#1. What gave you the idea to start Cherry Bobbins?

Cherry Bobbins came from working at CASETiFY, being involved in many different campaigns, and listening to the founder talk about what makes a good brand. When I was on photo shoots and dressing plus-size models and when I was shopping for myself and struggling to find clothes, it dawned on me that I’ve been in the industry for 15 years, and nothing is changing. We’re pushing out the same sizes without thought and care about how that relates to the customer.

Clothing right now is mainly designed for about 50% of women, with one body shape — a straight-up-and-down-sized body with no curves. And the alarming fact is that most people don’t realise this. They’ll walk into a store, try on clothes, and when they don’t fit, they walk away thinking there’s something wrong with them — without realising that there isn’t. They’re not in the right store or they’re not shopping the right brand. And that’s really what I want people to take from Cherry Bobbins — this is the brand for the other 50% of people who have been forgotten about for the last three decades.

#2. How difficult is it to find inclusive clothing in Hong Kong? Is there a demand for that category of clothing here?

Definitely. I’ve asked so many women who are sizes 12, 16, 20, where they shop. None of the answers are Hong Kong. It’s all online or they might have to buy something and alter it, or make it bigger, or add elastic to it. Lots of women told me they have to go to ASOS. But they’re shopping online, so they’re not quite sure if it’s going to fit. In Hong Kong, there are very few places on a plus-size scale where you can go. I think there’s one or two stores that I know of, and that is very limited. Even in Australia, a lot of the heritage brands only go up to a size 14 or 16. And we’ve got brands there that offered a size 20, but are now only offering up to a size 18. So it’s definitely not a Hong Kong-specific problem.

#3. How do you design size-inclusive clothing and cater for different body shapes?

I’ve had to actually go back to basics and redesign the way that clothes are made so that anyone from a size 6 curvy to a size 24 curvy of all different shapes can fit these styles. It’s taken a good year just to get it up and running to do the product testing. And I asked people a lot of questions like, “When you buy clothes, what do you often find? How do you resolve this? Or what do you love about clothes?”

I’ve tried to include a whole different range of styles. You’ve got styles that have longer sleeves, cap sleeves, sleeveless, styles that are midi, shorter. You’ve got styles that are not baring your midriff and some that do. But a lot of those pieces only bare the midriff if you have a long waist. So if you have a shorter waist, they end up looking like a dress. If you wanted to wear it up higher, depending on your waist size, you could buy a size smaller. There are styles with elastic in the back, so for women who are bustier, the elastic allows them to get a great shape and be comfortable. And there are styles without elastic for women with smaller busts.

#4. How do you decide your pricing?

We’re a slow fashion brand, so we manufacture in smaller quantities — maybe once or twice a year. It’s more about quality over quantity. And we pay the workers and for the sustainable fabrics we use. We’re not putting pressure on the manufacturers to work at speed and volume. All of those factors are considered in our pricing, but we also want to be mid-fashion. It’s not super cheap, but it’s not unattainable. And it’s something that you want to invest in, wear a lot, and really get a good price per wear, as opposed to wearing something that falls apart within a couple of wears, and then you’re throwing it away and replacing it.

#5. How important is sustainability to your brand?

Sustainability is a part of our story, but it’s not the main focus. What I like about sustainable fabrics is the quality — how they look and feel. It’s a higher quality and you can get a really nice touch and feel on the body and it’s comfortable. But as a small business, it’s really difficult to be fully sustainable in the beginning, unfortunately. We do as much as we can. We use recycled bags made from ocean-bound plastic. We still use some fabrics that are not 100% sustainable or 100% natural. But we do want to deliver a really quality garment and that often means using those sustainable fabrics that have that really lovely luxurious feel.

#6. How daunting was it to actually make that leap to becoming an entrepreneur?

The scariest part is not the leap, it’s not having income regularly. You have to plan in advance, which means saving for a long time and having the foresight to always put money away. But I found the whole process exciting — that I had purpose and this is what I was meant to be doing. It was hard in the beginning because I loved the team I was working in and that was hard to give away. But when you’re growing something with purpose and feel like you’re in a good place, you can’t look back. You’ve got to keep looking forward and seeing how you’re going to be able to do something positive for people.

#7. How much of the Cherry Bobbins philosophy is about accommodating the wearer’s shape vis-à-vis their size?

Size inclusivity is not just about offering the size range, but about designing for different body types. There are people who are size 6 with curves and who struggle to find clothing. I don’t put a clear definition on what is plus size and what are considered straight sizes. It’s more about the inclusivity of the whole size range, so we go from sizes 6 to 24 and offer clothing for people with curves.

And there are so many preconceptions about clothing because it’s usually designed for one shape. People will see something gorgeous and think they’re not going to be able to fit into it. So, for instance, if you’re on our website and you’re not sure what size you are, send an email with your bust and waist measurements, and I will help you match the exact pieces that will fit you. I’ll look at other people who are your size or similar to your size and find something based on the styles that fit them. So I hope that helps dispel the myth that buying online is not possible. It definitely is possible, but it might just require a little more help or you might just need to reach out to somebody for advice.

#8. Apart from the website, do plan to open a physical store or do pop-ups?

We’re talking to different people about pop-ups, but I’m not sure when that’s going to happen. A store would need a longer investment, but we definitely would love to work with Women of Hong Kong — they do some fantastic events within their space — and any other opportunities that come up. We have a stockist in Australia as well. They’re doing some pop-up events and they have a store. I think that’s also a great way for people to go and try clothes on just to make sure they get the right size.

Visit the Cherry Bobbins website to check out their designs and sizes. Email them to send in your measurements to get the best fit for your body shape.

Cherisse Kofod founded Cherry Bobbins, a Hong Kong-based plus-size and size-inclusive clothing made for curves, in 2023. Before that, Cherisse was the CASETiFY Country Manager for the Australia and New Zealand markets. She also worked with London-based Net-a-Porter and Australian company Cue Clothing Co. Cherisse has experience working in digital marketing, e-commerce management, high-volume retail, production, and wholesale distribution.

(This interview has been edited and condensed.)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Image credits: Cherry Bobbins

*This interview was done under a paid partnership policy. Reach out if you’d like to be featured!

8FIVE2 — Hong Kong’s streetwear and skateboard

Embrace the local culture with 8five2, Hong Kong’s original and authentic streetwear store since 1999. Other than their own-label caps, t-shirts, and decks, the street fashion and skateboard shop also introduces upcoming underground labels alongside established brands not previously available in Hong Kong, including Dickies, Knowledge and Nike SB.

1/F, 522 Jaffe Rd, Causeway Bay | +852 2573 9872

Cherry Bobbins — Online plus-size clothing store*

This home-grown Hong Kong brand puts the spotlight on plus-size clothing and size-inclusive clothing. They offer sizes 6-24 for curvy women in a variety of dresses, as well as tops, shorts, and skirts you can mix or buy as matching sets. The Cherry Bobbins website has a comprehensive sizing chart and a guide to how customers should measure themselves before they make a purchase. Anyone unsure of their size can email the brand with their measurements and they will help suggest specific sizes and styles for different body types.

Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | info@cherrybobbins.com | +852 9445 9856

Decathlon — Affordable sportswear

Decathlon is the go-to destination for all things sports. With a global presence, they offer a diverse range of products for every sport and activity, including tennis, hiking, swimming and more. Their in-house research, design and production ensure affordable, high-quality sportswear and equipment for athletes at every level. Since its arrival in 2017, Decathlon currently has 8 locations in Hong Kong, and their large superstores are great for browsing.

Multiple locations in Causeway Bay, Central, Kowloon Bay, Ma On Shan, Mong Kok, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Tseung Kwan O

GU — Budget-friendly Japanese high-street wear

GU is a Tokyo-based budget fashion retailer that has taken Hong Kong by storm. With 10 locations across the city, the sister brand of UNIQLO offers budget-friendly clothing for men, women and kids without compromising on quality or style. From trendy pieces to wardrobe staples such as jeans, cardigans and shirts, stock up durable and fashionable pieces without breaking the bank.

Multiple locations in Causeway Bay, Diamond Hill, Mong Kok, Olypian City, Sha Tin, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O

Qipology — Modern qipao, tang jackets and more

Qipology is a Hong Kong-based fashion brand that revitalises the traditional Chinese qipao and much more. Founded by Julie Liu, the brand offers a diverse range of clothing for men and women, including qipao dresses, Tang jackets, tops, and bottoms, alongside occasion wear such as cocktail and wedding outfits. Qipology also caters to children with qipao dresses and Tang jackets. Additionally, the brand features accessories like earrings, keychains, hairbands, and leather goods, enhancing its contemporary take on classic styles.

H314, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St, Central, Hong Kong or Online

HBX — Contemporary menswear and streetwear

Hypebeast is a well-known name among sneakerheads, and its e-commerce and retail platform, HBX, is naturally a must-visit destination for contemporary men’s fashion and streetwear. Originated from Hong Kong, this brainchild of the global media group curated over 250 established and upcoming brands, including Stone Island, Maison Margiela, Palm Angels and Nike.

Shop B29-30, B1/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Horizon Plaza — Multi-storey outlet mall

Tucked away in Ap Lei Chau, Horizon Plaza is a multi-storey outlet mall has become a must-visit for fashionistas and interior design enthusiasts. Spread across 28 floors, this converted factory building houses more than 100 stores, from clothings, accessories, homeware, pet essentials and more. Grab a directory, start at the top floor and make your way down.

2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau | +852 2554 9089

HULA — Pre-loved designer items

HULA is a premier consignment shop in Hong Kong dedicated to pre-loved items. With a focus on extending the lifespan of designer pieces, they offer a curated selection of pre-owned luxury womenswear, shoes, handbags, and accessories at discounted prices. Available both online and at their Central and Quarry Bay shop, discover thousands of unique authenticated items waiting to be loved again.

Shop C, G/F, 56-58 Hollywood Road, Central | +852 2544 1211
404, Berkshire House, 25 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay | +852 2544 1211

I.T — Multi-brand fashion house

Local fashionistas are no strangers to I.T, the celebrated Hong Kong fashion house that has been making waves since 1988. Started as a distributor of elusive brands, I.T now offers renowned international labels like A BATHING APE at their “I.T” stores, while the “i.t” stores carry other youthful house brands such as FRED PERRY and izzue. They also operate individual stores for its sub-brands, including FIVE CM.

