January offers a slew of sensational things to do and see to keep you entertained – from a marathon to arts festivals to major archaeological discoveries to so much more!
Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair
As the first of its kind in Asia this year, this show is guaranteed to be a premium event and one that will have the toys and games industry buzzing. Attracting exhibitors of the highest calibre, it is an ideal opportunity to discover new products from hundreds of trendsetting market players and have some fun in the process. There will be smart-tech toys, soft toys, remote-control toys and more besides. For those in the industry, the chance to network, build up contacts and find reliable partners and direct suppliers is invaluable.
When: 8-11 Jan
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
How much: Prices vary
For more information: expopromoter.com
Hong Kong Marathon
Running a marathon is perhaps the ultimate test of one’s capabilities in endurance and sheer willpower. No wonder, then, that the annual Hong Kong race is well supported with the highest participation rate of any local sporting event. Up to 74,000 runners from across Hong Kong and overseas will begin on Nathan Road and finish 42.195 kilometres later at Victoria Park. It is a World Athletics’ Gold Label road race and this year serves as the Asian Marathon Championships, with top runners from the region invited to compete. The event also comprises a half marathon, 10km race, 10km Wheelchair Race and Wheelchair Trial.
When: 21 Jan
Where: Various venues
How much: Free viewing
For more information: hkmarathon.com
Brent Faiyaz
With nods to R&B, hip-hop and soul, American singer Brent Faiyaz is touring his much-acclaimed Wasteland album with a date in Hong Kong. The concert is expected to attract lovers of all three genres such is the magnetic appeal of the 28-year-old artist who knows how to test musical boundaries. The album featured guest turns by Tyler, the Creator, Alicia Keys and Drake, and came on the heels of an EP provocatively titled F**k the World. The set list for Faiyaz’s ‘It’s a Wasteland’ tour will surely include tracks from both recordings.
When: 30 Jan
Where: Rotunda 2, KITEK, Kowloon
How much: HK$799
For more information: cityline.com
Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo
A huge showcase for an amazing panoply of products makes a welcome return as the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong presents its 57th shopping festival of local brands. The expo always draws large crowds keen to grab a bargain or two or simply have fun from the range of activities offered in a packed entertainment programme.
When: Until 8 Jan
Where: Victoria Park, Causeway Bay
How much: HK$8
For more information: hkbpe.com.hk
Gazing at Sanxingdui
Shown for the first time in a major exhibition outside Sichuan, the recent archaeological discoveries at the Sanxingdui site near Chengdu – with almost half excavated between 2020 and 2022 – shed new light on Chinese civilisation in the upper Yangtze River valley. Featuring 120 bronze, jade, gold and pottery objects, some date back 4,500 years while a number of them are national treasures, all are testaments to the expertise of modern Chinese archaeology.
When: Until 8 Jan
Where: Gallery 8, Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District
How much: HK$150
For more information: hkpm.org.hk
Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival
Based in Yim Tin Tsai, this festival has grown over the years and now includes Sharp Island, Kau Sai Chau, High Island and Sai Kung town. Taking ‘Joy Again, Isle’ as its theme, it promotes the history, culture, heritage and natural environment of Sai Kung District’s scenic islands through art explorations and the healing power of the arts and nature. These local experiences can be shared.
When: Until 14 Jan
Where: Sai Kung town and islands
How much: Free
For more information: skhartsfestival.hk
teamLab Future Park
For a great immersive experience that takes the co-creation concept to the next level, this futuristic amusement park should not be missed. Located in a venue spanning more than 10,000 square feet, this is interactive fun how it should be, using art and technology to reimagine a universe co-created by the individual participant in an immersive art space. This iteration of an event that roves the region features six popular Future Park works that are bound to appeal.
When: Until 14 Jan
Where: MegaBox, Kowloon Bay
How much: Various prices
For more information: ttt-works.com
The Oyster Odyssey
For years, oyster reefs have played a vital role in the ecology and marine environment of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. This exhibition offers an immersive journey into the underwater world of oysters, exploring the historical significance of oyster cultivation and how the local industry developed, as well as highlighting efforts to restore “Hong Kong’s lost treasure”.
When: Until 31 Jan
Where: Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Pier 8, Star Ferry, Central
How much: HK$30
For more information: hkmaritimemuseum.org
HK2 Night Scene Bus
What better way to see the magnificent night sights of Hong Kong and Kowloon than by taking an open-top double-decker bus. The Citybus Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus is running a night service, HK2, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board that allows passengers to hop on and off to visit more than 50 landmarks. Embracing iconic rickshaws of a bygone era, but with a driver rather than a puller at the helm, it offers a blend of the past and the present.
When: Ongoing
Where: Star Ferry, Central
How much: Night pass HK$100 (tourists HK$20).
For more information: rickshawbus.com