Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Do you know how high streets, town centres, and shopping malls can often feel very monotonous and forgettable? They all carry the same generic shops with the same coffee shop conglomerate outlets and chain restaurants, with barely a hint of interesting character. The places that truly capture your attention, especially when travelling, are the streets and avenues that locals love, packed with independent shops and nooks and crannies to stick your nose into. That’s why Time Out’s global network of local editors and experts have nominated the streets that epitomise the best of their cities, and these choices were then ranked against criteria like food, drink, culture, fun, and community spirit. Hong Kong’s many streets and alleys did not make it onto the list this year, but two of the highest ranked cool streets of the world lie only about a three-hour flight from home. Hongkongers need no excuse to jet off to Japan, but if you’re looking for a reason, then you’ve got it! Orange Street in Osaka, just off of Shinsaibashi, is officially the second coolest street in the world and it’s a must-visit for those who go to Japan with empty suitcases to fill. Known in the 2010s as a hotspot for streetwear brands and hype culture, these days Orange Street has gone back to its roots as an antique hub, with plenty of vintage furniture and clothes shops for every thrifting fiend. From Hermès and Gucci mugs to one-off fashion samples at bargain prices, there’s plenty to look through here – but fear not, Orange Street also houses cafés, Osakan street food, neo-izayaka joints, and more to revive the weary shopper. Photograph: Nicole-Marie Ng for Time Out The other Asian street within the top five is Chengdu’s Fanghua Street, a blend of sleepy, retro Chengdu life and youthful, design-led energy. Between low-rise apartment buildings sit coffee shops that turn into wine bars and artsy studios, alongside the city’s traditional hole-in-the-wall snack stalls.  So what is the coolest street in the world this year, you ask? The crown goes to Rua do Senado in Rio de Janeiro, a bohemian area of downtown Rio where historic townhouses and traditional bars live on next to newer restaurants and lively nightlife spots that inject fresh energy into the neighbourhood. Porto’s Rua do Bonjardim and Sherbrooke Street West in Montreal make up ranks three and five, respectively. If you want your next travel itinerary to literally go off the beaten path, check out the full list of the 31 coolest streets in the world for 2025 – there are quite a few other Asian destinations that have made the cut! 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: This bathroom in Hong Kong’s clubbing district is the best public toilet in the city Peng Leng Jeng is hosting a one-night-only hotpot and karaoke evening Mummies, sarcophagi, colossal statues, and more ancient Egyptian treasures are on display in Hong Kong

To mark World Toilet Day on November 19, the Hong Kong Toilet Association (HKTA) has revealed the results of their annual public toilet ranking and, to our surprise, it was the loo in Lan Kwai Fong – round the block from the 7-Eleven and in the alley next to the garden – that got crowned top spot. Usually, it goes without saying that rowdy, inebriated party people and trying to keep a place spotless don’t really go hand in hand. But the Lan Kwai Fong public toilet has surpassed all expectations by being clean and odourless despite being frequented by nighttime revellers. Of course, this isn’t saying that the party crowds are going out of their way to use the bathroom hygienically and responsibly, but rather a testament to the janitorial staff manning this location. Photograph: Yuen According to Henry Hung, president of the HKTA, ‘the toilet host was cleaning all the time [...] and kept opening the door to see whether there’s anything left dirty’. While the cleaners of this particular public loo are no doubt doing a fantastic job, we think it’s also worth mentioning that most barhoppers or club-goers in Lan Kwai Fong are probably using the facilities in the different drinking establishments that they’re spending time in. Regardless, this toilet is serviced round the clock during weekends and public holidays and is equipped with air conditioning, automatic sensor water taps, soap dispensers, and a touchless flush system. Rounding up the top of the best public restrooms list are the Kam Tin Shi public toilet in Yuen Long and the Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Kennedy Town, ranked second and third, respectively. The Catchick Street location in particular is interesting, because it was ranked Hong Kong’s worst just two years ago. And the worst public toilet in Hong Kong this year? That title belongs to the Kowloon City Road public toilet in To Kwa Wan, which the HKTA described as being dirty with a foul odour and wet floors. Along with the results of this bathroom cleanliness report, the HKTA is also urging the authorities to refurbish ageing public toilets and maintain Hong Kong’s hygiene facilities better. 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: Peng Leng Jeng is hosting a one-night-only hotpot and karaoke evening Mummies, sarcophagi, colossal statues, and more ancient Egyptian treasures are on display in Hong Kong Caribbean rum bar The Daily Tot will close after five years in Hong Kong

