Hong Kong in May 2024: Best things to do

Japan's hugely popular Naked Flowers exhibition is coming to Hong Kong for the first time! Set to run from April 27 to October 27 at 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui, the exhibition will take visitors on an immersive journey through the world of flowers and uncover their hidden secrets. Explore colossal flower gardens and interactive spaces, and delve into the mysteries of floral life across eight experiential rooms, including the 'Naked Big Book' featuring original Naked design with projection mapping; the 'Big Flower Garden' where visitors can enjoy the fragrance of flowers; 'Microscopy of Flowers', a kaleidoscope-like space with mirrors that rotate to reflect digital art; and more. Be sure to stop at the Naked Cafe Bar where visitors can enjoy floral teas (or cocktails after 6pm!) on an interactive round table with projections of floral designs when a drink is placed down.

Tickets are available at $180 and $150 for children aged three to 11, full-time students, persons with disabilities, and seniors aged 65 or above. Children under the age of three can enter for free. Bank of China Chill Card credit card holders can also take advantage of an exclusive package for $260 to get two adult tickets and a BOGOF deal on selected drinks at the Naked Cafe Bar.

Here are just some of the highlights from the exhibition:

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Time Out Hong Kong Bar Awards returns in its sixth year, promising a celebration of the city's vibrant drinking scene. Mark your calendars for the exciting announcement of winners on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, during a live ceremony that will be nothing short of spectacular. 

Join us at House Studio at Soho House Hong Kong, our official venue partner, for a night of revelry as we pay tribute to the creme de la creme of Hong Kong's bars. Rub shoulders with industry luminaries, groove to the pulsating beats spun by W Macau - Studio City's live DJ, and indulge in a sensory journey of tasty drinks and culinary delights.

We will kick off the celebration at 6.30pm and dance the night away until 11pm. Tickets are priced at $598 per person. Guests will be treated to live entertainment, a varied selection of canapés, and complimentary flowing drinks from our generous sponsors – Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire, Dewar's, Grey Goose, Perrier-Jouët, and London Essence.

The Time Out Bar Awards would not be possible without the support of our partner, OCBC Hong Kong, and the help of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Tickets are in high demand, so secure yours today to avoid missing out on this fun event!

See the full lineup of nominees.

The Ikea Weekend Market is back! Taking place every Saturday and Sunday from now to May 26 at various Ikea locations (see below), the market features eight kiosks offering a range of sustainable and environmentally friendly products – from soaps and scents to accessories and handmade items – from homegrown brands, artisans, and social enterprises. Pick up some upcycled bling made from glass, or try natural skincare products made right here in Hong Kong. Do some bulk shopping and stock up on teas and locally-made Hong Kong-style snacks. While you're there, don't forget to check out the various displays showcasing how folks can live a more sustainable lifestyle with Ikea products. Happy green shopping!

Weekend Market dates and locations:

Tai Koo Plan and Order Point (April 27-28, May 4-5)
Sha Tin (May 11-12)
Tsuen Wan (May 18-19)
Kowloon Bay (May 25-26)

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All aboard the floating book fair ship! From May 4 to 26, the Doulos Hope will be berthed at Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, offering a literary adventure for the public with over 2,000 book titles available at affordable prices. Delve into diverse genres – including novels, science, arts, and more – and engage in cultural exchange with the ship's international crew of 100 volunteers from 25 countries, who may also put on various cultural performances on board. After exploring the book fair, unwind at the Hope Café where you can savour snacks and beverages while mingling with the crew.

Secure your tickets in advance through online booking, with free entry for children under 12 (accompanied by an adult) and seniors over 65. For other visitors, an entrance fee of $20 (cash only) will be collected at the book fair entrance. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to celebrate literature, culture, and connections – all while you're on a huge cruise ship! Stay updated on ticketing info and other event details on Instagram and Facebook.

Making art accessible to a broader audience, the Affordable Art Fair (AAF) returns to Hong Kong from May 16 to 19. Although AAF takes place on a smaller scale compared to Art Basel or Art Central, the event is highly popular among art lovers in town as the artworks on show usually range from $1,000 to $100,000, making it ideal for those on a budget or newbies to start their art collection without breaking the bank.

While Filipino cuisine is on the rise in Hong Kong, marked by the emergence of numerous contemporary Filipino restaurants in recent years, the fusion of French and Filipino culinary traditions remains a rarity. So be sure to mark your calendars for May as Michelin-starred Racines plays host to Miko Calo, a distinguished chef hailing from the Philippines, for an exclusive two-day affair. Formerly from Metronome, an acclaimed fine dining establishment in Manila, the talented Butuan-born chef, will join hands with Racines’ chefs Romain Dupeyre and Adrien Castillo.

Expect a harmonious fusion of French and Filipino cuisine on May 30 and 31. Enjoy a specially curated six-course dinner menu priced at $2,288 per person on both evenings, or opt for the five-course lunch menu at $1,988 per person on the 31st. 

The annual SummerFest is back! This year, the annual programme will be held at the Wan Chai Harbourfront Event Space from April 5 to July 3, before heading over to the Central Harbourfront Event Space for its second round (dates TBC).

As with previous years, visitors can expect an exciting mix of events and activities spanning from arts and music to outdoor markets and sports. Thematic events will also be held on weekends, public holidays, and specific dates during this period. Together with the A-Maze-ing Harbourfront themed mazes, along with the illuminate! Run Beyond outdoor light installation, everyone is welcome to chill, play, and simply enjoy a great summer by our gorgeous waterfront.

Don't miss highlight events like the Hong Kong Dance Competition 2024, K-Wave Fiesta, Balance Bike Carnival, the Awaken Your Inner Warrior: Fit & Well Festival, Lanka Fest Hong Kong, and many more.

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After the overwhelming popularity of The Peninsula’s collaborative afternoon tea with the Star Ferry, the hotel returns with their Afternoon Tea on the Harbour experience until June 30. Diners can hop aboard a lavishly decorated World Star ferry and enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea package as they sail along Victoria Harbour. The Peninsula’s tea menu provides plenty of savoury bites, such as abalone tart with seaweed cauliflower mousse, ham and mustard seed sandwich, smoked salmon and avocado spread sandwich, and more. As for desserts, guests can indulge in treats like milk tea choux puff, fermented bean curd and peanut brownie with milk chocolate cream, and the hotel’s signature raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

Celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) with their exciting Spring Programme 2024, Factory of Tomorrow. From now to July 14, immerse yourself in a fascinating group exhibition that showcases CHAT's contemporary art collection and newly commissioned works. With artworks by 19 Asian artists, the exhibition explores the role of textiles in Hong Kong's past while delving into the present and future. Through textile works, sculptures, immersive installations, and videos, artists examine themes such as technology, diversity, climate change, and our collective future. Additionally, be sure to experience new elements like the Misfitted: Unspoken Stories of Tailoring display, the interactive Illumin-Loom, as well as the reopening of the CHAT Lounge.

Broadway International Group brings the International Tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music to make its Hong Kong stage debut. Catch the heartwarming tale of governess Maria as she joins the family of Captain Von Trapp and his seven children, and ignites their love of music, all set against a pre-World War II backdrop. The original Broadway musical has won Tonys and Grammys over the years, and will be celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2024.

Audiences will also get to hear perennial favourite songs such as My Favourite Things, Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, and the title track The Sound of Music. Having been sold out for its seasons in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the soon-to-open Shanghai, make sure to catch the Sound of Music stage production at the Xiqu Centre from April 16 to June 9.