Hungry ghosts and hungrier mortals. This month sees the Hungry Ghost Festival, a traditional festival devoted to honouring ancestors. The Hong Kong Sake Festival is back in town, as well as a whole bunch of fairs at Wan Chai’s Convention and Exhibition Centre to get your shopping in.
Looking for something artsy this August? Check out the International Arts Carnival, and keep an eye out for stunning shots of Hong Kong splayed across the facade of M+.
Traditional Festivals
Hungry Ghost Festival
The Hungry Ghost Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, sees Hongkongers honouring ancestral spirits and restless souls with food offerings, incense, and the burning of joss paper. Recognised as part of China’s cultural heritage, the festival includes observing traditional rituals, enjoying vegetarian food, and watching live performances like Cantonese Opera and folk dances.
Food and Beverage
Hong Kong Sake Festival
You don’t have to travel to Japan to sample sake (although it wouldn’t hurt). Hosted at The Mira Hong Kong, this is one of the biggest sake festivals in town, complete with regional sake from some of the most sought after breweries, multilingual sessions led by the who’s who of the sake world, and unlimited snacks.
Exhibitions and Fairs
Hong Kong Cat Expo
Head to Wan Chai’s Exhibition and Convention Centre for a food extravaganza. Expect to see booths showcasing distinctive, specialty foods from various parts of the world, including but not limited to Aomori, Chongqing, Sichuan and beyond.
Alongside the Food Expo, two other exciting public fairs will be running concurrently. Get all your shopping done at once!
Hong Kong Food Expo
Head to Wan Chai’s Exhibition and Convention Centre for a food extravaganza. Expect to see booths showcasing distinctive, specialty foods from various parts of the world, including but not limited to Aomori, Chongqing, Sichuan and beyond.
Alongside the Food Expo, two other exciting public fairs, listed below, will be running concurrently. Get all your shopping done at once!
Advance sales: HK$36.00 | At the door: HK$40.00 |
HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo
Also held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, explore the HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo, featuring cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fitness products. Enjoy exclusive shopping, special offers, and expert sessions.
Advance sales: HK$36.00 | At the door: HK$40.00 |
HKTDC Home Delights Expo
Looking to give your home a fresh look? Check out the Home Delights Expo, also hosted by the HKTDC. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will showcase the latest trends in home decor, kitchenware, and lifestyle products. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations, DIY workshops, and exclusive product launches.
Arts and Culture
International Arts Carnival
The annual International Arts Carnival attracts world-class performing arts groups from across the globe. This year, there will be family-friendly performances by artists from Australia, Spain, South Korea, and more. Highlights from past years have included a hybrid ballet and theatre production, an orchestra mixing humour with classical music, and an immersive dance theatre experience designed to amuse and delight babies.
Want to know which arts events to add to your calendar? Check out our guide.
Greg Girard’s HK:PM at the M+
Photographer Greg Girard’s latest work, HK:PM, is now showing nightly on the massive LED screen at M+ in West Kowloon. Running from July 4 to September 28, the projection animates street scenes from Hong Kong between the 1970s and 1990s. Students in Central, the glow of old neon signs, and rare shots of the Kowloon Walled City — the images draw from Girard’s personal archive and offer views of a city always in motion. The show runs after dark and is free to view.
Recommended hotels located nearby
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Wan Chai 0.2 km
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Tsim Sha Tsui 1.4 km
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Tsim Sha Tsui 1.4 km
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Causeway Bay 1.4 km