If, like us, you’ve always been a huge fan of ancient Egyptian lore, then put that interactive Egyptology book that you’ve kept since childhood back onto the bookshelf and head out to the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM)! In a landmark collaboration between the 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. Seven museums affiliated with the SCA of Egypt – including the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Luxor Museum of the Ancient Egyptian Art, the Suez Museum, and more – have shipped over their priceless collections to be shown in Hong Kong.  Photograph: CH The exhibition also includes more recent archaeological discoveries from Saqqara – the necropolis of the ancient capital Memphis. Think everything from monumental statues and mummy coffins, to death masks and everyday objects, spanning nearly 4,000 years of history. Many of these artefacts are being shown outside of Egypt 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. On your way out of the main exhibition hall, don’t miss the small room just left of the exit which shows cross-cultural encounters between ancient Egypt and other early civilisations – this is where you can find a stone stele inscribed with three scripts (Egyptian hieroglyphs, Egyptian demotic script, and ancient Greek) that brings to mind the Rosetta Stone.  Photograph: Catharina Cheung Stop by the gift store to pick up folders, clothing, bags, stationery, even perfume, and much more that’s all Egyptian themed. Call us brainwashed by the plush toy trend, but the star of the show here is the blind-box series featuring six bag charm collectibles in iconic Egyptian figures such as canopic jars, pharaohs, and mummies! Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Palace Museum The ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’ exhibition is available through the HKPM’s special access ticket, priced at $190 for adults, which allows entry into all thematic exhibitions in galleries one to seven as well as this special one. Full access tickets, priced at $230 for adults, allows entry to everything from galleries one to nine. There’s also a family package available with discounts of up to 20 percent, or the ‘blind box + full access flex ticket’ combo which costs $368 and includes one ancient Egyptian blind box. Until November 30, members of HKPM Friends will also receive a special-edition plush bag charm which is not for sale. 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: Caribbean rum bar The Daily Tot will close after five years in Hong Kong Here are all of Hong Kong’s medal wins at the 15th National Games Everything you need to know about Clockenflap 2025

Economic realities claim yet another victim in Hong Kong: Central’s Cuban-inspired rum bar The Daily Tot has announced that it will be permanently closing its doors by early December.  This ode to Caribbean sips on the corner of Peel Street and Hollywood Road opened smack dab in the middle of the pandemic during 2020 and has been a beloved drinking spot among Hong Kong’s nighttime revelers for five years. Rum lovers, premium cigar enthusiasts, and cocktail drinkers alike have been known to congregate in The Daily Tot’s warm-toned, leafy decorated space, as well as its outdoor patio seating area. Photograph: Courtesy The Daily Tot Unfortunately, rising costs of operations within a post-pandemic landscape that has proved slow to recover has meant that the bar will be shuttering for good at the end of the day on Tuesday, December 2. To celebrate the good times and memories over its five-year run, The Daily Tot will be hosting a two-day farewell party on November 28 and 29, bringing back their first-ever music act DJ Minou on November 29 to spin for one final Rum & Riddim night. However, there is a slight chance that the bar might make a comeback in the future. According to the hospitality group behind The Daily Tot, Singular Concepts, this is ‘not a ‘goodbye’ forever. “We hold onto the concept and the spirit of The Daily Tot and hope to be back in the near future,” says CEO David Sit. We’ll see you there for one last tot of rum! 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: Here are all of Hong Kong’s medal wins at the 15th National Games Everything you need to know about Clockenflap 2025 Moomin’s 80th anniversary brings an immersive experience to Hong Kong

