Easter festivities may be behind us, but Hong Kong’s calendar still remains packed to the brim. From the rugby mania of Hong Kong Sevens to the aerial acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza, here’s a round-up of April events in Hong Kong.
5 April: Ching Ming Festival
Ching Ming – literally translating as ‘clean and bright’ – is the day that Chinese people sweep the graves of their ancestors. The festival is an important day of commemoration, obliging families to weed graves, touch up headstone inscriptions and make offerings of food while lighting incense. Traditionally, many people burn paper offerings at gravesites for their ancestors to use in their afterlife. Don’t be surprised to see an exodus of residents moving from the city’s streets to the hillside graveyards on this well-observed day.
6 – 8 April: Hong Kong Sevens
Drawing in some of the world’s greatest rugby players and thousands of fans from every corner of the globe – the Hong Kong Sevens is one of the most popular annual sporting events in Asia. With fast and furious rugby action combined with a carnival atmosphere and world rugby’s largest prize purse, the 2018 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will be an unforgettable three days.
Hong Kong Stadium 55 Eastern Hospital Road, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay.
6 – 8 April: Songkran Hong Kong
Get ready to be drenched as the annual Thai water festival returns, once again making a splash in Lai Chi Kok. This popular festival celebrates the Thai New Year and the start of summer by spraying water on all attendees as a form of blessing. Gather your family and friends and come armed with water guns and water cannons. Complete with a traditional parade, dance performances and a beauty contest, this celebration is not one to be missed.
D2 Place, 9 Cheung Yee St, Lai Chi Kok.
13 – 16 April: Hong Kong Electronics Fair
The 14th Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and International ICT Expo will be held concurrently this year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The shows provide an international platform for around 3,500 exhibitors, allowing them to showcase their latest electronic products and cutting-edge ICT solutions to global buyers.
Launched in 2017, this year will see the return of the Startup zone, which will again feature all the latest innovations from the world of consumer tech and beyond. Attracting more than 94,000 buyers from 138 countries and regions in 2017, this year’s show is one of Hong Kong’s most widely anticipated trade events.
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai.HK$100.
14 April: Spartan Race
The Hong Kong leg of the Spartan Race forms part of the world’s biggest obstacle event, comprising 240 races in 25 countries across the globe. If you are looking for a physical challenge and something to take you out of your comfort zone, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Participants should be prepared to run, climb, push, throw and crawl through walls, hills, trees and even barbed wire. Kids under 14 can take part in the junior races. Taking place across a 1.5km course, the emphasis is firmly on teamwork, fun and getting muddy.
HK$380 – $1,090.
19 April – 3 June: Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza
Cirque du Soleil returns to Hong Kong this April with Kooza, an all-new, all-thrilling big-top production. Paying tribute to the company’s roots, the show is said to combine heart-stopping acrobatic performances with the art of clowning. The project, inspired by the Sanskrit word “Koza”, meaning “chest” or “treasure”, promises impossible feats and laugh-out-loud antics, all to a live fusion soundtrack, mixing the best of jazz, funk and Bollywood beats.
Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. HK$488 – $1,888.
24 April: The Script
Following the release of their number one album Freedom Child, Irish pop trio The Script will return to Hong Kong later this month. Having sold more than 29 million records and won three multi-platinum album awards, The Script is one of the world’s most successful bands. Fans can expect to hear classic hits such as Superheroes and Breakeven, along with Rain, the first single from their new album, which stormed into the Top 10 on iTunes UK. With tickets selling out rapidly, the group’s first appearance in the city since 2011 is one for the diary.
Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Star Hall, 1 Trademart Dr, Kowloon Bay. HK$580 – $1,280.
28 April: Women’s Five
Taking place in Aberdeen Country Park, the Women’s Five is more than just a run. The event is a celebration to mark the inspiring health and fitness journeys of women. Participants can choose to take part in the five-week health and fitness programme, finishing with the 5km run or alternatively sign up for only the run. Whatever choice you make, this event is aimed at honouring women’s strengths and weaknesses. Need more time to prepare? No problem. The Women’s Five will be back with another edition in November.
Aberdeen Country Park. HK$340 – $750.
29 April: Race Day
The Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup is the jewel among Hong Kong’s three spring race features and comes with a purse of HK$24 million. For the first time, Hong Kong will stage all three world-class events on a single day. The Champions Mile (1,600m) and the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) will join the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup to form an exciting Group 1 triple-header. This move will create one of the most lucrative days in Asia for its many equestrian fans.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin Racecourse Stand, Sha Tin, Hong Kong.