Multiple locations in Admiralty, Causeway Bay, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui

KAPOK — Fashion and lifestyle select shop

Founded by Arnault Castel in 2006, Kapok is a pioneer of lifestyle select stores in Hong Kong. From a hidden gem in Tin Hau, this multi-brand select shop has expanded its empire to include locations in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, while managing all the O.N.S and Maison Kizuné brand stores across the city. Other than clothing, they also carry accessories, fragrances, candles, lamps, and stationery sourced from around the world.

Multiple locations in Causeway Bay, Kowloon Tong, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai

Lane Crawford — Luxury department store

With a legacy dating back to 1850, the iconic department store Lane Crawford is now operating in Admiralty, Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, offering the largest designer portfolio in Greater China. From international womenswear and menswear brands such as Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent and Valentino, to accessories, beauty, and home & lifestyle products, you can explore the latest trends in their award-winning spaces.

Multiple locations in Admiralty, Causeway Bay, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui

Lane Eight — Sustainable trainer brand

LANE EIGHT, the Hong Kong-based performance footwear brand that redefines versatility and sustainability, offers functional workout shoes that are designed to take you from the gym to work and even a night out. Founded by brothers James and Josh Shorrock, they are committed to use recycled and natural materials when creating high-performance shoes.

LG/F, 14 St Francis Street, Wan Chai | +852 2861 1103
Shop 537, Level 5, New Town Plaza Phase 1, Sha Tin | +852 2811 2068

Lee Garden Two — Baby and Children Clothes

Lee Garden 2 is your one-stop destination for all things kids. This luxury shopping destination offers an impressive selection of designer brands like Baby Dior, Burberry, Bonpoint, and Ralph Lauren Children, as well as international and local brands, including Nanos, Jacadi, Little Sugarman and Mr. Poco. Besides, you can find family-friendly restaurants, kids’ furniture, and toys and gifts shop, all conveniently located under one roof.

Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Rd, Causeway Bay | +852 2907 5227

Little Dot Vintage Shop — Vintage boutique

Nestled upstairs in a building in Tsim Sha Tsui, Little Dot Vintage shop is specialized in clothing and products from the 1950s to the 1980s. With its eye-catching pink neon sign and vibrant red walls, this retro treasure trove offers a curated selection of shoes, hats, accessories, and toys from days gone by. Get inspired as the shop owner frequently shares outfit ideas and styling tips on their Instagram and Facebook page.

1/F, 47 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | +852 6356 3049

Milimilu — Sustainable kids clothing

Looking for ethically produced children’s clothing? Look no further than Milimilu. Translated into “LoveLove” in Latvian, the Hong Kong-based kidswear online shop features high-quality garments made from sustainable and organic sources, as well as natural or recycled materials. From bold colours and fun prints to “Mommy and Me” matching outfits, their collection caters to babies up to 14 years old. 

Available online

PatPat — Online clothing stores for families

PatPat is a global online retailer that offers affordable, high-quality clothing for babies, kids, and parents. Known for its cute designs and matching outfits for the whole family, PatPat is the go-to brand for families looking to make every outing special with unique outfits. With fast shipping to Hong Kong, free shipping on orders over $24.00, and exchanges within 30 days, it’s definitely one of the best online clothing brand for families.

Where: Online

SAU LEE — Occasion dresses and gowns

Renowned for its occasionwear, SAU LEE is a Hong Kong fashion brand that celebrates the allure of femininity. From party dresses to evening gowns, founder Cheryl Leung draws inspiration from Hong Kong’s East-meets-West culture with a touch of glamour. Shop their collection on the official website, or through retailers like Revolve and Nordstrom.

Available online

The Armoury — Premier tailoring and menswear

Hong Kong has long been famous for tailoring services, attracting celebrities like Bill Clinton and the late Kobe Bryant. Founded in 2010 by Mark Cho and Alan See, The Armoury is the go-to place in Hong Kong for premier tailored menswear. With a curated selection of over 50 artisans from the UK, Spain, Ital, and Japan, they offer tailored suits, casual wear, shoes, accessories, fragrances and more.

B47 Landmark Central, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central | +852 2810 4990
307 Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central | +852 2804 6991

VIPOP — Sustainable Womenswear

Vipop is a sustainable fashion brand co-founded by Lenia Pérez and Fabiana González, curating Latin American resort wear and jewellery. Focused on ethical production, the brand sources unique, eco-conscious designs from artisans who use traditional techniques. Vipop connects these designers with markets in Asia, Europe, and the USA, promoting a diverse and culturally rich fashion experience. Their efforts are rooted in a commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

52 – 54 Graham Street, G/Floor or Online

Header image credit: Kapok

*This is a paid collaboration. To know more, read our Ethics & Transparency statement or visit this page if you’d like to advertise with us.”

Hey there, fellow curvy ladies and gents in Hong Kong! We all know the struggle of finding fashionable and affordable clothing that fits our bodies just right. It’s honestly like searching for a needle in a haystack. But fear not, because we’ve got you covered! Here are the top spots to check out for all your plus-size shopping needs in Hong Kong.

Plus size stores

Believe it or not, there are a couple of dedicated plus size clothing stores across Hong Kong that cater specifically to bigger bodies. Created by fellow disgruntled individuals who decided to take their fashion crises into their own hands, they are a great option.

Cherry Bobbins — Online*

Founded in 2023, Cherry Bobbins is a plus-size and inclusive-size clothing brand that celebrates the diversity of women’s bodies. Cherry Bobbins offers sizes 6-24 for curvy women and has a variety of dresses, as well as tops, shorts, and skirts — which you can mix and match or buy as matching sets. The website has a comprehensive sizing chart and a guide to how customers should measure themselves before they make a purchase. The brand provides a lot of flexibility within their designs to ensure they fit their customers well. There are styles with elastic in the back for women with larger busts, and styles without elastic for customers with smaller busts. If you’re unsure of your size, email the brand with your measurements and they will help you find designs that will work for your size and body type.

Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | info@cherrybobbins.com | +852 9445 9856

Fashion Corner Plus — Lai Chi Kok

Created by Makalya Ng, the clothes are custom tailored with plus size girls’ body shapes in mind. Carrying sizes M to 4XL, you no longer need to think about what is “flattering” or not – wear what you love! They carry everything from bras and activewear to cute skirts and plus size dresses. And don’t forget to tag #ourcurvystyle to further empower the community to embrace themselves.

Shop: www.fashioncornerplus.com

My Rules — Kwai Chung

With a mission to help you “fall in love with yourself in front of the mirror every day”, My Rules has a TON of amazing clothes for sizes L, XL, and XXL. Their dresses in particular are super cute and girly, and affordable too. You can find cute outfits for under HK$500 at My Rules.

Shop: www.myruleshk.com

XSXXL — Kwun Tong, Kwai Hing

Men, don’t worry, we found options for you too! Since 2007, XSXXL has provided plus size clothing options for men. They source products from around the world, specifically Japan and the United States with popular brands including Wrangler, Ralph Lauren, Stussy, and Adidas. T-shirts, jeans, hoodies, they’ve got it all! They also have in-person stores which allows you to try and check out what you like in a safe and comfortable environment. 

Shop: www.store.xsxxl.com

Thrift/secondhand plus size clothing

We cannot ignore the environmental impact of fast fashion, and fashion in general. But unfortunately, there aren’t that many sustainable brands making great plus size clothing (except for the couple we’ve included below!). So personally, I like to shop secondhand. 

Hong Kong Curvy Swap and Sell — Facebook

This group is a wonderful place to swap and sell secondhand fashion for curvy women in Hong Kong. You can often find dresses, tops, skirts and even shoes in brands and sizes that you might otherwise not be able to find! It is truly a supportive community that often shares tips too. Plus, this is a great opportunity for you to pass on your own unused clothes and earn a little bit of pocket money.

Shop: Facebook

Green Ladies/Redress/Carousell — Multiple locations, online

These secondhand platforms for plus size fashion can be a hit or a miss but are worth checking out if you’re open to spending time exploring and hunting. I have over the years gotten some great gems, especially in the Wan Chai Green Ladies and in the Redress pop-ups. These might be a safer bet as you can try and check the clothes in person. On the other hand, Carousell has a huge platform, with over 250 returns coming up for XXL dresses, but it is not always reliable. I once had someone sell me boots with both the heels broken!

Shop: www.gl.sjs.org.hk, www.redress.com.hk, www.carousell.com.hk

Hong Kong plus size fashion brands

Beam Bold — Online

Audra Gordon, founder of Beam Bold, is one of the leaders in this field. They believe in providing designs to inspire women to embrace their individuality. Not only do they offer sizes up to 3XL but they also offer a variety of lengths, including petite, short, regular, and tall AND can do custom orders. Plus, they are also committed to sustainability with a mission to reduce textile waste. And of course, the colours and designs are incredible!

Shop: www.beambold.com

Annibody — Online

Named after the word “any body”, Annibody is made for women in different shapes and sizes. Annibody creates high-quality bodysuits to celebrate the freedom and beauty of women’s bodies with a minimalist aesthetic. They do bodysuits, swimsuits, linens and dresses and sizes go up to 3XL with pre-order. Super comfy, super versatile, super inclusive!

Shop: www.annibody.com

October Eighteen — Online

Creating capsule collections of fresh, versatile, and timeless pieces which are 90% produced in Hong Kong makes October Eighteen the perfect option for sustainability-minded plus size women. They carry sizes up to XXL or UK size 16. Plus, if your measurements fall outside of the chart, they offer made-to-measure service at no extra cost.

Shop: www.octobereighteen.com

She Creates Stories — Online

Sourcing plus size women’s clothing from Australia, She Creates Stories wants to provide high-quality, on-trend fashion no matter what your size. They are the ultimate plush fashion destination for plus size swimwear, womenswear, and accessories. From cute, boho dresses to comfy activewear, there are tons of options up to XXL (and some even go up to size 22) at She Creates Stories. They also have the option of sorting by fit, which includes curve, tall, and petite.

Shop: www.shecreatesstories.com

Custom-fitted curvy clothing

Love It HK — Central

Love It HK understands that not all bodies are the same. In fact, if you buy ready-to-wear, there’s a 90% chance the torso length won’t match yours. So, they have a solution! They offer three great options – customized, tailormade, and ready-to-wear clothes. Now you will always feel confident in your clothes. Just pop into their Central boutique and get fitted.