For the past week, it’s been all eyes on the 15th National Games, taking place from November 9 to 21 in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. Elite athletes from across various Chinese provinces, municipalities, and special administrative regions have gathered for this respected sporting competition, hoping to achieve top honours. With competition events for 34 sports and mass participation events for 23 sports, there’s plenty to follow and watch over the course of the 15th National Games. Hong Kong is hosting the competitions for basketball (men’s U22), track cycling, fencing, golf, handball (men), rugby sevens, triathlon, beach volleyball, and bowling. As of publication, Hong Kong athletes have secured a total of 17 podium finishes, resulting in eight gold medals, two silver medals, and seven bronze medals, in events such as cycling, tennis, sailing, swimming, rugby, triathlon, and fencing. Read on to find out who the winners are, which competitions they have excelled in, and which medals they have secured for the city. Hong Kong gold medals Sailing In Guangdong, Nicholas Bezy Halliday won gold in men’s ILCA 7 with a total score of 33 points, marking the first gold medal for Hong Kong in the 15th National Games. Cycling Ceci Lee Sze-wing has not been slacking off during the 15th National Games – the cyclist made history at the Hong Kong Velodrome when she won her third individual gold medal at one National Games. Now that’s a record that will be tough for any ambitious Hong Kong athlete to surpass! With a gold in women’s road cycling individual, a gold in the madison event, and a gold in the omnium event, Lee is firmly at the top of her game.  Chloe Leung Wing-yee was Lee’s teammate in the madison event – together, they secured the gold for Hong Kong and contributed to an impressive medal tally. Photograph: Courtesy Hector Retamal / AFP Swimming Ian Ho Yentou set a new standard when he snagged the first-ever gold medal for Hong Kong’s men’s swimming in the men’s 50-metre freestyle competition, achieving a record time of 21.71 seconds ahead of Liaoning’s Chen Hao, Fujian’s Liu Wudi, and Zhejiang’s Pan Zhanle – China’s Olympic darling at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Golden child Siobhan Haughey walked, nay, swam off with gold in women’s 100-metre freestyle and gold in the women’s 200-metre freestyle – all on par for this remarkable swimmer who continues to collect shiny hardware for Hongkongers to be proud of. Rugby Hong Kong won its first-ever gold medal for rugby sevens at the 15th National Games, beating out Shandong with a final score of 26-19. It was a nail-biting contest – Shandong pulled ahead in the second half, but Hong Kong ultimately secured the win, marking Hong Kong’s men’s rugby sevens’ sensational return to the National Games after a long hiatus. Hong Kong silver medals Fencing Aaron Ho Sze-long competed in the men’s individual sabre event at Kai Tak Arena and came second on the podium, giving Hong Kong its best-ever finish for fencers at the National Games and securing Hong Kong’s very first sabre medal. Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk Triathlon Hong Kong claimed the silver medal in the mixed relay event, finishing the 0.3-km swim, 6.6-km cycle ride, and 1.8-km run with a time of one hour, 24 minutes, and 16 seconds. Triathletes Cade Wright, Bailee Brown, Oscar Coggins, and Robin Elg were neck-to-neck with the Shandong team, who snapped up first place by 11 seconds. Hong Kong bronze medals Swimming Siobhan Haughey’s been on a roll. In addition to her gold medals, she also snapped up two bronzes in swimming at this year’s National Games – one for the 50-m breaststroke with a time of 30.71 seconds, and another for the 50-m freestyle with a time of 24.84 seconds. She shares her second bronze medal with Zhejiang’s Lü Yue, who finished at the same time. Adam Mak Sai-ting achieved bronze in the men’s 200-m breaststroke, handily setting a new city record and achieving Hong Kong’s first-ever medal in men’s swimming. He touched the wall after Qin Haiyang of Shanghai (gold) and Dong Zhihao of Jiangsu (silver). Photograph: Courtesy Franck Fife / AFP Fencing Olympic sensation and World No. 13 Edgar Cheung Ka-long missed out on a higher podium finish after a loss to Fujian’s Xu Jie claimed bronze in the men’s individual foil event, achieving victory with a 15-2 score against Zeng Zhaoran. Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan participated in the women’s individual épée and achieved bronze, securing the win against Guangdong’s Mo Wanlin with a final score of 15-9. Tennis Hong Kong’s youth men’s tennis team claimed the city’s inaugural medal for the sport at the 15th National Games, securing the podium finish for bronze after a loss to Jiangsu. Triathlon Oscar Coggins took home a bronze medal in the men’s individual race for the triathlon segment, battling against Henan’s Fan Junjie (gold) and Liaoning’s Chen Qing (silver) to finish with a final time of one hour, 49 minutes, and 21 seconds. 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: Everything you need to know about Clockenflap 2025 Moomin’s 80th anniversary brings an immersive experience to Hong Kong This Hong Kong university has been ranked as the best in Asia

