Say hello to Hong Kong, where arts & culture festivals never stop

Hong Kong started the new year with a bang. Literally.

The eclectic city in Southern China rang in 2024 with a spectacular fireworks display – its largest ever – treating spectators to a 12-minute show in Victoria Harbour.

The symphony of sparks and sounds was a sign of exciting things to come as Hong Kong, a metropolis of 18 districts makes a triumphant return to tourism.

Hong Kong, where East meets West, is hub for exciting events, where the arts thrive. 

Currently, the 52nd Hong Kong Arts Festival is taking place. The event, on until March 24, features more than 1,400 outstanding international and local artists in over 150 performances covering music, musicals, Chinese opera, dance, and theatre.

READ MORE: Returning tourists & mega events – “Hong Kong is back,” says HKTB’s Michael Lim

The city’s arts scene doesn’t stop there. From March 16 to April 7, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority will hold its inaugural WestK FunFest, presenting three weeks of family-oriented activities at various venues, including Harbourside Lawn of the Art Park, Freespace and the Xiqu Centre.

FunFest features locally and internationally-renowned artists, with more than 150 art programs, from participatory performances, interactive experiences, multi-media performances to hands-on workshops, a mega art installation, play zone, storytelling and dance parties.

Art Basel Hong Kong also returns this year with a full-scale edition. From March 28-30, a total of 243 premier international galleries with programs will unfold within and beyond the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcasing perspectives through modern and contemporary works.

Meanwhile, from March 28-31, the ninth edition of Hong Kong Art Week returns, with this year's program expected to be the largest and most dynamic since its inception in 2015. 

Back at its prime location at the Central Harbourfront for the first time since 2019, Art Central will once again overlook Victoria Harbour within a pop-up architect-designed and purpose-built structure. 

This year’s fair promises to showcase emerging Asian artists alongside global artists, with more than 90 participating galleries.

Around this time, the World Fair ComplexCon lands in Hong Kong. The first-ever Asia edition, ComplexCon, from March 22-24, bridges international pop with urban culture, and tens of thousands of attendees are expected to gather to participate in this thriving cultural scene. 

First hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2016, ComplexCon is “a festival of the future,” bringing together influential brands and artists for an immersive and unforgettable two days of style, sneakers, art, food, music, inspiration, and more. 

The festival is known for defining the culture of the moment and being a launch pad of what's coming next across fashion, art, music and technology.

An international cultural exchange will also take place as The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) teams up with international art collective teamLab, and other partners, to once again present a large-scale outdoor art project, Art@Harbour 2024.

Located on both sides of Victoria Harbour from March 25 to June 2, this event will see multiple outdoor art installations and digital art façades featuring the integration of art, science, and technology, bringing the public a sensory experience.

Imagine hundreds of colourful luminous ovoids, shifting colours, and changing sounds based on visitors' interactions! The exhibits will span across the lawns of Tamar Park and extend to Victoria Harbour, showcasing the vibrant harbourfront.

Not-to-be-missed M+, Asia's first global museum of contemporary visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District, has new commissions and a cinema program for its third year since opening in November 2021. 

The 2024 program covers all sorts of disciplines, including visual art, design and architecture, moving image, photography, and fashion, inviting guests into a world of modern and contemporary expression.  For a list of this year’s exhibitions, click here.

While you’re in town, don’t forget to visit Temple Street, a decorated neighbourhood known for its night market that was recently revitalized. It’s a picture-perfect portrait of Hong Kong nightlife!

In a diverse city of nearly 7.5 million people, there’s always something new to discover in Hong Kong.

Some of the city’s new and upgraded attractions include the Hong Kong Palace Museum at the West Kowloon Cultural District, the new sixth-generation Peak Tram, Frozen theme land at Disneyland Hong Kong, Water World Ocean Park and enhanced waterfront promenades. 

Hong Kong is back on the map, and getting there has never been easier thanks to Cathay Pacific, which has kept Canadians connected to Asia for more than 40 years.

Today, the airline offers non-stop flights from both Vancouver and Toronto to Hong Kong and or over 74 destinations, including 17 destinations in the Chinese Mainland.

Eligible passengers at Vancouver airport can unwind in the recently reopened Cathay Pacific Lounge and even indulge in a new selection of plant-based dishes on select long-haul flights.  

Say Hello to Hong Kong today! For more information on upcoming events and festivals, and for itinerary ideas, click here.

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