Shop: www.loveit.com.hk

Unspun — Sheung Wan

Buying jeans that fit just right is NEVER easy – so Unspun uses technology and innovation to create custom jeans. Thus, your perfect pair, always. Plus, since they never make clothes before they find a home, there is no waste. Their mission is to make the design, manufacturing, and consumption of fashion intentional so you can look good and be good to the environment.

Shop: www.unspun.io

Frey Tailored — Central, Tsim Sha Tsui

If you are looking for high-quality staple pieces that will last long beyond a few seasons, Frey has got you. They offer standard sizes up to EU46 or XL but also offer the plus size fashion option to create custom sizes that are the perfect fit for you. You can take your desires and wishes for clothes and Frey will try and make it a reality for you!

Shop: www.frey-tailored.com

International brands with larger sizing

Finally, there are a number of international brands that are the go-to for curvier women in Hong Kong. Marks & Spencer usually offers up to UK size 16 in stores and goes up to 24 online. COS is another favourite. Phase Eight and Hobbs are British brands that have stores in Hong Kong that carry up to XXL or UK size 20. If you have a slightly bigger budget, you can’t go wrong with Diane Von Furstenburg, which carries sizes up to XXL or US size 16. 

Header image credits: Zanteia

*This article is a paid collaboration. To know more, read our Ethics & Transparency statement or visit this page if you’d like to advertise with us.

RAIN: STILL RAINING — July 13, 2024

One of the biggest names on the Korean pop scene, Rain, is heading to Hong Kong for a concert this summer. The singer, who recently performed at the Waterbomb Festival, will have a dedicated setlist this time around, at which fans who spring for VIP tickets will get the chance for a group session with the star.

When: July 13, 2024
Where: Hall 5, AsiaWorld-Expo, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$980. Buy tickets on Cityline.

H2 2024 Grass Roots Weekender — July 13 & 14

The Wanch has added a new event to its annual free live music festival, H2 Festival. This year’s edition will see an entire weekend dedicated to 25 up-and-coming Hong Kong-based musical acts. The line-up will include alt-grunge rock outfit Karmageddon, rock quintet Scars of Time, alternative/hard rock Filipino group Bebe’s Wish, and emo rock-indie pop duo HiBye, among others.

When: July 13 & 14, 2024
Where: the Wanch, 1/F, Henan Building, 90 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai
Tickets: Free admission

Freespace Noise Fest — July 24-August 6, 2024

Freespace Noise Fest presents two weeks of boundary-pushing sonic exploration with performances by over 30 international and local acts. Highlights of the event include two weekends of non-stop free-improvisation at The Room, with more than 20 performances over six days, as well as a finale double-bill at The Box featuring Japanese guitarist Yoshihide Otomo and Indonesian duo Senyawa. Other programmes include free artist sharing sessions hosted by cultural and media theorist Dr François Mouillot, and an artist-led workshop with Mexican artist Vica Pacheco.

When: July 24-August 6, 2024
Where: Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tickets: From HK$220. Buy tickets on official website.

Mamma Mia! The Musical — July 26-August 15, 2024

Mamma Mia! will be staged in Hong Kong for the first time in five years when the hit musical comes to the city this summer.  The musical, which is based on the songs of Swedish group ABBA, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It tells the story of how the lead character, Sophie, embarks on a quest to discover the true identity of her father on the eve of her wedding. She then invites three men from her mother’s romantic past back to the Greek island they last visited 20 years ago — leading to drama and surprises, all set to popular classics such as Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, and Money, Money, Money.

When: July 26-28, July 30-August 4, August 6-11, and August 13-15, 2024
Where: Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
Tickets: From HK$680. Buy tickets on Cityline.

aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK : Parallel Line — August 3, 2024

K-pop girl band aespa will perform in Hong Kong for the first time as part of their upcoming world tour. The band will kick off its LIVE TOUR – SYNK : Parallel Line in Seoul and then head to Japan, before bringing their maiden perfomance in the 852. The four-member band is best known for hits like Next Level, Spicy, Better Things, and Savage.

When: August 3, 2024
Where: Hall 10, AsiaWorld-Expo, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$888. Buy tickets on Cityline.

Aaron Kwok ICONIC World Tour 2024 — August 13-23, 2024

One of Hong Kong’s Four Heavenly Kings, Aaron Kwok, will stage his first concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum in 8 years. So get ready to groove to favourites like I Love You Forever, Para Para Sakura, and Generation Next — all while watching Kwok’s spectacular costumes and dance moves!

When: August 13-18, and August 20-23, 2024
Where: Hong Kong Coliseum, 9 Cheong Wan Road, Hung Hom Bay
Tickets: HK$580-HK$1,280. Buy tickets on URBTIX.

Sasha Alex Sloan: “Me Again” Tour — August 21, 2024

American singer-songwriter Sasha Alex Sloan is bringing her “Me Again” tour to Hong Kong. The Dancing With Your Ghost singer, who has also collaborated with Alan Walker on the hit Hero, made a name for herself by writing lyrics for biggies like Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, and Camila Cabello.

When: August 21, 2024
Where: MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok
Tickets: From HK$699. Get pre-sale tickets on Live Nation from May 28, and general sales tickets on Cityline from May 29.

(G)I-DLE ‘i-DOL’ World Tour — August 24-25, 2024

This five-piece girl band is heading back to Hong Kong as part of their world tour spanning 19 concerts. The group has released two albums — I Never Die and 2 — which have been commercial successes. Venue and ticketing details for their show in Hong Kong have yet to be announced.

When: August 24 & 25, 2024
Where: TBA
Tickets: TBA

Conan Gray — Found Heaven on Tour — August 27, 2024

Former YouTuber-turned-singer-songwriter Conan Gray is heading to Hong Kong as part of his Asia tour. The American artist is known for his breakthrough 2020 album Kid Krow, which featured hit tracks like Maniac and Heather. He followed this up two years later with the critically acclaimed Superache. He released his latest album, Found Heaven, in January 2024.

When: August 27, 2024
Where: Hall 10, AsiaWorld-Expo, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$598. Buy tickets on Live Nation.

Laufey — Bewitched: The Goddess Tour — August 29, 2024

Icelandic singer-songwriter is set to play in Hong Kong this summer as part of her Asia and Australia tour. She is best known for her skills with the cello, as well as songs like From The Start and Let You Break My Heart Again. Ticketing details are not yet available.

When: August 29, 2024
Where: Hall 10, AsiaWorld-Expo, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$599. Buy tickets on Live Nation.

TXT ‘Act: Promise’ World Tour — August 30-31, 2024

Tomorrow X Together, aka TXT, is following up the US leg of their world tour with dates in Asia. The five-member outfit will play two dates in Macau after their concerts in Japan over the summer. So get ready to watch this trailblazing group — they were the first K-Pop band to headline Lollapalooza, after all — take the stage to perform their biggest hits.

When: August 30 & 31, 2024
Where: Galaxy Arena, Galaxy Macau Integrated Resort, Cotai, Macau
Tickets: From HK$799. Buy tickets on Fantopia.

Travis Japan: Road to A Hong Kong — September 11 & 12, 2024

Seven-member boy band Travis Japan will perform their first solo concerts in Hong Kong this September. This won’t be the first time they’ve visited the city — they’ve had gigs here in the city as part of music festivals and even had their own fan meet. But this will be their fans’ chance to see a dedicated Travis Japan setlist — with hits such as Level Up, Just Dance!, and Candy Kiss. VIP tickets will include priority entrance, priority access to merch, a VIP laminate pass, an exclusive colour T-shirt, and a special postcard.

When: September 11 & 12, 2024
Where: Kitty Woo Stadium, Tung Po
Tickets: From HK$780. Buy tickets on Klook.

Ultra Hong Kong — September 14, 2024

One of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals, Ultra, is returning to the 852. Ultra Hong Kong, previously known as Road to Ultra, will be held for one day only. Other music hubs that have hosted the electrifying event include destinations like Korea, Singapore, India, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Bali, and Japan. While this year’s line-up has not yet been revealed, biggies like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, and Zedd have played at previous editions of the festival.

When: September 14, 2024
Where: Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central
Tickets: From HK$988. Buy tickets on event website.

Olivia Rodrigo — Guts World Tour — September 24, 2024

Singer Olivia Rodrigo is coming to Hong Kong as part of the Asia leg of her first world tour. The Grammy-winning artist, best known for her debut hit Driver’s License, will kick off her Asia concerts in Bangkok and Seoul, before heading to Hong Kong, and then perform one date each in Tokyo and Singapore.

When: September 24, 2024
Where: AsiaWorld-Arena, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$799. Buy tickets on Live Nation.

Happiness: My Dear, ReVe1uv — September 28, 2024

K-Pop girl group Red Velvet has added more cities to their Asia tour, and neighbouring Macau is on the list! The five-member band — known for chart-toppers like Red Flavour and Power Up — are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a new album titled Cosmic. So get ready to listen to some fan favourites and new tracks during the band’s Macau pitstop.

When: September 28, 2024
Where: Studio City Event Centre, Studio City, Estr. Flor de Lótus, Macau
Tickets: TBA

LANY — a beautiful blur: the world tour — October 2, 2024

American pop rock duo LANY is coming to Hong Kong as part of their ongoing world tour, named for their fifth studio album. This is the first time that the band, best known for their breakout hit ILYSB and Julia Michaels collab Okay, will perform in Hong Kong since 2018.

When: October 2, 2024
Where: Hall 10, AsiaWorld-Expo, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$688. Buy tickets on Cityline.

Anne Marie: 2024 Live in Asia — October 3, 2024

Rockabye singer Anne Marie is bringing her world tour to Asia, and Hong Kong will be one of her stops. The singer will kick off the Asia leg of her tour in Japan, and then head to Manila and Singapore, before her performance in the 852. The pre-sale for the Hong Kong tickets will begin on May 23.

When: October 3, 3024
Where: MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok
Tickets: From HK$699. Buy tickets on Live Nation.

Shi Fu Miz — November 8-11, 2024

Everyone’s favourite indie music fest is heading back to this outlying island of the 852. The highlight of the three-day event is usually be electronic music from international, regional, and local live acts and DJs. Let’s not forget the cultural activities centred around lifestyle, family, and well-being so that everyone can enjoy the chilled-out vibes of this party-goer favourite.

