in browsing through the themed pop-up store housing over 100 exclusive Namagaki products, including 80 first launches in Hong Kong that span everything from stationery to t-shirts and tote bags. Don’t forget to stop by the Namagaki claw machine and the collectible trading card capsule machine for an adorable surprise!  Photograph: Courtesy Festival Walk In the spirit of Halloween, Festival Walk is inviting visitors to trick or treat around designated stores in the mall. Exclusive to My Festival members, take part in this seasonal activity by purchasing a $1,000 gift card to receive a limited-edition Baby Namagaki birthstone bag charm and candy can clutch – where you can store your hard-earned sweets.  Namagaki Festival will be at Festival Walk from October 24 to November 13. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 18 hotels in Hong Kong and Macau have been awarded 2025 Michelin Keys OneRepublic is coming back to Hong Kong in February 2026 The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year

Michelin Guide has unveiled its global Keys selection for 2025 earlier this month. This year’s inaugural edition honours over 2,000 properties worldwide while recommending over 5,000 commendable destinations for their excellent hospitality. In Hong Kong and Macau, 18 properties were awarded this esteemed accolade, split across three categories like their Michelin stars for restaurants: One Key, Two Keys, and Three Keys.  Among these 18 top-notch hotels in our territories, The Peninsula Hong Kong was awarded two keys for its world-class service and old-world glamour, while the harmonious marriage of modern luxury and urban quirkiness earned The Upper House two keys for this year as well. Rosewood Hong Kong was awarded the highest accolade – Three Keys – for its understated interiors, comprehensive wellness facility, and spectacular sweeping harbour views offered in its rooms.  Photograph: Courtesy Morpheus, City of Dreams While Macau’s properties have yet to receive a three-key distinction, four hotels were awarded two keys for offering exceptional stays to their guests. City of Dreams – Morpheus stands out with its Hadidian architecture and culinary destinations, while three properties in the Cotai Lisboa integrated resort – The Karl Lagerfeld, Palazzo Versace Macau, and Grand Lisboa Palace Macau – received two keys each for their distinctive Sino-Portuguese design and unapologetic glamour.  The Michelin Key for Hotels recognises the most outstanding properties around the world, from reputable brands to hidden gems. Beyond a hospitality award, the Michelin Key judges hotels based on the experiences they offer, with criteria encompassing design, architecture, service, and personality.  Explore 2025 Michelin Key Hotels beyond our shores.  Hong Kong hotels awarded Michelin Keys 2025 Rosewood Hong Kong (🗝️🗝️🗝️)  The Peninsula Hong Kong (🗝️🗝️)  The Upper House (🗝️🗝️)  Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong (🗝️)  Hotel ICON Hong Kong (🗝️)  The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong (🗝️)  The Murray, Hong Kong (🗝️)  The Ritz–Carlton, Hong Kong (🗝️)  The St. Regis, Hong Kong (🗝️)  Macau hotels awarded Michelin Keys 2025 City of Dreams – Morpheus (🗝️🗝️) Grand Lisboa Palace Macau (🗝️🗝️) The Karl Lagerfeld (🗝️🗝️)  Palazzo Versace Macau (🗝️🗝️)  Banyan Tree Macau (🗝️)  Four Season Hotel Macau (🗝️)  The Londoner Macau (🗝️)  The Ritz-Carlton Macau (🗝️)  The St. Regis Macau (🗝️) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: OneRepublic is coming back to Hong Kong in concert early next year Speaking with Time Out’s Best Young Chefs 2025 winner, Frankie Wong from Ankôma Asia’s 3 most valuable art pieces this year were all sold in Hong Kong

After gracing the city with their electric presence back in 2023, pop-rock legends OneRepublic is making a much-anticipated return to Hong Kong next year! As part of their ‘From Asia, With Love’ Tour, the band will greet fans at the AsiaWorld-Arena on Saturday, February 21, 2026.  Since OneRepublic’s last performance in the city, the six-piece band has continued to amass a global following with hit tracks such as I Ain’t Worried, Run, and Fire. Fans can likely expect a comprehensive setlist featuring all the hits from the band’s robust repertoire, including classics like Counting Stars and Apologize as well as recent releases.  Tickets are priced from $599 to $899. The Gold VIP package will secure you early entry, a commemorative laminate and lanyard with exclusive OneRepublic content, a VIP gift, and priority merch shopping, while the On-Stage Photo VIP package contains all the above and also a group photo opportunity by a professional photographer on OneRepublic’s stage itself. If you’re a Live Nation member, secure tickets during the Live Nation pre-sale between 2pm and 11.59pm on October 23. General tickets will then be available at Cityline from 2pm on October 24.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Speaking with Time Out’s Best Young Chefs 2025 winner, Frankie Wong from Ankôma Asia’s 3 most valuable art pieces this year were all sold in Hong Kong Pet-friendly outdoor festival Doggo Fest is coming to Hong Kong this November

