14 things to do in the Greater Bay Area this March

This month, it’s all about art. Whether you’re enjoying a digital art display or a pop performance in Hong Kong, or swaying along to Studio Ghibli soundtracks in Shenzhen, there’s plenty to see and do this month across Hong Kong, Macao and the Greater Bay Area. Check out the top picks that’ve made our list.

Hong Kong: Art Basel

It’s Art Month in Hong Kong, and leading the charge is Art Basel . The art fair returns to our shores, with some 243 galleries packing out the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Discover a mix of the art world’s biggest and best across the globe, as well as Hong Kong’s own homegrown superstars. As ever, the programme combines large-scale installations, digital art, film and performance art, alongside insightful discussions. 28-30 March

Hong Kong: Art Central

Whenever Art Basel pops up in Hong Kong, Art Central is never far behind. With a deep focus on celebrating Asian art, it’s the perfect place to discover your next favourite artist. Last year’s edition saw visitors enter through a gigantic, mesmerising 18-metre-wide digital installation of Asian cityscapes by artist Yang Yongliang. 28-31 March

Hong Kong: The Mondrian Hong Kong opening

If you simply can’t resist a design hotel, you’ll be thrilled to know that The Mondrian Hong Kong is now in town. The luxury hotel group, known for stylish interiors and stunning artwork, has opened its first Greater China outpost in Tsim Sha Tsui, offering postcard-perfect views of Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong is at the heart of this new property, with work from local artists and thoughtful design flourishes paying tribute to the city.

Hong Kong: ComplexCon debut

LA pop and urban culture fair ComplexCon makes its Asian debut in Hong Kong this month, with Japanese artist Verdy (left) as its artistic director. In celebration of everything that has the internet currently buzzing, expect DJ sets, fashion collabs and performances by hip hop stars, including the Grammy-winning rapper 21 Savage. 22-24 March

Hong Kong: Kitty N Wong’s new puzzle

Hong Kong illustrator Kitty N Wong has launched the second product in her Hong Kong “puzzle mysteries” series, in which charming nods to the city combine with a hidden riddle. The Pangolin Panic challenges puzzlers to track down the culprit behind a missing pangolin against a backdrop of Hong Kong wildlife and nature.

Available at the M+ Shop, Bookazine, Goods of Desire (G.O.D.) and online at The Lion Rock Press

Hong Kong: SHINee 15th anniversary tour

Grab your glowsticks and put on your fan tees: Korean boyband SHINee are coming to illuminate AsiaWorld-Expo on their 15th anniversary tour . The K-pop royalty will be performing tracks from their latest album Hard and greatest hits. 16 March

Hong Kong: Hong Kong International Literary Festival

The ever-popular Hong Kong International Literary Festival returns this month with a week of events to celebrate the joy of reading. Held at venues across the city, including the Fringe Club and Soho House, the ticketed festival’s lineup includes talks, walks, workshops, readings, poetry performances and book launches, inviting distinguished names like food writer Fuchsia Dunlop, reporter and photographer Chan Kit, and Chinese language and culture expert Jing Tsu. 4-10 March

Hong Kong: Bad Times Records

Hong Kong DJ collective Bad Times Disco are bringing their gigantic range of Asian groove and electronica vinyls to a physical space called Bad Times Records for five months only. Here, you’ll also find vintage clothing and products by independent local brands for sale, as well as cardistry workshops, poetry readings and more.

Shop S15C, B/F, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Galleries to check out: art blogger Yulia Yarkova shares her favourites in Hong Kong

1. Hauser & Wirth

A chance to see something that museums don’t have yet.

8 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 3958 7188

2. Blue Lotus Gallery

For the photography lovers out there. The gallery also has a selection of photobooks for sale, if you’re looking for a gift.

G/F 28 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, 6100 1295

3. Empty Gallery

A unique “black cube” gallery that is absolutely worth the visit.

19/F, Grand Marine Center, 3 Yue Fund St, Aberdeen, 2563 3396

4. Square Street Gallery

A tiny space with a huge curatorial presence and ambition.

G/F, 21 Square Street, Sheung Wan

5. Axel Vervoordt Gallery

The most sophisticated gallery ; a perfect opportunity to widen your art horizons.

21/F, Coda Designer Centre, Wong Chuk Hang

Macao: International Series Macau golf tournament

Round up your golf buddies and join the International Series Macau tournament . The four-day event will see some of the world’s best players hitting the green, including big names like Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka and Sergio García. 14-17 March

Macao: Feast of Tou Tei

All across Macao you’ll find diminutive tablets, statues and altars dedicated to the earth god Tou Tei, also known as Tai Pak Kung. On the Feast of Tou Tei, lion dances, blessing ceremonies and cultural performances take place at temples across the city – but in particular at the Tou Tei Temple on the Rua da Ribeira do Patane. 11 March

Guangzhou: Guangzhou Maritime Museum‘s southern Italian exhibition

Experience a bit of southern Italy in the southern Chinese Mainland at Guangzhou Maritime Museum’s The Gift of the Gods: Apulia Felix Among Greeks, Indigenous and Romans exhibition. This showcase of ancient pottery, sculpture, art, coins and more features objects from eight Italian museums, providing a rare glimpse into the culture, commerce and agriculture of life in ancient Apulia. Until 24 March

Guangzhou: Kings of Convenience concert

Norwegian folk-poppers Kings of Convenience play their first-ever Chinese Mainland tour this month, hitting up Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Their trademark bossa-indie tunes are comfort for heart and soul alike. 11 March

Shenzhen: Summer Piano Stories Concert

After a successful run at the Beijing Concert Hall, the Summer Piano Stories Concert will delight the audience at the Shenzhen Concert Hall with music from Studio Ghibli’s iconic animations. An all-star quintet will bring to life legendary composer Joe Hisaishi’s classics, including tracks from My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away. 30 March

Shenzhen: Design Shenzhen

Design Shenzhen returns to the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre for its second edition. This year, the focus is on the intersection of design and technology, with top Chinese and international brands exploring how the two fuse in ever more innovative ways. 21-24 March