When: November 8-11, 2024
Where: Sai Yuen Farm, Cheung Chau
Tickets: From HK$250. Buy tickets on event website.

Clockenflap — November 29-December 1, 2024

The city’s most popular music festival will return to Central Harbourfront for a weekend of thumping beats, great food, and all-round entertainment. Blind-bird tickets are not available anymore, and the artist line-up will be revealed this summer.

When: November 29-December 1, 2024
Where: Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central
Tickets: TBA

Today… is the Day Andy Lau Concert Tour 2024 — December 2024

Legendary Hong Kong singer and actor Andy Lau will return to the Hong Kong Coliseum for a concert tour this December. The star will kick off his tour in Mainland China in July, where he will play in 8 cities, before he heads to other venues across Asia and wraps up in his hometown of Hong Kong. This will be Lau’s long-awaited return to the Hong Kong stage after he cancelled his 2018 concert series due to ill health.

When: December 2024
Where: Hong Kong Coliseum, 9 Cheong Wan Road, Hung Hom Bay
Tickets: TBA

Cigarettes After Sex — January 9, 2025

American dream pop band is heading back to Hong Kong as part of their X World Tour. The three-member band will kick off the Asia leg of their tour in the city, which will feature tracks from their next album X, which will be released in July this year. After Hong Kong, the band will head to Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok, before finishing off their tour in Australia.

When: 8pm, January 25, 2025
Where: Hall 5, AsiaWorld-Expo, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: From HK$690. Buy tickets on KKTIX.

Stray Kids dominATE — January 18 & 19, 2025

Korean group Stray Kids will perform in Hong Kong for the first time when they play two dates in the city in early 2025. The eight-member group, who recently announced that they will drop their mini album ATE on July 19, is known for catchy tracks like God’s Menu and LALALALA. Their Hong Kong concerts will be part of World Tour, which they will kick off in Seoul in August this year.

When: January 18 & 19, 2025
Where: AsiaWorld-Arena, 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok
Tickets: TBA

Header image credits: dwphotos, StockSnap, teddy yang, pongsakornjun via Canva

The new two-day event features the acts who originally applied to be part of the H2 Festival 2024 line-up, but who could not find a spot there as the organisers say the showcase was “massively oversubscribed”. So they decided to add another weekend to feature bands like alt-grunge rock outfit Karmageddon, rock quintet Scars of Time, alternative/hard rock Filipino group Bebe’s Wish, and emo rock-indie pop duo HiBye. While several acts play original music, there are others that do covers, like Giorgio Manzoni who sings Ed Sheeran tracks, and The Pro Nouns who do under-appreciated rock B-sides.

The H2 Festival 2024 started as a one-night affair in 2010, and is one of the best platforms in the city for local artists to play live gigs. The event will now be in The Wanch’s new location at 90 Jaffe Road, which opened in 2022.

Header image credits: Hong Kong Rocks, Scars of Time

Which cities will Dua Lipa play in Asia in 2024?

Dua Lipa Radical Optimism Asia Tour includes 11 concerts in 8 different cities and will take place in November and December 2024. Here are the confirmed dates.

For those in Hong Kong (or anywhere else) who want to make the trip, here is all the information we have to date about the venues and ticketing options.

Singapore — November 5 & 6

Lipa will kick off the Asia leg of her tour in Singapore, where she will play two shows. This is the first time she will perform in the island nation since 2018. The singer initially announced that she would play in the city only on November 6, but added another concert win November 5, for which tickets went on sale on June 21.

Dates: November 5 & 6, 2024
Start Time: 8pm
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Capacity: 12,000-15,000
Ticket Prices: SG$138-SG$248 (about HK$795-HK$1,429)
How To Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster Singapore (maximum 6 tickets per transaction)
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

Jakarta (Indonesia) — November 9

The singer is no stranger to Indonesia — she performed in the capital Jakarta in 2017 as part of the We The Fest music festival, at around the time New Rules hit the airwaves.

Date: November 9, 2024
Venue: Indonesia Arena-Senayan
Capacity: 16,500
Ticket Prices: From IDR 750,000-IDR 6,500,000 (about HK$355-HK$3,083)
How To Buy Tickets: LOKÉT
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

Manila (Philippines) — November 13

The last time Lipa took the stage in the Philippines, it was at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in 2018. Back then, she performed early hits like Blow Your Mind (Mwah), Be The One, and Lost in Your Sight. This time, she will take the stage at Philippine Arena — the world’s largest indoor venue of its kind.

Date: November 13, 2024
Venue: Philippine Arena
Capacity: 50,000
Ticket Prices: ₱1,500-₱9,500 (about HK$199-HK$1,260)
How To Buy Tickets: SM Tickets
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

Tokyo (Japan) — November 16 & 17

She recently headed to Japan at the end of last year for a series of promotional activities, but the last time Lipa performed in the country was also in 2018, when she took the stage at Zeppelin Tokyo. Later this year, she will belt out her chart-topping hits at Saitama Super Arena, which is the third-largest indoor arena in the world.

Dates: November 16 & 17, 2024
Start Time: 6pm (November 16), 5pm (November 17)
Venue: Saitama Super Arena
Capacity: 37,000
Tickets: JPY9,800-JPY100,000 (about HK$480-HK$4,907)
How To Buy Tickets: H.I.P.
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

Taipei (Taiwan) — November 20

Lipa regaled audiences at Taipei’s International Convention Centre in 2018 with hits like IDGAF and One Kiss. She will perform for a much larger audience at the 20,000-capacity Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium when she takes her Radical Optimism Tour this year.

Date: November 20, 2024
Start Time: 8pm
Venue: Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium
Capacity: 20,000
Ticket prices: NT$2,500-NT$7,800 (about HK$602-HK$1,879)
How To Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster Taiwan
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) — November 23

The Grammy-winning artist has performed in Malaysia twice — first time at the Good Vibes Festival in 2017, and then on her own in 2018. Her 2024 showing in KL will see her perform in an indoor venue with Malaysia’s highest seating capacity.

Date: November 23, 2024
Start Time: 8:30pm
Venue: Axiata Arena
Capacity: 16,000
Tickets Prices: RM298-RM1,098 (about HK$493-HK$1,816)
How To Buy Tickets: Go Live Asia (maximum 4 tickets per transaction)
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

Bangkok (Thailand) — November 27

Lipa brought her Self-Titled Tour to Bangkok to GMM Live House in 2018. At the end of this year, she’ll perform at Asia’s second-largest exhibition and convention venue when she does her one-night-only show in the Thai capital.

Date: November 27, 2024
Start Time: 8:30pm
Venue: Impact Arena
Capacity: 12,000
Ticket Prices: THB2,000-THB5,500 (about HK$424-HK$1,168)
How To Buy Tickets: Thai Ticket Major (maximum 6 tickets per transaction)
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

Seoul (South Korea) — December 4 & 5

When she was last in Seoul in 2018, Lipa performed a single show to an audience of about 2,000. This time, the Billboard winner had to add a second Seoul date to her Radical Optimism tour on December 5, for which tickets went on sale on June 20.

Dates: December 4 & 5
Start Time: 8pm
Venue: Gocheok Sky Dome
Ticket Prices: ₩121,000-₩176,000 (about HK$679-HK$987)
How To Buy Tickets: Global Interpark (maximum 4 tickets per transaction)
Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
Hotels: Check hotels on Booking.com

What songs will Dua Lipa sing on her Radical Optimism tour?

The set list will be a mix of tracks from Lipa’s self-titled album, Future Nostalgia, and, of course, Radical Optimism. Based on her set list from her first concert in Berlin, she won’t perform popular tracks like IDGAF and Dance The Night.

Here’s the set list from the Berlin show:

1. Training Season
2. One Kiss
3. Illusion
4. Break My Heart
5. Levitating
6. These Walls
7. Be the One
8. Love Again
9. Pretty Please
10. Hallucinate
11. New Rules
12. Electricity
13. Cold Heart
14. Happy For You
15. Physical
16. Don’t Start Now
17. Houdini (encore)

Header image credits: Dua Lipa

Where is Go Park Sai Sha?

Go Park Sai Sha is situated between Wu Kai Sha and Sai Kung. The entire area comprising the commercial complex Go Park Sai Sha and the Sports Park Sai Sha is between Sai Sha Road and Hoi Ying Road. The venue will connect communities in the New Territories neighbourhoods of Wu Kai Sha, Tai Mong Tsai, Ma On Shan, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, and Tai Po.

When will Go Park Sai Sha open?

The first phase of Go Park Sai Sha is scheduled to be complete in June 2024, but the official opening date has not yet been announced. Sports Park Sai Sha will begin its trial run in late June, and will open completely between July and September 2024.

What’s in Go Park Sai Sha?

Sports Park Sai Sha

The 1 million square feet Sports Park Sai Sha has a variety of outdoor sporting options — think golf, tennis, football, rugby, five-a-side baseball, three-on-three basketball, roller skating, cycling, padel tennis, pickleball, and lacrosse. It has the only public golf range in the city with Trackman radar technology on each of its 70 bays, as well as the only dedicated pickleball courts in Hong Kong.

Go Park Sai Sha AXA Dreamland

This 24,000-square-foot indoor sports facility and performance space can accommodate 1,500 spectators, making it a great venue for small- and medium-sized concerts and sports competitions. Keep an eye on their socials for upcoming events.

Just Climb

If you’re into indoor climbing, chances are you would have heard of Just Climb — the rock-climbing gym with branches across Hong Kong. Once Go Park Sai Sha opens, you can head to their indoor and outdoor sites to take part in courses supervised by professionals.

Super Motion

The 24-hour gym spanning 6,000 square feet will host yoga, dance, and fitness classes. Sign up for sessions to get fit and make fitness friends in the bargain!

Hong Kong Fencing School

The Hong Kong Fencing School, founded by ex-Hong Kong fencing team coach Tsan Wong, is opening its first school in the New Territories here. The school has seen over 50 of its students make it to the Hong Kong fencing squad, including Olympic gold medallist Cheung Ka-long.

Sports Park Bistro

Eat healthy at the Sports Park Bistro, which serves up meals tailored to meet the nutritional requirements of athletes and recommended by nutritionists. These hearty meals will do the trick, whether you’re here for a solo sports session or on a family outing.

How can I get to Go Park Sai Sha?

