16 things to do in the Greater Bay Area this November

1. Hong Kong: harbour rock

Clockenflap festival returns for its 14th edition this month with another healthy serving of music, wacky art installations and family entertainment, all on the Central Harbourfront. Jack White, Air, Toe, St. Vincent and Suede are the unmissable international mega-names, but the lineup is also a showcase of some of the world’s most exciting emerging and underground artists, including Memi, Creepy Nuts, Partiboi69 and Mui Zyu. 

29 November–1 December

2. Hong Kong: art in orbit

The focus is on design this month at West Kowloon Cultural District. A selection of award-winning examples of design from the Milan-based Salone Satellite Permanent Collection 1998-2024 is being shown overseas for the first time. Curated by Salone del Mobile Milano, the world’s largest trade fair, 104 award-winning products, including furniture and everyday objects dating from the turn of the 21st century, will be showcased at the Arts Pavilion. 

11-21 November

3. Hong Kong: homespun craft

As a prelude to the Salone Satellite collection, Hong Kong leaders in furniture and lighting design will be spotlit at Hong Kong Design Annex , a dedicated exhibition of their work at the Arts Pavilion. With a focus on sustainability, a week-long programme also features four talks spanning design in hospitality to innovation through material research. 

Until 7 November

4. Hong Kong: so art right now

Three exhibitions to catch this month:

Amadeo Luciano Lorenzato David Zwirner

The work of the Brazilian painter is displayed for the first time in Asia to coincide with his inclusion at the 60th Venice Biennale. Until 9 November.

Liu Guofu 3812 Gallery

Dusk Upon the Hush: Liu Guofu Works on Paper Exhibition is a solo show demonstrating the artist’s mastery of ink and colour, oil and oil pastel. Until 29 November.

Kingsley Ng CHAT

The Centre for Heritage Arts and Textile (Chat) presents Listen to the Sound of the Earth Spinning , Ng’s ruminations on the notion of animal companions through the textile medium. Until 10 November.

5. Hong Kong: dreams of sushi

Chef Hisashi Udatsu’s Michelin-gilded sushi is now in Hong Kong, helmed by the master’s long-time protégé, Hiroki Nakamura. At Udatsu Sushi , an impeccable omakase experience is served with a unique approach that not only foregrounds sustainability but is enhanced by pairing art and music. Find below three sample pairings from the menu, as recommended by chef Udatsu.

Smoked fatty tuna (ōtoro) x champagne 

“The smoked fatty tuna is lightly seared using straw, which imparts a unique aroma that pairs beautifully with champagne’s acidity and effervescence.”

Best paired with...

“Soft jazz melodies that harmonise with the delicate flavours, creating an elegant atmosphere, as well as artworks with calm tones or abstract compositions.”

Sea urchin (uni) x Clase Azul tequila reposado 
“The creamy texture of uni and the crispness of fried seaweed create a perfect harmony with the deep, complex flavours of reposado tequila.” 

Best paired with... 

“Upbeat jazz with rhythmic flow to elevate and energise the bold flavours, and contemporary, colourful art that reflects the complexity of the pairing.”

Sea urchin (uni) x Clase Azul tequila reposado 
“The creamy texture of uni and the crispness of fried seaweed create a perfect harmony with the deep, complex flavours of reposado tequila.” 

Best paired with... 

“Upbeat jazz with rhythmic flow to elevate and energise the bold flavours, and contemporary, colourful art that reflects the complexity of the pairing.”

6. Hong Kong: bamboozled

Enter through red studded doors and follow the neon lights and graffiti to Bamboo , Lan Kwai Fong’s newest bar, where you’ll find classic cocktails mixed with traditional Chinese spirits, such as Feng liquor-based martinis, alongside tea-based highballs. Don’t miss out on the fiery Sichuan bar snacks, including Ma La Xia shrimp and Shengzhou Xiao Long Bao.

7. Hong Kong: laughs and lamentations

The Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival marks its 25th year with 25 screenings. The programme of comedy, drama, shorts and documentaries explores Jewish culture and identity, from opening picture Running on Sand, an uplifting film about mistaken identity, to Between the Temples, which follows a prayer singer struggling with a crisis of faith. 

9-20 November

8. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Open 

The 2024 Hong Kong Open will be held for the 63rd time at the 135-year-old Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. The tournament promises both international and local sporting talent, highlighting local favourite Taichi Kho alongside major champions and prominent stars of the game. 

21-24 November

9. Macao: modern classic

Tchaikovsky’s ballet classic is reimagined in The Nutcracker and I , an intimate rendition of the Yuletide favourite produced and led by classical pianist Alexandra Dariescu. Featuring animations, visual effects, a solo ballerina and Dariescu on piano, this stripped-down version of the original has enjoyed international acclaim since its debut in 2017 and forms part of the programme of the 36th Macao International Music Festival. 

2-3 November

10. Macao: back for more

After performing 14 sold-out concerts in Macao last year, Hins Cheung is returning to The Londoner Arena for a series of shows over three weekends this month. Don’t miss the Cantopop king perform his greatest hits, as well as covers of classics by his favourite singers. 

1-3, 8-10 & 15-17 November

11. Guangzhou: recurring dreams

Renowned comedian and actor Chen Peisi’s acclaimed theatrical production The Dream Interrupted returns for four shows at Guangdong Province’s Guangzhou Opera House after a successful run in 2022. Directed by and starring Chen, the story is inspired by the Kunqu classic The Peony Pavilion and focuses on an opera troupe struggling to survive during a time of war and turmoil. 

21-24 November

12. Guangzhou: love turns dark

Featuring stunning costumes, exquisite sets and a live orchestra, German-language staged concert Rebecca is inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 Gothic novel, a classic made even more famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s Oscar-winning adaptation. This version of the eerie psychological thriller sees 30 actors and dancers bring to life the haunting story of a young woman who’s obsessed with her husband’s first wife. 

28 November –1 December

13. Shenzhen: music to your ears

Russian ensemble MusicAeterna Orchestra , founded in 2004 by conductor Teodor Currentzis, comprises musicians from 15 countries and has a repertoire that spans classical and contemporary masterpieces. After performing on some of the world’s most famous stages, they’ll stop by Shenzhen Concert Hall to perform the works of Wagner, Mahler and other world-class composers. 

30 November–1 December

14. Shenzhen: songbird singing

Known for her angelic voice, Japanese singer-songwriter Kokia has earned a legion of loyal fans across Asia since her debut in the late 1990s. This month, she’s embarking on a concert tour across the Chinese Mainland, including a stop at the Huaxia Art Centre, where fans will sing along to live renditions of hits like Arigatou and Kurumarete. 

10 November

15. Zhuhai: romantic tragedy

Based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, hit musical Notre-Dame de Paris has been adapted and reinterpreted multiple times globally and will arrive at the Zhuhai Grand Theatre for a five-show run this month. Performed in French, the show takes audience members back to 15th-century Paris, where the tragic, intertwining lives of the four protagonists unfold against the backdrop of the titular cathedral. 

7-10 November

16. Foshan: all that jazz

The “sexiest musical ever” is coming to the Foshan Grand Theatre. In Chicago , the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, you’ll join Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly as they vie for fame inside the Cook County Jail, reflect on the crimes of passion they’ve committed, and sing and dance to the show’s classic musical numbers. 

7-10 November