Catharina Cheung

Looking to make your weekend worthwhile? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to catch some live music, check out a new art exhibit, or just find a casual spot to relax with friends, Hong Kong knows how to keep you busy. Come rain or shine, day or night, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect weekend.  RECOMMENDED:  📆 Hong Kong events in December🎡 Top attractions in Hong Kong🛍️ Your ultimate Hong Kong checklist 2025

Hello, folks! We’re officially in January of 2026 – you know, the month when we all pretend we’re going to stick to our New Year’s resolutions. We’re certainly not here to judge, and besides, a new year means a whole new social calendar for new experiences. So, whip out your calendar and pencil in those dates, we guarantee you’ll recover from the post-holiday blues in no time. RECOMMENDED: Plan for your next break with our guide on how to maximise your public holidays in 2026!

Not sure how to spend your free time this week? We’ve rounded up some of the best happenings across the city – from art exhibitions and food pop-ups to music nights and kid-friendly activities – so you don’t have to go searching. But if all else fails, you can always turn to one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants, or cross things off our ultimate Hong Kong checklist. Whatever you decide, we’ve got you covered for the next seven days. RECOMMENDED:  🎨 Art exhibitions to check out right now📆 December events in Hong Kong🥹 Free things to do in Hong Kong

The end of a year is always a pretty weird time for everyone. You have the people who are looking forward to the year ahead and busy manifesting their dream lives, the people who spend that ambiguous week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve in a haze of nights out, the people who still feel like the 2000s was like, 10 years ago, and the go-getters who are already compiling their to-do list for 2026. Everyone should have something scheduled for New Year’s Eve, but if drunkenly stumbling around the bar districts or getting roped into rowdy house parties isn’t your ideal way to start the new year, then here are some alternative ways to end 2025 with a bang. RECOMMENDED: Looking for more off-the-beaten path experiences? Check out some of Hong Kong’s secret islands, or add these unexpected activities to your Hong Kong bucket list.  

Hong Kong is packed with superb eateries, but for a truly local vibe, you definitely need to dive into our street food culture. Head to bustling spots like Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Kwai Fong, or Sham Shui Po, and you’ll encounter an amazing array of snacks sizzling away right on the sidewalks. We’re talking spicy fishballs, crispy egg waffles, chewy cheung fun, and even some seriously stinky tofu. These tasty treats are not only delicious but also super budget-friendly, so you can fill up without emptying your wallet.RECOMMENDED: Head to the best dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong for more authentic local bites.

Hong Kong has long been known as a city of constant change. That frenetic, rejuvenating energy has captured the hearts of many. But with that comes the inevitable loss of culturally significant trades and practices, buildings, and even traditional cuisines. That’s why it’s always important to catch your breath and remember how Hong Kong’s past has shaped its present. Want to get a fuller sense of Hong Kong’s history? You’ve come to the right place. RECOMMENDED: If historic Hong Kong is your thing, check out some of our city’s oldest restaurants.

Christmas is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get all your gift shopping done! Luckily, there’s still a bit of time left to hunt down the perfect treat for the women in your life. If you’re running short on ideas, let our Christmas gift guide for her help you find a thoughtful and meaningful present that the ladies will love. RECOMMENDED: Start planning for the holiday season with our ultimate guide to celebrating Christmas in Hong Kong.

This is it – the final month of the year, and what better way to wrap up the year than making the most of what’s on the city’s social calendar? Whether you’re in the mood for holiday festivities or a family day out, there’s something happening for everyone. From dazzling Christmas displays to foodie pop-ups and art exhibitions, this month has plenty to offer – so make the most of it!

Picking the best picture-perfect spot in Hong Kong is tough. After all, our city is practically built for Instagram. There are amazing places to admire the sunset, beautiful architecture, scenic cycling routes, and so much more. To help make things easier for you, we've put together a list of some of Hong Kong's most famous Instagram spots, as well as a handful of beautiful, must-visit gems. We'll be updating the list regularly too, so be sure to hit that bookmark button! Jump to a section: Hong Kong Island  Kowloon  New Territories & outlying islands  RECOMMENDED: If you enjoy basking in nature, Hong Kong has numerous secret islands you can check out. 

