Whether you want to find inner calm or partake in some traditional Hong Kong culture, May is the month to make it happen
In a month full of public holidays, it’s time to kick back, relax and channel your inner Justin Timberlake by singing “It’s gonna be May.” We’ve put together a selection of events that help calm mind and body, bring the laughs and even take you tripping across the harbour – for free! As the weather gets warmer, get ready for a month jam-packed with fun in the sun.
Iris
Taking place on the cusp of spring and summer, IRIS promises to breathe some new life into us after months of work, giving Hong Kong a much-needed feel-good festival to brush off the negative and bring on the positive vibe.
Lauded as the most all-inclusive IRIS event to date, come prepared for yoga, meditation, motivational talks, live performances, prizes, games and some seriously breath-taking harbour views.
Have kids? Get them involved! Cultivate some mindfulness in your tiny yogis and celebrate Mother’s Day together. Thanks to the brand-new Family Zone, this year’s IRIS is more kid-friendly than ever. Grab your mat and you’re set to get started!
Iris, Saturday, May 27 – 28, Nursery Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong
Live Stand Up by the Punchline Comedy Club
Take a break from the grindstone and watch a live stand up comedy show by the Punchline Comedy Club at Tamarind. “Whose Line is it Anyway?” features four renowned comedic alchemists – Andy Smart, Stephen Frost, Steven Steen and Ian Coppinger.
They promise to hit comedy gold by taking scenarios, genres, phrases and props suggested by the audience and turn them into a hilarious array of sketches, songs, comic dramas and much more!
Live Stand Up by the Punchline Comedy Club, May 19 – 20, Tamarind, 2/F Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Dragon Boat Festival – Tai O
Take this opportunity to visit the centuries-old fishing village of Tai O and witness one of the territory’s most famous and culturally significant Dragon Boat races first-hand.
That’s not all! Tai O also comes alive with a cornucopia of colour and a hive of activity during this festival as it plays host to a traditional boat procession of Chinese deities.
With origins that stretch back more than 2,000 years, the Dragon Boat Festival holds a special place in Chinese culture, where the world-famous International Dragon Boat Races have added a dynamic sporting edge to the occasion – undoubtedly an exhilarating spectacle not to be missed!
Dragon Boat Festival, May 30, Tai O waterfront, Lantau, Hong Kong
Happy Wednesdays during Le French May
Nothing beats the adrenalin-charged atmosphere of Happy Valley Racecourse, which has been home to some of the richest races in the world since 1846.
On the Happy Wednesday nights of Le French May in the Valley, race-goers can relax in a fabulous Parisian ambience. With thrilling races including the France Galop and Le French May Trophy on May 17, plus the Sauternes Cup on May 24, this excitement adds up to the oh-la-la fusion of French culture and party fun!
In addition to the edge-of-your seats racing action and world-class performances that will be on display, authentic French wines and delicacies will also be in overdrive.
Happy Wednesday during Le French May, May 10, 17 & 24, Happy Valley Racecourse, Wong Nau Chung Road, Hong Kong
Affordable Art Fair
Get ready to dive back into the art scene when the Affordable Art Fair returns with more than 110 galleries showcasing thousands of pieces.
TEDxWanChai will be hosting an art salon with an inspiring and exceptional line up of guest speakers, live performances and TED talk videos. This year, exciting new talents include distinctive artist Hagar Vardimon (Israel) who uses threads on paper as well as artist led group Xiang Demei (China), who creates collages using money and paper to re-examine the world.
While your kids are busy unleashing their inner artist at the art history creativity workshop in the children’s art studio, you’re free to browse around, and you might even end up make a few reasonably-priced purchases.
Affordable Art Fair, May 19 – 21, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Dr. Bunhead
Dr. Bunhead, TV’s favourite stunt scientist (from Brainiac, Blue Peter and more!) reveals his science recipes for amazing experiments you can do at home – but probably shouldn’t!
Prepare to see rainbow volcano lava, liquid magnets, bouncy bogeys and loads more! He’ll also reveal some top-secret, scientists-only experiments like: levitating fire bubbles, banana hammers and his Guinness World Record chip bazooka.
Blow your mind, pop your eyeballs and poop your pants as Dr Bunhead joyrides through a ‘barrage of hilarious contraptions’. Bring your own ear-defenders and extra-strong underpants – umbrellas advisable! Suitable for all ages.
Dr. Bunhead, May 11 – 14, HK Academy of Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Buddha’s Birthday – Po Lin Monastery
Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping in Lantau Island, is famed as a location where followers of the Buddhist tradition show devotion and participate celebrations for the Birthday of Lord Buddha.
Don’t miss the opportunity to solemnly “bathe” a small statue of Buddha with ladles of water, as it’s supposed to help purify oneself! Or indulge in a vegetarian lunch to experience the life of a monk while taking in demonstrations of Chinese tea ceremonies by professional tea masters.
The pinnacle of the festivities will be the Shaolin Kung Fu performances as well as acrobatics, carried out with much finesse and precision.
Buddha’s Birthday at Po Lin Monastery, Apr 27 – May 3, The Hall of the Great Hero,Po Lin Monastery, Lantau, Hong Kong
Champagne Master Classes
Many people have experienced a wine tasting but have you ever experienced a Champagne Master Class? The Intercontinental Champagne Master Classes will take you back in time, to explain why the Champagne region geologically is so unique.
Take a stroll with the hotel’s Chief Sommeliers Andy Au and Romain Loriot down Champagne’s illustrious and grand memory lane as they delve deeper into the colorful characters of various grapes and diversity of producers, plus recommendations for food pairing.
This Champagne Master Class is a unique and indulgent experience as it also offers you the opportunity to taste eight of the world’s finest Champagnes, alongside canapés at the newly-launched Rech by Alain Ducasse.
Champagne Master Classes, May 6 & May 20, Rech by Alain Ducasse, Intercontinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The Dead Rabbit Pop Up at Four Seasons
Continuing with the success of Blue Remix, Four Seasons Hong Kong brings another remarkable pop up event to Blue Bar that will cause a stir in the city’s cocktail scene.
The Dead Rabbit, #1 ranked on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2016, will be serving Four Seasons guests their critically acclaimed cocktails. Named after a notorious Irish-American street gang in 1850’s, The Dead Rabbit philosophy pairs a respect for cocktail history with a healthy dose of Irish punk.
Executive Chef of Four Seasons, Andrea Accordi, will be recreating classic Irish food items such as scotch eggs and short rib sliders, perfect for washing down with a cocktail, or two! No pretension, no airs, just expertly crafted cocktails, delicious food and genuine Irish hospitality.
The Dead Rabbit Pop Up at Four Seasons, May 24 – 27, Blue Bar, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
Complimentary Aqua Luna II Sailing
Over the Mother’s Day weekend, complimentary rides will be offered to all Hong Kong ID card holders to celebrate the launch of Aqua Luna II, as it sets sail to display its magnificent Chinese icon from the Ming Dynasty – the imperial blue and white dragon. Catch the fiery orange sunset or the nightly Symphony of Lights show as you chill on the lounge beds and take in these jaw-dropping vistas.
Probably one of the last traditional Chinese junk boats that will ever be made, this painstakingly took an 85-year old Sifu (master craftsman) over the past two years to build. The boat is made exclusively from wood, using bamboo for waterproofing with no nails used at all in the entire structure!
Complimentary Aqua Luna II sailing, May 13 – 14, from the four ferry piers (Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai & Hung Hom)
