Catharina Cheung

Amidst the glint of metal, glass, and looming concrete, our city’s streets are vibrant and colourful, thanks to artists who have turned buildings, shopfronts, and alleyways into their canvases. If you’re in need of some creative inspiration – or even if you’re just looking for a lovely selfie background – here are some of the best graffiti and murals around Hong Kong. Note: As with the very nature of street art, these pieces are liable to be removed or painted over without notice. RECOMMENDED: Catch the top art exhibitions on show right now, or visit the best Instagram and photography spots in Hong Kong.

From new openings and hot events to product launches, Hong Kong’s food scene is never short of exciting happenings. So, we’ve conveniently gathered this month’s foodie happenings that you need to know to stay in the loop.  Bookmark this page for more updates! We’ll keep dropping the freshest news as it comes in. RECOMMENDED: Check out the nine new restaurants in Hong Kong chosen as Michelin-recommended venues

If you believe Hong Kong is a cultural desert when it comes to visual arts, think again! Explore nooks and crannies around town and you’ll find there’s actually art everywhere in our metropolis – as long as you know where to look. From art institutions that gather up-and-coming local talents under one roof to international galleries featuring works by established artists, there’s plenty to satisfy your cultural cravings. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a handy guide to some of the most interesting art spots to kick off your journey as a bona fide culture vulture. RECOMMENDED: Check out our pick of the best art exhibitions in Hong Kong for inspiration and discover an abundance of incredible art

March in Hong Kong is typically known to be the most creative month in town thanks to Hong Kong Arts Month. From the return of the city’s biggest art fairs such as Art Basel and Art Central, to local affairs like HKwalls and other exciting art exhibitions, these artsy events below ought to get your creative juices flowing this month. RECOMMENDED: Experience more of Hong Kong’s arts and culture scene at the best jazz venues, or check out all the upcoming concerts and music performances in the city.

Whether it’s street photography spots or world-class art galleries, Hong Kong is a city that’s bursting with creativity – thanks to the incredible art scene filled with local and international talents. To narrow things down and help you be well on your way to true culture vulture status (and level up your Insta-feed along the way), here are some of the best ongoing and upcoming art shows to visit around town. RECOMMENDED: Discover Hong Kong’s coolest hidden art spaces or pay a visit to the city’s top museums.

Listen, Hongkongers need a break. We live in one of the world’s most densely populated, busiest, and most expensive cities, in an economy largely driven by fast-paced industries such as finance, banking, trade, and logistics. We are also notorious for our long working hours, and pulling overtime is largely considered the norm. So yes, it tracks that Hongkongers need the time and space to properly unwind every now and then. Thank god our city is also home to plenty of good spas and wellness facilities – here are some of the newest wellness treatments in town for this season. RECOMMENDED: Check out Hong Kong’s best healthy meal subscriptions, and ways to unleash your inner goddess

Hong Kong and Macau’s music scene has been thriving with activity. From homegrown talents performing at intimate venues to international stars taking on the big stage, there’s much to look forward to for eager concertgoers. If you want to be in the know on all the latest music performances, festivals, concerts, and gigs happening in Hong Kong and Macau, bookmark this page and come back regularly for more updates.  RECOMMENDED: In the meantime, check out our list of the best live music venues in Hong Kong. 

Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than taking your special someone to one of these stunning locations for a meal they’ll never forget. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or thinking of popping the question, we’ve got you covered with these romantic venues across town to get you feeling all lovey-dovey. RECOMMENDED: Grab your gang and have a meal at the best restaurants with epic views in Hong Kong

Flowers can always brighten up someone’s day. You don’t need any occasion to show your appreciation for someone with some beautiful blooms, but they sure do make a celebration that much more special. Thank god our city has plenty of florists and affordable flower delivery services. From well-established spots to modern florists with a hipster spin, here are some of our favourite places to pick up a bouquet or two. RECOMMENDED:  🕰 The 13 best vintage shops in Hong Kong🖋 Hong Kong’s best stationery stores🛍 The best places for cheap shopping in Hong Kong This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Chocolates are a must-have for any occasion, so instead of settling for something you could easily grab from the convenience store, treat yourself to a decadent selection from one of these stores below. From irresistible truffles to crunchy pralines, follow our guide to discover the best chocolate shops in Hong Kong.  RECOMMENDED: Looking for more sweets? Take a look at our ultimate guide to traditional desserts in Hong Kong!

