The best things to do in Hong Kong this July
Whether you’re cheering on football teams or your favourite K-pop band, one thing’s for sure: July is going to be a lively month in Hong Kong. The Fifa World Cup and Hong Kong Football Festival coincide in a sports extravaganza, while musical acts from all over the world bring the groove for even the littlest listeners. Looking for something quieter? Get stuck in a good book at one of the city’s favourite literary festivals or revisit a beloved childhood tale at a book-themed exhibition. We’ve listed the best July events in Hong Kong for you below.
Credit: China News Service/Getty Images
Credit: China News Service/Getty Images
Lan Kwai Fong Fifa World Cup Mania
It’s no secret that Hong Kong loves football, and this month Lan Kwai Fong is taking the obsession to the next level. The party district will become a fan zone for the Fifa World Cup , complete with football-themed installations. Meanwhile, restaurants and bars will adjust their hours to accommodate match timings and offer special match day deals, ensuring you get to see all the action live and enjoy some added perks. You’ll especially want to join the football-themed block party on the finals weekend (18-19 July) – with live music, gigantic screens displaying livestreams and streets shut down just for the nail-biting final matches, it’s the perfect way to cheer on your team in the heart of the city.
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
Credit: Lampson Yip - Click Images/Getty Images
Hong Kong Football Festival
The Hong Kong Football Festival keeps the football fervour alive, kicking off on 31 July and running until 5 August. Fans will get to see Manchester City, FC Internazionale Milano, Chelsea and Juventus going head-to-head in friendly matches at Kai Tak Stadium. Can’t get a ticket for the games? You can also head over for a training session to see the pros at work. Book your tickets here .
Credit: The International Arts Carnival
Credit: Dan Tucker
The International Arts Carnival
Family-friendly stage shows and hands-on workshops are waiting to be discovered at the International Arts Carnival , running from 10 July to 16 August. The fun kicks off with Starchitects: an out-of-this-world story about five kids who imagine their own space adventure, told through stunning visual effects and circus stunts. Love music? Watch the Hong Kong Sinfonietta bring cute cartoon character McDull to life (16-18 July) or join a marvellous operatic retelling of Alice in Wonderland (25-26 July). You’ll also find a series of Fringe workshops spanning dance, storytelling and Chinese poetry for parents and children: see the full lineup here .
Credit: Pixar Summer Fest
Credit: Pixar Summer Fest
Credit: Pixar Summer Fest
Disneyland Pixar Summer Fest
The colourful characters of Disney’s Pixar are taking over Hong Kong Disneyland from now until 31 August. The Pixar Summer Fest brings new parades, experiences and drone shows to the theme park, starring beloved characters from Toy Story, The Incredibles, Inside Out and more. During the day, you’ll find Buzz Lightyear and Frozone turning the park into a splash zone at the Pixar Water Play Street Party, while Turning Red’s Mei and Monsters Inc.’s Sulley dance on floats in the Friendtastic! parade. Stay until evening to experience a new night show: the Pixar Pals Spectacular, featuring amazing drone and light projections. Of course, you can collect Pixar-themed merchandise and food along the way – Up-themed egg waffles, anyone?
Credit: VCG/Getty Images
Hong Kong Book Fair
One of the city’s biggest fairs returns for its 36th edition from 15-21 July, drawing book lovers to Hong Kong Convention Centre for a week of page-turners. This year’s theme will explore the relationship between tradition and modernity. While event details are still being firmed up, previous years’ fairs provide an idea of what to expect, from workshops with acclaimed authors to new book releases and themed art installations. Keep an eye on the Hong Kong Book Fair website for more details as they’re released.
Credit: The Little Prince and the Pilot Exhibition
Credit: The Little Prince and the Pilot Exhibition
The Little Prince and the Pilot Exhibition
To mark the 80th anniversary of The Little Prince, Hong Kong University is teaming up with the French May Arts Festival for an exploration of the timeless classic. Running until 18 October, The Little Prince and the Pilot invites you to discover the man behind the bittersweet tale, with letters, sketches and manuscripts from author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that detail his extraordinary life and provide insight into what inspired him to write this beloved book.
Credit: H2 Festival
Credit: Jeremychanphotography/Getty Images
Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Concerts in July
A diverse lineup awaits music heads this July: think K-pop girl groups, Kiwi indie bands, Aussie rappers and more. Plus, the reopening of beloved live music venue The Wanch means you can get your fill of homegrown talent – or give it a go yourself on Monday Open Mic nights.
It all begins with The Kid LAROI in Whampoa Garden on 5-6 July; the rapper is in town to perform songs like Stay and Girls as part of his A Perfect World Tour. Craving Cantopop? Big hitters like MC Cheung TinFu (7-11 July), Sammi Cheng (10-12 July) and Jason Chan (18-20 July) dominate the middle of the month with Cantonese power anthems aplenty. Indie-rock quartet The Beths bring their immaculate harmonies all the way from New Zealand on 22 July, while Blue Valentine hitmakers Nmixx close the month with some K-pop perfection on 25-26 July.