With the weather properly cooling down, it’s starting to feel more like Christmas by the day! One of our favourite parts of the holiday season is seeing homes and spaces festooned in Yuletide decorations, and there’s nothing more beautiful than a fully decked-out Christmas tree. Real trees tend to sell out fast, but if you like having the fresh smell of pine and fir in your home, then we definitely have options for you. No matter how big, affordable, or durable you need your tree to be, read on to find the best places to get Christmas trees. RECOMMENDED: Ready to do get deep into the Christmas mood? Here’s where to get Christmas decorations, and the best Christmas buffets and brunches 

It’s December, the malls are pumping Christmas tunes on repeat, and it’s time to get your place looking festive. To help you do just that with no endless wandering required, we’ve pulled together a list of the best places in Hong Kong to buy decorations. From classic luxurious pieces that feel like an investment to budget-friendly fairy lights and unique ornaments with a Hong Kong twist, we’ve got you covered for every style and budget this season. RECOMMENDED:  🌟 Christmas lights and displays🍾 Festive Christmas hampers🎄 Places to buy Christmas trees

With the relentless march of corporate globalisation and over-zealous bureaucracy edging out staples of Hong Kong’s societal tent-poles, it’s easy to forget about the traditional spots and pockets of culture that helped make this city what it is. From modest (in size) historical buildings to Hong Kong traditions and old-style eateries that are still among the best grub in the city, take a look at the top must-see local gems before they disappear forever.  RECOMMENDED: Feeling nostalgic? Go down memory lane and reminisce with us over things we miss from the Hong Kong of old. 

The Rescued Feast, billed as Asia’s first-ever sustainable dining experience where all dishes are made using food surplus, is hosting their last dinner of 2025 and donating the proceeds to help the affected residents of Tai Po. This special edition of The Rescued Feast will transform surplus ingredients, food scraps, and unwanted produce into a gourmet meal. Aside from raising awareness about Hong Kong’s food waste, the event will also turn over all the net proceeds to Bethune House, a charity organisation that provides emergency shelter, food, and essential care for migrant domestic workers and others in need, and who are currently supporting those affected by the fire at Wang Fu Court. Tickets are available for $550 per person, which includes the dinner buffet, one drink, a goodie bag with gifts from the event sponsors, and a discount code for Fenxiang since the evening will turn into a late-night disco. You can also purchase raffle tickets to try your luck at winning a range of sustainable prizes during the dinner. These cost $50 for two entries and $100 for five entries – there’s no limit to how many you can buy to increase your winning chances

As the name suggests, this is a little boutique tucked away in Lee Garden, but don’t let its dimunitive size fool you into ignoring it. The Little Shop stocks a carefully curated range of bags, jewellery, scarves, accessories, fragrances, and more – all thoughtfully and deliberately stocked from niche brands around the world. If you’re into one-of-a-kind items, whether as gifts or for yourself, then check out this store.

In response to one of Hong Kong’s most devastating tragedies in several years, JIA Group’s chef will unite at Louise for a one-night-only charitable dinner that goes towards aiding the Hong Kong Red Cross. Culinary talents from Louise, Estro, Mono, Andō, Leela, and 22 Ships will be participating in a cross-cultural menu that includes dishes such as red tuna  with Baikal caviar and Kyoho grapes, langoustines with Ecuadorian cacao expressions, Konkani cod fish curry, and yellow chicken with morel mushrooms and alba white truffles. Priced at $3,888 per diner, including food and wine, all proceeds from this dinner will be donated to the Hong Kong Red Cross, who have been on the frontlines of Tai Po providing emergency relief, shelter support, and psychosocial services to victims affected by the deadly fire.

Chubb Life is running a mini film festival to highlight the lives of dementia patients and their caregivers – the December schedule includes a screening of A Good Child. This Golden Horse Awards nominee is a Singaporean film based on the true story of well-known drag queen Sammi Zhen. Without giving too much away, the plot follows drag queen Jia Hao who returns home after years of estrangement when his mother is diagnosed with dementia. Seeing an opportunity to heal and mend bridges, he leverages her failing memory to make his mother believe that he is a daughter instead of a son.  Catch this excellent queer story and brutally honest depiction of dementia on December 13 at Emperor Cinema in Central. 

Cj Hendry, the hyperrealistic artist behind the flower pool installation in IFC this summer, is back in town for an immersive pop-up exhibition centred around her first-ever collectible toy series. The endearing Juju character has a flower over one eye and long floppy ears, and will be featured in exclusive merchandise only available from this pop-up. From bag charms in 24 variations, handcrafted sculptures limited to eight editions of 100 worldwide, and large-scale drawings to clothing and accessories, this is bound to be a hit with collectors of a pop-infused aesthetic. Catch Juju at the Phillips’ Asia headquarters at WestK, only from November 29 to December 2.

We’ve always said that Hong Kong is always willing to rally as a community when called on, and this is another touching example. Bar veteran Luca Andrei of Lockdown recently sustained serious injuries during the World’s 50 Best Bars festivities, and since he cannot be behind the bar during his long road to recovery, his ‘family’ of Hong Kong bar personalities are stepping up to do it for him. Eight names that any regular bar punter will recognise – including Bar Leone’s Lorenzo Antinori, Beckaly Franks, Amir Javaid of Socio and Gossip, Gagan Gurung, and more – are gathering for one night in a show of solidarity, where all of the proceeds will go directly to Andrei’s medical and living expenses. Rock up to Barcode from 7pm onwards on December 1 to pitch in how you can. 

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.

Roughly meaning ‘cheap and amazing’ in Cantonese slang, Peng Leng Jeng is a temporary restaurant concept by Black Sheep which pays homage to Hong Kong’s dai pai dong open-air eateries and their unbeatable, nostalgic flavours.

Founded by jewellery designer Kelly Rolim, Luah focuses on accessories geared towards sporty, outdoors-y types. Each piece of jewellery is waterproof and sweatproof, hypoallergenic, and makeu-friendly. It’s rare to find pretty accessories well-suited to the pool, the gym, and then to a night out, but Luah manages it.

Hong Kong’s newest Parisian bistro Jean-Pierre unveils Mardi Rouge – during the first Tuesday of every month, the lights are dimmed and the vibes turned up for an evening of live music, French classics, and good company. Linger over a cornichon martini or a glass of red, accompanied perhaps by a steak au poivre and other bistro fare, as Jean-Pierre’s resident pianist and raconteur spins magic through music.  Reservations are required to secure a place at the monthly Mardi Rouge nights, with a minimum spend of $1,200 per guest. Doors open from 6pm.

Located on the lower section of Peel Street, Not 2 Sweet is a welcoming dive bar that’s an industry favourite hang with bartenders in the area, well-liked for their super-unpretentious vibes. Founders Leo and Richard are among the most friendly bar people on the scene, and no night in Central is complete without one of their famous chicken ramen cocktails.  Wednesdays are for open-mic comedy while Thursdays are movie nights. See if you can procure a pen to leave your mark on the walls that are full of graffiti, swear words, and discreet love confessionals.

Despite their tongue-in-cheek name, there’s nothing bad to be found in this retro joint that’s a cosy café by day and moonlights as a cocktail bar when night falls. Duck into the industrial Alhambra Building between the Eaton HK and the Kowloon Central Post Office to find this minimalist, dark wood-panelled space with 80s Hong Kong-inspired decor that’s somehow reminiscent of an old-school office (albeit without an air of depression). We love that the entrance is marked by large Chinese characters proclaiming a now-defunct fruit store – the proprietors of Bad Coffee & Liquor Club have deliberately not covered up the outline of this old signage as a show of respect to its history.

Various rituals and traditions following the dawn of a new year. In France, the Epiphany brings forth a time-honoured tradition that puts an iconic pastry at its fore. Every January, families and friends gather to share a galette des roi, or the King’s Cake, an indulgent, flaky pastry cake with a special filling. In case you haven’t heard of this tradition, nestled in a layer of custard within the galette des roi is a fève – literally translating to a bean, because traditionally a fava bean would be used – and the person who discovers it first in the lucky slice will be crowned royalty for the day. Bringing this tradition to life in Hong Kong, La Vache! is now offering its interpretation of this classic French pastry across its branches for dine-in and takeaway plus an enticing lucky draw.  From now until January 31, La Vache! is offering galette des roi for dine-in and takeaway, with a special ‘golden ticket’ — in the form of an almond — hidden within as a fève. Guests enjoying a meal of steak frites at the restaurant can round things off with a King’s Cake (you don’t need to stick the youngest child under the table, unless you want to), and the diner that finds the fève in their slice will be crowned royalty. The coronation will even be toasted with a complimentary round of bubbles for all. To cash in your lucky treat, simply share your discovery on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag the restaurant and use the hashtag #LaVacheRoyals for a chance to win two round-trip tickets to