Everyone knows Manchester United, even if they’re not avid followers of football. Having produced world-renowned players such as David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Park Ji-sung, and Wayne Rooney, Manchester United is one of the most decorated clubs in Europe and one of the most popular in the world with supporters. But did you know that they truly cemented their place in the football hall of fame back in 1998 and 1999, when the football club won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League in the same season?

Ever since it gained popularity in the 90s, Hongkongers have been obsessed with karaoke (or KTV, as is more commonly used by locals). From the rotten to the resplendent, we embrace anyone willing to grab the mic and have a crack. And while the city’s largest purveyors of karaoke, Neway and Red Mr, certainly dominate the scene, there are definitely a few other choices out there worth checking out if you’re looking for a break from the norm. RECOMMENDED: If you prefer watching others performing instead, visit these live music venues in Hong Kong.

Art Central is back as one of Hong Kong’s Art Month highlights – and this year’s edition is particularly special as it is their 10th anniversary. Hit up their specially designed tent at Central Harbourfront to find a host of new programmes such as a sector dedicated to established artists born before 1970; Duo Projects, which pairs together the works of artists for deeper understanding on their art pieces; a specially curated host of video programmes, and brand-new lecture-performances. This year also sees the inclusion of some big names in the art world, such as Ay-O, Dean-E Mei, May Fung, and more. The fair is a must-visit during March, so grab your tickets soon to take advantage of their early-bird and advance discounted prices. 

Returning to Macau for his ninth year, the legendary Andrea Bocelli will soon perform at the city’s largest indoor arena, Galaxy Arena, for the very first time. As a world-renowned tenor, the Italian maestro has become beloved globally for his artful blend of opera, Italian folk, and pop music, with Celine Dion herself famously saying that “if God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli”. Bocelli rose to fame in the 90s and has recorded several best-selling albums in his 30-year musical career. After all, who can forget his beautiful single Con te partirò, his The Prayer duet with Celine Dion, and Time to Say Goodbye with Sarah Brightman, amongst many other impressive songs? Bocelli has performed for four United States presidents, three popes, the British royal family, numerous prime ministers, and now, he is set to grace the rapt audiences of Hong Kong and Macau. Head on over to the Galaxy Arena in Macau on March 29 for what is sure to be an unforgettable night of musical excellence. There’s no telling when the Voice of God will ever be back in the area, so this is a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s best singers in live performance, with tickets ranging from $480 to $2,880.

We swear the Black Sheep restaurant group is slowly conquering their way through The Peak, as they’ve now got yet another eatery up in the heights of our iconic Victoria Peak. The all-day pizzeria Falcone now has a new branch in the Peak Galleria, right across from the Peak Tram station. Chefs Roberta and Josh wanted a relaxed atmosphere that reminds diners of the Neapolitan seaside, and have crafted a menu to match. Favourites from the IFC menu are also available in The Peak branch, but there are also exclusive dishes such as the strozzapreti basilico e tonno, a hand-rolled pasta with pesto and tuna; and a fantastic salsiccia e zucca pizza that’s topped with Japanese pumpkin and gorgonzola blue cheese. We also really enjoyed their polpette di spinaci, a ‘meatball’ in tomato sauce that’s actually completely vegetarian and stuffed with tonnes of spinach that surprisingly carries a similar mouthfeel to minced meat. Wrap the meal up with their flourless chocolate cake, or the citrusy torta dell’ubriacone, nicknamed a ‘hangover cake’ in Naples. Falcone’s interiors are done up in greens and browns, accented with pops of pink as seen in their chandelier set above a flower centerpiece. In a cheeky touch, a drawing of former Italian footballer Materazzi glares down from his place on one of the wall’s mirrors. The bathroom is a decadently floral delight that is best left to experience for yourself. Note that Falcone is closed on Mondays, so don’t hike up for your pizza on that day of

