The best things to do in Hong Kong this April

Music, Easter egg hunts and thought-provoking films are the flavour of the month, following March’s flurry of artistic endeavours. Hong Kong’s concert calendar welcomes the likes of Coldplay and Cantopop legends back to the city – and don’t forget to stock up on chocolate eggs for the welcome spree of public holidays. 

Discover the best April events in Hong Kong below.  

Coldplay in Hong Kong

Following a melee for tickets and a demand for extra show dates, it’s safe to say that Hongkongers are excited about the arrival of this lauded British band. Famed for their dazzling shows and comforting brand of pop rock, Coldplay will be taking over the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium between 8-12 April as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour . Fans can expect to hear new tunes like We Pray alongside classic belters like Fix You and Yellow.

Hong Kong International Film Festival

The Oscars may have come and gone but the Hong Kong International Film Festival is about to kick off. Running from 10 until 21 April, this year marks the festival’s 49th edition, making it one of the longest running film festivals in Asia. With a special spotlight on Asian directors, expect to see thought-provoking international films across cinemas in Hong Kong with Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, Filipino director Lav Diaz’s Phantosmia and Jean-Luc Godard's moving Scénarios on this year’s docket. Tickets can be purchased through Urbtix.

Easter in Hong Kong

With the holidays on the horizon, you can expect to see twee Easter decorations abounding at the city’s shopping malls and patisseries doling out chocolate eggs and more for the season.

Four Seasons executive pastry chef Ringo Chan brings his elevated Easter treats to the Cake Shop with a themed afternoon tea, smash chocolates and his signature Easter Garden Carrot Cake between 1-21 April.

Looking for something fun to do with your little ones this Easter weekend? Head to Discovery Bay on 18 and 19 April for the Easter beach carnival and take part in an egg hunt along Tai Pak Beach’s sandy shores.  

Po Lin Monastery’s Buddha Bathing Ceremony

Ahead of Buddha’s Birthday, Po Lin Monastery welcomes visitors to join a special ceremony . While the stunning monastery in the shadow of the Big Buddha is always worth a visit, it’s especially fascinating at this time of year, when visitors are invited to pour water over a golden statue of baby Buddha to help cleanse it of toxic karma. The ritual will take place at the entrance of the Hall of the Great Hero; all are invited to join from 29 April until Buddha’s Birthday on 5 May. 

Hong Kong Lacrosse Open

Between 18 and 20 April, 16 teams will face off for a chance to win the Hong Kong Lacrosse Open and claim victory as one of Asia’s best LAX teams. Stanley Ho Sports Centre will host men’s, women’s and youth tournaments at three of its outdoor pitches, located beside the South China Sea. Best of all, tickets are free, so get there early to get a prime seat in one of the grandstands. 

Art exhibitions in Hong Kong

Art month left you looking for more creative events? Over at Artistree and Two Taikoo Place, the glittery works of Pakistani artist Sara Shakeel will be making their Hong Kong debut at Artistree Selects: The Jewel System . Transforming her digital art into physical works through glass crystals and celestial arrangements, explore her South Asian heritage, traditional craftsmanship and modern innovations until 27 April. 

Bolshy homegrown gallery Young Soy Gallery will also be showing their latest group exhibition Re: Urgent , starring the vibrant tongue-in-cheek works from the likes of local artists Riya Chandiramani, OBSRVR and Go Hung until 4 April. Meanwhile, H Queen’s overflows with artistic talent: Emma McIntyre continues her show Among my swan at David Zwirner until 10 May alongside Miwa Komatsu at Whitestone Gallery with Sacred Nexus until 15 April. 

Concerts in Hong Kong

There’s lots going on in Hong Kong beyond Coldplay. Indie pop crooner Gracie Abrams will be in town on 14 April for her The Secret of Us tour , taking over Macpherson Stadium for an intimate concert as she sings TikTok-famed tunes like That’s So True and I Love You, I’m Sorry. 90s Cantopop king Nicholas Tse makes his comeback at Kai Tak Stadium later this month, reintroducing himself to fans as part of his Evolution Nic Live tour . 

For a change of pace, watch the music of Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest films come to life at Studio Ghibli Symphony: Featuring Original Singers . As the name suggests, the original voices from the film will be performing live, with Japanese singer Mera Yoshikazu reprising his role from Princess Mononoke and mother-daughter duo Azumi Inoue and Yuyu singing My Neighbour Totoro’s catchy songs on 5 April.

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