Everyone’s favourite Finnish cartoon Moomin is celebrating its 80th birthday this year! To mark the occasion, an immersive, interactive exhibition is now in town at the Kai Tak Sports Park. ‘The Beginning of The Moomins’ is set to be a wonderland for Moomin lovers, featuring a historical corridor that details Moomin’s evolution since 1945, plus seven themed zones recreated from its origin story, Moomin and the Great Flood, complete with interactive installations and photo spots.  Arrive to find a life-sized recreation of Moominvalley awaiting your discovery. The first recreated scene from the Great Flood is a stark, black-and-white forest that serves as a nostalgic opening to the experience. Similar to the story, visitors will have the chance to seek out the hidden creature Sniff using adorable flower-shaped flashlights. Another highlight is a luminous scene populated with countless Hattifatteners sailing on a red boat, where visitors can experience Moomin’s magical encounter with these mysterious creatures first-hand. Photograph: Courtesy Moomin Characters ™ / Trendic The climax of the experience is the flooding scene. Here, flickering lights stand in for soaring waves and, just as Moomin does in the story, visitors must climb onboard “floating” furniture to retrieve Moominpappa’s message in a bottle. The epilogue of the experience features a screening of a special animation by Finnish creative team NULL plus photo ops with Moomin and its family at the garden and Moominhouse.  Take your time strolling down the historical corridor, which showcases Moomin’s development over the years through reproduced manuscripts, rare promotional memorabilia, and a library of original novels and picture books for browsing.  Photograph: Courtesy Moomin Characters ™ / Trendic Remember to stop by the pop-up shop for exclusive merchandise and even customise and mail your own Moominhouse card at the postcard station. To commemorate its 80th milestone, an adorable DIY wooden lightbox is available with the purchase of a special edition ticket ($300 per ticket), featuring Moomin and friends picnicking and frolicking in a whimsical open field.  ‘The Beginning of The Moomins’ opens between 11am and 10pm, until January 4, 2026 at 2/F and 4/F, Kai Tak Retail Galleria Phase 2, Kai Tak Sports Park. Tickets are priced from $128 per person. Preorder your tickets and find out more about the exhibition at incutix.com.  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: This Hong Kong university has been ranked as the best in Asia Viral Noodoll potato plushies take over Langham Place this Christmas A real-life Disney princess is set to perform in Hong Kong

Another day, another list ranking Hong Kong somewhere near the top, but this one – unlike the usual about our city being almost too expensive to live in, which only sends us spiralling into depression – is definitely a ranking to be proud of.  In the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings for Asia published by higher education consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds, which includes more than 1,500 academic institutions for 2026, our very own University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been recognised as the best university in the region, achieving a perfect score of 100. HKU managed to beat out stiff competition in the shape of Peking University in second place with an overall score of 99.9, and National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) – both tied in third place with a score of 99. It was no doubt a tight race, representing a minor reshuffling of the previous year’s results, which saw Peking University in first place, HKU in second, and NUS in third.  In fact, a significant number of Hong Kong universities seem to dominate this year’s top 10 rankings, with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology coming in at No. 6 with a score of 98.5, City University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong jointly tied at No. 7 with an equal score of 98.4, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University tidily rounding out the list at No. 10 with a respectable 97.1 score. See the full list and which Asian universities made it into the top 100 on the QS website. Top 10 universities in Asia, according to QS Asia University Rankings 2026: The University of Hong Kong Peking University Nanyang Technological University; and Singapore and National University of Singapore (tied) Fudan University The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology City University of Hong Kong; and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (tied) Tsinghua University The Hong Kong Polytechnic University 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: Viral Noodoll potato plushies take over Langham Place this Christmas Hongkongers aged 65 or above can ride the MTR for free on Senior Citizens Day A real-life Disney princess is set to perform in Hong Kong