• MTR: It’s a four-minute drive to get to Go Park from the Wu Kai Sha MTR Station on the Tuen Ma Line, and eight minutes from the University Station on the East Rail Line. 
• Bus: Take the KMB bus on Route 287 (University-Shap Sze Heung stations), the Citybus Route 581 (Sai Sha-Wu Kai Sha stations), or Citybus Route 582 at the Ma On Shan City Centre (Pak Shek Kok Fo Shing Road Public Transport Interchange-Shap Sze Heung).
• Minibus: Hop on board the minibuses running between Wu Kai Sha station, Ma On Shan Town Center, University station, and Sha Tin.

Header image credits: Sai Sha

Kowloon Park Swimming Pool

One of the most kid (and adult!) friendly public swimming pools is this large leisure facility in Kowloon Park. With three outdoor leisure pools and a toddler pool, all interconnected with footbridges, rocks and waterfalls, there are tons of places to explore for a summer day out! You can also head out for a picnic, visiting the resident flamingos and turtles of the park situated between Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui stations. And in winter, you are also covered. With another indoor pool with a diving platform, there are a grand total of FOUR pools to help you keep up your laps and diving skills in the off-season. 

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 5-6pm. Closed for cleaning on Tuesdays.

Kowloon Park Sports Centre, No. 22 Austin Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui | +852 2724 3577

Kennedy Town Swimming Pool

K-town doesn’t only have some of the best restaurants and bars, it also has the gorgeous public promenade and an architectually astounding family-friendly swimming facility. Their outdoor pools, including one irregular shaped leisure pool, have exceptional views of Victoria Harbour! Their heated indoor pools on the other hand, are 50m and 25m in length respectively, perfect for getting in those laps. Other facilities include seating stands for competitions, family changing rooms and even a JACUZZI!

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 5-6pm. Closed for cleaning on Wednesdays.

Kennedy Town Swimming Pool, 2 Sai Cheung St, Kennedy Town | +852 2817 7973

Sai Kung Swimming Pool

Decked out for your little ones to have a ball, the Sai Kung public swimming pool has fountains, water slides and colourful, fun games! The outdoor leisure pool is between 0.1m – 1.1m in depth, safe and convenient for kids of all ages. If you are instead looking for somewhere to train or just get some laps in, you can head to the main pool which is Olympic-sized, or the training pool which is 20m long. They don’t have an indoor pool, but open earlier for the year than most other gazetted pools, on the 1^st of April.

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 6:30-7:30pm. Closed for cleaning on Wednesdays.

Sai Kung Swimming Pool, Wai Man Rd, Sai Kung | +852 2792 7285

Victoria Park Swimming Pool

Located in the heart of Hong Kong, Victoria Park is not only Hong Kong’s largest public park, it is also home to a number of their recreational facilities, including swimming. With expansive indoor pools, swimmers have a variety of options to choose from. The Olympic-sized pool is also accompanied by a spectator stand with 2,500 seats and an electronic scoreboard, perfect for hosting sports events! They also have a smaller 33m-long multipurpose pool. With family changing rooms and baby care rooms, it is an especially convenient pool to bring your kids.

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 5:00-6:00pm. Closed for cleaning on Mondays.

Victoria Park Swimming Pool, 1 Hing Fat St, Causeway Bay | +852 2570 8347

Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool

If you can’t make it to Ocean Park’s newly opened water park, your kids will still be satisfied visiting the Hammer Hill Road swimming pool. Their pirate ship with water cannons is a true aquatic attraction, and there are a number of waterslides, fountains and games for your kids to engage in, so they’re bound to have a great time! The outdoor pools have not only the leisure pools, but also a toddler pool for you and your kids to explore. There is a reason this is the most popular public swimming pool in Hong Kong for families!

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 5:00-6:00pm. Closed for cleaning on Mondays. 

Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool, 30 Lung Cheung Rd, Diamond Hill | +852 2350 6062

Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool

There are a grand total of EIGHT pools in the Tseung Kwan O swimming complex. Other than the Olympic-sized main pool, they have a training pool, two teaching pools, a diving pool, a toddler pool and two leisure pools! If you get tired from pool hopping, there is also a lovely sunbathing area. With family changing areas and a couple of child-friendly water slides, this one is also great for families with young kids.

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 6:30-7:30pm. Closed for cleaning on Mondays. 

Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool, 9 Wan Lung Rd, Yau Yue Wan | +852 2706 7646

Tai Po Swimming Pool

If slides are what you want from a swimming day, you have to check out the Tai Po Swimming Pool. With the longest and highest water slides in Hong Kong, this place is packed both during the weekdays and especially the weekends. They also have one of the most extensive set of swimming pools among all the government-owned pools, with seven pools including teaching, diving, children’s and leisure pools. If you need to re-energise in between laps, as with all the public pools, you can grab water or a drink from the vending machines. Note that Tai Po pool only has outdoor pools, which open from 1^st April till the end of October.

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 6:30-7:30pm. Closed for cleaning on Mondays. 

Tai Po Swimming Pool, 11 Ting Tai Rd, Tai Po | +852 2661 2244

Ma On Shan Swimming Pool

Another great spot for water slides, out in Sha Tin is the Ma On Shan swimming pool. It has four giant slides, including Hong Kong’s fastest slide which is 9m high. If your tot is still a bit young for this level of adventure and thrill, they can find the iconic mushroom and tree-shaped fountains across the three leisure pools. They also have a toddler and round stepping pool along with the regular teaching, training and Olympic pools. So there is something for everyone!

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 6:30-7:30pm. Closed for cleaning on Tuesdays.  

Ma On Shan Swimming Pool, 33 On Chun St, Ma On Shan | +852 2641 0776

Kwun Tong Swimming Pool

Opened in 2013, the Kwun Tong pool is not only fun with a ton of great facilities, it is also designed to adopt various energy efficient features such as solar water heating and park lighting as well as a rain water recycling system. If you’re not sure that the weather is going to hold up, this is a great option as it has both indoor and outdoor pools. In the indoor area there are two pools with plenty of spectator seating, whereas the outdoor area boasts a secondary pool, two teaching pools and a sunbathing area.

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 6:00-7:00pm. Closed for cleaning on Wednesdays.

Kwun Tong Swimming Pool, 2 Tsui Ping Rd, Kwun Tong | +852 2717 9022

Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool

To enjoy the pool while still admiring the Hong Kong skyline, Tai Wan Shan swimming pool has an incredible 150-degree sea view, where you can admire boats and ships passing by. It also has incredible facilities including three teaching and leisure pools respectively. They also have the main pool, a secondary Olympic pool, and a diving pool. It truly is an ideal spot to train, learn or just have a fun afternoon!

Opening hours: 6:30am to 10pm, with breaks from 12-1pm and 5:00-6:00pm. Closed for cleaning on Thursdays.  

Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool, Wan Hoi St, Hung Hom | +852 2333 1335

Header image credits: Chius Oilwua Makrai via Wikimedia Commons

The Southside opened its first phase in December 2023, but visitors could only access 30 venues on the ground floor, which included McDonald’s, Jumping Gym U.S.A., and Hallmark. Starting this weekend, there will be more than 35 restaurants, such as the popular Vietnamese beef noodle restaurant Brass Spoon, Tokyo ramen house Konjiki Hototogisu, modern Thai establishment Bamboo Thai, and Taiwanese beef noodle shop DuanChunZhen.

The NOC Coffee Co. at The Southside will be the first branch of the coffee shop to have ice cream on its menu. Japanese matcha specialist nana’s green tea will open its second branch here, after making its Hong Kong debut at Airside last year. Caffeine addicts can also head to the new concept store of local coffee brand stain+ that is spread across 1,100 square feet. There will also be a city’super for upscale grocery shopping, Emperor Cinemas Plus for movie-goers, and UNIQLO for casual wear.

The Southside is connected to the Wong Chuk Hang MTR station on the South Island Line, and is an 8-minute ride from the Admiralty MTR station. In addition, the mall has more than 220 parking spaces with electric vehicle charging facilities for visitors who wish to drive there. The architecture of the mall takes inspiration from the sweeping coastline and natural beauty of the southern part of Hong Kong Island.

Image credits: The Southside

Pikapika Nail Parlour — Causeway Bay

This salon gets its name from an onomatopoeic expression in Japanese for anything glittery or sparkly, and that’s precisely what you’ll get when you try out their services. Come here for some infinitely cute nail art, and stay on to play with the shop cats! Treatments start at HK$180 for a manicure with natural polish and go up to $560 for hard gel colour on the toes. Nail accessories are priced at HK$10 and up, and you can pick out Swarovski crystals for HK$5 per piece onwards. They also repair damaged nails within seven days of your treatment at no extra charge.

Location: Flat B4, 2 Floor, Kingston Building, 2-4 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 11am-pm (closed Tuesdays)
Contact: Website | Instagram | +852 6169 6069

Ooh La La Nails — Central, Wan Chai

Ooh La La Nails is best known for their Russian manicures (aka, dry manicures) that focus on getting rid of calluses and cuticles, particularly around the edge of the nail. But they also offer a variety of other services — think soak-off gel, construction gel, hard gel, acrylics, and regular polish on hands and feet. And, of course, they do nail art, and they will happily take reference from a picture you show them. Ooh La La also has gift cards starting at HK$100 if you’re looking to treat your bestie who loves their nails.

Locations: 2302, Bayfield Building, 99 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai | 1/F, 1 Lan Kwai Fong, Central
Opening Hours: Depends on the branch
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 5138 3866

Lisa Nail — Multiple Locations

Regulars swear by the technical skills of the staff at Lisa Nail and first-timers are blown away by their friendliness. They take their motto “Make your nails jewellery” seriously and go the extra mile to give customers what they want — whether it’s vivid floral patterns, cute cats deisgns, or Doraemon-inspired looks. And as with several nail bars in the city, they also do eyelash extensions.

Locations: 5 stores in Hong Kong
Opening hours: 11am-8:30pm
Contact: Facebook | Instagram | +852 6738 1868

Luxe Beauty & Nail — Tsim Sha Tsui

The vibe at this salon is serene, thanks to its plush chairs and pink set-up, making the interiors almost as Insta-worthy as the nail art! Luxe Beauty & Nail uses only toxin-free products for their manicures, pedicures, hand and foot treatments, and artificial nail services. They also use brands like Londontown, OPI, CND, Cuccio, Gellyfit, Gentlepink, Mayour, Very Good Nail, and Prestogel on their customers. Take your pick from the wide range of chic and stylish designs, or ask the staff to recreate a Pinterest pic that caught your eye.

Location: 2/F, Long Wah Building, 21A Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Opening Hours: 12pm-9pm (Monday-Friday), 11am-8pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2311 8188

Amelie Beauty Lounge — Sheung Wan

This relatively new entrant on Hong Kong’s nail salon scene not only has an extensive array of nail polishes from across the world, but also has back massage chairs and jacuzzi foot baths so you can sit back and truly relax while getting pampered. And while you’re at it, you can even get a massage, waxing, eyelash grooming and extensions. If you’ve got a special occasion coming up — like a birthday, bridal shower, or just a girly get-together — you can book the entire space. Check out their couples packages and mom specials that include drinks, depending on what you choose.

Location: 52 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm
Contact: Instagram | Facebook

MT Nail Cafe — Mong Kok

This hidden gem in Mong Kok has a reputation for pleasant and attentive staff with great technical skills, which ensures they get a lot of repeat customers. Relax over a cup of tea or coffee as you get your nails done in a cozy set-up. Choose from a basic manicure and polish, hard gel extensions, or anything in between. The nail techs are very experienced and patient, and will give you whatever design you want, from the flashy to the more understated.

Location: Shop 43B, G/F, Charming Garden, 8 Hoi Wang Road, Mong Kok
Opening Hours: 11am-8pm
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 6316 9763

Nailed It By H.T — Causeway Bay

If you happen to be shopping in the vicinity of Times Square, head on to the Facesss in the mall to this nail care specialist that prides itself on using only cruelty-free products. Stop by and get your nail art and gel nails done, and even eyelash extensions. This pet-friendly spot welcomes furry friends and even has its own resident cat. This is on the pricier side, with the basic service — a gel manicure with nail art — costing HK$499.

Location: Shop 401, 4/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 6855 6088

Carte Blanche — Tsim Sha Tsui

Japanese-style nail salons are hugely popular in Hong Kong, and this bar in Tsim Sha Tsui is no different. Carte Blanche changes their design options every month, so you can get something basic or full-on kawaii. Their manicure and pedicure options start from $350 and $550, respectively. The gel nail services are on the more expensive side — a Shellac manicure starts at HK$550 and a Shellac pedicure at $750 — but the soothing ambience and the expertise of the technicians are worth the price.

Location: Shop 277 & 277A, Level 2 Mira Place 2, 118-130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Opening Hours: 10:30am-10pm
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2739 1960

Envi Me Nail — San Po Kong

Envi Me Nail uses high-quality nail products from Japan and America. While they’re well-known for their ombre designs, they also do intricate lace designs, seasonal patterns, and cartoon characters. They’ve also got toys and books to keep kids occupied while you get your nails done. Customers should note that they recently moved from their long-time location in Mong Kok to San Po Kong.

Location: Flat 11, 8/F, Fuk Wo Industrial Building, 5 Sheung Hei Street, San Po Kong
Opening Hours: 12pm-8pm (closed Thursday and Friday)
Contact: Facebook | +852 6013 2591

Hannah Nails Beauty — Central

The team at Hannah Nails Beauty promises affordable luxury, and they definitely deliver. Their relaxing waiting areas and comfy beauty service stations will help you unwind and truly relax as you indulge in a dose of self-care. Treatments here are priced within HK$500, with their basic manicure and pedicure  coming in at HK$198 and HK$298, respectively, with HK$40 if you want to add nail polish. They also focus on hygiene, and sterilise all equipment before each appointment and keep each workstation clean.

Location: 2A, 2/ Floor, 108-110 Wellington Street, Central
Opening Hours: 10am-8pm
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 9401 1699

Nailed It — Discovery Bay

Residents of the suburban enclave of Discovery Bay are regulars at this neighbourhood nail bar. But you can squeeze in a nail care session here if you’re here for a staycation or have a free hour during your day trip to the resort township. Their services start at HK$100 for an express manicure, and go up to HK$750 for an acrylic full set extension.

Location: Room 424, 4/F, Block D, DB Plaza, Discovery Bay
Opening Hours: 9am-6:30pm (Monday-Friday), 10am-7pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Contact: Facebook | +852 2987 2266

The Nail Library — Central

The unconventional interiors of this nail spa belie the luxury treatment you’ll get here. This industrial New York loft-style salon offers its patrons welcome beverages and a free back massage while they get their nails done. Their diverse selection of colours and brands features well-known names like Chanel, YSL, and Dior. So sit back, pick out a design or give them your own, and get ready for some TLC.

Location: 2/F, 76 Wellington Street, Central
Opening Hours: 10am-9pm
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 6298 8391

Nail Me — Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai, Tai Koo

What started in 2009 as a small upstairs shop in Tsim Sha Tsui has expanded to three salons across Hong Kong. Customers are made to feel at home and use the space to unwind, whether it’s for me time, a bridal shower, or a party. Nail Me uses natural, sustainable, and non-toxic products in all their salons, and their offerings are reasonably priced — ranging from HK$200 for the Light Manicure to HK$590 for a hard gel full-set manicure. Check out their deluxe packages for hands and feet, starting at HK$560, and ask about their pricing for first-timers.

Locations: Shop 266, Mira Place 2, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | 1st Floor, 1 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai | P408, Podium, Yuan Kuan Mansion, 20 Tai Koo Shing Road, Tai Koo
Opening Hours: 11am-8pm (hours vary depending on the branch)
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2728 2250

Nu Nail and Beauty — Tsim Sha Tsui

Nu Nail and Beauty is on the pricier end of Hong Kong’s nail bar spectrum, but the luxe interiors and top-notch service are well worth the money. The basic manicure costs HK$240, while more complex manicures with comic or oil painting designs are as much as HK$1,300. They offer customers a variety of options, such as soft and hard gel, and acrylic 3D art and marble effects. They also offer a range of mani-pedi services for men and kids, so a trip to Nu Nails can be a family event!

Location: Flat A, 10/F, 27 Lock Rd, Lokville Commercial Building, Tsim Sha Tsui
Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram | +852 5323 3617

NailHaus HK Nail & Lash Bar — Causeway Bay

Long-time customers of this cozy space just across the street from Times Square love its chilled-out atmosphere and the fact that you can watch movies on a big screen while getting your nails done. They can do a variety of looks in hard gel and soft gel with high-quality products. And the location is convenient if you want to squeeze in a session between work, errands, or shopping!

Location: 1F, 6 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: 11:30am-8:30pm
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 2928 2008

Header image credits: Nailed It By H.T, Nail Library, Luxe Beauty & Nail 

Women

Aerie by American Eagle Outfitters

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For stylish, eco-friendly swimwear, head to Aerie, the popular brand among youngsters by American Eagle Outfitters. Their swimwear collection features timeless stripes and cut-outs – be creative and mix and match bikinis, one-pieces, and tankinis for the perfect poolside look! Made with REAL GOOD materials and featuring UPF 50 sun protection, these swimsuits further promote body positivity and self-empowerment with inclusive sizing.

Price Range: $$-$$$
Where: 21 locations across Hong Kong
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$700
Contact: Website | Instagram

Air Space

Beloved by petite girls, the Taiwan-based Air Space is famous for its high coverage and bust-enhancing designs. Catering to every body type, their swimwear ranges from A to G cups and is available in sizes S to 4XL. With prices around HK$400-500 per set, Air Space swimwear offers more than just stylish design, but full support and a flattering fit. Join the YouTuber-approved trend and rock the beach this summer with confidence!

Price Range: $$$
Where: Online
Shipping: AIR SPACE delivers to Hong Kong using S.F. Express’s International Parcel Post. The costs are calculated based on package weight of the items. Return within 7 days service is available for Hong Kong customers
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

B.kinii

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Check out B.kinii for fabulous swimwear designed to fit Asian body shapes perfectly. Founded by Rachel in 2016, B.kinii offers elegant styles from Thailand that empower women and boost confidence. With over 100 designs for every body type, from petite to curvy, they have something for everyone at affordable prices. Most swimsuits are free size with flexible fit.

Price Range: $$-$$$
Where: Online
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$499
Contact: Website | Instagram

Barrel

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For active women, check out Barrel, a Korean sportswear brand specialising in performance-driven activewear. Their designs combine bold aesthetics with functionality, and the wide swimwear collection includes water sports apparel, rash guards, swimwear, board shorts, and dry bags. With fun, bright colours and patterns, their swimwear is made from premium materials with Asian-fit cutting, making sure you feel comfortable in and out of the water.

Price Range: $$$
Where: 4 locations in Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay and Aberdeen
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$500
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Calzedonia

You may have seen celebrities from Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber to Julia Roberts wearing colourful tights to promote the Italian brand, but they also do some attractive swimsuits. You won’t find many adventurous patterns, but classic bikini tops in bandeau, push-up and cute ruffle designs, with assorted mix and match bottoms from tame boy shorts to a revealing ‘Brazilian’ cut.

Price Range: $$-$$$
Where: 3 locations in Central and Sha Tin
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$400
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Gourami

With two stores across the city and an online shop, Gourami offers a fun, fashion-forward range of swimwear, including rash guards, tankinis, bikinis, and more. Their own-brand swimwear combines style and functionality, making it perfect for beach holidays and extreme water sports. What’s more, the price is very affordable! Enjoy great coverage and support, and feel fabulous and confident in the water.

Price Range: $$
Where: 2 locations in Wan Chai and Yuen Long
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$300
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Marie France Van Damme

Another talented Hong Kong-based designer, Marie France Van Damme is known to many local women for her luxury resortwear and fashionable swimwear. You’ll want to snap up one of each from the metallic range of bikinis and one-pieces in bold copper and silver. Talk about getting noticed by the water.

Price Range: $$$$
Where: Shop 3088, Podium Level 3, ifc Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central
Shipping: Free priority shipping for all orders
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ozzie Cozzie Co.

A trusty go-to for swimwear, Ozzie Cozzie is a swim and resortwear store in Central that carries international brands including Seafolly, Baku, Moontide, Miraclesuits and lots more. Those with hard-to-shop-for body types will breathe a sigh of relief knowing sizes come in 8-20 (AU/UK), and ladies, swimsuits are equipped with booster bras all the way up to E-cups.

