16 things to do in the Greater Bay Area this January

Start 2024 off with a bang by rediscovering the region, whether you’re sipping on modern Hong Kong cocktails at swishy new bars or impressing the in-laws with vibrant florals from a Foshan festival market.  

We’ve tracked down the best openings, events and new products across Hong Kong, Macao and the Greater Bay Area – check out our picks below.  

1. Hong Kong: a certain kinship 

Cocktail bars aren’t hard to find in Hong Kong, but what about ones that specialise in Chinese spirits? Gavin Yeung united with Singular Concepts to turn his career in writing about food and drinks into a passion project close to his heart. At Kinsman, liquors like yuk bing siu, baijiu and Cantonese amaro are served alongside Yeung’s childhood food favourites. 

65 Peel Street, Central

2. Hong Kong: run the city 

Thousands of runners will find out if their training went to plan this month as the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon returns for its 26th edition. The marquee race – Hong Kong’s largest annual sporting event – will see 74,000 athletes take part across 10km, half and full marathon courses, and two wheelchair distances (2.5km and 10km). The course gives participants an exclusive chance to compete on a route pedestrians never usually get to tread, including a notoriously challenging 2km sweep through the Western Harbour Tunnel. 21 January 

3. Hong Kong: a rocking feast 

Western District has a new hangout for music lovers: Melody is a “rock ’n’ roll grillhouse” with serious culinary form. The new venue includes a listening room with state-of-the-art audiophile equipment and a music programme built by supremo DJ Johnny Hiller. Here, Chef Jamie Draper serves up many dishes that are “kissed” by the Josper grill from the open kitchen. Steaks and seafood shine on the menu, which has a substantial selection for vegetarians too. Also, don’t miss the bar’s electric cocktails. 

100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun 

Press play 

DJ Johnny Hiller names three favourite records from the Melody collection. Listen out for them on your next visit: 

Saigon Supersound 1965-75 Volume One  
(2017, Germany – Nhac Vang) 

A compilation from the nhac vang, or “golden music”, era in Vietnam.  

Avanço – Tamba Trio 
(1963, Brazil – Latin)  

The ground-breaking bossa jazz debut from Brazil’s Tamba Trio. 

Sugar – Stanley Turrentine  
(1971, US – Jazz)  

It’s jazz royalty as the US saxophonist is joined by Freddie Hubbard, George Benson and Ron Carter.  

4. Hong Kong: laugh out loud  

Long-standing Lego-haired comedian and TV presenter Jimmy Carr returns to give the city another tickling with brand-new material. The British comedy scene mainstay, known for his swipes at political correctness and honking laugh, produced Netflix’s most-streamed comedy special of 2021 with His Dark Materials, in which he finds humour in unlikely places. 17 January 

5. Hong Kong: sweet-scented city 

Cult Parisian perfumer Ex Nihilo set up its dichromatic shop in IFC Mall just in time for the brand’s 10th anniversary. Carve out an hour or two sampling the five collections, or try the “Osmologue” experience to create a bespoke scent with a personalised engraving. 

6. Hong Kong: gone to waste 

American R&B and soul singer Brent Faiyaz stops off in Hong Kong on his first Asian tour. His acclaimed 2022 sophomore album Wasteland is loaded with guest stars, including Drake, Alicia Keys and Tyler, The Creator, and saw the Grammy-nominated 27-year-old from Maryland making the music he “always wanted to make”. 30 January 

7. Hong Kong: hot stuff 

The global Sriracha shortage has sent prices rocketing and made bottles highly sought-after. Huy Fong Foods’ distinctive green-capped condiment has been hard to find for a few years due to jalapeño sourcing issues. Why not try one of Hong Kong’s homegrown hot sauces? You might never need to invoke the rooster again. 

Alchemy Kitchen 

From a humble kitchen on Lamma Island comes a fiery line-up of no fewer than 11 sauces ranging from slightly peppery to full facial obliteration. Buy the full set and host a Hot Ones-style chilli challenge for friends at home. 

Yaka Hot Sauce 

Something spicy is stirring in Sai Kung. The skull-branded Yaka Hot Sauce promises a Scoville-scorching rollercoaster of six sauces, including mango cranberry, and pineapple and black pepper. 

Yu Kwen Yick 

The Old Master of Hong Kong chilli sauces, Yu Kwen Yick is a proudly traditional hot sauce that befriends any food it’s paired with. The 101-year-old recipe is based on fermented sweet potato for an umami kick. Its Sai Ying Pun shop is also a history lesson and a must-visit for nerdy spice fiends. 

G/F, 66A Third Street, Sai Ying Pun 

8. Hong Kong: try it dry 

Avoiding booze this month? These zero-alcohol beers from Hong Kong breweries are available in bars and bottle shops across the city. 

Gweilo  
Non-alcoholic pale ale  

Hong Kong Beer Co. 
No Limits 

BK Zero 
Hop Water 

9. Hong Kong: tea total 

Artisanal tea is all the rage. Pop open a bottle from Saicho , the Hong Kong-British brand which crafts single-origin non-alcoholic sparkling teas in three variants – darjeeling, jasmine and hojicha. Find Saicho online and at HK Liquor Store, or enjoy a glass with scones and sandwiches as part of The Peninsula’s afternoon tea at The Lobby. 

10. Macao: cool cats 

The future has landed in Macao – and it comes in the form of an autostereoscopic Cat Theatre and fog screen projections. Feline-themed augmented reality installations can be spotted between Rua dos Ervanários and Rua da Tercena as part of a shopping event. Using an app, visitors can accumulate points, enter a lucky draw and take advantage of discounts by participating local merchants. Until February 

11. Guangzhou: defiant love 

Housed in the iconic Guangdong Museum, Lovers in the World: Cultural Exhibition of the West Chamber features more than 300 examples of cultural relics, including calligraphy, paintings and porcelain, commemorating the romantic comedy Romance of the Western Chamber, written by Yuan-dynasty playwright Wang Shifu. Until 15 February 

12. Guangzhou: Maria on the Mainland 

Timeless musical The Sound of Music lands at the Guangzhou Opera House this month. Since making its Broadway debut in 1959, this production has won five Tony Awards, sold more than 3 million recorded albums and captured the hearts of many. Book a ticket and add it to your list of favourite things. 17-22 January 

13. Guangzhou: twinkling ivories 

At the Symphony Hall in the gorgeous Xinghai Concert Hall on Ersha Island, award-winning conductor Sun Yifan and pianist Dang Thai Son will play Bizet’s Symphony No.1 and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.2 , perfect for a mid-winter’s night in Guangzhou. 7 January

14. Shenzhen: smashing hits 

Get ready for some must-see wrestling action in the GBA. Dozens of pro wrestlers from around the world will descend upon the Nanshan Digital Innovation Exhibition Center for MKW Bash at the Bay . Hit that ringside bell for a wildly entertaining evening that will slam all expectations. 27 January 

15. Foshan: enter the art 

Curators Deng Wenyin and Jiang Ziang blend dramatic script and contemporary visuals for an exhibition at the Benyin Art Museum. Featuring five prominent artists, Script Inside Paintings is an experience that will leave you pondering everything from perspective to perception. Until 15 January 

16. Foshan: I can buy myself flowers 

The historic Chencun New Year Flower Market returns with a 10-kilometre-long avenue of stalls selling everything from citrus trees to New Year blooms. Ring in the festivities with plenty of orchids, bamboo and plum blossoms to attract luck and prosperity. 31 January–8 February