Hong Kong’s music scene has had a bit of a hard time over the years for various reasons but things are most certainly back on track and there are now a good amount of festivals taking place to satisfy both music-hungry locals and visitors to the city. Here are our favourites to check out.
Note: All information is correct at the time of writing. Organisers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
Clockenflap
1-3 December, 2023Central Harbourfront Event Space
HK$1,080.00–HK$1,620.00
Event page
In just over 10 years, Clockenflap has grown from a one day event for 1,500 people to a fully fledged 3-day festival, earning its place amongst the largest music festivals in Asia. Not only has it played host to acts such as the Chemical Brothers, Wu Tang Clan, Kool and the Gang, and the Arctic Monkeys, it also sources an eclectic mix of artists from around Asia, making it an amazing opportunity to discover new artists each year.
More than just music, Clockenflap hosts a variety of films and art exhibitions to delight all ages. They also work closely with local restaurant vendors to feed the hungry festival goers with a wide variety of food and drink stalls. It’s most definitely a family friendly festival and children under 12 years old can enter for free (for up to 2 kids).
Kicking off on Friday evening, the festival continues from 12pm-10:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased as a 3-day pass (recommended) or a single-day option is also available.
Creamfields
April 13-14 2024Central Harbourfront Event Space
HK$1,388.00–HK$1,888.00
Event page
Already well established as one of the UK’s biggest outdoor music festivals, Creamfields now delights EDM, house and techno fans in various other major cities across the world, including Hong Kong.
Creamfields returned to HK in April 2023 after a short hiatus and came back with a bang, boasting names like Calvin Harris, the Chainsmokers and Tiësto. Held along the Central Harbourfront Event Space with the epic HK skyline as the backdrop, Creamfields HK certainly takes the cake as one of the best locations for a dance party.
S2O Hong Kong Songkran Music
August 5-6 2023. Dates for 2024 yet to be announcedCentral Harbourfront Event Space
HK$1,180.00–HK$3,380.00
Official Website
Songkran is typically known as Thailand’s new year celebration when a huge water fight takes place to symbolise washing away bad luck and welcoming a fresh new year. In 2015, S20 Songkran Music Festival debuted in Bangkok featuring the usual water fights plus a stellar line up of DJ’s and artists. Since then, the festival has grown across Asia, with 2023 marking the festival’s first dip into HK waters.
Festival goers can expect stunning visual effects set against the HK skyline, world renowned DJs and of course, copious amounts of water. The 2023 line up set the bar high with artists such as Adventure Club, Alesso, NGHTMRE and Nicky Romero and was a big success, so hopefully this will become an annual party.
Freespace Jazz Festival
October 3-26, 2023West Kowloon Art Park
Prices vary depending on event. Check website for details
Event page
Five days of family friendly music, events, films, arts & crafts, and activities, Freespace Jazz Fest is definitely worth checking out, even if jazz isn’t your thing.
Held at the West Kowloon Art Park, the festival events take place in various locations both indoor and outdoor, showcasing local and international artists such as Eguene Pao, Daniel Chu and the Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra. Most of the festival requires a ticket but there is an outdoor area showing concerts and film screenings that is entirely open to the public (a rare occurrence in HK).
HKT x WESTK POPFEST
March 22-April 2, 2023. Dates for 2024 yet to be announcedWest Kowloon Art Park
HK$1,288.00–HK$2,028.00 $1,288.00 – HK$2028.00
Event page
Held over not two, not three but ten days, HKT x WestK Popfest is another of the West Kowloon Cultural Districts events and offers a vibrant programme featuring the very best of the local HK pop scene.
A mixture of indoor and outdoor venues, as well as paid and free events, this enormous festival offers something different for local HKers where artists may be performing individually, or collaborating with other artists for unique one of a kind performances.
The 2023 event saw a huge number of local artists such as Juno Mak, Yoyo Sham, Joyce Cheung and Ivana Wong take the stage, a promising sign that this event will hopefully keep delighting audiences for many more years to come.
Lamma Fun Day
November 18, 2023.Tai Wan To Beach, Lamma
Free
Event page
Although the Lamma Fun Day technically doesn’t have “festival” in its title, it does have live music across two stages, market stalls, a variety of food vendors, activities for kids and of course, a licensed bar. Plus, entrance is free! The event is an amazing fundraiser for Child Welfare Scheme HK (CWS) which empowers and supports women and children in Nepal.
The music consists of local HK artists and bands from a range of genres so there is something for everyone and if you time your ferry back to the island right with the rest of the crowd, the dance party continues for the journey home.
