Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

For travellers and locals who want to take in the sights of Hong Kong’s famous skyline and Victoria Harbour from the lofty heights of the Peak, there are several options available: hopping on public transport for a nausea-inducing ride, driving that winding uphill route yourself, committing to a good old hike from starting points such as Mid-Levels or Wan Chai, or choosing the quickest and most efficient alternative: the Peak Tram. However, those who want to take the Peak Tram for upcoming visits may think twice before doing so, as prices for the popular funicular have increased significantly. A new fare structure for the Peak Tram came into effect on December 29, with price hikes applied to four ticketing categories: the Peak Tram ticket, the Special Combo ticket, the Peak Tram Ruby Special ticket, and the Sky Terrace 428 ticket.  One adult single-ride Peak Tram ticket now costs $82 as opposed to $76, and adult Peak Tram return tickets cost $116 each rather than $108, representing a moderate 7.9-percent and 7.4-percent inflation, respectively. While that can still be stomached, the fare increase for children and seniors is more substantial: they will now pay $75 for a round-trip Peak Tram ticket and $52 for a single-trip Peak Tram ticket, respectively, which accounts for a whopping 38.9-percent and 36.8-percent increase from previous fare prices.  Photograph: Courtesy The Peak/William Furniss But wait, it gets worse: the Peak Tram Ruby Special ticket package, which includes a Peak Tram return ticket with priority lane access and single entry to Sky Terrace 428 and Mei Lok Experience Studio, will now cost $342 for adults and $222 for children and seniors. It used to cost just $149 for concessionary tickets – that’s a painful 49-percent jump. No reason was given for the dramatically increased fare prices, but one could suspect it’s either because the Peak Tramways Company Limited is doing really well in terms of passenger traffic and wants to capitalise on the high demand it is experiencing, or quite the opposite. We know what we’ll be doing: lacing up our trainers and going for a walk instead… 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 ranks 2nd in the world for highest ultra-wealthy population We went to casual trattoria-style dining Mi Manchi in East Kowloon, and here’s what we thought Here’s everything we know so far about Hong Kong’s first official Comic Con

As the saying goes, the rich just keep getting richer. It’s certainly no different in Hong Kong – our city’s been recognised time and again as one of the richest territories in the world, as well as one of the wealthiest cities. However, new findings by global data and intelligence firm Altrata have revealed just how true that age-old maxim rings. According to Altrata’s World Ultra Wealth Report 2025, which studied ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) countries and cities around the world, Hong Kong’s uber-wealthy population experienced dramatic levels of growth from January to June 2025, reaching a total of 17,215 individuals. It’s an oddly specific number, but it catapults Hong Kong to the No. 2 city in the world when it comes to UHNW residents, representing an increase of 22.9 percent from the previous observation period. For the purposes of Altrata’s report, UHNW individuals are defined as those with a net worth of more than $233 million (an approximate conversion from the US$30 million mark provided). Laying claim to 17,215 UHNW individuals out of 510,810 – the global UHNW population number calculated by Altrata – means that Hong Kong is home to 3.37 percent of the world’s ultra-rich. Hong Kong ranks second only to New York – in first place with 21,380 UHNW individuals – but sits ahead of Los Angeles (11,680), San Francisco (8,270), and Chicago (7,530). No other city in Asia appears in the top five results, and Hong Kong is one of only two cities in Asia to make it into the top 10. (Tokyo sits at No. 6 with UHNW 6,940 individuals.) In the report, Altrata details that Asia’s UHNW population grew by 6.4 percent in the first half of 2025, a much stronger performance than in Europe, cementing Asia as the second-largest ultra-wealth region in the world. Hong Kong was recognised as a “standout performer” due to its rapid advancement and importance as an international financial centre, with an ultra-wealthy population “at a level well above” other cities. However, on a wider playing field that factors in countries and territories rather than just cities, the United States, China, and Germany are ranked in the top three, with a total of 192,470, 52,020, and 26,570 UHNW individuals as part of their population, respectively. Read the full World Ultra Wealth Report 2025 here. 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: We went to casual trattoria-style dining Mi Manchi in East Kowloon, and here’s what we thought Here’s everything we know so far about Hong Kong’s first official Comic Con Passenger drones could be coming to Hong Kong as soon as 2027

