Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and rather appropriately for the Year of the Fire Horse, Hong Kong is putting on a dazzling spectacle to illuminate the night sky over Victoria Harbour during the holidays. On February 18, the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display will present a breathtaking showcase, themed after horses with a ‘Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong’ concept. Read on for what you need to know about the event, and how to make the most of the fireworks display. What is the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display? It’s pretty self-explanatory, but each year, the Hong Kong government puts on a prominent Chinese New Year Fireworks Display to commemorate the start of the Lunar New Year. Hong Kong Jockey Club is serving as the title sponsor as the event this year.  When and where will the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display take place? Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 18 – the second day of Lunar New Year 2026. At 8pm, the Chinese New Year Fireworks Display will kick off at Victoria Harbour. Spectators can watch the awe-inspiring show from both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.   Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk What kind of fireworks can I expect to see? Spectators can expect the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display to run for approximately 23 minutes, during which a total of 31,888 firework shells will be launched into the air. Following this year’s theme, ‘Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong’, the visuals will be inspired by equine dynamism and energy, presenting eight scenes.  From the powerful ‘Galloping into the New Year’ to the grand ‘Celebrating the New Spring Together’, the show will highlight auspicious Lunar New Year symbols like the number eight, gold ingots, and the Chinese character for ‘good fortune’ for the Year of the Horse, in addition to high-density bursts of fireworks to wow the crowd. Where’s the best spot to watch the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display from? Both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon will have good vantage points to watch the show from, but the top choices will be Tsim Sha Tsui, Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and Hung Hom. Avenue of Stars is hard to beat, as are Bauhinia Square and the Central Ferry Piers. If these places feel a little too crowded for comfort, you can also consider the West Kowloon Art Park. Here are some other spots for fireworks-watching. If you are looking to splurge, you could also consider booking a hotel room with harbour-facing windows, like Regent Hong Kong and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Photograph: Shutterstock What else can I see at the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display? It’s going to be a fireworks-focused night, but the Hong Kong government has shared that lighting effects will be used to enhance the viewing experience of the fireworks show, so that’s something to look forward to. RTHK Radio 4 – on FM 97.6 to 98.9 – will be putting on music that is synchronised to the visual extravaganza for a multi-sensory experience. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 5,000 free tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland will be given away to domestic helpers this year A complete guide to Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year Fairs & Flower Markets 2026 Actors Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Lloyd to make an appearance at HK Comic Con 2026

To make getting around easier during Lunar New Year, MTR is rolling out more than 600 additional train trips across various rail lines throughout the holiday period. On LNY eve (February 16), all local railway lines (except Airport Express and Disneyland Resort Line) will provide overnight services with increased trains from 3pm onwards to accommodate people heading out for family gatherings, LNY markets, and festive celebrations without rushing for the last train. The Light Rail will also operate through the night on seven routes, while three MTR Bus routes will extend their hours. For the first day of Lunar New Year (February 17), the Tuen Ma Line will run more frequent evening trips to support crowds heading to the night parade. Then on the second day of the Year of the Horse (February 18), when the Victoria Harbour fireworks are set to light up the sky, seven lines – Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line, South Island Line, Tuen Ma Line, East Rail Line, and Tung Chung Line – will see increased frequencies in the evening to help people get there and home safely. As for those heading out to the airport, the Airport Express will have an earlier start with the first train departing from Hong Kong Station at 5.35am from February 14 to 16, and the last train from AsiaWorld-Expo station leaving at 1am on February 19 and 22. And if you’re celebrating the festival at Disneyland, there will be more trains on the Disneyland Resort Line during its morning services from the first to the seventh day of LNY (February 17-23). MTR is also running a ‘Year of the Horse Lucky Spin’ promotion from February 13 to 26 at nine designated stations (Quarry Bay, Kai Tak, Lo Wu, Airport, Austin, Central, Admiralty, Causeway Bay, and East Tsim Sha Tsui). MTR Mobile members can say “Happy Year of the Horse” to the virtual service ambassador Tracy for a chance to win MTR Points, free single-journey tickets, vouchers for MTR Shops and retail shop Louder, and entry into a grand lucky draw for top prizes like the latest smartphone model, MTR annual passes, and MTR mall shopping vouchers – definitely worth a quick try if you're passing through one of those stations. Stations will be busy, especially after big events, so allow extra time, follow staff instructions, and head to the MTR website for the latest announcements. Safe travels and Gong Hei Fat Choy!  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Everything you need to know about the 2026 Chinese New Year Fireworks Display 5,000 free tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland will be given away to domestic helpers this year A complete guide to Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year Fairs & Flower Markets 2026

