Best things to do in Hong Kong in August

Right in the thick of the summer holidays, this August is set to be a lively one with music festivals, exhibitions and neon tributes taking over Hong Kong.  

Here’s a roundup of the best August events in Hong Kong to add to your calendar. 

Signs of life

Humming neon lights are a core part of Hong Kong’s visual history, yet over the last few years they’ve been slowly disappearing. A show called Vital Signs spotlights the work of sifu, the artisans who lit up Hong Kong’s streets and inspired the cityscapes of movies like Bladerunner and Ghost in the Shell. This Tai Kwun exhibition, runs in conjunction with neon conservationist group Tetra Neon Exchange , features both new signs and old rescued masterpieces as it explores the art form.  

Cardin Chan of Tetra Neon Exchange says to Cathay, “We have been racing against time to collect the precious stories of sign owners and neon industry people, who are the unsung heroes of the iconic and unique streetscapes that make Hong Kong world-famous.” 

The exhibition is free and runs until 3 September. Before you leave Tai Kwun after the main exhibition, head to the Laundry Steps where several more gigantic signs are grouped together in a striking scene. 

Find the pearl

The mesmerising feminist works of Fawn Rogers will take over K11 Musea this month, zeroing in on the relationship between women’s bodies, the natural world and the societal issues that plague both. On display until 20 August, Burn, Gleam, Shine is the latest collection from the multimedia artist known for her evocative paintings of pearl-laden oysters and clamshells. They say good art is meant to make you think, and Rogers’ work – in all its sensual, confronting and dramatic glory – definitely will.

Next-gen symphonics

A hundred of Asia’s most promising musical talents are set to take Hong Kong by storm, with the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) performing between 12-13 August at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Sponsored and flown into the city by Cathay, the Hong Kong shows kick off a 16-concert tour across the continent as well as further abroad in Europe. The event is near and dear to our hearts, as we’ve sponsored the AYO for the past three decades and have seen their performers blossom – moving onto renowned orchestras all over the world.

Ripple FX 

What do you pack to a music festival? A swimsuit, towel and water gun might not be at the top of everyone’s list, but you’ll need them if you’re headed to S20 this August 2023 – a Songkran-inspired dance music festival. With artists like Adventure Club, Krewella, Alesso and Nicky Romero hitting the decks on the Hong Kong Harbourfront, every inch of the festival is a designated splash zone with gigantic water jets keeping people cool as they dance to their heart’s content. Running from 5 August, tickets can be purchased here .

Song and dance

International musicians are increasingly dropping by Hong Kong and a few will be around in August. American alternative-pop band LANY kick off the month with a KITEC performance on 10 August, while R&B artist Lauv will be at AsiaWorld-Expo between 22 and 23 August. He is followed by Umi and Australian crooner Dean Lewis on 24 and 28 August respectively. Mirror fans are also in for a summer treat as two members of the Cantopop group embark on solo ventures, with Keung To performing from 2-5 August and Edan Lui from 26-27 August.