Auction houses globally are experiencing a slowdown in 2025 – declining high-end art sales have been reported across the board, inspiring headlines that proclaim softened results, cooling periods, and market shrinkage. However, it appears that collectors in Hong Kong didn’t quite get the memo, as the top three most valuable art pieces put up for auction in Asia this year were all sold in the city, with one even breaking Asia records. Of all the international auction houses active in Hong Kong, it seems Christie’s had much to celebrate this year. Towards the end of last month, Christie’s 20th/21st Century Evening Sale offered Pablo Picasso’s Buste de Femme (1944) as one of its highlight lots, with an estimate of $86 million to $106 million. An intense bidding war broke out over Buste de Femme but the hammer eventually came down for $196.75 million, smashing Christie’s estimate and setting a new Asia record for the Spanish painter’s works.  Buste de Femme is one of several portraits Picasso created depicting French Surrealist photographer and artist Dora Maar, who served as his muse. Painted during the close of World War II, the expressive brushwork and bursts of vibrant, intense colour appear to convey a sense of hope, in contrast to the muted works from previous years. Photograph: Courtesy Christie’s(L) Pablo Picasso’s Buste de femme (1944), (R) Zao Wou-ki’s 17.3.63 (1963) At the same auction, 17.3.63 by Zao Wou-Ki realised $85.2 million, sitting snugly within its realistic estimates of $70 million and $90 million. Nonetheless, Zao’s fiery painting was among the three most highly valued works to be sold in Asia this year, outstripping other pieces from the same sale event, including Claude Monet, Yayoi Kusama, David Hockney, Marc Chagall, Walter Spies, and Yoshitomo Nara. 17.3.63 is a rare expression of Zao’s artistic sensibilities, as only 18 of these ‘red canvases’ from the same era, style, and size exist. Zao’s travels between Paris and New York and his strong collaborations with galleries that championed his work inspired a more forceful energy in his painting approach in the 1960s, resulting in influential pieces such as this crimson-red piece. Photograph: Courtesy Christie’sJean-Michel Basquiat’s Sabado por la Noche (Saturday Night) Earlier this year in March, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Sabado por la Noche (Saturday Night) was presented by Christie’s as the leading lot of its 20th/21st Century Evening Sale in Hong Kong. Estimated to fetch between $95 million and $125 million, the piece ended up selling for $112.62 million, making it the most valuable work presented at auction in Asia that season. Sabado por la Noche (Saturday Night) is praised as an exemplar of the artist’s unmistakable technique, compositional awareness, and thematic nuances. What a hat trick for Christie’s in Asia – our eyes are trained on what’s to come in 2026. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Pet-friendly outdoor festival Doggo Fest is coming to Hong Kong this November The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year Relive the golden age of Cantopop at this HKDI photography and audio exhibition

Pets are in for a treat this November! Doggo Fest, billed as Hong Kong’s ‘biggest celebration for dogs and their humans’, is taking place at West Kowloon Cultural District from November 14 to 16, promising a weekend of dynamic activities, engrossing workshops, captivating entertainment, and non-stop fun for pets and people alike.  Set in a green space spanning more than 100,000 sq ft, Doggo Fest is divided into numerous zones – some free and some ticketed – following the guidance of vets, experts, and dog trainers. Designed to engage dogs’ senses, the grounds include active areas and quieter spaces for relaxation. Let the pups run wild in Petventure Land, a 7,000-sq-ft playground that boasts a giant ball pit, foam and scent features, and an agility course. In the 6,000-sq-ft Off-Leash Park, dogs of all sizes can take part in trainer-supervised play sessions with enrichment toys and a tetherball pole.  Photograph: Courtesy Doggo Fest 2025 Snap memories of Fido at several photo spots, take things easy at Music & Chill or grab a bite to eat from the restaurant, and soak up pet-related insights at the interactive workshops, where visitors can benefit from the expertise of vets, trainers, dog therapists, massage experts, noseprint artists, and more! At the Doggo Expo, pet brands big and small will take over 100 marketplace stalls. With festival-exclusive discounts to fuel your retail therapy, here’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on treats and accessories! All set to let the dogs out? Purchase your ticket through 01 Space, Klook, or Popticket. Prices for the standard session start at $120 per person, $120 per doggo, or $210 for one person and one doggo as a bundle price. Evening sessions cost $220 per person, $140 per doggo, and $300 for one person and one doggo. Doggo Fest has a strict ‘one-person, one-dog’ policy, so make sure to pair up your pups with their humans! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Relive the golden age of Cantopop at this HKDI photography and audio exhibition The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year Shake Shack’s teaming up with Regent Hong Kong for a deluxe foie gras burger

As one of Hong Kong’s most successful entertainment industries, Cantopop’s impact around the globe was profound, especially during its height from the 1980s to the early 2000s, when legendary performers such as Anita Mui, Alan Tam, Sam Hui, and Leslie Cheung moved the needle in pop culture. Who could forget the excitement and adoration that the Four Heavenly Kings – Andy Lau, Aaron Kwok, Leon Lai, and Jacky Cheung – drummed up during this period of time? And is a late-night karaoke session even a fulfilling one if you’re not queueing up some Eason Chan and Faye Wong tunes? If you’re in the mood for a walk down memory lane, there’s a new Cantopop-dedicated exhibition happening at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) that’s designed to scratch that itch. Presented in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen and the Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers, ‘Recreated Classics: The Music Golden Age in Sound and Frame’ is a nostalgic celebration of Cantopop through visual and audio experiences.  Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Design Institute Running until November 12, this unique exhibition features the works of five distinguished photographers – Jonny Koo, Sam Wong, Cheung Man Wah, Cambo Wong, and Franklin Lau – who captured this vibrant music industry during its heyday, so it’s sure to dredge up some sentimental feelings. Visitors can embark on a multi-sensory journey through the golden age of Cantopop through visual showcases of rare album cover drafts and copies of original film images depicting some of the biggest stars and most popular singers in Cantopop, juxtaposed against the modern works of HKDI students as they present creative reinterpretations of classic album art.  Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Design Institute After you’ve feasted your eyes, it’s time to treat the ears at the ‘Sound & Frame’ zone of the exhibition, where Bang & Olufsen has set up listening stations to allow guests to bop along to chart-topping hits while viewing the music’s corresponding album covers. Bang & Olufsen is also celebrating its centennial, so expect to see a curated showcase of the brand’s iconic audio equipment from decades past, from analogue to digital. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with the melodies that shaped your youth or simply learn more about the rich history of Cantopop when the genre ruled the airwaves, here’s an opportunity to experience some music magic. Best of all, the exhibition is free! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Shake Shack’s teaming up with Regent Hong Kong for a deluxe foie gras burger Tropical cyclone Fengshen brings T3 signal to Hong Kong on Monday and Tuesday WestK Cabaret Nights series returns with exciting new programmes this October

Here’s a collab we never could have predicted: American fast-food chain Shake Shack has teamed up with Regent Hong Kong – yes, the five-star luxury hotel on Victoria Harbour – for a limited-time menu, and it’s nothing like your usual Shake Shack fare!  Get ready for the world-exclusive Foie Gras Shack ($195), available only from November 12 to December 12 at the Lobby Lounge. Based on the classic ShackBurger, this elevated interpretation combines Shake Shack’s signature potato bun with layers of Angus beef patty, melted Gruyere, caramelised onion, black truffle mayonnaise, and a foie gras torchon as the crowning glory, finished off with crispy onions, frisée, and chives.  Photograph: Courtesy Regent Hong Kong No Shake Shack meal is complete without crinkle-cut fries, and Regent Hong Kong has thought of something spectacular for that too: the luxurious Shack Caviar Fries ($225), which are served with crème fraîche bavarois, chives, and irresistible caviar.  May we suggest a glass of Champagne to go with that? Specifically, a Dom Pérignon White Luminous Vintage 2015 ($398 per glass, or $2,280 per bottle) as suggested by the hotel restaurant as a suitable pairing for this delightfully flavourful meal. Photograph: Courtesy Henrik Hui / Regent Hong Kong Diners are bound to feel chic and sophisticated while enjoying these exclusive collaboration items in the grand Lobby Lounge, with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour to boot. If you’re lucky enough to be among the first 100 guests to get your hands on the Foie Gras Shack, not only will you walk away with bragging rights, but also a special-edition collector’s goodie bag that commemorates this first-of-its-kind collaboration. Make your reservations here to be the first to try this exciting launch! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Tropical cyclone Fengshen could bring a T3 signal to Hong Kong on Monday WestK Cabaret Nights series returns with exciting new programmes this October Twist Pasta Bar combines Hong Kong flavours with the best of comfort food

