Best things to do in Hong Kong in March

It’s art month in Hong Kong and renowned legends are painting the town red, black, and whatever other colour sneaks into their palettes. With fairs and galleries across the city touting the best and brightest artists around the world, you’ll also find the literary and floral festivals creating their own buzz. 

Here are the best things to do in Hong Kong this March, from Art Basel to K-pop concerts.  

1. Art Basel in Hong Kong

Celebrities, artists and galleries are all jetting in for this famed art fair , which has previously welcomed stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Adrien Brody to the city. Between 28 and 30 March, 243 galleries from around the world will shine a spotlight on their artists, among them both emerging names and heavy hitters. With large-scale installations and masterpieces arriving from cities spanning São Paulo to Seoul, Art Basel promises to present a fascinating cross-section of today’s modern art scene. 

2. Art Central

If Art Basel paints a global picture of the art world, Art Central homes in on what’s happening among Asian creatives. From 28-31 March, walk along the Central Harbourfront to the fair’s massive white tents, where you’ll find rainbow works, mesmerising digital art pieces and a new artist to fall in love with. Best of all, you’ll find homegrown Hong Kong art galleries like Vain Projects, Oi Ling Gallery and more on the roster.  

3. Hong Kong International Literary Festival

The city’s biggest bookworms will unite from 4-10 March at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival , where you’ll be able to discover thrilling new reads across a range of genres, and even seek out advice if you’re looking to write your own bestseller. You’ll also hear talks by leading writers such as Seeing Other People author Diana Reid, culinary writer Fuchsia Dunlop and a host of Hong Kong talent. Littler readers get their moment too at the Young Readers Festival . Running between 4 and 8 March, the event has writers like Dan Santat and Alina Chau on the docket. 

4. Hong Kong Flower Show

Purple Angelonia flowers will soon be bursting into bloom at Victoria Park, forming the centrepiece of the 2024 Hong Kong Flower Show . Every year, hundreds of the city’s best florists and stellar international talent convene to create gigantic floral installations, from mesmerising sculptures to oases of calm within the city. Besides taking in these botanical wonders, visitors can also pick up blooms and gardening tools at the Flower Show’s bustling fair, running between 15-24 March.

5. Hong Kong International Film Festival

Hong Kong has long been a bastion of film excellence and this annual festival celebrates it. It returns for its 48th edition on 28 March, running into early April. A formal line-up has yet to be announced, but you can expect Oscar contenders, fascinating indies and stories from Hong Kong on the silver screen. Last year’s edition gave us films like Past Lives and Pedro Pascal’s stylish Western Strange Way of Life, as well as a spotlight on Tibetan film and Japanese director Ozu Yasujiro. Keep an eye on the festival website for updates.  

6. March concerts in Hong Kong

With or without Rod Stewart, Hong Kong’s concert halls will remain packed in March. Welsh crooner Tom Jones is set to bring his tour Ages and Stages to AsiaWorld-Expo on 16 March, so get ready to belt out his classic hits like It’s Not Unusual. On the other side of the Expo, K-pop legends Shinee will perform on the very same day – making for a truly fascinating train ride home filled with both Jones and Shinee fans.  

Can’t get enough K-pop? Well, you’re in luck. KCON is bringing acts like Ateez, aespa and more to the city this month as part of a 14-artist line-up at the Korean pop culture festival. Running between 30 and 31 March, the festival will also feature meet and greets for those who want to get up close and personal with their bias.