It’s no exaggeration to say that foreign domestic helpers (FDWs) form the backbone of Hong Kong’s society. We were able to build our small city into the global hub that it is today thanks in no small part to the helpers who take over running our households so citizens can focus on accomplishing big things. To recognise and show gratitude for their contributions to local families, various local charities have launched FDWs-exclusive offers in recent years, such as the Li Ka Shing Foundation. Following a successful campaign last year, the foundation will run another giveaway of Disneyland tickets catering to domestic workers that covers everything from transport to in-park meals and activities.  The Li Ka Shing Foundation announced the giveaway on February 10, citing an expansion of the campaign scale and offerings compared to 2025. The number of tickets offered this year will also increase from 4,000 to 5,000. Meanwhile, for the first time, eligible FWDs who can apply for these tickets will include nationals from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Thailand in addition to last year’s Filipino-only cohort.  Participating FWDs can use their ticket on March 29 or April 12. Each admission ticket will come with a loaded Octopus card to facilitate travel to and from the park plus in-park meal vouchers for two full meals and a snack. This “heartfelt gesture of gratitude” makes us smile. To effectively distribute tickets to FWDs across Hong Kong, the foundation has partnered with three local NGOs to facilitate the giveaway. Helpers who wish to participate in the campaign can visit the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, Bethune House, or Christian Action to apply for a free day out at Disneyland. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: A complete guide to Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year Fairs & Flower Markets 2026 Actors Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Lloyd to make an appearance at HK Comic Con 2026 Hong Kong’s Coca-Cola bottling plant opens for limited public tours

International pop culture expo Comic Con has announced its first Hong Kong instalment in January this year. Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting the 2026 event programme. Beyond the range of film, comic, anime, and gaming merchandise and collectibles on offer, Comic Con is also known for engaging notable creatives, actors, and voice actors in panel discussions and live Q&As that widen story universes, deepen character lore, and offer fans a glimpse into how their favourite titles came to be. Organisers have finally unveiled the first names of its 2026 line-up in Hong Kong, confirming the appearances of three industry veterans at the May expo: Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Lloyd.  Photograph: Facebook / theofficialmads Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is known for several generation-defining performances: from the scheming Le Chiffre in Casino Royale (2006) and the elegantly deadly Hannibal Lecter in NBC’s Hannibal (2013-2015), to franchise icons such as Galen Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Kaecilius in Doctor Strange (2016), and Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022). Mikkelsen’s talent for compelling performances knows no bounds, landing him representative roles in Danish titles such as The Hunt (2012), Another Round (2020), and The Last Viking (2025), as well as Cliff Unger in Hideo Kojima’s (2019) post-apocalyptic, action-adventure masterpiece Death Stranding. Whether he’s playing a cannibalistic serial killer with enough culinary prowess for a Michelin star or a troubled DID patient who confuses himself with John Lennon, Mikkelsen brings a unique intensity to his characters that captivates audiences every time.  Photograph: Facebook / OfficialGiancarloEsposito Best known for his performance as Gus Fring in the AMC crime series Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Giancarlo Esposito champions the portrayal of antagonists across different titles and genres with finesse. Whether it be corporate sociopath Stan Edgar from Prime Video’s comic adaptation series The Boys (2019-present), or former Imperial officer Moff Gideon in Disney+’s live-action series The Mandalorian (2019-2023), Esposito brings a touch of villainy to each role that incites the perfect balance of contempt and rapport in audiences. Beyond television appearances, Esposito has also starred in Captain America: Brave New World (2025) as Seth Voelker, vampire comedy-horror title Abigail (2024) as Lambert, and Bong Joon Ho’s 2017 sci-fi horror film Okja as Frank Dawson.  Photograph: Facebook / thechristopherlloyd An icon in the world of film, Christopher Lloyd has portrayed various representative characters throughout his acting career, the most notable being his performances as time-travel scientist Emmet “Doc” Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy (1985-1990). Lloyd’s portfolio of characters spans everything from Max Taber in the 1975 psychological comedy-drama One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, to Commander Kruge in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). Beyond gritty and spirited roles, Lloyd also portrayed the comedically irredeemable Uncle Fester in the 1991 The Addams Family film, as well as the cruel Judge Doom in Disney’s 1988 title, Who Framed Roger Rabbit.  