Just as you thought the curtains were falling on typhoon season and we’d finally get to enjoy some nice, mild weather, Mother Nature has come to whack us on the nose with her metaphorical rolled-up newspaper for being impertinent. Hong Kong could be faced with a T3-level bout of bad weather today. As of 10am on Monday, October 20, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) notes that the tropical cyclone Fengshen is centred about 300km south of Pratas Island. The Strong Monsoon Signal is currently in force, but the weather watchdog will consider upgrading the warning to a Strong Wind Signal No. 3 between 5pm and 7pm today. While Fengshen approaches the coast of Guangdong, there is also a northeast monsoon affecting the southern Chinese coast. This combined effect means it will be persistently windy and the skies will be cloudy with rain over the next couple of days. We can expect rain to be more frequent over Tuesday and early Wednesday, and the water level over Victoria Harbour will rise to approximately three metres above Chart Datum at night from Tuesday to Thursday. The HKO warns that flooding may occur over some low-lying coastal areas during high tide for a few consecutive nights this week.  The only good thing out of this impending tropical cyclone is that temperatures will fall to around 19 degrees Celsius this Tuesday to Thursday in Hong Kong’s urban areas, with the mercury being a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. As Fengshen begins to weaken and depart, the weather will brighten and warm up, going as low as 22 degrees Celsius with a maximum temperature of 30 degree Celsius over Friday and the coming weekend. Keep an eye on weather updates on the HKO website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: WestK Cabaret Nights series returns with exciting new programmes this October Twist Pasta Bar combines Hong Kong flavours with the best of comfort food General sales for MAMA Hong Kong 2025 go on sale Monday, October 20

Jazz hands at the ready! WestK is continuing the success of its Cabaret Nights series with a number of exciting programmes from this month. Since May 2025, Cabaret Nights has captivated audiences with vibrant entertainment that celebrates the rich tapestry of Hong Kong’s artistic spirit. From soulful melodies to exhilarating performances, this season’s got music, standup comedy, theatre, and dance, evoking laughter, tears, and connection. Everything takes place at the Tea House Theatre at Xiqu Centre on two to three evenings per month, so there’s plenty of programmes to choose from. Kicking things off on October 21 is a quadruple threat event to welcome guests back into the mesmerising cabaret fold. ‘A Night of Stories by MsLolo, Terrence Leung, Kitty Wong, and Coco She’ gathers four distinctly different personalities onto the same stage, but the personal stories shared will only bring audiences closer together. From African drum beats and dance to Disney singalongs and Broadway belters, there’s plenty of moving and grooving to be expected.  Actor Jim Hui will pick up the baton on November 24 to present an evening of standup comedy, while the formidable trio of Kenix Tsang, Marco Tang, and Chloe Wong will bring the art of musical storytelling to the fore. Performers Zoe Chan, Talie Monin, Chan Hing-to, and Maha Ma will present an eclectic showcase of unique stories on December 15 that looks to the past and pushes ahead into the future. Singer and actress Annie Cheung will also captivate audiences through her original theatre and drama therapy work, ‘LI(N)ES 2.0’, on December 16, along with collaborator Daniel Chu and a live band. As the year draws to a close, Marco Tang, Terrence Leung, Coco She, and Marc Ngan will come together for an early festive celebration on December 17, giving thanks and dreaming big.  Last but not least, at the start of 2026, there’s one last Cabaret Nights hurrah in the form of Yeung Chun-to, Cecilia Lau, and Leanne Jackson, who will forge new paths with their avant-garde performances and artistic showcases. See the full programme on the WestK website and get your tickets now through Cityline or Art-mate. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: New daytime house music concept Selva is launching in Hong Kong Twist Pasta Bar combines Hong Kong flavours with the best of comfort food 2025 MAMA Awards Hong Kong tickets are now on sale

While Hong Kong definitely has no shortage of restaurants serving pasta, so many of them stick to the tried-and-tested formulas instead of playing around with this versatile staple food. Perhaps they’re afraid of offending the Italians or they don’t know how to innovate with such a well-established dish, but either way, the newest pasta joint in town, Twist Pasta Bar, has no such qualms. From the minds behind other fantastic F&B establishments like Bourke’s, Honky Tonks Tavern, Terracotta Lamma, and Mendel’s, Twist is a love letter to pasta, using the noodles as a canvas for flavours, textures, and ideas. Aside from classics like baked rigatoni ($180) with ‘nduja, spicy vodka, and ricotta, their main draw for us is how they’re incorporating Hong Kong flavours into undeniably western dishes. Photograph: Courtesy David Thomas Holmberg / Twist Pasta Bar Head chef Ben Sears brings his 20-strong years of experience in both western and East Asian kitchens to the table, reinterpreting local tastes into his pasta offerings, such as the bone marrow macaroni ($180) which is his take on the curry brisket noodles often sold in cha chaan tengs. The squid ink spaghetti ($170) is topped with dried shrimp roe from Yau Kee, and the Hong Kong twists carry into desserts as well, such as with the white chocolate and soy milk panna cotta ($80), a nod to Kung Wo Beancurd Factory’s tofu pudding. Don’t ignore the drinks menu, as their cocktails are also culinary-driven with interesting flavour profiles. For instance, the truffle sour contains black truffle gin and Oloroso sherry, while the caprese martini is a savoury slant to the classic drink, served with a mozzarella sidecar. We have a feeling you’re going to need to loosen your belt before heading in. Find Twist Pasta Bar on 17 Bridges Street – they’re open from 5pm on Wednesdays to Sundays. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 2025 MAMA Awards pre-sale tickets will go on sale this Friday Autumnal weather to arrive in Hong Kong next week, with temperatures dropping to the low 20s Kowloon Shangri-La’s highly popular Japanese bread breakfast buffet is back

Do you remember an exhibition last summer that displayed miniature scenes of the Central and Western districts in Pacific Place? In case you missed it, the Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is back once again, this time with more incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. The 24 art pieces will highlight some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, cultural customs, and unique lifestyles. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nighttime revelry along Lan Kwai Fong, the customs of worship and pin wheel buying at Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway, views of Victoria Harbour complete with boats sailing and fireworks, and more.  Photograph: Courtesy Joyful Miniature Association The new miniatures at this show include the Kai Tak Sports Park, the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, night scenes of Temple Street, horse racing, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s transhipment history at the Insta-famous Western District Pier. The JMA brings together over 100 Hong Kong artists who collectively integrate the traditionally European craft of miniatures with our distinctly local culture using cutting-edge technology. If there’s one way to stroll through the most iconic sights and experiences of Hong Kong in just a few steps, this exhibition is definitely it. ‘Hong Kong: Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition’ will be on display at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong ranked as the 10th most walkable city in the world; 1st in East Asia Hong Kong Airport Express proposes fare increase of 9.4 percent The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is hosting a carnival this Sunday

We sit down with artist and designer Joe Foti before his new exhibition in Hong Kong

March in Hong Kong is not complete without a trip to the Wanchai Convention Centre to spend a day or two at Art Basel. This year’s fair gathers 240 global galleries, with large-scale installations, paintings, sculptures, digital art, live performances, video works, and more to see!

From a world without colours to her love of big city metros, we caught up with British artist Monster Chetwynd for a round of quick-fire questions while she's in town for her new installation at Pacific Place! 

Free on Tuesdays? Head over to Hugo's in TST for their unlimited steak and frites night, which also come with Caesar salad, a dessert, and plenty of tipples – just remember to wear loose pants.

G'day foodies! Renowned chef Shane Osborn has just opened a laidback Aussie-style cafe inspired by Australian pit stops. Perfect for a casual meal when in Central.

This arts month, don't miss Hong Kong's first ASMR exhibition that will give you all kinds of tingles.

This ‘Picasso for Asia’ exhibition is the first time that masterpieces from the Musée national Picasso-Paris are being shown alongside works from an Asian museum collection. Find out what makes the Spanish master of Cubism so influential – you have until mid-July!

These cool (and just a tad creepy) faceless sculptures are here for the whole of Hong Kong Arts Month, so make time in your diary to visit this month

What is villain hitting and why are old ladies beating paper with a shoe for $50? Of all the weird and wonderful traditions we have in Hong Kong, this one is definitely up there.