“AI is coming for our jobs!” Or is it that we are coming for AI, and AI is coming into our jobs? Google Hong Kong has released the results of its annual Year in Search report, and the city’s trending keyword searches of 2025 included no fewer than four instances of AI in the top 10 alone, indicating pronounced interest in exploring AI technologies. Photograph: Courtesy Google Hong Kong The robots are here: Hong Kong’s AI obsession Generative AI chatbot DeepSeek ranked first, followed by AI assistant Grok at sixth, ByteDance’s multimodal AI Doubao at seventh, and Google Gemini at eighth, giving us a glimpse at the kind of AI tools that Hongkongers could be looking at incorporating into their personal and professional lives – or are already using as part of their day-to-day. Google populates its data-driven Year in Search report with the highest search-volume increases of the year, meaning that these topics had significant search surges in 2025. Photograph: Courtesy Google Hong Kong The stories that moved and shook us Other than AI, local news and celebrity passings also featured prominently in the top trending searches for keywords. November’s heartbreaking tragedy, the five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court, ranked second, while Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu and Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong were close behind, prompted by their untimely deaths at 48 and 41, respectively. As expected, Wang Fuk Court also topped the list for top trending searches for local news, followe

The golden age of Hong Kong cinema saw the production of blockbuster titles like A Better Tomorrow (1986), The Conman (1998), and Infernal Affairs (2002). Packed with action, suspense, and good ol’ “nonsense” humour that’s representative of local comedies, these iconic crime films not only offer gripping stories but also capture the essence of life in our city in the 70s and 80s. Now, cinephiles and cultural enthusiasts can relive their favourite scenes from these classics at the Old Yau Ma Tei Police Station. Opened on January 2, the ‘Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey’ delves into local cop film classics through reconstructed sets, collectibles, original scripts, and much more.  Organisers couldn’t have picked a more apt setting for an exhibition spotlighting Hong Kong cop vs triad films. Not only did the façade of the Old Police Station appear as a backdrop for a good number of iconic titles, but the restored building also retains its original Edwardian architecture that’s representative of colonial buildings in the 20s, while the majority of the two-storey structure is opened for the public to explore. This nostalgic location definitely sets the stage for an immersive affair.  Photograph: Courtesy Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency Visitors enter through a retro-style cinema entrance before moving onto five immersive spaces: CID Office, Identification Parade Room, the Armoury, Surveillance Room, and Detention Cells. Designed by local filmmak

If you thought Hong Kong films were doing particularly well last year – and they were, indeed – then you need to book yourself into a screening of our city’s latest box office banger. Back to the Past premiered on the New Year’s Eve just past, and immediately grossed a record-breaking $11.54 million on its opening day. The whole thing was a bit of a Christmas miracle anyway, with one of Hong Kong’s most beloved television drama series getting a long-awaited sequel film more than two decades after its original run.  A Step Into the Past first aired in 2001 on TVB, swiftly proving to be one of the best and most popular period drama series ever produced by the local television channel. Based on the Wong Yee novel, The Chronicles of Searching Qin, the series starred an ensemble cast of household names in the Hong Kong film industry, including Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Jessica Hsuan, and Sonija Kwok, adding to its immense acclaim.  Photograph: Courtesy TVB For those who haven’t seen the original show or need a refresher, the plot follows the trials and tribulations of Koo’s character, Hong Siu-lung, a protective security unit inspector from the 21st century who travels back in time to the Warring States period of ancient China, helps the Qin emperor ascend his throne, and is forced to navigate the intrigues of court politics to survive the ensuing power struggle. Now, after more than 20 years, the hit series is being followed up by a silver screen release thanks to Koo’s film prod

2025 is fast drawing to a close, and while we’re still floating in that weird haze of days in between Christmas and the New Year, let’s take a look back at some of the things that captured our collective attention and made headlines citywide this year. From the opening on the long-awaited Kai Tak Sports Park and the Chiikawa mania that swept through the city, to category 10 super typhoons and the deadly Tai Po fire, read on for the topics that were on everyone’s feeds and lips in 2025! Photograph: Courtesy Kai Tak Sports Park Grand new openings Hong Kong welcomed some brand-new landmarks and large-scale venues this year, chief among them the Kai Tak Sports Park which opened in March. The 50,000-seater stadium within the park has since hosted several major concerts and sporting events, such as Coldplay, Jay Chou, Seventeen, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, and the Hong Kong Football Fest. Incredibly, the Kai Tak Stadium has ranked third globally in total number of ticket sales, with 1.25 million entries sold, amounting to US$191 million. Other notable openings around town this year include the large integrated development Go Park Sai Sha, The Henderson with a slew of food and beverage offerings, and the Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong hotel.  Photograph: Courtesy The World’s 50 Best Bars Best in the world Of course we think Hong Kong is the best city in the world, but it’s not all bluster because we also constantly have more receipts to prove it! This year, we played host to th

