Summer is in full swing and school’s out. When it comes to making the most of your time off or simply enjoying those hot days and warm evenings, there is plenty of choice when it comes to things to do throughout Hong Kong. Here are our picks for ten cool things to do in Hong Kong this summer.
1. Try a new tipple on our local craft beer tour
Joining the ranks of our already extensive range of foodie tours is our Hong Kong Local Craft Beer Tour. Paired with local food tastings, you’ll visit two craft breweries and a taproom to savour twelve of Hong Kong’s best artisan beers. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the brewers and have the opportunity to pick their brains in the hope they might reveal some industry secrets. You’ll also learn about the Hong Kong craft beer movement and visit The Mills in Tsuen Wan, which fuses industrial heritage with modern creativity.
Joining point: near Tsim Sha Tsui MTR
https://www.hongkongfoodietours.com/tours/hong-kong-local-craft-beer-tour/
2. Find your groove at the 5thInternational Reggae & Ska festival
Ska came to Jamaica in the 1950s, the predecessor to reggae, melding Caribbean mento and calypso to American jazz and rhythm and blues. It’s little wonder, therefore, that there’s something inherently summery about the beat of reggae and ska. Find your groove as you immerse yourself in the addictive sounds of the 5thInternational Reggae & Ska Festival on August 24th, which features a line up of top artists including Roddy Radiation from The Specials, The Ska Flames and Keith & Tex from Jamaica.
Southorn Stadium, Wan Chai
https://www.hkirsf.com/festival
3. Loosen your belt a notch for this year’s Food Expo
Pick out your roomiest waistbands and put on your comfiest shoes: the massive Hong Kong Food Expo returns this summer from August 15-19th. The city has a longstanding reputation as one of Asia’s top foodie destinations. This annual event attracts visitors from Hong Kong and beyond keen to sample new gastronomic creations and watch the region’s most talented chefs cook up a storm.
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
https://event.hktdc.com/fair/hkfoodexpo-en/HKTDC-Food-Expo/
4. Learn how we worship our ancestors at the Hungry Ghost Festival
Chinese tradition holds that during the seventh month in the lunar calendar, restless ghosts find themselves roaming the earth. On the 15thof the month, these wandering spirits are the subject of the Yu Lan or Hungry Ghost Festival. You’ll see people making offerings in the form of faux money and food as they worship their ancestors. Visitors hoping to experience some of the cultural traditions for themselves should head to the Yu Lan Cultural Festival (16-18 August). On the extensive programme are Yu Lan choreography inviting the deities and a virtual reality experience.
Soccer Pitch 1, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay
5. Cool off at Hong Kong Disneyland’s Toy Story & Pixar Pals Summer Splash
Following the release of Toy Story 4 earlier this summer, Pixar fans will be delighted to learn that Hong Kong Disneyland’s Toy Story & Pixar Pals Summer Splash runs until September 1st. All your favourite characters make an appearance, joined by many others from the Pixar stable including the Incredibles, Carl, Russell and Dug from Up and Joy and Sadness from Inside Out. The parade processes down Main Street USA, delighting the crowd as they are sprayed with water to cool off.
Disneyland, Lantau Island
https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/
6. Be wowed by the talent at the International Arts Carnival
Multimedia theatre, puppetry, music, dance and magic are just some of the creative arts that form the International Arts Carnival. The event is aimed at families and the goal is to nurture a love of culture among the younger members of the Hong Kong community. Among this year’s many highlights are the glow-in-the-dark puppets of a dramatic blacklight puppetry production combining The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Mixed-Up Chameleon and Little Cloud.
Various venues
https://www.hkiac.gov.hk/2019/en/index.html
7. Immerse yourself in tradition at the Chinese Opera Festival
A visit to the opera is always a feast for the eyes. This is especially the case in Hong Kong, where patrons can enjoy performances of several different genres. Cantonese opera evokes the spirit and charm of ancient China. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the inscription of Cantonese Opera onto the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. To celebrate this occasion, a brand new work “A Love Poem Stained with Blood” premiers. The Chinese Opera Festival runs until August 18th.
Various venues
https://www.cof.gov.hk/2019/en/
8. Take a ride on the newly renovated Peak Tram
The Peak Tram carried its first passengers up to Victoria Peak back in 1888 and is still Hong Kong’s best loved tourist attraction. The first phase of the much-needed upgrade concluded earlier this summer and this city icon is now fully open again, though platform at the lower terminus is a temporary one. The funicular railway rises to 396 metres above sea level. Riders experience an extraordinary visual illusion – when you ascend, the high rises that appear on the right make it seem like the tram is falling forward. But don’t take our word for it: you need to see for yourself.
Central, Hong Kong
9. Enjoy yourself at a craft beer festival
The Asia Society plays host to ten local and international breweries this August 31st for the Art of Craft festival. As well as tastings, each brewery is set to exhibit works of art chosen to reflect their creativity. Participating breweries showcase styles such as sour beer, barrel ageing, spontaneous fermentation, smoked beers and of course some original combinations of ingredients. The event kicks off at 2pm.
Asia Society, 9 Justice Dr, Admiralty
https://m.facebook.com/events/302231804020255/
10. Laze away an alfresco summer evening at one of Hong Kong’s rooftop bars
After the day’s intense heat, what could be better than lazing away an alfresco summer evening at a rooftop bar? Hong Kong is littered with many super cool rooftop terraces. A stand out is Eyebar. Pull up a bar stool on its spacious outdoor deck and order one of its signature cocktails – perhaps a Suzie Wrong cocktail, sipping its passion fruit flavour from a souvenir glass. Then watch Hong Kong’s nightly light extravaganza, The Symphony of Lights, to see Hong Kong’s iconic skyline illuminated.
30/F, ISQUARE, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
http://www.elite-concepts.com/restaurants/eyebar/hongkong/en/
As you can see, Hong Kong is a great place to be during the summer. With such a range of cool events and contrasting environments within the city and its surroundings, there really is something for everyone. Come and have some fun in our beloved Hong Kong before summer’s over. Our walking Foodie Tour resumes on August 26th. You can check availability and book tickets right here.