If, like us, are obsessed with Noodoll’s Ricespud potato plushies, then we have good news! This Christmas, these adorable mascots are bringing their pudgy physique and unique personalities to Langham Place. The ‘Noodoll: Merry PotatoMAS’ installation gathers the whole potato family for a jovial celebration.  Noodoll’s taters will be making its debut at Langham Place’s fourth-floor atrium, which has been transformed into a luxurious department store – think Hamleys at Regent Street, or a spud version of Harrods in London – adorned with sparkling tinsels, glittered-up gift boxes, and a Christmas tree (yes, it’s decorated with potato plushie baubles). Photograph: Courtesy Elvis Tang / Langham Place 12 Noodoll potato characters are waiting around the red-and-gold grand lobby of the department store, each set in poses like a bellhop or even a mischievous prankster that made a chandelier collapse. There’s also a booth shaped like a lift where you can rip open a pack of crisps and munch away to create your own ASMR video. Beyond a celebration for Christmas, ‘Merry PotatoMAS’ coincides with Langham Place’s 20th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the mall has partnered with Noodoll for a series of limited-edition collectibles. You’ll find the adorable mascots transformed into Gumble-esque ‘Potato Soup Cans’ at the PotatoMas Department Store Gift Shop alongside themed merchandise and gifts. Don’t forget to also try your hand at the gift raffle where the grand prizes are the new iPhone 17 and AirPods. Photograph: Catharina Cheung Visit these festive spuds from November 14 to January 1, 2026 at Langham Place in Mong Kok, and stay tuned for more information on interactive programmes, giveaways, and more at langhamplace.com.hk/happenings.  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: Hongkongers aged 65 or above can ride the MTR for free on Senior Citizens Day A real-life Disney princess is set to perform in Hong Kong Hong Kong temperatures to take a significant dip next week

For those among us who grew up with and were nourished on 90s Disney animated films, the dulcet tones and infectious melodies penned by legends such as Alan Menken, Jerry Goldsmith, and Hans Zimmer are no doubt seared into our brains. It’s not every day that you get a chance to have your ears blessed in person by the angelic voice of a Disney princess, but that’s exactly what Hongkongers get to look forward to this coming January: Lea Salonga, the singing voice for Aladdin’s Jasmine and Mulan’s eponymous heroine, will return to Hong Kong to perform for one night only!  Be still, our beating hearts – this is going to an epic concert. A night of enchantment and nostalgia awaits at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort as part of its extensive 20th anniversary celebration. Salonga’s one-night-only ‘Disney Legend Live in Concert’ will take place on January 10, 2026 under the dazzling lights of the Castle of Magical Dreams, a reprise of  two decades earlier when she sang at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s grand opening. As the singer behind Jasmine and Mulan, Salonga’s spellbinding voice has captivated the hearts of countless fans the world over, making this a truly special occasion for Disney fans in Hong Kong. Salonga is a legendary figure even outside of her Disney singing roles, having originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway, performed in Les Misérables and Flower Drum Song, and released several award-winning recording albums. She is the first Asian actress to win a Tony Award, and the ‘Pride of the Philippines’ also has a Laurence Olivier Award and two Grammy Award nominations. In 2011, Salonga was officially named a Disney Legend for her treasured work! Photograph: Courtesy leasalonga.com During the concert, the singer will take Disney fans on a musical journey through the enchanting stories of Disney Princesses and Queens, accompanied by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Disneyland Band. Expect to hear timeless Disney classics from the animated films, and get ready for special appearances by six beloved Disney characters: Jasmine, Mulan, Tiana, Elsa, Cinderella, and Pocahontas! Standard and VIP Seating Area Passes are now available for purchase, with a Standard Seating Area Pass costing $740 and a VIP Seating Area Pass costing $980. Book your tickets through Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s official website now before they sell out. Remember to pack the tissues – no promises we won’t be bawling our eyes out right alongside you when she bursts into ‘A Whole New World’ and ‘Reflection’! 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 temperatures to take a significant dip next week This iconic Hong Kong museum has finally reopened with a new exhibition This tattoo festival is themed around Hong Kong’s siu mai, of all things

