This June, immerse yourself in all things culture, and let the creative juices flow. With Tuen Ng or Dragon Boat Festival coming up on the 22nd and an abundance of racing events to spectate (or participate in), June promises to leave you feeling fired up– and we’re not just talking about the blistering hot weather.

Sports

Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship

Dragon Boats at Stanley. | Photo by Gregory Lane

You don’t have to be a big dragon boating enthusiast to see the appeal of the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship. One of the largest and buzziest dragon boat racing events of the year, watch as hundreds of paddlers compete across various divisions.

Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races

Dragon Boat Racing
Photo by iStock.com/LewisTsePuiLung

Marking a grand return after a four-year hiatus, the 2024 edition of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will see thousands of dragon boat athletes gather from around the world. The two-day event will feature intense head-to-heads as world-class paddlers race to the finish line along the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade. Expect fans cheering, drummers drumming, and a feverish energy all around!

Live Music and Performance

S2O Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival

An exciting music festival– but make it wet! June 2024 marks the return of the S2O Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival. Labelled the world’s wettest party, head here for a lively atmosphere complete with talented DJs and singers.This year’s lineup includes Swedish electronic music act Galantis, Dutch DJ and producer Afrojack, and many more.

LiFTED Lounge Presents Bohan Phoenix and Novel Friday at Soho House

Are you a fan of Asian rap and hip hop? This month, LiFTED Asia will host LiFTED Lounge, featuring top regional artists such as Chinese-American MC Bohan Phoenix, and local talents Novel Friday and Monsta Kei. This is a great chance to experience Asian rap and hip hop in a relaxed setting, with the event taking place at Sai Ying Pun’s Soho House. Early Bird tickets cost just HK$200.00.

Exhibitions and Festivals

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade 2024

Traditional painted dragon head
Photo by iStock.com/sharrocks

From its historic shrimp paste industry to arguably the city’s most stunning heritage hotel, Tai O boasts plenty of sights and curiosities. In addition, the village also hosts an incredibly special dragon boat event. In fact, it’s even recognised as an essential part of Hong Kong’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The ceremony involves time-worn religious rituals and a friendly dragon boat race. All in all, the spectacle is worth the hike to this remote part of Lantau.

French May Arts Festival 2024

The 2024 edition of the French May Arts Festival offers a diverse array of cultural events celebrating French heritage and promoting cultural exchange. Highlights include The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Noir & Blanc — A Story of Photography, featuring black and white photographs from European and Asian collections. Collaborations in music, theatre, and dance include performances by Thierry Maillard, Eugene Pao, CY Leo, Nicolas Kerszenbaum, Wu Ho Fai, and Compagnie Käfig. The festival encourages audience participation with workshops and interactive experiences, such as Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels and French Rendezvous@Tai Kwun. There will be nearly a hundred programmes to choose from!

Refugee Week 2024

Traditional foods prepared by members of Hong Kong’s refugee community. | Photo by Phoebe So

Refugee Week is an annual open source festival each June celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum. Founded in 1998 and held every year around World Refugee Day (20 June) in cities across the world, the Hong Kong chapter of the festival will be marking its third year this June. The series, running throughout the month, will feature arts, food, and cultural and educational activities.

SummerFest 2024

SummerFest is an annual festival that takes place along the harbourfront. This year the festival will take over not one but two locations by the water: the new Wan Chai Event Space and Central Harbourfront. Especially great for families, expect plenty of sports, games, and musical performances to liven up your weekends this summer.

Arts and Culture

teamLab: Continuous

Photo by teamLab, Resonating Life which Continues to Stand © teamLab

International art collective teamLab needs no introduction. Having made a name for itself with interactive installations featuring creative plays with light and sound, the group is now set to host two new artworks in Hong Kong.

Shopping

Temple Street Night Market

Temple Street, Kowloon

Photo by Nikada/E+ via Getty Images

A foodie destination and fortune-teller haunt, Temple Street has been revamped, and now offers classic night market vibes. Experience a multicultural food market at the new and improved market, stretching from Jordan Road to Nanking Street.

Food and Beverage

Ginsanity 2024

If the classic G&T is your favourite drink, head to Ginsanity. Spanning two days (and nights), this year’s starts at 3pm on Friday & 1pm on Saturday, and finishes at 10pm on both days. There will be world-class gins from across the globe on offer, including local brands.

Gin Fest 2024

Just a short walk away from Central Station, Gin Fest will take place at Central Market this year. Marking World Gin Day (June 8), there will be 60+ gins available to sample.