The best things to do in Hong Kong this April

Movie stars, massive gigs and even bigger sporting spectacles – the city is abuzz this month, with the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) celebrating its 50th birthday, and the Hong Kong Sevens embracing a new era with its second event at its new home in Kai Tak. There’s also a wealth of major gigs – from UK legends Suede to the East Asia debut of much-lauded Berlin DJ collective Keinemusik.  

1. Hong Kong International Film Festival  

Film royalty grace Hong Kong this month to celebrate the HKIFF 's Golden Jubilee, with legendary French actor Juliette Binoche presenting her directorial debut In-I in Motion – a dance-theatre collaboration with choreographer Akram Khan – alongside a retrospective of her most celebrated work. Meanwhile, leading Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke will be honoured as the festival’s Filmmaker in Focus, and Taiwanese auteur Tsai Ming-liang will screen Back Home, his meditative new film set in Laos. 

1-12 April, various locations 

2. Spotlight: A Season of Performing Arts at Tai Kwun 

At Tai Kwun’s sixth annual performing-arts festival , Romantic poet William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience is the inspiration behind Songs of Being, a site-specific production melding contemporary music with multimedia art (8-16 April). Acclaimed Danish theatre director Tue Biering debuts The Liar, a specially commissioned solo show developed alongside its star, Hong Kong actor Chan Tai Yin. Elsewhere, a pair of Guangzhou-based talents, choreographer ErGao and visual artist Cao Fei, collaborate on finale Up the Grade (30 April – 3 May) – a blend of African, Chinese and contemporary dance with martial arts and kaleidoscopic visuals.  

26 Mar – 3 May, Tai Kwun 

3. In the Mood for Love in concert 

Auteur director Wong Kar-wai’s film In the Mood for Love holds a special place in the hearts of many Hongkongers. The slow-burning tale of unrequited love made an entire generation swoon to its highly stylised depiction of a 1960s Hong Kong – all low light and heightened passion. Now the city’s top orchestra is performing the heartstring-tugging score in full , alongside screenings of the movie – an unmissable opportunity to revel in the iconic film’s nostalgic romance.  

2-3 April, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall 

4. Keinemusik at Wonderland 

Keinemusik are the party-starting Berlin label behind names like Adam Port, &ME, Rampa and Reznik. While the moniker cheekily translates as “no music”, this collective of DJs and producers has done much to stamp out its own patented musical imprint since launching out of Berlin in 2009 – a mix of techno, deep house and global rhythms. Expect things to go wild at the label’s East Asia debut right here in Hong Kong. 

5 April, AXA Wonderland, WestK 

5. Britpop royalty Suede  

A year after the Oasis reunion made the world mad for all things 90s, British and guitar-based, their moodier and edgier compatriots Suede are also enjoying something of late-career success. Off the back of last year’s well-received 10th album Antidepressants, the black-clad quintet stops off in Hong Kong on 11 April – barely 16 months since their special guest slot at Clockenflap.

11 April, AXA Wonderland, WestK 

6. Indie gigs galore 

After a thrilling performance at Clockenflap in 2018, UK post-punk darlings Shame return to the city to perform at Portal on 15 April . On the same day, California instrumental math-rock outfit Covet play Mom Livehouse. Then on 16 April, Geordie Greep – better known as the multifariously talented frontman of the UK’s recently disbanded Black Midi – brings his debut solo album to Portal . It’s simply not possible to do them all. 

15-16 April, various locations

7. Hong Kong Sevens 

At this year’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, 30 teams will play 72 matches over three days. Not interested in rugby? Can’t tell the difference between a ruck and a maul? No sweat. For the thousands who descend upon this highly anticipated event every year, what happens on the pitch is only half the fun. Expect a festival-like atmosphere to engulf the stands when the 2026 event kicks off, with expected crowds exceeding 100,000. And while donning fancy dress isn’t mandatory, it certainly adds to the fun.  

17-19 April, Kai Tak Sports Park 

8. Track World Cup, Ice Hockey 5s and Champions Day 

The elite UCI Track World Cup sees Olympic riding teams competing annually across a series of three race meets, and in 2026 Hong Kong has been chosen to host the second round, which takes place at Hong Kong Velodrome on 17-19 April. And while rugby is all about the Sevens, for those with ice in their veins, it’s all about the Ice Hockey 5s. The sport’s largest tournament in Asia will welcome 80 different teams for 16 days of matches, kicking off from 23 April. For racing fans, expect thrills and spills when elite horses gather at Sha Tin Racecourse on 26 April for Champions Day.

17-26 April, various locations