Hongkongers have been treated to consecutive days of milder weather this week – a sign that autumn has, at long last, arrived in the city. While the mercury has hovered between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius on most days, with breezy winds wafting through for that added cool, we might be talking scarves and proper coats as soon as next week. According to the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Hong Kong will brace for a notable drop in temperature early next week as a dry northeast monsoon is expected to roll in over the weekend. It will bring fine weather and a significant chill with it when it reaches the coast of Guangdong on Monday night. Tuesday and Wednesday will be the days to watch out for as the mercury is forecasted to plunge to 15 and 13 degrees Celsius, respectively, with a high of 20 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and 18 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Humidity levels will be lowered as well, reaching a comfortably dry 35 to 60 percent, and wind force is expected to be brisk and strong at times offshore.  For those who love the cold, this will come as welcome news after what has felt like an especially hot, humid, and prolonged summer season, with tropical cyclones and heavy rainstorms continuously battering the city. Unfortunately, this autumnal influx of cool weather is not predicted to last for more than a few days, as the temperature is forecasted to steadily climb back up again to a high around the mid-20 by the following Saturday. No matter – we’ll take whatever chance we can get to dress up in layers and dust off our boots and outerwear before they get completely consumed by moths in our closets! Keep an eye on the weather and temperature forecast on HKO’s 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: This iconic Hong Kong museum has finally reopened with a new exhibition This tattoo festival is themed around Hong Kong’s siu mai, of all things Everything you need to know about the Black Eyed Peas’ concert in 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. See footage of the Namagaki Festival pop-up here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) 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

Remember when we all saw a giant Doraemon sitting unexpectedly at the dockyard along Tsing Yi last week? Well, the news is out and it’s not that a robotic cat is invading Hong Kong – instead, a fleet of floating inflatable sculptures will be making their appearance along Victoria Harbour next month. AllRightsReserved, the local creative brand behind last year’s thousands of panda sculptures and the recent Chiikawa exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, is putting on the Water Parade, where a set of four giant, floating inflatable figures will be making a debut at sea. In the lineup is Doraemon, perched on his favourite dorayaki snack; Elmo from the Kaws & Sesame Street collaboration; McDonalds’ purple blob-shaped mascot Grimace; and Labubu, the globally viral Nordic-inspired monster by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. After a trial run in the waters of Tsing Yi on September 20, these four figures will be set afloat along Victoria Harbour on October 25, and will be shown in brand-new poses. Visit them just off of Tamar Park in Admiralty and snap plenty of photos, because when else are you going to see such universally recognised and different cartoon characters all sitting together? Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved On November 1, the floating sculptures will be taken on a water parade between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing along both sides of Victoria Harbour, before departing from our waters on the evening of the same day. For the entire duration of the sculpture display, there will also be a Water Parade Market at the promenade near Tamar Park. Aside from pop-up stores, F&B stands, game booths, photo spots, and a capsule toy zone, the market will also feature other internationally popular IPs from KPop Demon Hunters, season five of Stranger Things, Squid Games, Snoopy and the Peanuts, as well as Hong Kong’s classic TOLO Founding Duck, which is marking its 40th anniversary. Early-bird tickets to the festivities will be available at $50 for adults, starting at 12 noon on September 26. Walk-in tickets can also be purchased on site, subject to availability. All tickets include a $20 merchandise voucher, which can be redeemed cumulatively on purchases of every $200. Attendees can also buy a viewing platform special ticket at $150, which includes entry to the Water Parade Market. See some footage of the Water Parade here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) 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: The best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (September 22-28) Super Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong braces for the strongest typhoon of the year as it approaches the city

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!