Check out these top family-friendly events and activities running in Hong Kong in October 2023.
October Sundowns at BaseHall
Date: 13 – 31 October 2023
Oktoberfest, Stand-up Comedy and Jazz Line-ups make for some seriously lively nights out this October. The fun begins At BASEHALL in Jardine House. Laugh along at the entertaining Comedy Showcase nights on October 13, 26 and 27. The Jazz Series with Hong Kong’s premier live entertainment group, Carpio Music, taps into rhythmic beats on October 12. Every Thursday & Friday in October, and dates of special events (Jazz, Comedy, Oktoberfest) after 7pm, customers enjoy 25% off any spending with up to HK$100 discount per customer at BaseHall 01 and 02, and one complimentary beverage is also offered per customer at either Crew or traditional taproom Pub 1842 in BaseHall 01 or speakeasy-style Artifact bar at BaseHall 02. Free parking is available until 31 October after 7pm, eligible for any purchase at any time of the day with no minimum spend requirement – plus two hours of complimentary valet parking with eligible dine-in.
Location: LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival
Date: 26 to 29 October
Hey all you wine and food lovers, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has organised an awesome food and wine event at Central Harbourfront Event Space this month. Admission tickets and Tasting Passes are on sale now! Wine & Dine attendees will love the selection of classic and trendy wines served alongside delectable foods from around the world. There will be around 300 stalls at the event featuring fine wines from 36 countries, and global delicacies from 17 countries and regions. Don’t miss the “Tasting Theatre” where you’ll gain wine and food pairing tips from top-notch chefs, bartenders from Asia’s 50 Best Bars, expert sommeliers, and other gastronomic experts.
Freespace Jazz Fest
Date: 3-8 & 26 October 2023
Entering its fifth year, the festival promises an incredible showcase of jazz talent, with more than 500 jazz musicians from 11 countries and regions set to dazzle crowds with over 100 outstanding performances. Transcending cultures, styles and genres, this year’s jazz extravaganza is sure to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers. The festival also features DJ booths, an arts and crafts market on the Great Lawn, food and drinks, art installations, and a variety of fun activities for families. Tickets from $160
Location: West Kowloon Cultural District, 8 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong
DINO Park Carnival
Date: 15 – 31 October 2023
Hong Kong’s first dinosaur-themed outdoor children’s playground at NewTownPlaza covers 35,000-square-foot and has a whopping 14 play facilities! Open as of this October 2023, DINO Park is hosting some awesome activities. Who doesn’t LOVE dinosaurs? Check out the activities happening at the new dinosaur themed park.
The ROAR Dinosaur Carnival runs until 15 October (Sat, Sun and Public Holidays) from 1 – 5pm at L5 Dino Park, Phase 1. You’ll see the Dinosaur Flash Mob Dance Performance, enjoy Dinosaur-themed Balloon Twisting, get some Cotton Candy and partake in a Dinosaur Adventure Workshop. There’s also an ongoing Dinosaur Balloon Charity Sale whereby visitors who donate HK$30 or HK$50 will be eligible to receive a dinosaur balloon. Proceeds will go to Heep Hong Society to help those in need.
Plus, there are cute 10-meter-long dinosaurs making their debut until 31 October at L3, Phase 1.
Chocolate Afternoon Tea
Date: Weekends, from 30 September 2023
Get ready to indulge your taste buds at The Astor’s abundant “Astor Chocoland” afternoon tea! From irresistible desserts and sweets to exciting and unique savoury dishes, this chocolate-filled experience promises to immerse you in a world of deliciousness – Charlie and the Chocolate factory style!
Indulge in mouthwatering treats like Passion Fruit Chocolate Cake, Blueberry Roll Cake in White Chocolate Mousse, and Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake. And don’t miss the crowd-pleasing Chocolate Stick, Chocolate Rocky Road, Chocolate Ball, and the irresistible Chocolate Fountain Station, where you can dip Mini Waffles, Marshmallows, and Chocolate Strawberry Brownies into cascading liquid chocolate.