While details of Mikkelsen, Esposito, and Lloyd’s appearances at the Hong Kong Comic Con 2026 are yet to be revealed, their inclusion in the event could suggest a list of franchise-centred panel discussions and cast Q&As that fans won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for more details and click here for our guide to the Hong Kong Comic Con 2026. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong’s Coca-Cola bottling plant opens for limited public tours Here’s what Hong Kong’s dog owners think about the city’s pet-friendly restaurant permits Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters

Did you know that Hong Kong is home to the world’s tallest Coca-Cola bottling facility? Sitting quietly in Sha Tin, this plant has been making drinks for the city since 1965. Having just marked its 60th anniversary, Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong is closing out the milestone year by letting the public inside its newly upgraded Hong Kong Coca-Cola Museum for the very first time with three special guided tours. Photograph: Courtesy Swire Coca-Cola HK ‘The Bottling Hunt’ experience is a one-hour time-travel adventure that follows the brand’s ‘Made in Hong Kong’ story. It’s far from a mundane walkthrough, as they’ve thrown in enough interactive moments to keep adults and kids engaged, while still giving you a solid understanding of how the brand became part of daily life here and what the modern production process and sustainability plans are all about. Photograph: Courtesy Swire Coca-Cola HK Photograph: Courtesy Swire Coca-Cola HK The tour begins in the lobby, where rows of bottle designs and collectables from different eras are displayed. Next comes a recreated 1886 Jacobs’ Pharmacy – Coca-Cola’s first-ever retail point – where visitors can put on period costumes, take on the role of lab assistants to Dr John Pemberton, and take part in a quick scent challenge to identify classic flavours. From there, the route traces key local milestones, starting in 1965 when Swire Group obtained the exclusive right to manufacture, market, and distribute Coca-Cola products, through to the completion of the Sha Tin factory in 1991.  Photograph: Courtesy Swire Coca-Cola HK Visitors will also see how the plant’s vertical transport system operates, a mix of global Coca-Cola collectables alongside Hong Kong editions, and sports-related memorabilia such as limited‑edition footballs, themed toys, and souvenirs. The tour wraps up by shifting focus to sustainability, offering visitors a look at the production lines and recycling process through interactive screens in the viewing gallery. Swire Coca-Cola HK has also partnered with the COKE+ loyalty programme, so there will be extra chances to join these tours and pick up a few exclusive souvenirs. The tours will take place on March 7 with three one-hour sessions available (1.30pm-2.30pm, 3pm-4pm, and 4.30-5.30pm). These sessions are genuinely rare as the Sha Tin plant is normally closed to the public, so this is one of the only opportunities to step inside a working bottling facility and see where your everyday soft drinks actually come from. Admission is free, and each session is limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration officially starts at 2pm on February 12 via thebottlinghuntbyswirecocacola.ievent.hk – so don’t wait too long if you want to secure a spot for this rare behind-the-scenes look. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Here’s what Hong Kong’s dog owners think about the city’s pet-friendly restaurant permits Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans

Now here’s an excellent way to ring in the Year of the Horse – with a pony encounter! On March 7, 8, and 15, Tai Kwun will welcome real-life Shetland ponies to its Parade Ground for a family-friendly animal meet-and-greet and unique photo-taking moments! ‘Ponies on Parade’ represents a callback to Tai Kwun’s past life as the Central Police Station, when horses still had a presence on the premises as steeds for mounted coppers. Although the archival photographs show that Shetland ponies were not actually part of the lineup, it still represents a full-circle moment for equestrian activity at Tai Kwun, reimagining it as a gathering place between humans and horses once more. Photograph: Courtesy Tai Kwun Not much has been shared about the individual Shetland ponies themselves, how many there will be for the three days, or which stable they are from, but what has been announced is that the meet-and-greet experience will be reserved for ticketed guests. ‘Ponies on Parade’ will take place on March 7 (11.30am-3pm), 8 (11am-3pm), and 15 (11am-3pm) at the Parade Ground at Tai Kwun, and attendees can purchase their tickets ($80 for two persons) online to secure a meet‑and‑greet experience and photo moments with a Shetland pony, plus a $50 Tai Kwun shopping and dining e‑voucher. Walk-ins are available as well at $50 for two persons, but they are subject to availability (if there are any tickets left after online bookings, that is) and the walk-in price does not include a Tai Kwun e-voucher. Photograph: Courtesy Tai Kwun Also, think twice before sneaking in an apple thinking you’ll get to feed them – this is strictly a meet-and-greet experience with an opportunity to touch the pony and take a photo with the gentle creature. Feeding the Shetland ponies is not on the itinerary, and neither are rides, which might be tempting for small children. Refrain from making unexpected movements and loud noises, and for those who have never been around horses before, remember: always approach from the front so they can see you. What is encouraged, though, is dressing up with playful props made available to visitors on-site, so choose your favourite when it’s your turn to meet them and strike a pose! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong’s latest viral food trend is the ‘three-colour bean’ – and it’s controversial Here’s what Hong Kong’s dog owners think about the city’s pet-friendly restaurant permits Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters

Hongkongers love a good food trend, whether it’s dalgona coffee, Basque burnt cheesecake, soufflé pancakes, cheese-top tea… the list goes on. But the things that go viral do not always gain traction for the right reasons. Case in point: the notorious ‘three-colour bean’. What English speakers might refer to as a ‘mixed vegetable’ medley – the ubiquitous trifecta of frozen corn, peas, and carrots that all households seem to have a bag of to use as a cold compress – is known colloquially in Hong Kong as ‘three-colour bean’, maybe because the mass-produced diced veggies are more or less uniform in size. It all started in a breakfast shop in Taipei, which – for reasons incomprehensible to those with functioning taste buds – decided to create a ‘three-colour bean’ milk tea. Let that sink in… then consider what that drink looks like, and what consuming it feels like. Forget the chewy bounciness of tapioca balls – these solids go the crunch route. Even the owner, after sampling it, reacted with “I have nothing to say”, but the damage was done – ‘three-colour bean’ milk tea took off, and the ‘three-colour bean’ craze went viral. Photograph: Courtesy @twt_0927 / Threads Not long after, the trend came to us in Hong Kong, and ‘three-colour bean’ has been having a field day on Threads, drawing ire left, right, and centre from the chronically online, no thanks to a restaurant in Kwun Tong. Freedom Ramen hopped on the bandwagon to release a ‘three-colour bean’ ramen ($38) that, self-admittedly, does not come recommended by the owner. Instead, the shop issued a challenge of sorts in advertising their creation: “You may choose not to eat it yourself, but you absolutely must treat your friends to it.” We can’t argue with the shock value, and seeing that Freedom Ramen is the kind of place that serves a ramen dish with a coriander broth that’s heaped with coriander leaves, it seems that they are in the business of creating polarising foods. According to netizens who have trekked out to Freedom Ramen to try this souped-up abomination for themselves, the feedback is a mixed bag: some immediately expressed disgust, others ate it with enthusiasm, some commended the restaurant’s bravery in serving this ‘three-colour bean’ ramen, and there were those who found it anticlimactically underwhelming. Well, what did we expect from a bowl of noodles that the owner themself doesn’t even like? One user commented, “It’s perfect for friends you’re about to fall out with” while another netizen even reported that you could pay extra to get a double amount of ‘three-colour bean’ for your ramen, to which we say, we’re good, thanks. Photograph: @missmarble.hk Local online bakery Miss Marble capitalised on the trend as well, in a way that elicited an even greater outcry. Following in the footsteps of the ‘three-colour bean’ milk tea, Miss Marble concocted an unholy ‘three-colour bean’ avalanche cake with a cheese foam topping. When the outer film layer is unwrapped, the carrots, peas, and corn all come cascading down the cake like lava. Netizens were swift to take to their keyboards to unleash a deluge of backlash that could prizes for creativity and humour, including such gems as “I would sue you even if I had to borrow money” and “Get your kitchen scraps and leave the planet immediately”. Having said that, let’s not be too quick to bash this trend – ‘three-colour bean’ is the cornerstone of the nostalgic Hong Kong-style macaroni soup that we grew up eating at our neighbourhood cha chaan tengs, so while its random resurgence does raise some eyebrows, at least it’s not an ‘ingredient’ that’s completely alien to our palates.  What do Hongkongers need to brace for next? Intentional rage bait or genuine curiosity to research and develop a new product? With Lunar New Year just around the corner, who’s to say someone’s not already dreaming up a ‘three-colour bean’ turnip cake… Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Here’s what Hong Kong’s dog owners think about the city’s pet-friendly restaurant permits Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans

It’s no secret that we love this city and all it has to offer, and we’re always proud to call ourselves Hongkongers. But if there’s one gripe we have – a bone to pick, if you will – it is that Hong Kong is not exactly the most pet-friendly place in the world. We have the bustling city, the teeming nightlife, the lush greenery, and so much amazing food, but when we look at other cities all around the world, Hong Kong pet owners can’t help but think about how we can’t simply stroll into malls or places of entertainment with our furry companions, or even ride on the subway with them. Luckily, things are taking a turn for the better, with the Hong Kong government recently announcing the introduction of a special permit that will allow selected restaurants to welcome dogs indoors. Targeted for approval by mid-2026, between 500 and 1,000 permits will be issued to restaurants which apply for them. This means that we could see a sudden influx of restaurants that actively embrace patrons dining alongside their pets within this year – an absolute dream for dog owners who are tired of being relegated to outdoor seating with no air conditioning. Photograph: Joshua Lin The sentiment among most Hongkongers has been overwhelmingly positive since the news broke. All the dog owners we’ve spoken to have exclaimed ‘Finally!’ with a sign of relief at being able to incorporate their pets into more of their daily routines outside their homes. Dorathy, who owns two Samoyeds named Halo and Nova, thinks this is great news for all pet parents in the city. “There are always many restrictions on dogs entering restaurants, forcing us outdoors regardless of the weather. Options are very limited,” she laments.  Youbin Cho, owner of rescue dogs Artie and April, recalls being pleasantly surprised at the news, since “dog-friendly things usually come with strict regulations in Hong Kong”. She muses, “I now want to know if there are regulations. I wonder if they will let [dogs] sit indoors, or if the dogs have to be inside a bag.” Since mixed-breed dogs are common in Hong Kong and they tend to be on the larger side – Artie and April are both 25kg – it only makes sense that Cho, along with other mid- to large-sized pups, wouldn’t want to see restrictions on the size of pets allowed in eateries. View this post on Instagram A post shared by April & Artie (@aprilandartie) To address some of these queries: restaurants granted the pet permit will be allowed to determine the extent of their participation, and the policy does indeed cover air-conditioned areas in restaurants. Pet owners will be required to keep their dogs under control at all times with a leash no longer than 1.5 metres or secured to a fixed object. Dogs will also not be allowed on dining tables or to come in contact with food and tableware. It remains to be seen whether there’s a limit on how many dogs each pet owner can bring into eateries, and secretary for environment and ecology Tse Chin-wan also said on February 10 that dog diapers will most likely not be made mandatory as it may cause discomfort to dogs who don’t need them. High-risk venues like hotpot or barbecue restaurants will not be granted pet permits.  When asked which restaurants they would want to see welcome their pets in the near future, Hong Kong’s pet owners are not picky – they’re just happy that the option to do so is happening in the first place. Stephanie Lown, who works at the SPCA Hong Kong and is the founder of the outdoor adventure group Exploring Dogs, is just “thrilled to have any options open up to dogs at all!” Her rescue dog Lola is an energetic, active adventurer of the great outdoors, so Lown can think of “nothing better than ending a hike with your dog and being able to stop at a café or restaurant for a nice refreshing drink or meal”. Cho would love to see Korean restaurants and dim sum places adopt a pet-friendly attitude, while Dorathy wants to see their dining options expand to include cha chaan tengs or fast-food joints. We don’t know if Maxim’s Palace in City Hall or your local Café de Coral will soon embrace hungry pups, but it sure is a nice thought! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Life in Hong Kong with Lola (@livin_da_vida_lola) Promoting pet-friendly eateries is a great step in making Hong Kong a more inclusive city for animals. Considering that the local pet economy is a multi-billion dollar market driven by mostly younger citizens with the financial means and the inclination to provide the best for their animals, there is plenty more that can be done to make people happy while tapping into this sizable income pocket. Hong Kong is already trying out having pets on public transport, with select bus routes accommodating animals on certain days of the week and the Light Rail in the New Territories allowing pets on the weekends. Pet owners are now eagerly waiting for expanded transportation options, as well as regulations that don’t require their pets being placed in carriers – it’s easy to put a Pomeranian in a bag, but try doing the same with a Bernese Mountain Dog.  “Right now, I am always on foot or taking cabs everywhere whenever I travel with my dogs,” Cho muses. “I hope one day dogs will be allowed on either the MTR or on buses.” Dorathy concurs, saying that as a medium-sized dog owner, “it would be fantastic to bring my dogs on the MTR and buses”, adding that she wouldn’t mind putting her Samoyeds in diapers to ensure hygiene if needed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Exploring Dogs (@exploringdogs) Cho also adds that there are not enough dog-friendly parks and beaches in Hong Kong – dogs are currently banned from most parks and public beaches, with only a handful open to dog owners and their pups. “We usually end up on unregulated beaches that are filled with plastic, broken glass, and trash, which is so dangerous for dogs. Hopefully we’ll see more dog-friendly places so our fur babies can enjoy nature too.” Lown looks even further ahead, hoping to see more housing options open up to pet owners as well. “The last couple of years have definitely shown promise with ferries, KMB buses, and the MTR welcoming dogs for SPCA’s Dogathon, but we still have some ways to go. Other countries have had these pet-inclusive policies for years, if not decades!” Lastly, she hopes that with this recent wave of pet-friendly sentiment, the Hong Kong government might review the city’s animal cruelty laws, which she laments have not been updated in 90 years. “It would be good to see the government finally implementing a ‘Duty of Care’ policy which would help improve animal rights and welfare in Hong Kong.” Hear, hear! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans Macau is the most active region in Asia when it comes to love and sex, according to Time Out

