10 Exciting Events In Hong Kong This August: Art Book Fair, Live Music Performances And More

August is here. The weather in Hong Kong switches between sunny and rainy days, leaving many unsure how to spend their time. But what’s great about our fair city is that no matter the weather, there’s always something to enjoy. Whether you want to take advantage when the sun’s out or seek shelter indoors when it’s pouring, there are plenty of things to do in Hong Kong. Keep reading what the month has in store for you from our list below.

While there may not be any public holidays in August, you can still enjoy your weekends or after-work hours with these amazing events. Looking for a fun night out? The Trilogy is hosting a series of parties throughout its venues this month. Or you can watch meaningful documentaries from renowned filmmakers courtesy of the EU-Asia Documentary Festival. Sample more than 500 types of sake at the Hong Kong Sake Festival or spoil yourselves with books at the Booked Art Book Fair. Whatever you’re up for, these Hong Kong events in August will surely tickle your fancy. See our top picks of the best things to do in the city this August.

Hong Kong events: The best things to do in August 2024

1. The Trilogy August Events

Make your way to Keyz nightclub, Wav rooftop, and Ella jazz bar for an incredible line-up of events. The Trilogy is a multi-experience music hub that combines the best of music and nightlight complete with a 7,000 square feet of space spanning two storeys. Throughout August, there are events to enjoy such as We Wednesdays for a night of drag shows; Neon Jungle with neon lights and jungle beats; and Cantopop: Chapter 4, a Cantonese disco tribute.

Date: Throughout August
Venue: The Trilogy, 26/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong
Website: linktr.ee/thetrilogy.hk

2. EU-Asia Documentary Festival: Resilience through Changes

The EU-Asia Documentary Festival returns with the theme of ‘Resilience through Changes’. There is a selection of documentary films that delve into a variety of topics including human rights, gender equality, environmental issues, war, mental health, and more. Explore human resilience, pursuit of freedom, and equality in times of adversity and change through the eyes of documentary filmmakers. Movies include 20 Days in Mariupol, Hawar Our Banished Children, Wartime Notes, and more.

Date: Until August 4
Venue: Various cinemas across Hong Kong
Website: facebook.com/HKEUFF

3. Intangible Cultural Heritage Mart 2024

This year’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Mart 2024 presents the theme of ‘Transformation: From Past to Present’. It features a series of activities to better understand the inheritance and transformation of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage over the years. The two-day event comes in the form of a carnival market with the first day focusing on the essence of traditional culture. Meanwhile, the second day celebrates the cultural inheritance over the years. Come and enjoy free performances, demonstrations, workshops, game booths, and exhibitions.

Date: August 10 to 11
Venue: Gate 3, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central, Hong Kong
Website: hkculturefestival.com

4. Hong Kong Sake Festival 2024

Building on the success of its inaugural edition last year, The Mira is bringing back the Hong Kong Sake Festival in partnership with the Federation of Japanese Sake Industry of Hong Kong. Bigger, better, and longer, the festival presents a unique opportunity to sample more than 500 types of sake and shochu from more than 150 breweries across 43 prefectures. The joyous celebration comes with a summer fireworks festival design theme where guests can feel like they’ve set foot in Japan. On top of that, attendees can also have exclusive access to unlock 101 workshops as well as sake master classes.

Date: August 14 to 16
Venue: The Ballroom, 18/F, The Mira Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Website: themirahotel.com

5. Hong Kong Food Expo 2024

It’s time to taste your way through international cuisine and delicacies at the Food Expo. Come hungry so you can taste more snacks and products both from overseas and local brands. Other than food and drinks, the five-day event also showcases emerging cooking technologies, food zones and on-site activities for attendees. The thematic zones include Asian cuisine, Western Delicacy, Sweet Delight, Green Palate, and Coffee Avenue. Don’t miss the lucky draw to win huge prizes as well.

Date: August 15 to 19
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Website: hktdc.com

6. Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio

Opera Hong Kong presents The Abduction from the Seraglio, Mozart’s first opera when he moved to Vienna. Written in German as a commission from Emperor Joseph II, the opera captures the exuberance and allure of youth. It is one of the 22 operas that the musical genius composed throughout his life. Opera Hong Kong’s version is in a semi-staged format, emphasising the music rather than elaborate stage designs. The story revolves around the theme of rescue, following Spanish nobleman Belmonte. With the help of his servant Pedrillo, he journeys to the harem of Bassa Selim in Turkey to rescue his beloved Konstanze and her maid Blonde, who were both kidnapped by pirates.

Date: August 17 to 18
Venue: Hong Kong City Hall
Website: operahongkong.org

7. Hong Kong International Music Festival

Music lovers, don’t miss the 11th edition of the Hong Kong International Music Festival. During the event, you’ll get the chance to watch a variety of musical performances across various genres. Whether it’s jazz or classic as well as pop, local and international talents are set to put on stunning performances for all ages.

Date: August 25 to 31
Venue: Various locations across Hong Kong
Website: hkmusic.hk

8. Soundtrack of Our Lives: Joseph Koo x James Wong x the Rise of Cantopop

Part of Tai Kwun’s summer show, Soundtrack of Our Lives: Joseph Koo x James Wong x the Rise of Cantopop looks at classic songs by iconic duo Joseph Koo and James Wong. The exhibition showcases the rise of Cantopop and the transformation of the city from the 1970s through the first years of the 20th century. Visitors can look at the genre’s roots as well as its explosion as a local cultural phenomenon and subsequent growth on the international stage. Look through eight of the duo’s most beloved and memorable songs, presented through digital displays and immersive settings.

Date: Until August 28
Venue: Duplex Studio, Block 1, Tai Kwun, Central, Hong Kong
Website: ​​taikwun.hk

9. Booked: Hong Kong Art Book Fair

Booked: Hong Kong Art Book Fair is returning for its sixth edition for three days on all floors of JC Contemporary in Tai Kwun. The art book fair once again welcomes local, regional, and international exhibitors including publishers, artists, booksellers, and organisations. Welcome more than 100 exhibitors from the city, Macau, mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the UK, the US, and more. Moreover, the book fair also has special displays at the intersection of art and publishing together with public programming such as talks, workshops, and performances.

Date: August 30 to September 1
Venue: JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun, Central, Hong Kong
Website: taikwun.hk

10. M+ Cinema Summer Edition

For its summer programme, M+ Cinema continues to offer enriching encounters with visual culture on screen. The ‘Unseen Bonds: Family Portraits’ is a powerful and intimate perspective on family relationships through the works of award-winning filmmakers. There are documentary screenings and sci-fi classics as part of the M+ special exhibition I.M. Pei: Life Is Architecture. The other M+ exhibition Henry Steiner, comes with a screening of two short films about the artists who inspired Henry Steiner. Other series include ‘Fresh Eyes’ which is for dog lovers of all ages as well as ‘Rediscovers’, a recurring series that brings back forgotten gems and restored classics.

Date: Until September
Venue: 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon, Hong Kong
Website: mplus.org.hk

Which of these Hong Kong events this August will you attend?

All images credit: Tai Kwun

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong