As the weather cools down, you’ll find hikers setting off on races across Hong Kong’s mountain tops, and shopping malls and public spaces decked out with Halloween decorations. Charity-minded events including the Pink Walk also return to the city this month, alongside thrilling concerts by Grammy-award winning singers to spice up your calendar.
These are the top things to do in Hong Kong this October.
Credit: South China Morning Post/Getty Images
Join the Barbie pink crowds on The Peak Circle Walk on 20 October to fundraise for the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation in the annual Pink Walk . If you’re keen to take part and help raise funds for valuable life-saving procedures including free mammograms and biopsies, you can sign up online here . Groups of friends, colleagues and classmates can all enter – keep an eye out for the occasional dog dressed up in bright pink.
Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
This five-day culinary extravaganza returns to the Central Harbourfront Event Space from 23-27 October, featuring more than 300 restaurants, bars and wine tasting booths set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour. Sample the best of the city at the dedicated Culinary Stars zone, where Michelin-starred restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best winners will hold court. Meanwhile, bars such as Kinsman will be slinging drinks in the cocktail area alongside homegrown gin distillers and international wine experts. Head to the event between 26-27 October for a festive Halloween takeover.
Credit: Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition
Credit: Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition
Exceptional tattoo artists from around the world will descend upon Hong Kong for the Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention Centre from 4-6 October. Whatever your vibe – blackwork, fine line, traditional and more – you're sure to find an artist to help you bring your vision to life at this event. If you’re a fan of the art but aren’t looking to get inked, don’t miss the Tattoo Competition, where artists showcase their work and battle it out for the championship title.
Credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Credit: Bógar Adame/West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
American crooner John Legend will be kicking off the month with a ballad-filled night at AXA x Wonderland in the West Kowloon Cultural District on 4 October. Brush up on your song knowledge and get ready to belt out emotional tunes like All of Me and Tonight. Meanwhile, R&B singer Ne-Yo invites you to come Closer for the Hong Kong leg of his Champagne x Roses tour at AXA x Wonderland on 11 October.
West Kowloon Cultural District will also be transformed into a gathering place for the city’s coolest cats, with the Freespace Jazz Fest taking place between 24-27 October. This year’s line-up is led by the legendary Herbie Hancock, alongside international acts including Antonio Sánchez and homegrown talent such as pianist Ted Lo. See the full line-up and get your tickets here .
Credit: Airside
Credit: Airside
Hollow City at Airside
3,000 square metres of Airside’s sprawling space is set to be transformed into the old Kowloon Walled City this month – with a spooky twist. Hollow City is an immersive role-playing experience in which participants must explore the recreation of the infamous district and interrogate furious spirits to solve the mystery behind a series of tragedies. Part immersive theatre, part haunted house, all parts terrifying. This experience runs from 3-31 October, in Cantonese only.
Credit: Ocean Park
Credit: Ocean Park
Ocean Park Halloween Fest
Airside isn’t the only spot in town bringing the Kowloon Walled City back to life this year. With six haunted houses and malevolent spirits roaming its terrifying paths, you’ll need to have your wits about you to escape from undead weddings, paranormal activity and more at Ocean Park’s Halloween spooktacular Horrors of the Hidden City . Scare easily? Stick to the lighter entertainment, which includes performances by the hunky K-pop group K Stallions. Halloween Fest runs until 3 November.
Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland
Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland - Disney Halloween Time
Infamous villains Cruella DeVill, Hades, Ursula and more are set to face off against heroes and heroines at Hong Kong Disneyland from now until 31 October, bringing a dash of drama to the Halloween season. Highlights include a street party with Mickey, Minnie and other classic characters parading through the streets in festive costumes, trick-or-treating, and the return of Let’s Get Wicked – a musical extravaganza led by Disney’s spookiest characters.
Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Hong Kong Cyclothon
The city’s biggest cycling event is back on 13 October, taking keen cyclists across bridges, through tunnels and around the Hong Kong’s dense cityscape on a stunning ride. Amateur riders can choose from a 32km or challenging 50km cycling course while professional riders will face off in the Men’s and Women’s Open races around the Greater Bay Area. Keen to explore the city on two wheels? Certain roads in Tsim Sha Tsui East will also be closed to traffic for leisure cyclists during the event. Get involved here .
Credit: Moontrekker
Credit: Moontrekker
Moontrekker Hong Kong
One of the city’s most challenging races returns on 18 October: the Barclays-sponsored overnight Moontrekker. Hikers will set off in the evening and race one another to Lantau Peak for sunrise, with only torches and the light of the moon to guide their way. You can register for the event here .
Credit: Mind HK
Credit: Blue Supreme
Credit: Pici
Mind Hong Kong – Mental Health Food Week
The likes of Salisterra, Blue Supreme, Matchali and Yat Tung Heen will join forces to support mental health in Hong Kong, as part of Mind Hong Kong’s Mental Health Food Week . Dine for a good cause at any of the 50 participating outlets between 4-20 October and your bill will go towards supporting other Hongkongers on their mental health journey. Pici will also be hosting a Pasta Run on 20 October where costumed crowds will race between their Kennedy Town and Tai Koo locations, all in the name of raising money for Mind HK. More information on participating restaurants here .