The best things to do in Hong Kong this July

With the city in the boiling throes of summer, there’s lots of Hong Kong events to keep your eye on this July. Superstar football players will grace Kai Tak Sports Park in adrenaline-pumping matches, while the battle of Hong Kong’s fittest takes place over at AsiaWorld-Expo this month. Hot and tired just thinking about it? Beat the heat at a water park party or bask in an air-conditioned art gallery. 

Whatever your speed, discover the best July events in Hong Kong with our highlights below.  

The Hong Kong Football Festival

Hot on the heels of Manchester United’s showcase game last month, more Premier League teams and lauded football clubs are set to light up Kai Tak Stadium. Liverpool FC and AC Milan will meet on 26 July to compete for the Standard Chartered Trophy, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur add another chapter to their storied rivalry on 31 July. Fan experiences and open training sessions will also run between 24 and 30 July. See the whole schedule here . 

Need another football fix? On 7 July, a Cristiano Ronaldo museum opens in Hong Kong, telling the tale of the venerated footballer through his own eyes. Called the CR7 Life Museum , it promises an immersive experience with interactive exhibits and curated displays.

Hyrox Hong Kong

Crossfitters, weightlifters and more will face off at world-class fitness competition Hyrox Hong Kong on 26 and 27 July. Teams, individuals and elite athletes will be challenged to complete circuits of sled pulls, burpees, rowing sessions and many more gruelling exercises – with a 1km run thrown in between every set. Looking to join in? Register here .

SummerFest Hong Kong

The harbourfront promenades of Central and Wan Chai are transforming into buzzing event spaces this summer, complete with performances and hands-on exhibits. In Central, an exhibition celebrating Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolding culture called Bamboospace will run until 3 August, while Sports Playground takes over Wan Chai with inflatable obstacle courses, mini golf courses and more family-friendly installations.

Live performances and talent shows spanning everything from ballet to drumming are also taking place across both locations to highlight Hong Kong’s creative talent. Not to be missed is the thrilling Summer Vibes concert on 12 July, when the Hong Kong Festival Wind Orchestra will put their spin on beloved children’s classics. See the full schedule . 

Hong Kong Book Fair

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the Hong Kong Book Fair brings literary minds, readers and publishing houses to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 16-22 July. A new zone, World of Art and Culture, is on-site to encourage reading beyond borders, alongside the “food culture, future living” theme. 

As always, you can peruse exciting new book releases, pick up little-known indie gems and attend fascinating talks with renowned authors. You can also expect readings and even workshops for those putting pen to paper. Keep an eye on the evolving lineup here .

Get! Splash! Tonight! at Water World Ocean Park 

After reopening in May, Water World Ocean Park has kicked off the summer fun with a series of late-night parties. On select weekends in July and August, the water park will open its doors to nighttime revellers, who can look forward to a host of exciting festivities including live DJ sets, silent discos, stocked bars and the intriguingly-named “luminous cruise”.  

Get! Splash! Tonight! is the pool party to end all pool parties – with the addition of the park’s indoor-outdoor rides, which include nail-biting waterslides and a chilled-out lazy river. The next parties will be thrown on 5, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 July, with August dates to be announced. 

Art exhibitions in Hong Kong

Eaton Hong Kong continues flying the Pride flag in July with two must-see exhibitions. Soft Crash: Fashion, Gender, and the Queer Gaze explores the boundaries and intersections of gender through the eyes of LGBT+ photographers and subjects, while Prosthesis: Queer Crip Performance & Archive Exhibition illuminates the experience of lesbian and disabled artists in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. 

Elsewhere, White Cube Hong Kong welcomes English artist Darren Almond back to the city for Night Before Day : his first show here since 2016. This time, he interrogates the changing relationship between the natural world and human experience, presenting precious metals pressed evocatively into canvas.