Hong Kong keeps things alive with a steady slew of new openings and offerings, and nighttime punters will be glad to hear that a new cocktail bar has just opened on Soho’s buzzy Peel Street. Friday After Class serves a menu of nostalgic favourites inspired by one of our core collective memories: college. This cosy joint on Peel is divided into an intimate ‘Common Room’ and a rowdy ‘Pre-game’ terrace where cocktails are served on tap through a takeaway window in red solo cups.  The Common Room menu offers 10 concoctions dedicated to three stages of life, where cocktails increase in strength with each chapter. ‘Lifelong Kindergarten’ comprises two sweet cocktails that recalls the simple joys and sweet treats of childhood, while ‘Bittersweet Adolescence’ explores the period of turbulent pre-adulthood with twists on classic recipes and savoury creations. A highlight is the Reverse Manhattan, which channels the rebelliousness of teenage years with inverted ratios in a traditional mix.  Photograph: Courtesy Friday After Class The final chapter, ‘Say FAC! To Adulthood’, is made up of four refined cocktails. Highlights include the Shroom-Fashioned with umami flavours of mushroom, butter, and coffee, as well as a duo of martinis that champions a good life motto, “Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee.” Out on the pre-game terrace a selection of uni party favourites await. Initial takeaway cocktails include FAC’s take on the British summer classic, Pimm’s High Cup; a throwback wit

As much as we love them, the annoying thing about music festivals is that you always have to choose between seeing artists on different stages. If you missed Central Cee’s phenomenal stage at Clockenflap 2024 – or just want to relive the experience – here’s your chance to experience his high-octane performance in a dedicated show. The British rap sensation has announced Hong Kong as part of his new world tour ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’. Despite having multiple chart-topping singles and mixtapes over approximately a decade, Central Cee has only released his debut studio album in the beginning of this year, and we enjoy his upbeat, drill-adjacent road rap sound. The ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ tour will come to Hong Kong on March 10, 2026, at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Tickets start from $799 on Cityline, and the Live Nation members pre-sale begins on January 7 from 11am, while sales for the general public will follow on January 8.  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 stories: This new exhibition in Hong Kong celebrates 10 years of Labubu and the Monsters Hong Kong has been named as one of the world’s top 10 dining destinations Trattoria Felino is hosting a one-night-only charity dinner to raise funds for Tai Po

The century-old gem Sun Ngai Shing (or Sun Rise Co.) has been braving Lai Chi Kok’s rain for 45 years, slinging umbrellas that cost a bit more than usual but won’t quit on you for years. Unfortunately, this legendary shop now faces closure, as fifth-generation owner Yau Yiu-wai – known as the ‘Sham Shui Po Umbrella King’ – who is now over 70, had a mild stroke a few years ago. For health reasons, he has decided to call it quits once his stock’s gone. It is truly the end of an era. Photograph: Jenny Chan Established in 1842 (back in the Qing dynasty, mind you, in the 22nd year of Daoguang rule), the shop has 183 years of history – no mean feat in Hong Kong where trends and businesses shift with the wind. Yau took over the business 45 years ago, moving it to Sham Shui Po’s Pak Ho Street market area. Sun Ngai Shing has developed a reputation for sturdy materials and honest profit margins, a sentiment which seems very far away in this age of cheap Temu-quality tat. “Typhoon signal 10? Trees get uprooted, every umbrella flips. So yeah, buy a good one!” Yau quips about his ware. Sun Ngai Shing doesn’t just sell and fix umbrellas, they also teach you how to make your umbrella last. Yau demonstrates, “Shake out a folding umbrella bit by bit to open, then gently smooth the canopy when closing. That way, it’ll last longer and save you cash.” Photograph:: Jenny Chan Word of the imminent closure of this historic Hong Kong shop has spread since last week, and both locals and tourists