Price Range: $$-$$$
Where: 503, 5/F, Tak Woo House, 1-3 Wo On Lane, Central
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$800
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Sheer

Looking for a sexy little number for the pool? This swimwear shop and lingerie boutique in The Landmark has gorgeous swimwear designs from Evarae, Marysia, Moeva and more, whether you’re looking for a figure-enhancing cut-out one-piece or a revealing strapless bikini.

Price Range: $$$-$$$$
Where: 2 locations in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$1,500
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Sweaty Betty

Founded in London, Sweaty Betty has been empowering women with stylish, high-performance activewear for 20 years. Known for bum-sculpting leggings and innovative prints, their swimwear is designed with exceptional style, support, and comfort. Whether you prefer a one-piece or separates, their swimwear combines a stylish finish with technical qualities to elevate your swim sessions.

Price Range: $$$
Where: 5 locations in Central, Admiralty, Kowloon Tong, Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon
Shipping: Free express delivery for order over HK$2,000
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Vipop

Vipop is a sustainable brand curator with an emphasis on Latin American designers. On top of swimwear in avant garde designs, they also offer sunglasses, sun hats, and beach cover-ups. As you would expect from the balmy environs of Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico, these countries have formed an entire culture in itself of beachwear and resortwear. Vipop’s ever-refreshing collections reflect this, with tasteful one-pieces and designer bikinis that are only available for a short period, in keeping with their commitment to low waste as well as their belief that your piece should be unique among brands-driven Hong Kong.

Baobab is one such designer Vipop works with that walks the walk and talks the talk in its eco-conscious focus. The Colombian brand’s trendy suits are made with ECONYL, or eco-nylon, which repurposes synthetic waste like industrial plastic, unused fabric, and fishing nets. For every swimsuit Baobab sells, one tree is planted and part of the profit goes toward restoring the San Andres Coral Reef.

Price Range: $$$
Where: G/F, 52 – 54 Graham Street, Central
Shipping: Shipping cost will be calculated at check out
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Men

Float Captain

Local brand Float Captain is for the surfer who likes to look good on their board, in more ways than one. The swimwear store well stocked in cool surf accessories, patterned board shorts for men and the odd women’s singlet, plus unisex tees with amusing designs – the ‘Board Bowl’ tee, featuring a traditional Chinese rice bowl stuffed with surfboards, is a fun fit.

Price Range: $$
Where: Shop 1, G/F, Marina Tower, 8 Shum Wan Road, Wong Chuk Hang
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$500
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Māzŭ Resortwear

Mazu’s swim shorts for men and boys are inspired by Hong Kong’s maritime history – this is evident by the traditional colours and local motifs that decorate their designs, like the blue and red ‘Junk Twilight’ shorts. Dad and son can get kitted out in matching pairs, and each one comes with its own canvas ditty bag that can be used later at the beach or on the boat. You can mainly find them in luxury hotels and recreation clubs. 

Price Range: $$$
Where: 5 locations in Central, Aberdeen, West Kowloon, Causeway Bay and Happy Valley
Shipping: Free standard delivery for all orders
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Vilebrequin

The Saint-Tropez-inspired swimwear from Vilebrequin will instantly put you in the holiday mood, with colourful bikinis to brightly-patterned swim shorts offered at four physical swimsuit shops in Hong Kong. And if you’re the kind of family who likes to stand out at the beach, their swim attire comes in matching prints and styles for mums and daughters, dads and sons for a bit of fun.

Price Range: $$$$
Where: 4 locations in Central, Admiralty, Tsim Sha Tsui and Tung Chung
Shipping: Free express delivery for order over HK$4,500
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Kids

Baby Central

Baby Central has all the swim-related clothing and accessories your kiddies need, with next-day delivery service in Hong Kong, so you’ll never have to break out the pram again for a hectic mall visit. This swimwear store truly has everything for beach babies and older kids, including durable sunglasses for young eyes, swim shoes, wet suits, swimming diapers, assorted UPF 50+ swim suits and beachwear, and even pool and beach toys, because making sand castles is the best part.

Price Range: $$
Where: Online
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$450
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Petit Bazaar

We love Petit Bazaar for so many things: wonderful toys, funky home decor, and clothing, including charming swimwear for babies and kids. Wait until you see your toddler scampering about the sand in a Breton striped swim overall (with UPF 50+) or a banana-emblazoned one. They are simply adorable, and comfortable too!

Price Range: $$-$$$
Where: 6 locations in Central, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui and Repulse Bay
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$600
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Everyone

Decathlon

Dress the entire family in head to toe beachwear for that upcoming tropical getaway without putting a dent in your bank account. We like to fill our carts with the short and long-sleeved UV protection shirts for adults and kids Decathlon carries, and accessories from hats to sunglasses, beach bags to sandals to outfit everyone.

Price Range: $-$$
Where: 8 locations in Causeway Bay, Central, Mong Kok, Kowloon Bay, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Tseung Kwan O, Tuen Mun
Shipping: Free delivery for order over HK$399
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Lane Crawford

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For fashionistas, head to Lane Crawford, the Hong Kong-based luxury fashion hub, for the perfect swimwear. With prime locations in Central’s IFC mall, Causeway Bay’s Time Square, and Tsim Sha Tsui’s Harbour City, it offers top international brands like Eres and Toteme, as well as Brunello Cucinelli, Orlebar Brown, and Zegna for men. Their expert-curated selection ensures you find the most stylish summer pieces. For great deals, check out their outlet at Horizon Plaza. Happy shopping!

Price Range: $$$-$$$$
Where: 3 locations in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui
Shipping: Free delivery for Lane Crawford Gold members for orders over HK$1,000; Platinum members can enjoy free shipping for all orders
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Zalora

Careful, you may be on this site for hours scrolling through the many choices of swim and beach attire from a slew of brands like Rip Curl, Sea Folly, Calvin Klein, and Billabong. Women’s tankinis, long-sleeved swimsuits and post-beach tunics, men’s surf shirts, trunks and swim shorts, not to mention sandals and flip flops for both genders in various styles will make for one bursting beach bag.

Price Range: $$-$$$
Where: Online
Shipping: Free delivery available depending on the items, voucher code and promotional campaign conditions. Refer to checkout page if free shipping is applicable to your order
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Header image credits: Siraphol Siricharattakul’s Images via Canva

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While this will be the first time in 8 years that Kwok will stage a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum, the legendary artiste had a busy 2023 with his Amazing Kode world tour last year, which saw him perform in the US, Canada, the UK, Singapore, and Malaysia. He also performed in Macau in March 2024, where he announced that he would treat his Hong Kong fans to a series of shows later in the year.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Kwok has released more than 30 studio albums and starred in several award-winning movies. Some of his biggest big-screen hits include films like Future Cops (1993), China Strike Force (2000), Divergence (2005), and Port of Call (2015). His most popular songs are dance numbers — unsurprising for a star with the nickname God of Dance — most notably I Love You Forever, Para Para Sakura, and Generation Next.

Header image credits: Aaron Kwok International Fan Club

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While Lamma Palooza is a ticketed event, attendees can either get general admission passes or a food-and-beverage package that includes unlimited barbecued food and up to six drinks, depending on the number of people covered by the package. DJs like Jimmy Chan, K-Melo, DJ Gee, DJ Kazu, and Saiyan will play a variety of genres to suit the relaxed beach atmosphere, like hip hop, funk, soul, bass, house, techno, and reggae. 

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and are available under the following categories:

• General admission: HK$150 (includes 1 drink)
• All-Day BBQ Package: HK$380 (includes 2 drinks)
• Family BBQ Package: HK$840 (includes 6 drinks)

Attendees can add on a BBQ Package for HK$300 per adult, and HK$180 per child aged 3–11 years old. For more information, visit the Lamma Palooza website.

Header image credits: Sanga Park via Canva, Lamma Palooza

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Lau has not taken the stage in the SAR since 2018, when he had to cancel several concerts citing ill health. He was supposed to hold a series of concerts in the territory in 2020, but cancelled them because of the Covid-19 pandemic. His forthcoming tour will comprise dates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Chongqing in Mainland China. After that, he will perform in Macau, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei, and wind up the tour in the 852.

Andy Lau acquired legend status in the 1990s as one of Cantopop’s Four Heavenly Kings. He’s also been part of several movies that have gone down in history as some of Hong Kong cinema’s finest, such as Boat People, As Tears Go By, Infernal Affairs, and House of Flying Daggers. His most recent releases include The Goldfinger, which saw him team up with his Infernal Affairs co-star Tony Leung, and I Did It My Way. He was also honoured with a Special Tribute Award at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival, where his film The Movie Emperor premiered.

Header imageå credits: Andy Lau fan page via Instagram

What is wakesurfing?

Wakesurfing basically involves a surfer riding a board behind a boat. This is different from wakeboarding, which entails the rider’s feet being strapped onto the board and having to hold onto the rope to stay upright. Wakesurfing starts with the surfer in the water, with their feet on the board and holding a rope, which then tightens as the boat starts moving. Once the person gets themselves upright on the board, the boat speeds up to 14 km/h to 17 km/h, at which point the surfer can let go of the rope and ride the waves!

Where can I go wakesurfing in Hong Kong?

Sai Kung

One of the most popular spots for wakesurfing, among other water sports, is Sai Kung. With beautiful blue waters and scenic views of the various islands, you will not only enjoy the wakesurfing experience, but also the scenic surroundings. But do be careful — due to the area’s popularity, the Sai Kung seas can be a bit choppy, making it harder for beginners to learn on them.

You have many options in Sai Kung to learn wakesurfing. You can hire the wake competition champions of Wake2Chill to train you to surf. Depending on the boat, the hourly charges range from HK$1,000 on weekdays to HK$1,200 on weekends. If you want to get guidance from a coach, it’s HK1,500. Sai Kung Boating also provides wakesurfing options ranging from HK$1,300-HK$1,500, depending on whether you head there on a weekday, weekend, or public holiday. Absolute beginners can check out what Goofy Waves Watersports Club & Academy has to offer. Drop them a WhatsApp message at 9248 8000 to find out about their one-on-one sessions, group classes, and summer camps.

Tai Po

Another stunning, although harder to reach, location is Tai Po/Science Park. If you venture out to Tai Po Market MTR Station, and hop on minibus number 20K, you will reach Yu On Street and Sam Mun Tsai. Alternatively, you can take a car or taxi to Pak Shek Kok Landing, Science Park. There, you can ride the relatively calmer waves while taking in the beauty of the New Territories. You might be able to spot the Guan Yin Statue, an incredible 76-metre tall white statue of the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion at the Tsz Shan Monastery.