Maggie Choo’s cabaret bar is many things – an antique shop front, a speakeasy-style bar, an after-dark venue with live performances – but now it’s finally living up to its name as a cabaret spot. They’re bringing their first-ever cabaret show to Central’s nightlife scene, promising live vocalists, a jazz band, and a troupe of international dancers. With Maggie Choo’s dark wood interiors, velvet drapings, and dramatic spiral stairs, the bar is a great setting for this kind of sultry performance. Audiences can expect a range of dance styles including jazz, ballet, and of course, classic cabaret, performed in tailor-made costumes and iconic cabaret elements like top hats. Performers weave fluidly through the crowd and guests are encouraged to participate in an interactive blend of elegance, sensuality, and humour that defines the art of cabaret – and, as with most things at Maggie Choo’s, boasting an Asian twist. This new cabaret show will take place every Thursday from 9pm to 11pm. More show dates in the week will be added from March onwards.

More than 110 exquisite artefacts from the Hong Kong Palace Museum, The Palace Museum in Beijing, as well as important loans from the British Museum, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and several museums in Hong Kong, will be on display at this special exhibition on Chinese food and drink culture. These pieces delve into the rich culinary traditions and culture of ancient Chinese people, ranging across 5,000 years of history. See how culinary practices and ingredients were exchanged between China and the nomadic peoples of Central and Western Asia; how the Ming and Qing dynasties enjoyed picnics and dining on pleasure boats; and how the importance of food and drink was transferred even from this world to the afterlife through burial rituals and offerings dating back to the Neolithic period. This fascinating culinary exploration is enhanced by multimedia presentations and technology, such as an interactive dining table where visitors can order food in a virtual feast while exploring the evolution of dining utensils and diverse cooking techniques. Out of the displays, eight pieces are grade-one national treasures from the Forbidden City, so keep an eye out. Tickets for this special exhibition are priced at $150, with concessions available. Those who purchase Full Access Tickets for HKPM can access this exhibition, as well as The Forbidden City and The Palace of Versailles and other exhibitions in galleries one to seven on the same day.

Acme Wellness is the first hot and cold contrast therapy destination in Hong Kong. Each of their treatment rooms in the tranquil Duddell Street location houses a full-spectrum infrared sauna and a plunge tub, so instead of rolling around in the snow after a Scandinavian outdoors sauna, you can stimulate your body’s natural healing mechanisms right in the heart of Central.

London-founded hair and scalp care clinic Svenson offers science-backed hair spa treatments from locations in Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kwun Tong, and Shatin.

The Hong Kong Ballet will present the Asian premiere of Frida, a performance centred on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, one of the most important surrealist painters of the 20th century. This special ballet show will only be in town for a very limited run of just five performances, so don’t miss out! Colombian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa has created this beautiful production that tells the story of Kahlo’s professional triumphs and personal tragedies, made even more visually stunning by her bold paintings and striking self-portraits being incorporated into the ballet. Much thought has also been put into the costumes and set designs, the work of Dieuweke Van Reij – look out for skeletons, Mexican skirts, florals, and animal motifs that are often found in Kahlo’s paintings. In a brilliant touch, the ballet starts off in black and white, before exploding into colours when Kahlo discovers the world of artistic pursuits. Frida will only be on show from April 4 to 6. Tickets range from $250 to $1,200, with concessions available for students and senior citizens.

People who still think female Japanese musicians are all about cute bubblegum pop need to reassess the situation by listening to Wagamamarakia. This four-member group of singer-songwriters is actively breaking away from the traditional idol framework, and emphasising self-driven music creation instead. Since their debut in 2016, Wagamamarakia has performed across a wide range of genres and influences, including rock, hip-hop, R&B, EDM, djent, alt-rock, and metalcore. Concert-goers will be wowed by their rock band accompaniment on stage, as well as their team of dancers, who are led by the Osaka band in their routines. What’s even cooler is that the members even personally design their own outfits, injecting their personal styles into every facet of their performances. Tickets range from $380 to $1,080.

