The best things to do in Hong Kong today

Hopewell Mall is turning into an animal sanctuary this summer with the return of Exotic Pets World. The pop-up exhibition features four themed zones, showcasing over 15 rare and exotic species, including the Lesser Antillean iguana, the Aldabra giant tortoise, and the ever-adorable axolotls. Alongside a dedicated aquatic zone and fascinating wildlife displays, visitors can enjoy interactive experiences, hands-on workshops like insect specimen mounting, and a behind-the-scenes summer programme for kids aged seven and up. Admission to the main exhibition is free, with registration required for the workshops and educational activities.

Cj Hendry will be taking over Pacific Place with Juju world, an immersive experience centred around the signature character with the floppy ears and a flower over one eye. First up, a huge sculptural centrepiece will display Juju characters amidst a surreal universe; then, there’s also an infinity mirror zone where visitors can step into a dream-like reflection of Juju’s world. The star of the show, though, has got to be a room where you can be cocooned by over 400 Juju plushies. This exhibition event will also come with Jujus to be collected. The limited series features nine distinctive colourways that have slightly iridescent bodies, inspired by Hong Kong’s ever-changing energy and metropolitan spirit. These nine Juju types will be solely exclusive to our city, so get ready to grab your blind boxes!

Back by popular demand, the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong Cake Shop pop-up is returning to IFC Mall (Kiosk LA15, L1) from August 4, 2026, through February 14, 2027. Led by executive pastry chef Ringo Chan, this pop-up will be bringing signature creations, exclusive bakes, and limited-edition monthly releases. Highlights include Japanese cheese tarts, an oatmeal raisin cookie selection, and a grab-and-go morning menu. A range of Danish pastries as well as sliced and petit cakes will also be available throughout the day.

Discover the history, art, and cultural impact of gaming at CityUHK’s new interactive exhibition, The Power of Play. This hands-on showcase spans 5,000 years of gaming history, tracking the evolution of human play from ancient Egyptian board games and nostalgic 1980s arcades to immersive virtual reality experiences, modern esports, and collaborative robotics. Curated by professor Espen Aarseth, the exhibition offers a fascinating look at how society’s attitude toward gaming has shifted from a casual amusement to a global competitive phenomenon.  The Power of Play runs from July 4 to October 25 at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery (18th floor of the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building at CityUHK). Doors are open from 11am to 7pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Entry won't cost you a penny, though you’ll need to register online before turning up.

Hong Kong football fans are in for a treat this May as the FIFA Museum makes its large-scale debut at Times Square. Kicking off on May 28, this six-month residency offers a deep dive into the history of the beautiful game, featuring The Rainbow installation of 211 member association jerseys alongside original trophies and artefacts from both the men’s and women’s World Cups. Beyond the glass cases, visitors can also catch screenings of short films or uncover unique stories from Asia and Hong Kong. Tickets go on sale April 16 at 6pm via the Arena-Tix platform, with standard entry priced at $180 and concessionary tickets for $140. Limited VIP packages with guided tours and exclusive souvenirs are also available.

Landing in Wan Chai for a two-month run from July 1 to August 31, Marrow is a sleek, meat-led pop-up restaurant offering an unconventional take on open-fire cooking. Curated by chef Chris Ma, the concept moves away from traditional steakhouses to highlight lesser-known cuts with distinct local and regional flavours. Alongside a selection of fire-cooked mains, diners can enjoy a playful menu of creative starters, seafood options, and nostalgic desserts. The restaurant is open daily for dinner only, and with a short summer residency, booking ahead is highly recommended.

In a landmark collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) of Egypt, 250 treasures and relics from the land of the Pharaohs will be on display in Hong Kong for nine and a half months. Named ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’, this exhibition is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian artefacts Hong Kong has ever seen, displaying archaeological finds loaned straight from Egypt, many of which are being shown outside of their home country for the very first time. Some of our favourite highlights include a set of canopic jars used to store internal organs in the mummification and burial process; statues of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and Rameses II; painted coffins of wood and stone; a Book of the Dead papyrus scroll; and even an ancient Egyptian toilet seat. Swing by the gift shop to find a wide range of Egypt-related merch, including an adorable series of blind box plushies created by HKPM which depict pharaohs, canopic jars, mummies, and more.

M+ and Leeum Museum of Art are teaming up to present a comprehensive exhibition featuring the groundbreaking works of influential South Korean contemporary artist Lee Bul. More than 200 pieces will be shown, spanning the artist’s career from the late 1990s to the present to trace the evolution of Lee’s artistic approach. Split into three sections, ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’ interrogates ideas of utopian and dystopian existence, the relationship between body and technology, and Lee’s creative process. M+ Cinema will also screen a number of Lee’s performance works during the exhibition period. ‘Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now’ opens on March 14 and will be commemorated with a talk at the Grand Stair; Lee herself will be present to speak about her artistic vision.

Hong Kong’s transit network is getting an adorable upgrade this summer as the MTR Corporation and AllRightsReserved launch the ‘Next Station: Chiikawa Artiverse’ campaign. Running on weekends from July 25 to August 30, a specially decorated Light Rail train will operate four trips on each day from Siu Hong Stop towards Tuen Mun or Yuen Long, featuring character-shaped handrail straps, exterior glow-in-the-dark stars, and artwork of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi. Passengers can join the experience by purchasing an $88 Light Rail Travel Pass package on-site at Siu Hong (Platform 4), which covers one designated themed train journey, unlimited same-day Light Rail travel, and collectable merch. The transit takeover also extends into the main network with station installations at Admiralty and Lok Ma Chau, alongside an MTR Mobile app stamp card lucky draw offering 300 tickets to the upcoming Chiikawa Artiverse exhibition.

Are you ready to go to the Jellicle Ball? Andrew Lloyd Webber’s world-class musical Cats is finally touring in Hong Kong! Inspired by a book of whimsical poems by T.S. Eliot named Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical follows the Jellicle cats at their annual gathering who share their stories and adventures before choosing one cat to be reborn into a brand-new life. Everyone should experience Cats’ intricate costumes, charming sets, energetic choreography, and unforgettable songs at least once in person!