The best things to do in Hong Kong in November

Music festivals, foodie feasts and alfresco cinema experiences have us bubbling with excitement this month – and that’s just the start of Hong Kong’s November events. As summer’s heat fades, you’ll find running, swimming and hiking races taking place across the city for you to challenge yourself with.

Discover the best of the month with our guide to making the most of November in Hong Kong.

Clockenflap 

Clockenflap is back and bigger than ever, bringing headline acts like Jack White, St. Vincent and Jamie XX to Central Harbourfront. With multiple stages and a mix of international and homegrown acts spanning pop, rock, electronic and beyond, the three-day music festival has something for everyone. Music aside, look forward to food stalls from some of Hong Kong’s most beloved restaurants, handicraft markets and special chill-out zones where you can take a breather between sets. Get your tickets quick – everyone else already has.

Hairy crab season in Hong Kong

It’s that time of year when hairy crab dominates restaurant menus across Hong Kong, with chefs putting their unique spin on the crustacean, beloved for its pillowy sweet flesh and rich golden roe. At Chinese eateries like Mandarin Oriental’s Man Wah, Moments Together and Rosewood’s The Legacy House, full-on hairy crab banquets are available throughout November, with traditional steamed versions alongside Shanghainese hairy crab xiao long bao. Be sure to keep an eye out for other restaurants joining in on the fun – Pici has done so in recent years.

The Grounds outdoor cinema

Aragorn, Harry Potter and Paul Atreides are set to grace Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront as The Grounds’ outdoor cinema returns from 8 November. The area beside the harbourfront’s ferris wheel will once again be transformed into a green lawn, where you’ll be able to curl up in loungers and watch recent blockbusters and nostalgic hits on a massive outdoor screen. This year, The Grounds has teamed up with Fork Lore to present a series of food-centric films; enjoy them alongside food served up by Basehall and Gelato Messina. 

A Mad Food Tour

Finding fantastic local vegetarian food can be a struggle in Hong Kong, but Simran Savlani of A Spark of Madness is out to change that. After the success of her food tours in Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun, she’s taking keen-eyed foodies to Sham Shui Po to discover the district’s best vegetarian eats. Spanning Michelin-recommended establishments and family-run institutions, the tour stops off at five different spots and runs throughout November (7, 14, 21, 28) and December (5, 11). Book by emailing hello@asparkofmadness.co.

Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Forget the Sevens – the Sixes are back in town. Witness cricket with the speed and intensity turned all the way up at this tournament, in which international teams will face off in 29 high-energy matches between 1 and 3 November at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. Between matches, DJs and entertainers will bring the party atmosphere to the stands, while food stalls will keep you fueled for the day ahead.

Hong Kong races in November

It’s off to the races this November, with swimming, running and hiking events all taking place now that the weather has cooled. Lantau will welcome the city’s keenest hikers for the TransLantau race, which runs between 8 and 10 November, taking participants through greenery and past landmarks like Big Buddha in pursuit of medals.  

Over at Victoria Harbour, boat traffic will come to a halt on 10 November to make way for 4,000 swimmers competing in the Hong Kong Harbour Race . The fun-filled annual event will see competitors try to outswim one another in 1km and 5km categories across one of Hong Kong’s most photographed landmarks.   

Zolima Live: papercraft and dragons

One of the city’s sifu, Hui Ka-Hung is set to share the secrets behind the art of Hong Kong papercrafting during several events being staged this month. As one of the last masters of this delicate art form, Hui is renowned for creating the biggest parading paper dragon at a whopping 125 metres. Listen to him in a behind-the-scenes chat on 3 November or make your own paper lantern in one of his special workshops, running on 16, 17, 23 and 24 November.