Best things to do in Hong Kong in April

Spring is in full swing which can only mean one thing: the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens is back. April sees some of Hong Kong’s biggest events come to the fore, with an electronic music extravaganza and the city’s prestigious film festival returning alongside the rowdy rugby tournament. Here’s what to see and do in Hong Kong this April. 

1. Hong Kong Rugby Sevens 

Hong Kong’s biggest party is back, bringing international rugby stars and costumed crowds in from all over the world. This year’s edition , taking place between 5-7 April, is set to be a celebration for the ages: the tournament marks its 30th – and final – year at the iconic Hong Kong Stadium. From the legendary parties in the South Stand to a halftime show helmed by rugby player turned- DJ James Haskell and former Journey frontman Arnel Pineda, it’ll be a weekend to remember. 

2. Creamfields Hong Kong

Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren and Illenium are set to electrify the night between 13-14 April, when British music festival Creamfields will take over Central Harbourfront. With a fantastic roster of electronic music, drum and bass acts, and more, you’ll find the Hong Kong’s club kids tearing up the dance floor with Victoria Harbour sparkling in the background.

3. Hong Kong International Film Festival 

The HKIFF kicked off with a bang in late March, bringing director Martin McDonagh to Hong Kong for a special screening of his film In Bruges. Back for its 48th edition, the festival is set to charge on until 8 April, with award-winning arthouse films and exciting Asian premieres on the docket. See the whole line-up online here  – highlights include Korean director Jang Jae-hyun's Exhuma, the Mads Mikkelsen-led The Promised Land and the moving judo documentary Tatami. 

4. Songkran in Hong Kong

Grab your water guns and take to Hong Kong's streets this April to celebrate Songkran : a Thai New Year festival which involves a ton of water. Water fights will take place between 4-8 April at D2 Place and on 6 April at Cheung Yee Street (both near Lai Chi Kok station) to wash away the old year and welcome in the new. With traditional ceremonies and dances, Thai food markets and more taking place to celebrate the occasion, be prepared to enter the splash zone. 

5. Michelin-starred restaurants in Hong Kong

With the recent release of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2024, prestigious culinary stars have been bestowed upon 79 of Hong Kong’s restaurants. Now is the perfect time to book one of the hottest tables in town, with names like The Legacy House, Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic and Racines having all clinched their first star. Elsewhere, Japanese omakase restaurant Noi has been promoted to two Michelin stars while seven of Hong Kong’s three Michelin starred restaurants such as Caprice , T’ang Court and Sushi Shikon have defended their titles. Find out more here . 

6. Shows in Hong Kong

Practice your best Julie Andrews impression: The Sound of Music is coming to town with a brand-new Broadway revival which raises the curtain on 16 April. Revolving around the story of Maria, a headstrong nun employed as a governess in the lead up to World War II, it explores the power of love and music’s capacity to heal through iconic numbers like My Favourite Things and Edelweiss. 

While International Jazz Day doesn’t happen until the end of the month, American jazz troupe The Hot Club of San Francisco will kick things off early with a swinging Xiqu Centre performance on 9 April. K-pop star Hyolyn will also be dancing her way over to Macpherson Stadium on 5 April.