From renowned musical acts like American Football and the Chainsmokers to comedian Trevor Noah, here are the hottest August events happening in Hong Kong…
1 Aug
Clockenflap Presents: American Football
In a bid to build up momentum for the 12th Clockenflap Festival later this year, the event’s organisers have ensured that Hong Kong is suitably soundtracked all summer long, with emo math rock wonders American Football next up to do the honours. The Illinois-based trio-turned-quartet Clockenflap Presents: American Football originally hit the big time back in 1997 and, following a decade-plus hiatus, are now back to rocking out and keeping their many fans happy with such post-emo delights as American Football House and LP3. This Town Needs, 6 Shung Shun St, Yau Tong. HK$390. ticketflap.com
3-4 Aug
PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure”
With back-to-school season inching ever closer, you may want to give the kids one last hurrah before dispatching them back to the groves of Academe – and what hurrah could be grander than PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure”, a 75-minute live-action event inspired by the ever-popular children’s toys of the same name. Ready yourself for squeals of pure delight from your enthralled kiddiewinks as the Paw Patrol sets out to rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious dark cavern, with their assistance almost certain to be called upon. KITEC, 1 Trademark Dr, Kowloon Bay. HK$280–680. premier.hkticketing.com
15 Aug
Hungry Ghost Festival
In a city with as rich and diverse a food culture as Hong Kong, it’s no wonder that even death does little to diminish the appetites of its residents, with these post-funeral foodies’ passions for partaking celebrated every year in the form of the Hungry Ghost Festival (Yu Lan for the Cantonese conversant). Forever falling on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, the festival springs from a local legend that maintains that restless spirits roam the earth on that particular day. In order to escape the wrath of these gallivanting ghouls, it is customary to offer gifts of food and other diverting trinkets. To be on the safe side, have a little demonic dim sum about your person at all times. Locations vary. discoverhongkong.com
15–19 Aug
HKTDC Food Expo 2019
It is surely no coincidence that Hong Kong’s annual mega-cuisinathon – the HKTDC Food Expo – opens its doors on the very same day that carb-deprived corpses and hungry hellspawn are said to roam the city. As ever, the four-day gourmet gala will welcome a vast array of international epicureanminded exhibitors, with this year’s event featuring more than 1,500 victuals vendors from all around the world. With last year’s event said to have attracted in excess of 500,000 visitors, it’s probably wise to pop in early lest you be cheated of your chance to savour such delights as Columbia’s premier coffee beans, Malaysia’s finest fish curry powder and New Zealand’s hottest honey products. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Dr, Wan Chai. hkfoodexpo.hktdc.com
16 Aug
Shinywinds in Central 2019
Determined to get the party started and to heat up the harbourside action at this month’s SummerFest is Shinywinds, the hugely successful local orchestra. Established in 2008 as a way for Hong Kong students, past and present, to come together and share their musical prowess, the orchestra is now something of a local institution. This three-hour-long outdoor concert is the perfect opportunity to find out just why it is so popular, as well as the ideal excuse to while away the afternoon to the accompaniment of a host of top tunes and a bevvy or two. Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Rd, Central. summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk
16–20 Aug
Hong Kong International Egyptian Folklore and Oriental Dance Festival
With belly dancing’s popularity at an all-time high for both participants and sundry-motived spectators, the Hong Kong International Egyptian Folklore and Oriental Dance Festival is undoubtedly a can’t-miss event for those keen to learn a thing or two about this ancient art form. For three terpsichorean-themed days on the trot, the festival will be full to the brim with fiercely-fought dance competitions and wiggle-your-hips workshops, giving Hongkongers of all ages the opportunity to learn a little about the history and culture of this semi-athletic, highly-erotic form of entertainment. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai.
HK$350–600. maxwelldancing.com
21 Aug
Trevor Noah Loud & Clear Tour 2019
Acclaimed South African comedian turned- host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah is making his Hong Kong debut this month, no doubt much to the delight of the city’s many giggling gig-goers. Aside from his weekly slot at Comedy Central, the funny-man also found time to write Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood and to star in two Netflix specials, where he turned his attention to such topics as race, immigration and, of course, life in Trump’s America. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Dr, Wan Chai. HK$588–1,088. premier.hkticketing.com
23 Aug
The Chainsmokers Live in Hong Kong
World War Joy, the latest critically lauded,continent-spanning tour by The Chainsmokers, the celebrated US DJ duo, wends its way into Hong Kong later this month. Undisputed champions of the Billboard charts, the tunesome twosome have enjoyed a seemingly unstoppable run of electropop hits – the likes of Closer and Don’t Let Me Down to name but two – and are returning to the city by popular demand after wowing concertgoers with a truly sensational gig last year. This time around, they are set to give the city’s restless ravers all the beats they need to carry them well into the night and on to the early morning. AsiaWorld-Expo, Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok. HK$588–1,088. premier.hkticketing.com
31 Aug
Angels Zumbathon 2019
If staying active for the sake of your health wasn’t enough to motivate you to don your lycra athleisure gear, perhaps the chance to raise funds for much-needed afterschool and counselling programmes for the children of Po Leung Kuk will prove the added incentive you need to sign up for this year’s Angels Zumbathon. It’s a high-energy dance event that has grown every year – starting off with just 50 participants seven years ago and set to
have more than 500 this time around. Not only is it a day packed to the gunwales with goodwill, it’s also a chance to work out with some of Hong Kong’s finest Zumba instructors, including George Lu, Rachel Fok and JC Ferron. Hong Kong Football Club, 2 Sports Rd, Happy Valley. HK$450. angels-for-children.org/events