Well-loved singer-songwriter Tatsuya Kitani is touring around Asian countries such as Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong. If you’re an anime fan, you’ll likely already be familiar with Kitani’s work as his song ‘Where Our Blue Is’ is the opening track for Jujutsu Kaisen’s ‘Hidden Inventory’ arc, and his collaborative duo Gemn with idol Kento Nakajima also produced the hit track ‘Fatal’ for the anime Oshi No Ko. Tickets are on sale at $880 for standard entry and $1,280 for VIP access. VIPs will enjoy priority entry, a VIP pass, an autographed poster, and original merch as gifts.

Japanese hip-hop boy group Be:First is embarking on their very first world tour starting from April. Kicking off in Los Angeles, they will make their way to 15 cities such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Chicago, and Singapore – with Hong Kong also on their list. They’ve just released their latest single Spacecraft, only a couple of months after their previous single Sailing, which was used as the ending theme song for the One Piece Fishman Island arc. Catch the seven-member band’s high-energy performances on June 28. The venue and ticket prices for their Hong Kong stop have yet to be released, so keep an eye on our page.

Fans of third-generation K-pop groups will know of Gfriend as a girl group that garnered considerable success after debuting in 2015, despite being from a small record label. After their third studio album in 2020, the six-member group parted ways when their contracts ended in 2021, though members Eunha, SinB, and Umji later went on to form Viviz in 2022 under new management.  The girls are now reuniting as a group in celebration of their decade-long careers, releasing the single ‘Season of Memories’ as a reunion project in January. Catch them at their Hong Kong concert on March 14 – tickets range from $999 to $1,899. All concert-goers will receive an exclusive photocard, while the middle ticket tier can also be selected to attend the girl group’s send-off session, and the highest ticket tier will additionally have access to the soundcheck and receive a VIP ID and lanyard.

As we moved into March, the weekend just past has presented Hong Kong with foggy vistas and warm temperatures, with visibility in some areas dropping to 100 metres and the thermostat climbing as high as 27 degrees Celsius. However, it looks like we’re not quite clear of the winter chills yet, as the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has warned temperatures will drop again as we progress into this week. According to the weather watchdog, a humid maritime airstream will continue to affect the territories on Monday, March 3, so Hong Kong will remain foggy in the morning and at night while temperatures reach a height of 27 degrees Celsius during the day. But from Tuesday, March 4, onwards, a cold front will sweep across the Guangdong coastal areas, and temperatures will fall progressively through the week, reaching a low of 14 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8. Under the influence of a northeast monsoon, there will also be some showers and thunderstorms, mostly during the middle and latter parts of this week. So far, the highest likelihood of rain will fall on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Over the coming weekend, temperatures will still be cool, with the mercury dropping to 15 and 14 degrees Celsius. The monsoon is expected to moderate early next week, and temperatures will rise again accordingly. Keep an eye out on weather updates on the HKO website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your i

If you’re a kombucha lover or just a bit of a health nut, you’ll likely have already heard of Taboocha. Hong Kong’s first craft kombucha brewery, this local women-owned business is celebrating its 11th birthday and opened a pop-up venue in Sheung Wan with exclusive products and more to taste and explore. Aptly named the Scoby Room, the pop-up is a testament to Taboocha’s products, creativity, and how far they’ve come over the past decade. From light installations made from dried scoby cultures and kombucha tasters aged for different lengths of time, to reimagined artworks of their bottle labels (and they’ve collaborated with many talented artists so far), visitors can get a deeper insight into this Hong Kong brand. Photograph: Catharina Cheung Pop a bottle of their pop-up-exclusive Mui flavour, made with a three-year-old batch of plum syrup, and head into the back of the exhibition to get your ‘fortune’ told by picking a number from the various scoby pieces hanging around. Fun fact: Taboocha is named after the founders’ dog Taboo, and she is featured in the video that loops on the old-school TV set. Finally, don’t leave without grabbing some exclusive merch such as t-shirts or a hand-made scoby plush keychain. There are only about 100 of these cute little guys available, so the dolls are even more rare than Labubus (Tabooboos, if you will?). Check out Taboocha’s Scoby Room pop-up at 54 Sai Street until March 5. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong news

