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BusinessToday
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BusinessToday
Hong Kong's Cultural and Sporting Highlights to Catch This Spring/Summer 2025
Hong Kong is set for a busy season of events this spring and summer. Whether you're interested in traditional festivals, live sports, or art and music, the city's calendar offers a wide range of experiences to explore. Kicking Off Festival Season: Cheung Chau Bun Festival Hong Kong's events calendar starts strong with the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, held May 5 – 6 on the island of Cheung Chau. This historic celebration honours the sea god Pak Tai, who is credited with saving the island from plague centuries ago. Highlights include the thrilling Bun Scrambling Competition, where climbers race up a 14-meter bamboo tower covered in buns, the colourful Piu Sik Parade featuring children on stilts, lion dances, Taoist rituals, and vegetarian feasts. The festival attracts thousands of visitors, combining ancient traditions with lively community festivities. It also features a Climbing Carnival and extended activities that boost local tourism and economy. Heritage and Culture Beyond the Bun Festival The celebrations don't end with the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. From 7–8 June, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races bring high-energy competition to the city's harbours, showcasing tradition, teamwork and festival spirit. As part of the citywide Cultural Beat initiative, the races are just one of many events that highlight Hong Kong's vibrant cultural landscape this season. Arts and Exhibitions Around the City In addition to the many spring festivals, there is a range of sights to enjoy for art lovers. This includes events like the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong (May 22 -25), where 98 galleries explore themes of identity, community and creativity. Running through July 13 is the French May Arts Festival, which fills city venues with theatre, music, dance, cinema and exhibitions. During this time, at M+ in West Kowloon, art lovers can experience Picasso for Asia: A Conversation, an exhibition showcasing over 60 works from the Musée National Picasso-Paris alongside pieces from prominent Asian artists — a dialogue between cultures and eras. What Else Is New in 2025 This year, Hong Kong introduces the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Month from May 31 to July 1, featuring tours, exhibitions, and carnival-style events celebrating the city's rich cultural traditions. A standout attraction is the Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition (April–June), which uses interactive displays and lighting to bring Hong Kong's cityscapes to life in miniature form, offering a unique artistic experience. Entertainment and sports also take centre stage this year. Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA debuts on May 21 at the Central Harbourfront, showcasing acrobatics and theatrical storytelling. Sports fans can enjoy the Volleyball Nations League from June 18 to 22, featuring six international teams, and the high-profile Manchester United Challenge Cup match on May 30. Additionally, the new Kai Tak Sports Park will host a variety of events throughout May and June, injecting fresh energy into Hong Kong's leisure scene. With traditional festivals, global exhibitions, and world-class sports on offer, Hong Kong is packed with things to see and do this spring and early summer. Related
Barnama
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
Buns, Beats & Beyond: Hong Kong Springs To Life With Festival Fever
KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) -- The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival, one of Hong Kong's most iconic cultural celebrations, is set to return on May 5 to 6, marking the beginning of a packed spring of traditional festivals, arts showcases, and international sporting events across the city. Held on the island of Cheung Chau, the festival is steeped in history and folklore, honouring Pak Tai, a sea deity believed to have saved the island from a plague in the 18th century. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board in a statement, since 2011, it has been recognised on China's national list of intangible cultural heritage. Among the highlights of this year's programme are the Climbing Carnival on April 27, featuring games and performances; the vibrant Piu Sik Parade on May 5, where children dressed as deities and public figures appear to float above the crowd; and the adrenaline-pumping Bun-Scrambling Competition, which takes place at midnight on May 5 to 6, where climbers race up a 14-metre tower to collect the most lucky buns. In conjunction with Labour Day Golden Week (May 1 to 5), the city will also host a 12-minute drone light show set to music along the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade on May 1, offering a dazzling display framed by Hong Kong's iconic skyline. The festival forms part of Cultural Beat, a citywide initiative celebrating Hong Kong's unique cultural heritage. Other major events include the Buddha Bathing Ceremony at Po Lin Monastery (April 29 to May 5), the Tam Kung Festival in Eastern District (April 29 to May 7), and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (June 7 to 8). Art and culture enthusiasts can also look forward to the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong (May 22 to 25), the French May Arts Festival (ongoing until July 13), and the Chinese Culture Festival (June to September). New highlights this year include Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA (from May 21) and the Picasso for Asia—A Conversation exhibition at M+, featuring over 60 works by the legendary artist. Sports fans will not be left out, with the Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2025 taking place from June 18 to 22, bringing together six top international teams in a high-energy tournament.
Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Hong Kong Unveils Cheung Chau Bun Festival 2025: A Unique Cultural Celebration
NewsVoir Hong Kong, April 29: Spring in Hong Kong means one thing: festivals - and lots of them! The much-loved Cheung Chau Bun Festival runs from 5-6 May, marking the start of a non-stop season of arts, culture, and sporting events across the city for many Indian travellers planning their summer vacations. Held annually on the charming outlying island of Cheung Chau, this iconic event transforms the slow-paced fishing village into a whirlwind of colour, tradition, and high-flying fun. With lively parades, age-old rituals, and quirky customs unique to Hong Kong, it's no wonder the festival draws thousands of visitors from near and far each year. From Buns to Beats: Top Hong Kong Events This Spring A cornerstone of Hong Kong's cultural calendar, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival is steeped in folklore and history. Recognised as part of China's national list of intangible cultural heritage since 2011, it honours the sea god Pak Tai, who is said to have saved the island from a deadly plague in the 18th century. Today, it continues to enchant visitors with Taoist ceremonies, lion dances, and its signature event: the thrilling bun-scrambling competition. Here are a few festival highlights: Climbing Carnival - 27 April 2025 Immersing visitors in bun tower fun, the Climbing Carnival (12 pm-6 pm) promises an exciting afternoon of stall games, handicrafts, and variety shows. Piu Sik Parade - 5 May 2025 One of the festival's most anticipated events, the Piu Sik Parade, draws thousands of onlookers each year. During this vibrant spectacle, children dressed as deities, public figures, and pop-culture icons appear to "float" above the crowds in a vibrant, carnival-like procession. Bun-Scrambling Competition Final - 5-6 May 2025 At midnight, the legendary Bun-Scrambling Competition begins. In this whimsical event, 12 climbers race up a roughly 14-metre tower covered in lucky buns (ping on bao), grabbing as many as they can. Higher buns earn more points, and the top scorer wins. Meanwhile, the competitor with the most buns earns the playful title of "Full Pockets of Lucky Buns." Nightfall Celebration: A Dazzling Drone Show Beyond Cheung Chau, spring also brings Labour Day Golden Week, running (1 to 5 May), filling the city with festive energy. Highlights include the celebration of Tin Hau (20 April); Buddha's Birthday (5 May); and the Tam Kung Festival (5 May), traditionally observed by maritime communities. To mark the occasion, an immersive 12-minute drone show will light up the night sky at 8 pm on 1 May, set to newly composed music and framed by Hong Kong's iconic skyline. For the best views, head to the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade. Feel the Pulse: More from Hong Kong's Cultural Beat Alongside the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, an exciting lineup of events comes together as part of Cultural Beat - a citywide initiative that celebrates the arts, crafts, and traditions that give Hong Kong its one-of-a-kind rhythm. Among the highlights: * Buddha Bathing Ceremony at Po Lin Monastery (29 April-5 May) Step into serenity with this peaceful tradition, where visitors pour water over Buddha statues in a symbolic act of renewal. * Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (7-8 June) Feel the adrenaline as teams paddle in sync during this high-energy showdown of speed, colour, and tradition. * Tam Kung Festival @ Eastern District 2025 (29 April-7 May) Soak up the colour and spirit of Hong Kong, with Cantonese opera, a parade featuring lion and dragon dances, and an international lion dance competition to honour sea god Tam Kung. As the season unfolds, Hong Kong will host even more fairs and festivals: * Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong (22-25 May) Explore connection, cultural identity, and the fusion of tradition and modernity at the Affordable Art Fair in Hong Kong this May, featuring works from 98 leading galleries. * French May Arts Festival (through 13 July) Celebrate all things French with citywide events devoted to dance, theatre, music, cinema, circus, gastronomy, and art exhibitions. * Chinese Culture Festival (June to September) Experience the richness of Chinese heritage through months of dance performances, opera, film screenings, talks, and art exhibitions throughout the festival. 2025 also introduces exciting new cultural events: * Cirque du Soleil KOOZA (starts from 21 May) Get swept into a whimsical world of acrobatics, stunts, and theatrical magic - a high-flying thrill from start to finish. * The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Picasso for Asia - A Conversation (through 13 July) See over 60 Picasso masterpieces up close in this rare showcase at M+, offering fresh insights into the legendary artist's creative journey. And for sports fans: * Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2025 (18-22 June) Feel the energy as six top teams serve, spike, and dive in this high-stakes showdown at Hong Kong's newest world-class venue. To explore everything happening across the city, visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board's dedicated Cultural Beat website. With real-time updates and insider tips, it's your ultimate guide to experiencing the best of Hong Kong's arts, culture, and events. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked to market and promote Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhance visitors' experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities. The HKTB's missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.
