Cultural showcases, film festivals and music performances abound as we step into the swing of autumn and enjoy the best weather all year in Hong Kong. Scroll through below to find the best things to do in town this November.
Plastic-Free Precinct at Star Street
When: Through 3 November
In an effort to reduce the amount of single-use plastic ending up in landfills, Pacific Place has launched a sustainability campaign to incentivise recycling all across the Star Street Precinct. Bring your disposable plastics to the pop-up recycling station at the foot of Star Street and unlock rewards and discounts from participating stores in the neighbourhood. Some perks include complimentary coffees, desserts, discounts, and even a complimentary to-go cup — so you can continue going plastic-free when you shop for beverages. As a showing of Star Street’s ongoing efforts, the area has also introduced Carbon Coins reverse vending machines — which take empty plastic bottles and cans and pay you in tokens on the Carbon Coins app.
Starstreet Precinct, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Clockenflap and Eaton HK Present: NOISE/VOICE
When: 3 November
Price: HK$290 from Ticketflap
This crossover concert presented in collaboration between Clockenflap and Eaton HK pairs independent Hong Kong musicians with Taiwanese poets and vice versa for a unique opportunity to create and perform one-off art and music. With never-before-seen styles of performance, incendiary stage presence and award-winning literary talents, this event shouldn’t be missed by lovers of genre-bending indie music.
Maggie Ballroom, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Hong Kong, +852 2782 1818
Projekt Berlin
When: 4–17 November
Celebrating Germany’s creative powerhouse, Berlin, this culture festival sweeps over Tai Kwun during its autumn season, bringing an eclectic arts programme to the heritage site. Every evening from 6pm, catch the central yard light up with whimsical site-specific installations by LiCHPiRATEN that capture Berlin as a thrilling metropolis in its golden age and today. Film screenings feature silent classics juxtaposed with live accompaniment. Highlights also include 1930 film The Blue Angel starring Marlene Dietrich as a cabaret diva, with a pre-screening session with German singer Ute Lemper, who will pay tribute to the legendary artist before the film. Orchestral performances, TV series binge parties, dance performances and documentary showings round out the exciting calendar. More information here.
Tai Kwun, 100 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Wellness in Lee Gardens
When: Through 7 November
Price: HK$50 from EventBrite
From the team behind Hong Kong’s largest wellness festival Iris – Your Escape comes a new wellness programme aimed at bringing positivity and fitness to the after work crowd. The curated event roster features 15 workshops held from 10 October to 7 November, spanning across yoga, fitness, dance and meditation. Don’t miss Sound Meditation on 1 November, AbsFocus from TopFit instructor Janice Ng on 6 November, and HIT FIT by House of Fitness on 7 November.
Lee Gardens, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Jockey Club New Arts Power: November and December Season
When: 9 November–22 December
Hot off the success of its September and October season, the 3rd Jockey Club New Arts Power theatre programme returns with four dance performances this winter that champion four local dance artists and companies. For November, Contempo Lion Dance (9–10 November) brings the traditional art form to the modern age by combining contemporary dance, Cantonese Nanyin narrative singing and parkour. It’s held at a unique heritage site Haw Par Music, currently a music conservatory on the illustrious former estate of the ‘King of Tiger Balm’. For December, be sure to look out for Thunderstorm, a crossover effort between veteran theatre director Tang Shu-wing and choreographers Xing Liang and Mui Cheuk-yin to reinterpret Cao Yu’s literary classic. More information here.
Contempo Lion Dance: Haw Par Music, 15A Tai Hang Road, Tai Hang, +852 3165 1212
Fortnum & Mason Tea Tuk
When: Through 11 November
Established in 1707 and beloved by royalty, Fortnum & Mason is synonymous with fine tea and elegant gifting. On the momentous occasion of its first Hong Kong cafe at Victoria Dockside, the renowned brand is toasting to the city by popping up around town in its signature blue ‘Tea Tuk’. The striking beverage cart will be bringing the signature Royal Blend — created for King Edward VII in 1902 — and Countess Grey teas, not to mention more contemporary infusions to your neighbourhood. Be sure to nibble on tea’s best pairing, Fortnum’s traditional biscuit. The Tea Tuk will arrive in Central on 1 November, and K11 Musea from 2–11 November before the cafe’s grand opening.