The Emmy Award-winning reality competition show The Amazing Race will begin its 37th season soon, and 14 teams will start their race around the globe with Hong Kong as their starting point. We can’t think of a more dynamic and visually interesting city for the TV show’s largest cast so far to compete for the US$1 million prize. The specific locations featured within Hong Kong have been kept under wraps, but the show’s executive producers have hinted that they will show some of our iconic landmarks, citing our high-energy atmosphere and diverse mix of modern and historic locations as a great fit to start their season premiere. This 37th edition of the show has also been dubbed the ‘season of surprises’, and will see the introduction of a brand-new challenge called ‘Fork in the Road’, where teams can choose two different paths which will affect their journeys, creating increasingly tense parallel races on screen leading to their Pit Stops. Photograph: Courtesy Kit Karzen / CBS Our fast-paced city is sure to bring some unique challenges to the competing teams as they navigate Hong Kong’s urban and natural landscape and our diverse cultural blends. Judging from the challenges in previous seasons, they may well be tasked to converse in Cantonese, tackle a particularly tough hike, or take part in a traditional Chinese ceremony – your guess is as good as ours! The Amazing Race has been in Hong Kong four times since the CBS programme started running in 2001. Previous seasons have s

Hong Kong has been ranked the most expensive city to live in within Eastern Asia. The world’s largest cost-of-living database Numbeo publishes periodic tables ranking costs of living, property prices, and more for cities around the world, and Hong Kong has been confirmed as one of the most expensive in Asia. Numbeo is a crowd-sourced global database that gathers data on the quality of life. Contributors from around the world can add statistics on housing, rent, salaries, transportation, healthcare, crime, and more about the countries they live in. This means that the data they gather is from on-the-ground, localised, and by everyday citizens instead of detached researchers.   Photograph: Shutterstock     Their current cost of living chart is topped by Hong Kong, with a score of 74 on the cost of living index. Our rent index, at 56, is also the costliest, far outstripping the second highest on the list (Tokyo, at an index of 28.4). According to Numbeo’s data, Hong Kong’s restaurants are also the most expensive within Eastern Asia, at an index of 49.3 compared to the second-highest of 38.4 from Seoul. In terms of overall cost of living, Hong Kong is followed by Seoul, Tokyo, and Taipei, with Suzhou – the first mainland Chinese city on the list – coming in at fifth place just ahead of Shanghai. Our neighbouring city of Shenzhen comes in as the seventh costliest place of living in Eastern Asia, while Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou are ranked eighth to 10th, respectively. This

The lineup of events during Arts Month in Hong Kong is always extensive, but a particularly noteworthy highlight this year is a new special exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) titled A Moveable Feast. More than 110 exquisite pieces of art from HKPM, The Palace Museum in Beijing, as well as important loans from the British Museum, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and several museums in Hong Kong, will be on display. These pieces delve into the rich culinary traditions and culture of ancient Chinese people, ranging across 5,000 years of history. See how culinary practices and ingredients were exchanged between China and the nomadic peoples of Central and Western Asia; how the Ming and Qing dynasties enjoyed picnics and dining on pleasure boats; and how the importance of food and drink was transferred even from this world to the afterlife through burial rituals and offerings dating back to the Neolithic period. Photograph: Courtesy The Palace Museum This fascinating culinary exploration is enhanced by multimedia presentations and technology, such as an interactive dining table where visitors can order food in a virtual feast while exploring the evolution of dining utensils and diverse cooking techniques. Out of the displays, eight pieces are grade-one national treasures from the Forbidden City, so keep an eye out. A Movable Feast: The Culture of Food and Drink in China will run from March 19 to June 18. Tickets for this special exhib

