The best things to do in Hong Kong this August

Summer is in full swing, and many Hongkongers are heading indoors as festivals, markets and even the city’s beloved animals take advantage of the air conditioning. 

The year of the adorable cartoon takeover continues, with not one but two anime characters landing on our fragrant shores. Elsewhere, students on school holidays will be flocking to K-pop performances. Whatever your preference, discover the best August events in Hong Kong below. 

Hong Kong Cat Expo

Feline fanatics, this one’s for you. The Hong Kong Cat Expo – billed as “the only large-scale event in Hong Kong dedicated to cats” – is coming to town. As its illustrious description suggests, hundreds of cats will take over the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, offering a showcase for you and your next furry friend. 

This year’s theme celebrates ancient Egypt and its legendary feline adoration, complete with a 1.5-metre statue of a cat dressed in full pharaoh regalia. Whether you’re a proud cat owner or simply obsessed with all things whiskered, there’s plenty to enjoy – from lectures about feline health to markets filled with cat-loving artists and stalls brimming with cat swag.

Gin Fest Meets Tequila Fest 2025

For a summer festival you may or may not remember, this boozy affair at Central Market is your port of call. Running from 1–3 August, Gin Fest Meets Tequila Fest will be held in the event space tucked between the indie boutiques and cafés.  

Your ticket snags you five tokens to trade for your tipple of choice from small-batch producers and big-name vendors. It’s the first time tequila joins the party, but last year’s gin-heavy line-up proves you can expect serious pours from names like Monkey 47, The Botanist, Tanqueray and Hong Kong-inspired Bauhinia Gin.

Chiikawa Days 

Hong Kong has always embraced the tooth-achingly sweet, and this summer, Chiikawa – an adorable Japanese animal character – is getting a warm welcome. Alongside pals like Usagi and other fuzzy anime favourites, Chiikawa will be popping up across the city until 31 August, including a new Chiikawa-themed facelift for Light Rail trains running through Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tai Wai. 

Beyond the rails, Chiikawa will also star in an immersive arts and culture show at K11 Musea, where the Chiikawa Days exhibition is set to explore everything from the characters’ homes to their favourite food. Much like the recent Doraemon exhibition, giant Chiikawa inflatable sculptures will take over the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour. Still craving more? A Chiikawa ramen pop-up – Chiikawa Ramen Buta – will sling bowls of tonkotsu ramen from mid-August, with a location yet to be revealed.

G-Dragon 2025 World Tour Übermensch

G-Dragon , formerly of K-pop supergroup Big Bang, is one of Korea’s biggest stars. He brings his high-energy showmanship to AsiaWorld-Expo from 8–10 August for the Hong Kong leg of his Übermensch tour. Known for his colourful, edgy style and his off-the-charts charisma – not to mention a fanbase you’ll hear from miles away – expect to dance along to recent chart-topping hits like Power, Drama and Home Sweet Home.  

Line Friends x Panda Friends

Two of Asia’s cutest icons are teaming up for a party to remember at Ocean Park, as twin baby pandas Jia Jia and De De celebrate their first birthdays this August. The party will run until 24 August, with the pair joining forces with fellow August baby Brown, of Line Friends fame, and their panda siblings for park-wide fun. 

Expect ball pits filled with gigantic inflatable Line characters, a water gun battle zone for cooling off in the summer heat and the Panda Quest scavenger hunt, where you can win “pandatastic” prizes. See all the events here .

Asian Youth Orchestra turns 35 

The Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) will conclude its 16-concert tour across Asia with a euphonic finale in Hong Kong from 28 to 30 August. 

The orchestra will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a special reunion concert on 28 August, featuring over 100 alumni from the past three decades. Part of the repertoire will include Illuminate, a new composition by Hong Kong composer Roydon Tse, specially commissioned for the occasion.  

Special guests will join the ensemble on the last two evenings, including renowned violinist Sergej Krylov and pianist George Li. If you’re not in town, keep an eye on RTHK TV as they’ll be showing a recorded broadcast of the concert later this year. Otherwise, get your tickets here .