As Hong Kong picks up the pieces in the aftermath of the devastating Tai Po fire, this Christmas might well turn out to be a bit of a somber one, but who’s to say you can’t enjoy yourself while doing some good? The Rescued Feast, billed as Asia’s first-ever sustainable dining experience where all dishes are made using food surplus, is hosting their last dinner of 2025 and donating the proceeds to help the affected residents of Tai Po. Partnering with Chomp and clothing rental and resale platform Fenxiang, this special edition of The Rescued Feast will transform surplus ingredients, food scraps, and unwanted produce into a gourmet meal. Aside from raising awareness about Hong Kong’s food waste, this dinner will also turn over all the net proceeds to Bethune House, a charity organisation that provides emergency shelter, food, and essential care for migrant domestic workers and others in need, and who are currently supporting those affected by the fire at Wang Fu Court. Rather than an outright celebration, this is more of a gathering of supporting hands, coming together to share a meal that makes a difference. Tickets are available for $550 per person, which includes the dinner buffet, one drink, a goodie bag with gifts from the event sponsors, and a discount code for Fenxiang since the evening will turn into a late-night disco. You can also purchase raffle tickets to try your luck at winning a range of sustainable prizes during the dinner. These cost $50 for two entries and $10

In the week following Hong Kong’s worst fire disaster, the current death toll stands at 156 lives lost, with the total number likely to rise further as search and rescue efforts continue. In light of this tragedy, multiple events across Hong Kong that were originally planned for this month have been cancelled or otherwise affected – refer to the list below to stay up to date.  Winter Wonderland in Central Following the postponement of the kick-off ceremony for the Immersive Light Show on November 28, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has also announced that the Winter Wonderland in Central celebrations at Statue Square will remain closed until further notice.  Immersive Light Show in Central As part of the celebrations for Hong Kong Winterfest, the kick-off ceremony for the Immersive Light Show in Central originally scheduled for November 28 has been cancelled. While the event was originally scheduled to run until January 4, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has yet to announce the postponed dates for the large-scale light show. Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Cyclothon In light of recent events, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has called off the Hong Kong Cyclothon that was scheduled for November 30 to allow relevant government departments to prioritise their efforts on rescue and relief efforts. Photograph: Courtesy Oxfam Trailwalker Oxfam Trailwalker 2025 In a Facebook post, Oxfam announced that its fundraising hiking event, the Oxfam Trailwalker, which was supposed to run from November 28 to 3

Update, November 27: In light of the tragedy of the Tai Po fire that has been ongoing since November 26, the Arts in the Park Night Parade will be cancelled this Saturday, November 29. Stay tuned for details on whether or not the event will be rescheduled in the near future. Every year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade turns the streets of New York into a fabulous celebration of elaborate floats, jumbo balloons, and entertainment, making the last weekend of November always one to look forward to. Hong Kong may not have a Macy’s, or a Super Mario-shaped balloon, but that’s not to say the end of this month’s going to be any less exciting. We’ve got the return of Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Night Parade, and this year’s event is designed to be a spectacle of colour, light, and rhythm! On the night of November 29, from 8.30pm to 10pm, visitors can marvel at an impressive illuminated procession dreamed up by local artists, who have come together to bring this year’s Night Parade to life. Inspired by The Adventures of Pinocchio, the spectacle will feature five giant puppets, eight creative carnival costumes, and four dance groups.  Photograph: Courtesy Hysan Development Company Limited Almost 100 performers will gather in Causeway Bay for this occasion, journeying from Lee Garden One along Yun Ping Road, Pak Sha Road, Lee Garden Road, and Kai Chiu Road to Hysan Place and back. Naturally, the highlight will be the larger-than-life puppets, including characters like the s

On Wednesday, November 26, the whole of Hong Kong watched in horror as news broke of a major fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. As of the time of publication, the inferno has been blazing for approximately 16 hours now, and over 40 people have already been confirmed dead. This has proved to be Hong Kong’s deadliest fire disaster, surpassing a fire three decades ago in the Garley Building in Jordan that caused 41 deaths. Here’s everything you need to know about the Wang Fuk Court fire, how it happened, what’s being done about it, and how you might be able to help. Understanding what happened How did the Tai Po fire start? The fire department first received a report just before 3pm on Wednesday regarding a fire at Wang Cheong House within Wang Fuk Court. Unfortunately, there happened to be large-scale renovation works being carried out at the public housing estate, and bamboo scaffolding had been erected on the residential towers since July 2024.  The scaffolding and green safety mesh wrapped around the structures swiftly caught fire, spreading the blaze to other floors of Wang Cheong House. Neighbourhood locals interviewed on TVB news also recalled burning debris drifting to neighbouring blocks and setting them on fire rapidly as well. By around 6pm on November 26, the fire department had classified it as a level-five fire, the highest-risk level. How bad is the Tai Po fire? Wang Fuk Court consists of eight blocks and seven of them were engulfed in the blaze. As of 6am this mor