Hong Kong’s iconic Sunbeam Theatre has weathered over half a century of immense changes as the city grew and developed around it – but no more, as we are mere days away from the theatre finally shutting its doors for good. The old-school theatre dedicated to the art of Cantonese opera held its last open day on February 22, putting on mini performances and allowing the public to view previously unseen areas of the theatre. As we approach Sunbeam’s final curtain call, here’s a look back at its history and what makes this venue so special in Hong Kong. Photograph: Shutterstock A quick recap of Chinese and Cantonese opera Chinese opera dates back to the 13th-century Song dynasty, but has its roots in an earlier form of musical theatre called Canjun opera from the Later Zhao dynasty, which was then refined during the famously artistic Tang dynasty. Other defining characteristics of Chinese opera – such as rhyming, rhythmic singing, and the tradition of performing in the vernacular instead of flowery poetic verses that are more inaccessible – were gradually shaped during the Song to the Ming dynasties.  By the Qing dynasty, the most well-known types of Chinese opera were Peking opera performed in the north of China, and Cantonese opera, known as ‘yuet kuk’ (粵曲; Cantonese songs) instead of ‘xiqu’ (戲曲; theatre songs) as used in other parts of China. But fast forward to the latter half of the 20th century, and Chinese opera suffered a huge blow when Mao declared its stories of tradi

Just as we’re gleefully reviewing our calendars for Arts Month events coming up in March, the Digital Art Fair dropped the news that they are cancelling the 2025 edition of their fair, which was originally scheduled to run from March 26 to 30. Photograph: Courtesy Digital Art Fair No official reason was provided for the abrupt cancellation, but the organisers cited there were ‘reasons beyond [their] control’. Those who have already bought tickets will be refunded in full with no further action required on the customer’s part. This comes as the second cancellation of a major event on Hong Kong’s social calendar in as many weeks – the first was when Creamfields suddenly called off their Hong Kong festival barely half a month before they were supposed to light up the Central Harbourfront on March 8 and 9. Founded in 2021, the Digital Art Fair is the world’s first Web 3.0 fine art fair, focusing on technological creativity and the creation and collection of digital and NFT art. Here’s hoping they will return with a bang in Arts Month 2026. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended reading: Everything you need to know about Hans Zimmer’s upcoming concert in Hong Kong Casetify collaborates with Thailand’s viral Butterbear for a new collection Hong Kong trams likely to increase their fare prices

The award-winning film composer Hans Zimmer has announced the dates for his concert tour of Australia and Asia, and Hong Kong is on the schedule. After playing in various cities down under, he will perform in Hong Kong before continuing on to South Korea, Japan, and Abu Dhabi. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hans Zimmer Live tour when it comes to our shores. When and where will Hans Zimmer perform in Hong Kong? The acclaimed composer will take the stage for one night only on Wednesday, May 14. As might be expected of a performer of his fame, his concert will be held in the AsiaWorld-Arena. How much are tickets to Hans Zimmer, and when will they be released? Ticket prices for Hans Zimmer Live have not been disclosed, but sales will open at 10am on February 25. Make sure you get in the digital queue early so you don’t miss out! Photograph: Courtesy Suzanne Teresa What songs will be performed in the Hans Zimmer Live concert? No official setlist has been released, but concert-goers can expect to be treated to a selection of Zimmer’s most iconic scores from cinematic hits such as Mission: Impossible, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, and King Arthur. The newly arranged concert suites will also include music from Gladiator, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Dark Knight, Interstellar, The Lion King, The Last Samurai, and Dune. There’s something for everyone, whether long-time fans of Disney movies or connoisseurs of contemporary classic films. What’s special about th

Earlier this month, Hong Kong Tramways submitted a proposal to the Transport Department, applying for a raise in fare prices in order to ‘sustain the operational viability’ of its iconic tram services. The majority of lawmakers discussing the issue in a Legislative Council meeting on February 21 have voiced their support for this price hike, so it is likely that this fare increase will go through. The tram operator has proposed raising adult fares by 10 percent, from $3 to $3.30. Concessionary fares for children would similarly be raised from $1.50 to $1.60, which is a 6.7 percent increase, while senior citizens’ fare would rise from $1.30 to $1.50, a 15.4 percent jump. The price for monthly passes will remain unchanged at $260. Citing rising operational costs in the face of ridership that is still ‘lingering over 15 percent below pre-pandemic’ levels, Hong Kong Tramways reported a post-tax profit of approximately $11.2 million last year, which is an increase of nearly 1.5 times compared to the previous year, but operational expenditure has risen about 10 percent.  Looking ahead, the company plans to roll out various improvements over the next two years, such as tram refurbishments and developing an app for tracking real-time tram arrivals. Running along the northern coast of Hong Kong Island since 1904, the trams are Hong Kong’s oldest public transport system, with a 165-strong fleet of double-decker vehicles that are an iconic emblem of our city. The last time Hong Kong Tra