Newly opened at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre is Mi Manchi, a laid-back trattoria serving a menu of casual Italian fare. Located just minutes away from the Kowloon Bay MTR station and between the neighbourhood’s residential areas, Mi Manchi is a no-fuss, family-friendly destination with a touch of class — thanks to its artsy abode.  Tucked away within the Cultural Centre, Mi Manchi sports an open-planned interior complete with two-storey floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooks the surrounding metropolis. Its window counter seats are ideal for a lazy afternoon of people watching, while its booths and tables add extra comfort and privacy to your meals.  Photograph: Celia Lee Mi Manchi offers a menu of Italian classics revamped with a local twist. A highlight is the tofu cheese foam with focaccia toast ($78), a light and fluffy tofu cloud that pairs exceptionally well with the contrasting crunch of toasted focaccia slices, while another signature is the restaurant’s selection of homemade fresh pastas. If you’re indecisive, go with our choice: the spaghetti alla red shrimp ($178), a rich and indulgent dish made with Huadiao-infused soy sauce and sashimi-quality shrimp that is served with a spray of Huadiao mist.  Another highlight is Mi Manchi’s housemade sourdough pies, where toppings are piled on a sliced sourdough bread loaf and baked to perfection. Meanwhile, the restaurant offers four classics: housemade gelato, bomboloni, panna cotta, and tiramisu. As for drinks, you’ll find an extensive menu of coffees, teas, cocktails, mocktails, wines, and beers, a diverse selection guaranteed to suit any occasion.  Mi Manchi is now open for lunch and dinner at 1/F, East Kowloon Cultural Centre, 60 Ngau Tau Kok Road, Kowloon Bay. For more information and reservations visit instagram.com/mimanchihk/.  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’s everything we know so far about Hong Kong’s first official Comic Con Passenger drones could be coming to Hong Kong as soon as 2027 Penalties for smoking offences in Hong Kong will double starting from January 1

Geeks, assemble! Hong Kong will be hosting its first-ever official Comic Con in May 2026, and if this event is planned to be anything like the world-renowned San Diego Comic-Con and New York Comic Con, then Hongkongers are in for a real treat. Comics, anime, film, television, games, and collectibles will be celebrated at this pop culture event, creating a space for fans to connect. Hong Kong is already home to an annual Ani-Com & Games convention – which typically takes place in the summer – so Hong Kong Comic Con will be in good company. Considering the robust turnouts for the Ani-Com & Games events, we can only imagine fans and enthusiasts will be just as keen to check out the debut of the internationally renowned Comic Con format in Hong Kong. When and where will Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 take place? Hong Kong Comic Con (HKCC) 2026 is scheduled to take place from Friday, May 29, 2026 to Sunday, May 31, 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai, offering three full days of pop culture excitement. Anticipated hours on Friday and Saturday will be from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday will welcome attendees from 10am to 7pm. What can visitors do at Hong Kong Comic Con 2026? It’s still early days, so the programme for Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 hasn’t been announced yet, but we’re keeping our eyes peeled. From what we know about international Comic Cons, the events usually feature a wide range of merchandise and collectibles from global movie, comic, anime, and gaming titles and franchises, exhibits showcasing pop culture, and artist alleys. One of the core features of Comic Cons around the world are the panel discussions and live Q&As with notable personalities, creatives, creators, artists, writers, actors, and voice actors who shape and contribute to this multi-genre entertainment landscape. Oftentimes, there will also be meet-and-greets and autograph signing and photo sessions. Cosplay is also welcome. Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 has already shared that it will host an immersive exhibition floor showcasing pop culture and works from blockbuster studios, celebrity meet-and-greets, and an artist alley, featuring international publishers and top comic titles. How much are the tickets? Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 tickets have not been made available as of date of publishing, but check hkcomiccon.com to stay tuned for when they will be released. 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: Passenger drones could be coming to Hong Kong as soon as 2027 Penalties for smoking offences in Hong Kong will double starting from January 1 You can now walk from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan on the fully completed Hong Kong Island promenade

