With Chinese New Year come and gone, the city has swung right back into entertainment mode. From Hamlet and the Hong Kong Contemporary Arts Show to the mouth-watering Taste of Hong Kong and the 2019 Hong Kong E-prix, here’s our round-up of the top March Events in Hong Kong.
Jabbawockeez – True to Yourself
2–31 Mar
Arriving in Macau for the first time, iconic dance crew the Jabbawockeez will host their debut Macau residency show. Taking place for nearly the entire month of March, dance-lovers and those with eyes for entertainment can enjoy the energetic showmanship of state-of-the-art audio, visual and lighting technology that compliments the already stunning moves of the Jabbawockeez.
MGM Theater at MGM COTAI. HK$388–988. mgm.mo/en/cotai/entertainment/jabbawockeez
Maroon 5 – Red Pill Blues Tour
3 Mar
Fans of LA-based pop-rock band Maroon 5 are in for something of a treat when the Grammy-winning group make their Macao debut at The Venetian Macau this month, ready to rock concert-goers with a set bristling with old favourites such as This Love and Moves Like Jagger, as well as all the very best from Red Pill Blues, their current album and sixth chart-topper. An early treat in a year that looks set to see the city host the best acts from both Asia and the West, it’s probably best to check if your dancing trousers still fit.
The Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macau. HK$688–2,116. cotaiticketing.com
Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair
3 Mar
For the 15th consecutive year, the Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair returns to Hong Kong with its joyous celebration of Hung Shing, the God of the Sea. With all the action taking place just a few minutes from Mong Kok, attendees can expect to spend the day wholly immersed in traditional Chinese arts and culture. The day begins, of course, with a grand parade, complete with sparkly costumes, acrobatic mayhem and a display of percussion perfection. In the evening, the organisers promise 18 dancing lions and at least one 500-foot-long dragon winding its way through the streets. This, it’s fair to say, is no ordinary itinerary.
45, Fuk Tsun St, Tai Kok Tsui. tkttemplefair.org.hk
Hamlet
7–9 Mar
Bardolatrians can rejoice as one of Shakespeare’s most admired works makes its long overdue return to Hong Kong. Hamlet, a play cherished as much for its vivid lyricism as for its universal motifs, is undoubtedly the world’s best-loved tragedy, making this latest interpretation – a contemporary Chinese translation, complete with a star-studded cast at the ever-glorious Grand Theatre – all but unmissable. With renowned director Li Liuyi – fresh from the smash hit success of his singular take on King Lear that was the talk of Beijing last year – at the helm, this promises to be the definitive Hamlet of our times. Performed in Putonghua with Chinese and English surtitles, no one need miss out.
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui. HK$200–600. hk.artsfestival.org
Animals Asia’s Women’s Day Lunch
8 Mar
Continuing admirable advocacy of all things furry and four-legged, Animals Asia will be hosting a fourcourse vegan (of course) Women’s Day Lunch, with a limited number of tickets said to still be available. The big draw at the event is Jill Robinson, the founder and CEO of the charity, who will be outlining the organisation’s biggest successes to date, while also demonstrating the scale of the challenges that remain. It’s a mustattend meal for anyone serious about championing animal rights causes throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Doggy bags all but guaranteed.
Maison ES, 1A Star Street, Admiralty. HK$860. animalsasia.org
2019 Hong Kong E-Prix
10 Mar
Once again, the Hong Kong E-Prix is on track to supply the need-for-speed crowd with an air-punching display of Gen2 racecars, with a number of on- and off-road surprises also promised for all keen automobile aficionados. With 22 drivers and 11 teams, this is by far the biggest race to date, and, as if that weren’t enough, this year also marks the debut of Attack Mode, a facility that allows drivers to reach a top speed of 225kmph – 25kmph faster than any past E-Prix has been able to deliver. Thankfully, not one to overlook the environment, this year’s event is skewed towards all-electric vehicles and will provide a gripping update on all the latest developments in this dynamic field.
Central Harbourfront. HK$50–3,180. ticketflap.com/hkformulae
Disney Springtime Carnival
15 Mar–30 Jun
If you’re looking for a way to entertain the kids, while not having too shabby a time yourself, pencilling in a trip to Disneyland’s Springtime Carnival may well be in order. Yes, one of Hong Kong’s “most magical places” – at least according to the House of Mouse PR machine – is set to have Mickey and Co celebrate the season with a characterful egg-hunt, a fantasy parade, and, of course, an enchanting Easter carnival. Fortuitously opening just in time for the festivities is the brand new projection show We Love Mickey!, which apparently has cutting-edge visual effects by the bucketload. Hah, take that, Ocean Park!
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island. HK$400–534. hongkongdisneyland.com
Taste of Hong Kong
21–24 Mar
Get your palate prepped as the fourday Taste of Hong Kong food festival is under starter’s orders and taking orders for starters. With 60 delicious dishes on offer and 12 of the city’s leading eateries participating, opting for the best course may not be as simple as it sounds. This year, the event is welcoming a number of first-timers – including The Flying Elk and Old Bailey – as well as seeing the return of several old favourites, most notably Chôm Chôm and Zuma. Veteran or virgin, however, the central appeal remains the same – the chance to see world-class chefs in action during a series of live demonstrations.
Central Harbourfront. HK$150–678. hongkong.tastefestivals.com
Art Basel Hong Kong
29–31 Mar
Asia’s premier art fair returns with works from all the very finest artists of five different continents, while retaining a particular emphasis on Asia and Asia-Pacific creatives, with their works accounting for some 50 percent of the total on display. As well as having a chance to mull over the epoch-defining artistic masterpieces on show, attendees will also have the chance to mingle with the artists, attend seminars dedicated to individual works and, should they be fortunate enough, be treated to a glimpse of a few of the submissions that are not on show to the general public. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. artbasel.com
Asia Contemporary Art Show
29 Mar–1 Apr
In keeping with its long-established status as Asia’s premium modern art hub, Hong Kong will be hosting the 14th Asia Contemporary Art Show at the end of this month, giving admirers of the abstract a welcome opportunity to renew their acquaintance with the works of many of the world’s contemporary artists. In total, more than 2,500 fine examples of the most notable contemporary art being produced across the world – including emerging talents and past masters – across a range of fields will be fleetingly assembled for your dissection and delectation. Best mark your calendars, but in a knowing, post-modern, fourthwall breaking sort of a way…
Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway. asiacontemporaryart.com