Freespace Jazz Fest
When: 9–10 November
Taking place at the West Kowloon Art Park and the freshly unveiled Freespace venue, the inaugural Freespace Jazz Fest is an all-ages affair, offering a weekend of smooth sounds and appreciation of all things jazz. Enjoy over 20 ticketed and free live performances by artists and bands from Hong Kong and overseas, as well as an outdoor ballet excerpt from the Hong Kong Ballet’s The Great Gatsby, film screenings, jam sessions and market stalls. Don’t miss the headline acts jazz GoGo Penguin — a jazz electronica trio hailing from Manchester — and Grammy- and Emmy-award-winning Robert Glasper Trio. Hong Kong’s own talents Eugene Pao, Ted Lo, Angelita Li, Alan Kwan and Tjoe Man-cheung will also make appearances. More information here.
West Kowloon Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong
Precious Art Deco Objects
When: 11 November–9 February, 2020
Van Cleef & Arpels’ L’École School of Jewelry Arts newly opens its first overseas campus at K11 Musea, sparking off with a free-to-public exhibition of enchanting art deco objects. The exhibition is a selection of close to 50 masterpieces from the private collection of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, revealing the utmost care and craftsmanship relished in the Art Deco movement. From 12 November onwards, more than 20 courses and workshops will be in session, ranging from L’École’s specialised areas of Savoir-faire, Art History of Jewelry, and the Universe of Gemstones. Classes are held in English, with optional Cantonese or Mandarin simultaneous interpretation available for select sessions. More information here.
L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts, Unit 510A, L5, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Asian Film Festival
When: Through 17 November
The 16th edition of the HKAFF hits town this November, once again offering a salute to the fantastic filmmaking talent across Asia. The festival opens with two films focused on life in Hong Kong: Lion Rock tells the tale of how a rock climber challenges the peaks after he loses his ability to walk. Sci-fi comedy Ciao, UFO is centred on the urban legend where a spaceship was spotted hovering above Wah Fu Estate in Aberdeen.
Other highlights include a showcase of works by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof — who was just sentenced to one year in prison for defying state censorship; a spotlight on seven Cambodian titles in honour of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Cambodian genocide; as well as Gala Presentation The Garden of Evening Mists, an adaptation of Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng’s Man Booker Prize-nominated novel starring Sylvia Chang, Angelica Lee and Abe Hiroshi. This year, there’s also an opportunity for audience members to vote for the Audience’s Choice Award online, so don’t forget to vote for your favourite film once the festival concludes. More information here.
Festival de Cannes Film Week
When: 12–17 November
If you’re a cinephile, it’s the best time to be in Hong Kong right now. The Festival de Cannes Film Week at K11 Musea will screen six films from the 2019 official selection, featuring the Best Director, Best Screenplay, Un Certain Regard award winners. With a spread of critically acclaimed films from Italy, France, Brazil, USA and Belgium, it’s an unprecedented cinematic event held in Hong Kong. Rounding out the fabulous programme, there’s also the opportunity to join three masterclasses with filmmakers and special guests such as Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of Festival de Cannes as well as Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, two of only eight filmmakers in the world to have won the Palme d’Or twice. More information here.
K11 Arthouse, 4/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 3918 5888
Evelyn Lok
Managing Editor
When not trying out the latest beauty and wellness trends, Evelyn is likely enjoying a perfectly balanced negroni or exploring some of Hong Kong's best new places to eat and drink. At Lifestyle Asia she covers everything from the biggest events in town to interviews with Hong Kong specialists, with topics spanning art, food and drink, health, tech, and travel.
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