But it’s not all about sweets. The Astor’s chocolate afternoon buffet offers a perfect balance with savoury options, too. It’s a culinary adventure you (and your little ones) won’t want to miss! Cost: $298 per person
Movies @ The Grounds
Date: from 12 October, 2023
Magical movie nights under the stars have returned courtesy of The Grounds this Autumn. Clueless kicked things off and the future line up of movies includes Barbie, La La Land, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Grease, Toy Story, Mamma Mia. www.thegroundshk.com
Mattel PlayHouse Hong Kong
Date: Until 12 November 2023
An exciting event featuring multiple Mattel brands comes to B1 Kitec in Hong Kong this month. Mattel PlayHouse provides a fun, immersive atmosphere for young children across 12 activities, enabling them to experience different roles through a variety of themed activities. Become a young champion racer with Hot Wheels™, or unlock your little ones’ limitless creative potential with Barbie™, dress up in different occupations or combine artistic creativity and virtual reality through designing Barbie™ in your favourite colours. Or head to the Island of Sodor with Thomas and Friends. Tickets are available from Trip.com
Cindercella
Date: 22 October, 2023
What if….Cinderella was a cello? Don’t miss the world premiere of Cindercella, a musical version of the timeless fairy tale, co-written by world renowned cellist Steven Isserlis (story) and Oscar-winning composer Anne Dudley (music). Suitable for age 5 plus. www.pphk.org
Pici Pasta Run
Date: 22 October 2023 (registration open NOW)
The return of Pici’s popular Pasta Run is coming this October! This unique charitable event, which has captured the hearts of sports enthusiasts and fans alike, will bring the streets of Hong Kong to life with its athleticism, creativity, and philanthropy. The Pici Pasta Run has become a beloved tradition, attracting hundreds of costumed runners each year – dashing through Hong Kong island from once Pici to another, all finishing with free pasta, drinks and prizes. Race fees go to MindHK, a locally registered charity dedicated to improving awareness and understanding of mental health in Hong Kong.
This year’s run will kick off at Pici Kennedy town in waves at 8:30am, 9:30am, and (subject to demand) 10:30am, and culminate at Pici Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay. Join the 12-kilometre journey along the Hong Kong harbourfront with your costumed team of four. Prizes go to the teams with the best costumes.
Shifumiz Festival
Date: 27 – 29 Oct
A three-day music and art festival that takes place at Sai Yuen Farm on Cheung Chau. Three-day or individual tickets are available, children under 12 are free of charge. For each ticket sold, one tree is planted. Camping has an additional cost. www.shifumiz.com
Hong Kong Ballet: The Great Gatsby
Date: 27 Oct – 5 November, 2026
Septime Webre’s The Great Gatsby is based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel and promises to be a spirited production, bursting with stylish dancing, shocking scandals and steamy live jazz music. www.hkballet.com
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
Date: 28-29 October, 2023
Four of international cricket’s 12 Test nations (Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa) will compete in the Hong Kong World Sixes at Kowloon Cricket Club. www.hkcricket.org
Halloween
Date: 31 October (and weekends leading up to this date)
Hong Kong does Halloween really well. There’s no shortage of places to find the perfect costume and celebrate! Let the trip-or-treats begin…
Best places to celebrate Halloween in Hong Kong, 2023
Where to get Halloween costume in Hong Kong
National Day Fireworks
Date: 1 October, 2023
The National Day Fireworks return to Hong Kong on 1 October, lighting up the sky for the first time in five years. The return of fireworks is part of a campaign to reinvigorate Hong Kong’s nighlife.
Where to watch the fireworks?
Looking for a place to watch the fireworks with the most spectacular panoramic views? See the show from the highest heights with a backdrop of Victoria Harbour’s glistening waters. Aqua Restaurant Group has some of the best spots in town to enjoy the October 1st fireworks.
Aqua presents a five-course contemporary Italian and Japanese tasting menu which sounds divine! The Fireworks Dinner is priced at $1,888 per person with additional wine pairing for $888 per person. Aqua spirit rooftop bar also offers mesmerising views of the fireworks with outdoor tables on the terrace available for dinner and drinks.
Hutong is offering up a six-course feast of Northern Chinese favourites with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Fiery and impressive dishes are what’s on order for Hutong’s Fireworks Dinner, priced at $1,888 per person with additional wine pairing for $888 per person.
