Best things to do in Hong Kong in May

May is here, bringing teetering bun pillars, French gourmet excellence and the coolest middle school rock band in the world to Hong Kong. 

Whether you’re a culture vulture looking for a masterpiece to add to your art collection or trying to get a head start on your Mother’s Day planning, we've got you covered with our May events guide below.

1. Cheung Chau bun festival

If you’ve never been to Cheung Chau, this athletic festival is the perfect time to visit the outlying island. Throughout the month, locals will race to climb towers covered in white and red chess-stamped buns in a tradition dating back centuries.

Originally held to celebrate the end of an island-wide plague, this Taoist festival honours the god Pak Tai who is believed to have helped end the contagion. The best day to go this year is 15 May, when an accompanying parade takes over the entire island alongside the nail-biting competition. 

2. The French May

Say oui this May as French culture saunters through the city, bringing Gallic music, food, art, film and charm to Hong Kong. The French May is an annual celebration of all things French, encouraging people to indulge their inner Francophiles with events such as a black and white photography exhibition called Noir & Blanc, the regular film festival screening classics and modern entries, as well as operatic performances of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette. Discover the full programme list here .  

The complementary dining festival, French Gourmay , celebrates the tastes of southern France this year with exclusive retail offers, wine masterclasses and special tasting menus at Hong Kong’s hottest restaurants. Learn more about what’s on here . 

3. Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong

Art month may be over, but there’s another fair on the horizon: the Affordable Art Fair, where you’ll be able to find works that won’t break the bank from both emerging and established artists. With nearly a hundred local and international galleries represented, this fair will also feature some homegrown talent you’ll want to champion, including paper cutter Joe Wong of Oi Ling, Touch Gallery’s Marian Ang and AFF newcomer Grey Walls Gallery, which celebrates Hong Kong’s abandoned buildings.

“We believe collecting art should not be unreachable. If you aspire to be an art collector, this is the fair to go to – you can explore a very wide spectrum of art styles by artists around the world, discover local and emerging talents, and take art back home at an affordable price,” says Regina Zhang, Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong’s Fair Director.

She adds, “It’s a great opportunity for art admirers to become first-time art collectors.” 

4. School of Rock: The Musical

The Jack Black-fronted film stole hearts when it first came out in 2004 and now it’s gotten a theatrical upgrade, with songs penned by musical theatre maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber. After Dewey Finn's rockstar dreams crash and burn, he fakes his way into becoming a substitute teacher at a conservative prep school and finds a new goal: winning the Battle of the Bands with the help of an unlikely new band, entirely made up of students. School of Rock: The Musical opens 25 May and runs until 16 June, with multiple shows a week at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.

5. Mother’s Day in Hong Kong

Here’s a handy reminder: Mother’s Day is on the 12th of this month and the city’s best florists, restaurants and shops are pulling out all the stops for mums everywhere. From lavish all-you-can-eat hotel buffets to exquisite tasting menus curated for the women who deserve it, we’ve rounded up some of the best Mother’s Day restaurants in Hong Kong where you’ll also be able to earn bonus Asia Miles. 

Looking for gifts and bouquets? Local florists like Ellermann, Petal & Poem and Blooms & Blossom should be your go-to for floral masterpieces, while a pampering session at one of Hong Kong’s best spas will always go over well. Head to our shop online to discover even more gift ideas, from fine wines and teas to the latest skincare buys.

6. Concerts in Hong Kong this May

Buzzy J-rock, Gen Z crooners and Clockenflap stalwarts are set to breeze through the city’s concert venues this month. French singer FKJ, fresh off a recent spot at Clockenflap, will bring sultry genre-bending music to AsiaWorld-Expo on 29 May , while TikTok-famous JP Saxe takes over Kitty Woo Stadium in Tung Po on 22 May . 

Before those two concerts, Radwimps, the joyous Japanese band behind the soundtracks of films like Your Name and Suzume, will help kickstart the month on 7 May at AsiaWorld-Expo – so get to rewatching the movies before you join the crowds.