If you’ve been tempted by a plate of fresh oysters lately, perhaps you should hold off that craving for another time. The city is currently dealing with a sudden uptick in food poisoning cases, with raw (or undercooked) seafood, particularly oysters, turning out to be the common link in the majority of incidents. The latest cluster to make Hong Kong headlines involves eight people (five men and three women, all in their late 20s) who dined at the Clipper Lounge in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on January 31 and February 2. They ate raw oysters, salmon sashimi, crab legs, and brown crab, and between 25 and 75 hours later, symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever had set in. Four of them sought medical care, but no one required hospitalisation and all are now recovering steadily. After field inspection by the Centre for Food Safety (CFS), early indications pointed towards the raw items as the likely source. The restaurant has since been instructed to pause sales of the suspect dishes, carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection, and strengthen food-handling practices. This incident isn’t a one-off case either. Reported cases have climbed steadily from roughly one per week in late December last year, to an average of four cases in January. For the past few weeks alone (from January 18 to February 9), a total of 37 food poisoning cases have affected well over 100 people, with norovirus responsible for the vast majority. Time and again, epidemiological investigation has found that all affected persons had consumed raw oysters in the days leading up to their symptoms.  Photograph: Courtesy Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong Other recent outbreaks have been linked to venues including Chef’s Cuts in both Wong Chuk Hang and Kai Tak, L’Amour in Central, Harvest House in Causeway Bay, Dol Dam Gil Korean Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, and Odelice at New Town Plaza, Sha Tin. The oysters in question mainly came from suppliers in South Korea and elsewhere, prompting the CFS to suspend sales and distribution from several companies, including Seojun Mulsan, Jeton International Food and 88 Investment Holdings, and warn various outlets to remove any matching stock immediately. In response, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and CFS are conducting thorough investigations, on-site inspections, sample testing, and intensified checks at licensed premises to ensure proper storage temperatures and handling of raw oysters. Officials have repeatedly stressed that raw and partially cooked oysters carry inherent risks, especially during the winter months when norovirus activity tends to increase. The slightly better news is that most cases so far have been mild and self-limiting, but the rapid rise in numbers makes a little caution worthwhile. For now, the simplest way to lower your risk is to avoid raw or partially cooked bivalve shellfish, particularly if you’re pregnant, young, elderly, have a weak immune system, or have liver issues. Opting for fully cooked seafood instead is a much safer bet, as boiling or steaming shellfish at high temperatures eliminates harmful microorganisms. Good hand hygiene remains essential, which means washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating or preparing food and after using the toilet (alcohol-based sanitisers are not effective in killing norovirus). When dining out or travelling, especially to places where norovirus has been reported, it’s wise to choose hot, freshly cooked dishes over raw or cold items. And if symptoms do appear, they usually pass in one to three days with plenty of rest and fluids, but it’s best to see a doctor if things do not improve. Stay updated through the CHP and CFS websites to keep track of any new cases as they’re reported, and here’s to enjoying the rest of the season with happy, healthy stomachs. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans Macau is the most active region in Asia when it comes to love and sex, according to Time Out Chinese New Year Night Parade returns to Tsim Sha Tsui for the Year of the Horse

Love potato crisps? Love Lunar New Year? If the answer to both of those questions is a resounding “yes”, you’re going to love this new festive display at Citygate Outlets. Tung Chung’s popular outlet mall is teaming up with snack food giant Calbee for a Lunar New Year-themed installation comprising installations, interactive games, and a pop-up shop stocked with the most adorable merchandise featuring Calbee’s potato mascot. From now until March 8, snack fans can visit the ‘Golden-Crisp New Year’ installation at Citygate Outlets to celebrate Calbee’s 50th year in the Hong Kong market – which might come as a surprise to some, as it sure feels like Calbee crisps and crackers have always been a part of our lives and childhoods. ‘Golden-Crisp New Year’ features eight supersized installations, bringing Calbee’s iconic products and characters – including ‘potato fairy’ Jagabee Potta, Pote Kun, the Kappa Ebi Family, and Jagarico Kirin – to life.  