Hong Kong has already been testing out drones for medical deliveries and limited food deliveries, but something much bigger is coming to the city’s airspace in the near future. According to Mable Chan, Hong Kong’s secretary for transport and logistics, who spoke at the Airspace Asia Pacific 2025 event at AsiaWorld-Expo earlier last month, Hong Kong is gearing up to make waves in the world of unmanned aviation and drone logistics to secure prime positioning in leading the region’s burgeoning low-altitude economy. At the forefront of this aviation innovation is the introduction of passenger drones. Hong Kong could be seeing the launch of passenger-carrying drones as soon as 2027, says Dominic Chow, deputy director general of civil aviation, who gave a timeline of two to three years at a recent conference in Beijing. Developing passenger-carrying drones is all part of Hong Kong’s Regulatory Sandbox X, a scheme that allows for the testing of heavier unmanned aircraft, passenger drones, and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) for cross-border logistics. It’s said that the drone service would be significantly more affordable than using helicopters, “estimated at just a fraction” according to current calculations. Helicopter services in Hong Kong can range between $2,300 per passenger for group tours and $41,700 for private charters, though these prices are by no means definitive and can vary depending on the operator. Hong Kong is undoubtedly making strides to establish itself as a regional pioneer in low-altitude operations, all while the global competition in the aviation space is heating up. Spain carried out flight tests for emergency drones, flying taxis are expected to be launched in Dubai as soon as 2026, and Shenzhen already uses drones for deliveries.  However, Hong Kong’s unique position as a financial centre, coupled with its integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, provides the perfect launchpad for developing a robust low-altitude economy on a rapid schedule, so there’s positive sentiment on the horizon for new opportunities in this emerging space. In a few years’ time, the skies above Hong Kong could soon be bustling with the hum of passenger drones. Maybe we’ll be getting flying private vehicles next, à la The Jetsons. 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: Penalties for smoking offences in Hong Kong will double starting from January 1 You can now walk from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan on the fully completed Hong Kong Island promenade Hong Kong’s Year in Review: A look back on the trending topics of 2025

“New year, new me” – this overplayed mantra is often repeated to signal the turning of a new leaf, frequently alongside a rapid increase of new gym memberships, but for smokers, it might mean a complete overhaul of their lifestyles come January 1.  On January 1, Hong Kong will double its fixed penalty for smoking offences from $1,500 to $3,000 and implement an extension to its existing statutory no-smoking areas, meaning that smokers will not be allowed to light up in public places that are within three metres of the entrances and exits of childcare centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals, health clinics, and health centres, in addition to numerous other locations already designated as statutory no-smoking areas. Smoking while queueing at public transport facilities, such as bus stops or taxi stands, is also prohibited, and the rule even extends to queues outside public premises, such as cinemas, concert halls, museums, and more. If you’re caught flouting the rules, expect to be slapped with a hefty fine. Hong Kong is seriously clamping down on illegal smoking and introducing stricter measures to the city’s tobacco laws. Doubling the penalty for smoking-related offences is only one of the amendments that have been added to the Tobacco Control Legislation. Frontline inspectors from Hong Kong’s Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) are already wearing body cams as part of an active push to enforce smoking restrictions around the city. Plus, starting from April 30, 2026 onwards, the possession of e-cigarettes and alternative smoking products in public places will also be prohibited. Eventually, the ban on e-cigs and vapes will be extended to cover private venues too. TACO has also stepped up on launching educational anti-smoking campaigns across Hong Kong through television, radio, advertisements, and social media, and directs those who are responsible for managing public premises which are designated as statutory non-smoking areas to prominently display no-smoking signs. If you’ve been thinking about kicking that smoking habit for good and needed the right motivation, might as well go cold turkey and just do it on New Year’s Day. 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: You can now walk from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan on the fully completed Hong Kong Island promenade Hong Kong’s Year in Review: A look back on the trending topics of 2025 Catch a Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba live concert in Hong Kong this January

At long last, the highly anticipated Harbourfront Shared Space connecting the Victoria Harbour Promenade on the northern edge of Hong Kong Island from east to west has been completed with the opening of the eastern section of East Coast Boardwalk!  On Monday, December 29, the final section of the East Coast Boardwalk, linking North Point to Quarry Bay along a 1.1-km waterfront walkway, was opened to the public, marking the last piece of an approximately 13-km promenade project that began 16 years ago to promote improved harbourfront development. It followed the opening of the western section of East Coast Boardwalk earlier this year in January, which connected the East Coast Park Precinct and the North Point Promenade. Visitors can now walk all the way from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan just on this boardwalk. Photograph: Courtesy DEVB Much like the existing Belcher Bay Promenade, Central and Western District Promenade, Water Sports and Recreation Precinct, and Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct connecting Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay, the East Coast Boardwalk will remain accessible around the clock, and comes with features such as pet-friendly zones, themed areas, multifunctional open spaces for hosting activities and exhibitions, fitness equipment, a fishing platform, a shared pathway for runners and cyclists, and more. Kiosks selling food and beverages will come as soon as the first quarter of 2026. For those who dare, there’s even an experiential glass observatory deck on the new extension that’s open from 10am to 6pm daily, allowing visitors to observe the water and waves beneath their feet on the East Coast Boardwalk. Protective shoe covers, provided to visitors on-site, must be worn before stepping on the glass surface. With the brisk weather we’ve been enjoying in Hong Kong in recent days, now’s the perfect time to head out to the waterfront for a stroll. Why not challenge yourself and see how long it will take you to walk the northern shore of Hong Kong Island in one burst? 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’s Year in Review: A look back on the trending topics of 2025 Catch a Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba live concert in Hong Kong this January You can now host parties and private events at these iconic Hong Kong landmarks