A great option is Hong Kong Wakeschool (they also have operations in Ap Lei Chau), which owns six different boats with prices ranging from HK$700-HK$1,500 per hour. Boat-hire company IM Wake includes wakesurfing among their offerings, and you can rent one of their speedboats (from HK$1,100 per hour on weekdays) for private classes or their regular workshops.

Tung Chung

For those who either live in or love Lantau, you can also check out wakesurfing on the largest of Hong Kong’s outlying islands.  This spot is right next to the airport, so you can spot the planes as you surf! The Tung Chung Bay almost gives you a lake-like feel, which offers the best water conditions to practise in. You will have two options to hop on the boat: from Tung Chung New Development Pier, which is a 10-minute walk from Tung Chung MTR station, or from Ma Wan Chung Pier, which has public car parks available.

Learn from one of the founders of the Hong Kong Wakeboarding Association himself, Leo To, who founded wakesurfing school Wakeaholic in 1998. All coaches can teach in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, so you will not have any issues! Hourly prices are between HK$1,000–HK$1,600, depending on day of the week, boat, and time of the year. Be sure to reserve a spot as soon as possible because they book up fast!

Tai Tam 

For an option closer to Hong Kong Island, you can check out Tai Tam, which is not only much quieter than some of the other locations, but it also offers a green mountainous surrounding, giving you a holiday feel. Plus, it is only 30 minutes by car from Central and there is free parking. The wakesurfing spot is just 3 minutes away from the boarding pier, so you don’t waste any time and can quickly get your surf on!

Wakesurf Hong Kong will be your best bet in Tai Tam. The school has four coaches: Bosco, Steve, Jeffery, and Ting Ting, teaching a range of levels and styles. WhatsApp 6650 0900 to find out rates and availability. The coaches at Wakeboard Hong Kong will teach you the tricks of the trade when it comes to wakesurfing — all while you take in the lush surroundings of Tai Tam Hills. Reserve one of their MasterCraft boats for your wakesurf experience (from HK$1,800 per hour) or book longer group sessions for a fun family and friends outing, corporate catch-up or school trip.

Repulse Bay

This is one of the most popular beach destinations in the Hong Kong, and it’s a great hub for wakesurfing as well! Repulse Bay easily accessible by car or taxi, which we’d recommend if you don’t plan on travelling light. Otherwise, you can catch a bus from Central Exchange Square (Citybus 6, 6A, 6X or 260) or Causeway Bay (minibus number 40 from Jardine’s Bazaar).

Once you’re at Repulse Bay beach, head to the Repulse Bay Pier where the Wakesurf Players crew will guide you through your experience for HK$1,500-HK$1,800 per hour, depending on whether you’re with them on weekdays or weekends. They also offer half-day and full-day party packages for a maximum of 6 people at beaches from Aberdeen to Tai Tam. If you want to enrol your kids in an adventure camp for the holidays in this neighbourhood, look up the Las Wakegers social media pages for updates on their seasonal camps.

FAQ about wakesurfing

Header image credits: Caitlyn Roberts via Unsplash

The Houdini singer’s first stop in Asia will be Singapore, followed by concerts in Jakarta and Manila. She will then head to East Asia and play two dates in Tokyo and one in Taipei, before heading back to Southeast Asia to perform in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Lipa will round off her Asia tour with a show in Seoul.

The Radical Optimism World Tour will begin on June 5, 2024 in Germany, followed by gigs across Europe. Lipa will then take the tour Stateside, with two shows in Austin, Texas, before starting her series of Asia performances. There is no word on whether the Levitating hitmaker will add more stops to her tour, but Hong Kong and other unlisted cities are keeping their fingers crossed. For now, fans across Asia are gearing up for an unforgettable line-up of concerts from one of the world’s hottest chart-toppers.

Dua Lipa Radical Optimism Tour Schedule

• November 6, 2024 — Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
• November 9, 2024 — Indonesia Arena-Senayan, Indonesia
• November 13, 2024 — Philippine Arena, Manila
• November 16, 2024 — Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo
• November 17, 2024 — Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo
• November 20, 2024 — Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium, Taipei
• November 23, 2024 — Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur
• November 27, 2024 — Impact Arena, Bangkok
• December 4, 2024 — Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul

Header image credits: Dua Lipa

Comedy Clubs

Backstage Comedy — Multiple Locations

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Backstage Comedy is one of the city’s top comedy club showcasing the best local talent like Mohamed Magdi, Vivek Mahbubani, Gordon Chiu, and Jordan Leung, along with regular international headliners. Catch their Comedy Showcase every Saturday at Central’s Basehall 02, where they’ve also revived their famous Drunk Debate series – grab a drink and watch them debating over fun topics like “LKF or Peel Street?”! Plus, they’ve started a residency at Grand Hyatt’s LIPS Cocktails & Theatre, with shows from Tuesday to Saturday evenings.

When: 7:15pm-8:00pm (Tue-Sat at LIPS); 9:00pm-10:30pm (Sat at Basehall 02)
Where: LIPS Cocktails & Theatre, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Wan Chai | Baseball 02, Jardine House, Central
Contact: Instagram | Facebook

Takeout Comedy Club — Central

TakeOut Comedy Club in Central has been a staple of Hong Kong’s comedy scene since 2007. As Asia’s first full-time comedy club, it hosts regular stand-up shows in both English and Chinese every Friday, featuring top talent and fresh faces alike. Not to mention their HK International Comedy Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year! Plus, if you fancy making people laugh, they offer stand-up comedy workshops!

When: Every Friday
Where: 34 Elgin Street, Central
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 6220 4436

The Aftermath — Central

If you follow local shows, you’re probably familiar with The Aftermath. This bar caters to the arts and cultural community with live indie bands, poetry sessions, movie nights, and of course, open mic comedy every Tuesday! There’s always something going on. If you and your friends speak Cantonese or Mandarin, they have shows in those languages too. Check their event calendar for updates on upcoming events.

When: Open mic on every Tuesday. Stay tuned to their social media for upcoming shows
Where: L/G, 57-59 Wyndham Street, Central
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

Other Places To Watch Stand-Up Comedy

Bar 109 — Wan Chai

Located on the buzzing Lockhart Road in Wan Chai, Bar 109 has long been a top spot for sports fans and comedy lovers alike. Open Mic Comedy Night is held regularly: every Monday at 8:30 pm in English, perfect for kicking away those Monday blues; for those who speak Cantonese, join their open mic every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month!

When: Every Monday in English; every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month in Chinese
Where: G/F, 109 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2861 3336

Belly and the Beer — SoHo

Elgin Street in SoHo is packed with hip restaurants and bars. Here, you can find Belly and the Beer, a Belgian-inspired taphouse and restaurant. Beer lovers won’t want to miss their selection of over 25 draught and 150 bottled beers; and starting in May, catch their new Open-Mic Comedy Night every last Sunday of the month – with happy hour till 10pm, of course! 

When: Every last Sunday of the month
Where: G/F 21 Elgin Street, Soho
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 6907 9064

Bobby’s Rabble — Central

Conveniently located on Wyndham Street, Bobby’s Rabble is a beloved spot for after-work happy hour drinks, where its laid-back vibe can easily lead to hangover nights if you’re not careful… This bar is not just about drinks; they also host quiz nights and comedy shows featuring groups like ‘Comedy Unpopped’ and ‘Bitches in Stitches.’ Follow their social media for the latest updates and join in for some laughs and good times.

When: Stay tuned to their social media for upcoming shows.
Where: 46 Wyndham Street, Central
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 9165 6144

Hong Kong Fringe Club — Central

Easily recognisable by its neoclassical exterior near LKF, the Hong Kong Fringe Club is a lively cultural hotspot in Central. This iconic venue hosts a range of events, from live music and art exhibitions to stand-up comedy shows. Recently, they celebrated the anniversary of Hong Kong’s first female comedy troupe, Bitches in Stitches. Follow their social media and website for updates on upcoming shows and performances.

When: Stay tuned to their social media for upcoming shows
Where: 2 Lower Albert Road, Central
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 5616 1233 (Whatsapp)

Terrible Baby — Yau Ma Tei

When it comes to entertainment on the Kowloon side, one must mention Terrible Baby. The terrace bar at Eaton Hotel constantly hosts DJ performances and live acts. Don’t miss its well-known ‘Five Star Comedy’ series, featuring top local comedians like Jordan Leung and Vivek Mahbubani. Enjoy a night of award-winning cocktails and laughter. Their drag nights are super fun too!

When: Stay tuned to their social media for upcoming shows
Where: 4/F, Eaton Hotel, Yau Ma Tei
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2710 1866

Looking for something different? Don’t worry, Hong Kong never runs out of spots to make your nights unforgettable. Whether you’re unwinding with a drink after work during the Best Happy Hour Deals, admiring the city skyline at a Rooftop Bar, dancing the night away at Top Night Clubs, or enjoying a romantic date with Live Music, our guides have you covered. Get inspired and find your next adventure!

Header image credit: The Aftermath

Five-time Grammy winner and acclaimed Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain will perform in Hong Kong on June 6, along with sarangi artist Sabir Khan and vocalist Ghulam Siraj Niazi. The concert is part of ‘Sammaan’, an annual event in the city that features esteemed and legendary Indian musical artists.

The event will take place at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall in Central, and will begin at 7pm with a vocal recital by Ghulam Siraj Niazi. Hussain will then take the stage along with sarangi artist Sabir Khan. ‘Sammaan’ is being organised by the Padmabhushan Ustad Mushtaq Husain Khan Association (PUMHKA), which aims to promote and nurture performing arts, specifically Indian classical music and Indian classical dance in Hong Kong. This year’s edition of the event is particularly special, as it also celebrates PUMHKA’s 10th anniversary.

Hussain is fresh off his wins at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February this year, where he was awarded three Grammys: Best Global Music Performance for his work on the track Pashto, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for As We Speak, and Best Global Music Album for This Moment with world fusion band Shakti.

Tickets for ‘Sammaan’ are available on URBTIX and priced at:

• Standard: HK$350, HK$550, HK$750, HK$950, HK$1,250
• Students, senior citizens, and people with disabilities: HK$200, HK$350, HK$550, HK$750, HK$1050

Header image credits: PUMKHA

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