An exhibition honouring the celebrated Chinese-French abstract artist Zao Wou-ki will open at M+ towards the end of this year. Tentatively titled Zao Wou-Ki: Graphic Works, this will be Asia’s first major retrospective of his works as one of the greatest abstract artists of the mid- and late-twentieth century. Co-curated by M+ and the Zao Wou-ki Foundation, this exhibition offers a close look at Zao’s printmaking practice from 1949 to 2000, showcasing more than 200 works including prints, illustrated books, paintings, works on paper, and more. A large part of the show comprises works donated to M+ by Zao’s wife and president of the Zao Wou-Ki Foundation, Françoise Marquet-Zao, as well as a selection donated by his daughter Sin-May Roy Zao. Photograph: Courtesy M+, Hong Kong Zao’s paintings are famous worldwide but his works in the printmaking media are equally as significant and inextricably connected to his canvas pieces. After all, it was prints that were the catalyst for his experiments in the genre of abstraction, and a practice that gave him techniques which he incorporated into his works for the rest of his career. Visitors can view significant works by Zao including Lecture by Henri Michaux (1950), Piazza Siena (1951), and In Honour of the Picture and of Poetry (1976). This retrospective exhibition will run from December 13 to April 2026. Further details and ticketing information will be released closer to its opening. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out

So much emphasis and attention is being paid to South Korean music acts in recent years that it feels like their idol groups are the defining reflection of popular Asian music. However, it was once Japanese music that used to be the dominant genre, producing plenty of beloved bands and artists. These days, there are still so many Japanese artists who are making great tracks in the realms of alt-rock, R&B, instrumental, and more – here are five artists who are having concerts in Hong Kong this year that we think you should check out! Photograph: Courtesy Neon Lit Wagamamarakia People who still think female Japanese musicians are all about cute bubblegum pop need to reassess the situation by listening to Wagamamarakia. This four-member group of singer-songwriters is actively breaking away from the traditional idol framework, and emphasising self-driven music creation instead. Since their debut in 2016, Wagamamarakia has performed across a wide range of genres and influences, including rock, hip-hop, R&B, EDM, djent, alt-rock, and metalcore. Photograph: Courtesy Neon Lit Tatsuya Kitani Well-loved singer-songwriter Tatsuya Kitani is touring around Asian countries such as Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong. If you’re an anime fan, you’ll likely already be familiar with Kitani’s work as his song ‘Where Our Blue Is’ is the opening track for Jujutsu Kaisen’s Hidden Inventory arc, and his collaborative duo Gemn with idol Kento Nakajima also produced the hit track ‘Fatal’

Local charity organisation ImpactHK returns this year with its second-ever fundraising dinner, to raise money for their mission of ending homelessness in Hong Kong, to celebrate their accomplishments, and highlight their goals for the future. They’re ideally aiming to raise $8 million, so read on to find out how you can help. This year’s gala marks even more of a pivotal moment for the organisation than before, as they are developing a new permanent home for their operations. Raising the funds for an ImpactHK headquarters will maximise their efficiency and centralise their programmes, allowing them to help the lives of Hong Kong’s least fortunate. Since being founded in 2017, ImpactHK has distributed over a million meals to the needy, and helped hundreds of individuals transition from surviving on the streets of Hong Kong to living in safe shelters. The dinner gala will be accompanied by a lineup of entertainment, including a soulful performance by South African-born, Hong Kong-based singer-songwriter Eli Zael, as well as tricks and illusions by Hong Kong magician Sunday Lam. The comedian Vivek Mahbubani will also co-host the event, bonding the attendees with humour and a sense of community. The Kindness Gala will take place on March 22 at the Regent Hong Kong. Tickets range from $2,800 to $10,200 for one to four individual seats. There are also tables available to book out, starting from $28,000. Visit the official website for payment methods, or get in touch with Elisa Skil