2025 is fast drawing to a close, and while we’re still floating in that weird haze of days in between Christmas and the New Year, let’s take a look back at some of the things that captured our collective attention and made headlines citywide this year. From the opening on the long-awaited Kai Tak Sports Park and the Chiikawa mania that swept through the city, to category 10 super typhoons and the deadly Tai Po fire, read on for the topics that were on everyone’s feeds and lips in 2025! Photograph: Courtesy Kai Tak Sports Park Grand new openings Hong Kong welcomed some brand-new landmarks and large-scale venues this year, chief among them the Kai Tak Sports Park which opened in March. The 50,000-seater stadium within the park has since hosted several major concerts and sporting events, such as Coldplay, Jay Chou, Seventeen, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, and the Hong Kong Football Fest. Incredibly, the Kai Tak Stadium has ranked third globally in total number of ticket sales, with 1.25 million entries sold, amounting to US$191 million. Other notable openings around town this year include the large integrated development Go Park Sai Sha, The Henderson with a slew of food and beverage offerings, and the Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong hotel.  Photograph: Courtesy The World’s 50 Best Bars Best in the world Of course we think Hong Kong is the best city in the world, but it’s not all bluster because we also constantly have more receipts to prove it! This year, we played host to the World’s 50 Best Bars awards ceremony, and our very own Bar Leone got crowned the Best Bar in the World. In the same vein, Rosewood Hong Kong was ranked number one in the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025.  Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved Cute characters 2025 was truly the year of cute collectibles, from Labubu and Crybaby to anything small and fluffy that would look cute plastered all over merch. Hong Kong jumped right onboard this trend, with the Chiikawa Days exhibition taking over K11 Musea for three weeks in August. Hundreds of Chiikawa characters adorned both indoor and outdoor spaces of this Tsim Sha Tsui venue, while the MTR ticketing barriers at East Tsim Sha Tsui station even spoke in Chiikawa’s voice.  Later in the summer, the Water Parade at Victoria Harbour saw the giant inflatable characters of Labubu, McDonald’s Grimace, Kaws x Elmo, and Doraemon floating along our iconic harbourfront itself. Which cutesy characters were you in love with this year? Photograph: Courtesy Nikki Dyer, Andrew Powell / Liverpool Football Club Sporting events This was a major year for footie fans, as Hong Kong hosted four of the sport’s biggest teams: Arsenal, AC Milan, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspurs. All four teams were here to play pre-season friendly matches as part of the Hong Kong Football Festival, and even their game training sessions were completely sold out.  Hong Kong also jointly organised the 15th National Games, and our athletes came away with a record-breaking number of wins, including nine gold medals, two silvers, and eight bronzes.  Photograph: Leung Man Hei / AFP Breaking Guinness World Records Earlier this month, the Kam Tin Heung Jiao Festival took place in the New Territories. Also known as the Da Jiu Festival, this celebration is significant for occurring only once every 10 years, but this year’s festivities proved to be extra special, because the temporary bamboo theatre erected at Shui Tau Tsuen got awarded the Guinness World Records title of the world’s largest temporary bamboo altar structure. Measuring almost 3,900 sq m and standing at nearly five storeys high, this bamboo hall was an imposing sight to say the least. Photograph: Tommy Wang/AFP Intense weather Hongkongers know our summer typhoons are no joke, but this year’s bout of crazy weather phenomena seemed to be particularly intense. We endured two category 10 super typhoons, Wipha and Ragasa, marking the first time since 1964 that the Hong Kong Observatory had to raise the highest tropical cyclone warning twice in the same year. The Super Typhoon Ragasa was hailed as one of the most severe typhoons of 2025, battering the Philippines and Taiwan and causing plenty of casualties. Though Hong Kong escaped mostly unscathed in comparison, there was widespread flooding in areas such as Chai Wan, Heng Fa Chuen, Tseung Kwan O, and Sha Tin. The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel in the Southside also went viral when a clip circulated online showed tidal waves crashing through its glass doors and flooding the entire hotel lobby. Photograph: Yan Zhao / AFP The Tai Po fire Lastly, we’ve got the somber news of November’s Tai Po fire that shocked the world. A residential building in Wang Fuk Court caught fire on November 26 and it swiftly spread to engulf seven blocks in the housing estate. 161 people died in the fire, making it one of the worst tragedies in modern Hong Kong history. The only bright spark out of the horrible situation is that we got to experience firsthand how Hong Kong rallied around our fellow citizens in need, with scores of people stepping up to volunteer their time, efforts, and resources, while different industries also pitched in with various fundraisers in aid. The New Year’s Eve fireworks have been cancelled this year to pay respects for the deceased, and though our resilient city dusts itself off fast, we will not soon forget the horror and devastation of the 2025 fire. 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: Catch a Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba live concert in Hong Kong this January You can now host parties and private events at these iconic Hong Kong landmarks Peel Street’s new cocktail bar Friday After Class brings you back to school

