Best things to do in Hong Kong in May

Wondering what’s going on in Hong Kong this May? From traditional festivals to thrilling K-pop acts, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

While last month was dominated by Creamfields and the Rugby Sevens, May sees the return of Cheung Chau’s incredibly popular bun snatching competition and a cultural takeover of the city as French May kicks off. Take time out of your schedule to enjoy these events and our other top picks below so you can make the most of May.

K-pop takeover

If you missed out on tickets to see Blackpink in Macao, never fear – you can still get your K-pop fix here in Hong Kong. Boyband Treasure will be taking over Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo on 20 May with their catchy pop songs and elaborate dance routines. And if you liked K-pop before it was cool, you’re in luck: noughties queen and former Wonder Girls member HyunA is set to perform at Space Music Festival which runs through April and May.  

An exclusive omakase tasting with Cathay and Tatler 

To celebrate the Tatler Dining Awards, Cathay has teamed up with the luxury magazine on a series of exclusive menus across Hong Kong this May. Award-winning chefs across Hong Kong will join forces on collaborative menus that you won’t find anywhere else, with the latest event on the roster seeing Black Sheep Restaurant favourites Ho Lee Fook and New Punjab Club bringing the heat with an Indo-Chinese menu. Ho Lee Fook’s famed Kurobuta Char Siu is set to get a spicy twist with a masala marinade and honey-mustard glaze, while freshly made parathas and saffron pilau rice bring an edge to traditional claypot cooking. Running between May 22-23 for two nights only, booking for this Cathay member experience opens between May 2-18 here.

Bun-dle up on Cheung Chau

After three years, Cheung Chau’s Bun festival is finally back. Originally held to celebrate the end of a plague in the 19th century, this year’s edition feels particularly apropos. Following a number of knock-out rounds, selected competitors will race one another to climb steel towers which are completely covered in stamped buns (plastic, for hygiene reasons).

With various celebration days including 14 May and 25-27 May, the best time to go is May 26 to see the final bun scrambling race and the island-wide parade – filled with vibrant floats honouring the deity Pak Tai. It’s also a vegetarian-friendly festival, as the entire island serves up vegetarian food for the occasion (buns included).

Experience jewellery history at the Palace Museum

Jewellery lovers will want to make a trip to the Palace Museum this month, to see its transformation into a glittery paradise for new exhibition ‘Cartier and Women ’. Featuring over 300 jewels, some dating back to the house’s 19th century origins, the show explores how women have shaped Cartier jewellery through the years, both as wellsprings of inspiration and as craftspeople behind the scenes. 

Masterpieces worn by royalty and key pieces by the brand’s influential former Artistic Director of Fine Jewellery Jeanne Toussaint will be on show, alongside a special collection delving into Eastern influences on its designs. It’s also worth going just to have a peek into the jewellery boxes of celebrities such as Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and late local billionaire Stanley Ho’s daughter, Pansy. Open from now until 14 August, you'll find a wealth of tiaras, gigantic stones and the brand’s iconic bejewelled panthers to covet.

Discover new artists at the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong

If you’re looking to spruce up your walls, now’s the time to commit. In the wake of Art Basel and Art Central last month, the Affordable Art Fair is celebrating its tenth anniversary with one of its biggest exhibitions yet, showcasing 270 artists at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18 to 21 May. It’s the best way to discover up-and-coming global artists and start your art investment journey. 

From nostalgic Hong Kong pieces by the likes of Rick Lo and Eleanor McColl to vibrant works by Spanish artist Murfin, there’s something for everyone. This year, the fair has also commissioned numerous site-specific installations, while local street art collective HKWalls will spotlight the next generation of local artists in a dedicated area– so get your cameras ready.  

Immerse yourself in French culture

Francophiles are in for a treat this month, as French May is set to return. From art to dance to food, dedicated events will take over Hong Kong – each aiming to showcase facets of French culture. At Freespace near M+, a dance performance called Crowd will examine the human condition from 5-6 May while charming animal puppets will recount French fables at Tai Kwun between 6-14 May. 

The works of photographer Marc Riboud and former Paris resident Pablo Picasso will also be on show at exhibitions across the city, while musicians Philip Glass and the Tana Quartet bring their orchestral rendition of Shakespeare’s King Lear to City Hall. One of the biggest events on the calendar is the French May cinema lineup , with stunning films such as Persepolis and the works of Jean-Luc Godard screening at cinemas across Hong Kong.  

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