Vista has unbeatable firework views and a fab Italian menu. The special five-course menu is filled with Italian classics followed by Vista’s famous table-side tiramisu ($1,788 per person). Check out Vista bar on 30/F after dinner for a scenic night sky view.
Of course there’s always the option to set sail on the group’s iconic red-sailed aqualuna for a truly unique view of the fireworks show. From the Sai Wan Ho Public Pier, hop aboard at 7:30pm and sail Victoria Harbour, enjoying the magical view. Tickets are $1,388 per adult and $788 per child and the cruise includes 2 drinks with canapés from Hutong and aqua restaurants.
Golf – The Aramco Team Series
Date: 6-8 October
The Aramco Team Series heads to Hong Kong from the 6th-8th October 2023, welcoming some of the world’s best female golfers, including favourites Xiyu Lin and Muni He, to battle it out in this innovative format, which sees three professionals accompanied by 1 amateur in a one of its kind event.
There’ll be entertainment on and off the course with an array of activities and food & beverage offerings lined up in the fan zone.
Tickets are FREE ‘fore’ all on Friday 6th October and are available from just HK$150 for Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th October with children under the age of 18 going FREE (children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult).
HK Tennis Open
Date: 10-15 October, 2023
Returning after a five-year break, the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open will feature 50 of the world’s best female players competing in singles and doubles at the iconic Victoria Park Stadium for prize money of US$250,000. www.hktennisopen.hk
Tong Chong Street Market’s Beer Festival
Date: 12-14 October
Featuring Hong Kong’s top local brewers, awesome food vendors and the trendiest games, Taikoo Place is set to celebrate the best of Hong Kong F&Beer with an exciting line-up of 15 local beer brewers. Check out over 70 beer flavours including an exclusive collaboration with upcycling start-up BREER – all crafted with a focus on local produce, innovation and sustainability by homegrown brewers. Don’t miss all the fun and games – try pickleball, tube table tennis, and cornhole!
BREER, if you’re not familiar, uses surplus bread from local bakeries instead of barley to craft its unique brews. You’re in for a treat with their Pandan Milkshake IPA created exclusively for this festival. The pandan used in its production was directly harvested from Taikoo Place’s very own rooftop farm, The Loop at One Island East, which is currently the city’s tallest urban farm. How cool is that?
BAM Festival 2023
Dates: 13-15 October, 2023
The annual Mercedes Benz BAM Festival takes over the Central Waterfront this month. The free to enter event features a car show alongside a broad range of entertainment – including Kids Town with electric ride ons, remote control Mercedes AMG cars, art jamming, magic shows, face painting, balloon twisting and a mini mall. There are also yoga sessions, workshops, sustainability showcases and musical performances, making it fun for the whole family. Not to mention 30 of the newest Mercedes Benz models being on show. Find out more about the BAM Festival. Register for a ticket
LA FIESTA!
Dates: 13-15 October, 2023
Get a taste of Spain at La Fiesta, (‘The Party’) at PMQ. The three day festival celebrates all things Spanish – enjoy Spanish culture and gastronomy with Spanish food by restaurant La Paloma and importer Los Ibéricos, a kids area by Spanish School of Hong Kong, football activities by LALIGA, and workshops and stage performances by Esencia Flamenca and other Spanish artists. Entrance is free.
Hebe Haven 24 Hour Charity Dinghy Race
Date: 14-15 October, 2023
The 24 Hour Charity Dinghy Race is an annual event run by the Hebe Haven Yacht Club. It’s a true community event, raising over $12.3 Million Hong Kong Dollars since its inception in 2002. The event boasts as being the ONLY and LONGEST running 24 hour endurance aquathon in Hong Kong and South East. Sailors of all ages compete in teams. Teams include schools, community and social groups, charity and international teams. The teams race to complete the most laps in 24 hours around a 1.2km course in the waters just outside Hebe Haven Yacht Club. Not all the fun happens in the water, the onshore race village is a vibrant part of the event with live music and entertainment, a market, charity stalls, children game zones. You can also sit back relax grab a bite to eat and drink all whilst watching the race enjoying the carnival atmosphere.