Just last month, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) witnessed chaotic scenes as crowds upon crowds of Egyptophiles flooded the highly anticipated ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums’ exhibition, causing hours-long queues, major human congestion, and a whole lot of dissatisfaction among ticket holders.  In response, to implement improved crowd management measures and optimise the visiting experience for guests, HKPM has introduced new morning and late afternoon session tickets for Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, which will be available alongside regular tickets. Applicable from December 13, 2025 to January 31, 2026, visitors who purchase morning or late afternoon tickets can enjoy the special exhibition from 10am to 12pm or 5pm to 8pm only. Visitors in possession of regular tickets are still able to visit ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’ at any time during HKPM’s opening hours. Prices for morning and late afternoon session tickets and regular tickets remain the same, and the tickets can be purchased through the HKPM website or WestK website or mobile app. Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Palace Museum HKPM has also announced extended hours to facilitate an increased influx of visitors during the festive season. On Sundays only, throughout the months of December and January, HKPM’s operating hours will be extended by two hours until 8pm. Good news for shoppers and collectors as well – HKPM has been hard at work to restock sold-out exhibition merchandise, which means the popular Egypt-themed blind boxes, which consist of a series of cute plush toy charms depicting mummies, pharaohs, and Egyptian gods, should be fully restocked in mid-December. Also, the in-demand Bastet-inspired cat plush toys are expected to return to the gift shop this month!  Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Palace Museum Visitors can also look forward to new items, such as the Chinese-language ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums’ exhibition catalogue, English- and Chinese-language exhibition guidebook, a limited-edition ‘Ancient Egyptian Unveiled: A Young Explorer’s Guide’ children’s picture book, and a pyramid paper folding kit. ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’ opened to the public on November 20 and has since already attracted more than 60,000 visitors in its first three weeks, so it’s safe to say there’s a high level of interest in this special exhibition. Don’t count on just walking in – HKPM advises visitors to plan ahead and purchase their tickets online in advance. 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 pre-war monument in Hong Kong has reopened for public tours Hong Kong’s latest cultural sensation is a multi-sensory exhibition in a giant dome The Merry Balloon giant inflatable playground bounces into West Kowloon

Fast fashion looks to be fast fading in Hong Kong’s retail landscape, and the latest ‘victim’ claimed in this rat race is Swedish high street giant H&M. H&M has confirmed that its Causeway Bay flagship on Paterson Street will serve its last customers on February 21, 2026 due to the expiration of its lease. A spokesperson for H&M has commented that the brand remains committed to the development of Hong Kong as a key market within the Greater Bay Area, and will actively seek suitable opportunities for new locations to improve its retail network to meet customer needs. H&M opened its Causeway Bay flagship on Paterson Street in October 2015, taking up 47,000 sq ft and four storeys of prime real estate in one of the city’s busiest shopping districts, serving also as Asia’s largest retail outlet for the fashion brand. According to market sources, monthly rent for the expansive space is reported to be $11 million. Photograph: Courtesy CC/Wikicommons/DORRUMEIFAR FONGSEI H&M’s impending closure of its Causeway Bay flagship will mean that the fast fashion brand will no longer have a physical retail presence on Hong Kong Island. Once the Causeway Bay location shutters in February 2026, shoppers will be required to venture out to Festival Walk or Tsuen Wan Plaza for an in-person H&M shopping experience – these will be the only two brick-and-mortar outlets left in Hong Kong for the brand. Rumour has it that the H&M-shaped hole left behind at Hang Lung Centre on Paterson Street will be snapped up by local cosmeceutical chain Lung Fung – at least in part. Lung Fung is reportedly in talks to lease the 10,000-square-foot ground floor space, though developer and landlord Hang Lung Properties has not provided confirmation. With the H&M flagship closing on February 21, it means that you’ll still have the Chinese New Year public holiday period to pay one last visit to the Causeway Bay location! 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: HK Palace Museum announces improved ticketing arrangements for its highly popular ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’ exhibition This pre-war monument in Hong Kong has reopened for public tours Hong Kong’s latest cultural sensation is a multi-sensory exhibition in a giant dome

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!