Photograph: Courtesy Citygate Outlets Expect to see a giant sculpture depicting cascading crisps falling into a snack bowl, Jagabee Potta in festive Lunar New Year garb holding a spud, the L2 Atrium floor transformed into a board game, and more, if snapping pictures at photo spots is your kind of thing. Jagarico Kirin waits beside the ‘Fortune Catcher Station’ to cheer you on during the Crispy Grab Challenge, roll a dice on the ‘Potta-stic Game Garden’ to reach the finish line first or play with seesaws modelled after fries or shrimp sticks, and fish for shrimp at the ‘Shrimp-venturous Catch Interactive Game’ with the Kappa Ebi Family. Photograph: Courtesy Citygate Outlets On weekends and public holidays, collectors will want to make a beeline for the ‘Calbee Golden Crunch House Pop-up Store’, located in a gigantic Jagabee Fries House flanked by potato-inspired bean bags and Jagabee Potta installations on both sides of the structure, and decorated with fun facts about the cute potato-based character. Inside, the shelves are filled with Hong Kong exclusives and coveted first-release Calbee merch! We’re talking cuddly Jagabee Potta plushies, fuzzy-soft crossbody bags in the shape of the Calbee mascot, Lunar New Year-themed cushions featuring the character Pote Kun and friends that unfolds into a blanket, mini-dolls, keychains – the list goes on. But that’s not all – over at the L2 Bridge of Citygate Outlets, there’s an Instagrammable sculpture featuring Jagabee Potta as the God of Wealth, in addition to a wall of festive gacha machines for lucky visitors to win Calbee-themed charms, griptoks, and more. Photograph: Courtesy Citygate Outlets Last but not least, a festive installation is not the only thing that Citygate Outlets and Calbee had in the works for their collaboration. For a chance to snag a limited-edition Citygate Outlets x Calbee Multi-Purpose Clips Blind Box – which offers winners a chance to collect one of 12 designs in the shape of a crisps packet – there are a few things you must do. If you’re not already a member, register as a Club CG pre-member on the Taikoo+ App or the Citygate Outlets WeChat Mini Programme, participate in the ‘Golden Sticks MasterChef Digital Game’ and ‘Shrimp-venturous Catch Interactive Game’ at the L2 Atrium to complete missions, and follow Citygate Outlets on social media. We already know what we’ll be using these for if we manage to get one: to clip our Calbee Prawn Crackers bag shut after a good snack sesh – if there’s anything left, that is… Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Macau is the most active region in Asia when it comes to love and sex, according to Time Out Chinese New Year Night Parade returns to Tsim Sha Tsui for the Year of the Horse M+ is bringing back its popular after-hours museum parties from March onwards

It’s no secret that we love this city and all it has to offer, and we’re always proud to call ourselves Hongkongers. But if there’s one gripe we have – a bone to pick, if you will – it is that Hong Kong is not exactly the most pet-friendly place in the world. We have the bustling city, the teeming nightlife, the lush greenery, and so much amazing food, but when we look at other cities all around the world, Hong Kong pet owners can’t help but think about how we can’t simply stroll into malls or places of entertainment with our furry companions, or even ride on the subway with them. Luckily, things are taking a turn for the better, with the Hong Kong government recently announcing the introduction of a special permit that will allow selected restaurants to welcome dogs indoors. Targeted for approval by mid-2026, between 500 and 1,000 permits will be issued to restaurants which apply for them. This means that we could see a sudden influx of restaurants that actively embrace patrons dining alongside their pets within this year – an absolute dream for dog owners who are tired of being relegated to outdoor seating with no air conditioning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by April & Artie (@aprilandartie) To address some of these queries: restaurants granted the pet permit will be allowed to determine the extent of their participation, and the policy does indeed cover air-conditioned areas in restaurants. Pet owners will be required to keep their dogs under control at all times with a leash no longer than 1.5 metres or secured to a fixed object. Dogs will also not be allowed on dining tables or to come in contact with food and tableware. It remains to be seen whether there’s a limit on how many dogs each pet owner can bring into eateries, and secretary for environment and ecology Tse Chin-wan also said on February 10 that dog diapers will most likely not be made mandatory as it may cause discomfort to dogs who don’t need them. High-risk venues like hotpot or barbecue restaurants will not be granted pet permits.  When asked which restaurants they would want to see welcome their pets in the near future, Hong Kong’s pet owners are not picky – they’re just happy that the option to do so is happening in the first place. Stephanie Lown, who works at the SPCA Hong Kong and is the founder of the outdoor adventure group Exploring Dogs, is just “thrilled to have any options open up to dogs at all!” Her rescue dog Lola is an energetic, active adventurer of the great outdoors, so Lown can think of “nothing better than ending a hike with your dog and being able to stop at a café or restaurant for a nice refreshing drink or meal”. Cho would love to see Korean restaurants and dim sum places adopt a pet-friendly attitude, while Dorathy wants to see their dining options expand to include cha chaan tengs or fast-food joints. We don’t know if Maxim’s Palace in City Hall or your local Café de Coral will soon embrace hungry pups, but it sure is a nice thought! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Life in Hong Kong with Lola (@livin_da_vida_lola) Promoting pet-friendly eateries is a great step in making Hong Kong a more inclusive city for animals. Considering that the local pet economy is a multi-billion dollar market driven by mostly younger citizens with the financial means and the inclination to provide the best for their animals, there is plenty more that can be done to make people happy while tapping into this sizable income pocket. Hong Kong is already trying out having pets on public transport, with select bus routes accommodating animals on certain days of the week and the Light Rail in the New Territories allowing pets on the weekends. Pet owners are now eagerly waiting for expanded transportation options, as well as regulations that don’t require their pets being placed in carriers – it’s easy to put a Pomeranian in a bag, but try doing the same with a Bernese Mountain Dog.  “Right now, I am always on foot or taking cabs everywhere whenever I travel with my dogs,” Cho muses. “I hope one day dogs will be allowed on either the MTR or on buses.” Dorathy concurs, saying that as a medium-sized dog owner, “it would be fantastic to bring my dogs on the MTR and buses”, adding that she wouldn’t mind putting her Samoyeds in diapers to ensure hygiene if needed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Exploring Dogs (@exploringdogs) Cho also adds that there are not enough dog-friendly parks and beaches in Hong Kong – dogs are currently banned from most parks and public beaches, with only a handful open to dog owners and their pups. “We usually end up on unregulated beaches that are filled with plastic, broken glass, and trash, which is so dangerous for dogs. Hopefully we’ll see more dog-friendly places so our fur babies can enjoy nature too.” Lown looks even further ahead, hoping to see more housing options open up to pet owners as well. “The last couple of years have definitely shown promise with ferries, KMB buses, and the MTR welcoming dogs for SPCA’s Dogathon, but we still have some ways to go. Other countries have had these pet-inclusive policies for years, if not decades!” Lastly, she hopes that with this recent wave of pet-friendly sentiment, the Hong Kong government might review the city’s animal cruelty laws, which she laments have not been updated in 90 years. “It would be good to see the government finally implementing a ‘Duty of Care’ policy which would help improve animal rights and welfare in Hong Kong.” Hear, hear! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong’s recent food poisoning outbreak linked to raw oysters Calbee opens a limited-time Chinese New Year pop-up at Citygate Outlets for snack fans Macau is the most active region in Asia when it comes to love and sex, according to Time Out

Ever wanted to go back in time and shop at a supermarket from the 1950s? It might come off as a rather specific fancy, but for those who harbour such a dream, you’re in luck: Hong Kong’s homegrown supermarket giant, Wellcome, is hopping aboard the nostalgia train with the launch of a retro-inspired concept store in Yau Ma Tei. Designed as a tribute to Hong Kong’s extensive retail history, Wellcome has repurposed its Prosperous Garden branch in Yau Ma Tei as an exhibition destination to celebrate the supermarket’s 80-year-plus legacy. Founded in 1945, Wellcome has been a constant in the lives of local families, serving the needs of generations of Hongkongers. As the city evolved, Wellcome evolved with it, but this branded concept shop preserves a slice of the supermarket as shoppers might have seen it back in the 1950s to the 1970s, complete with vintage character, photogenic interiors, and time-limited collectibles. Each aisle, stocked with a curated selection of products, doubles as a fetching backdrop oozing charm and colour, so no doubt this location will quickly become a popular attraction! Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Snap photos of the LED-emblazoned shopfront, which takes its cues from Hong Kong’s famous urban landscape of neon lights; discover classic interior design elements such as the vintage silver-and-green turnstile, a sea of red plastic lamps popularised in wet markets, and patterned floor tiles; and admire nostalgic grocery setups and heritage exhibits that showcase the allure and shared memories of Hong Kong’s past.  As part of the concept store activation, Wellcome is also launching special deals and brand collaborations to commemorate the occasion, including a reusable Wellcome Retro Eco Bag for $28 with a single transaction of $100 – it’s reminiscent of Wellcome’s old-school red-and-yellow carrier, making for a keepsake that’s both practical and sentimental. Additionally, Wellcome will team up with tech equipment manufacturer Smeg to offer a limited-edition Lifebox ($88 with any purchase of $100 or more) from February 6 to 19, and Hong Kong’s own lifestyle brand G.O.D. for a Lunar New Year-themed game set ($68). Photograph: Courtesy Wellcome Wait, there’s more! While the weather’s still below 20 degrees Celsius, pop over to Prosperous Garden to sip warmed Vitasoy soy milk from glass bottles – a Hong Kong childhood memory that many will dwell on fondly. You can also take your chance at a Lee Kum Kee capsule machine from now until March 31, which will dispense a surprise miniature magnet depicting one of the condiment maker’s signature products. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Harbourside Swing Fest returns for its 2026 edition in late April Shiro brings its signature ‘crystal sushi’ to its second location in Tai Kwun Everything you need to know about Japan’s official cherry blossom forecast 2026

Love dim sum and surreal imagery? You’re in good company. Hong Kong street artist Lousy, best known for his bold graphics resembling glyphs and pictorial shapes, is collaborating with viral food photographer-artist David Leung – also known as Davidgoodtime, who specialises in capturing reflected food images highlighting pareidolia – for a dynamic exhibition about dim sum and the ritual of yum cha.  Hosted at JPS Gallery, ‘Double Umami’ is an artistic ode to Hong Kong cuisine, reimagined through the unique lenses of two distinctly different creators, who shaped their love of dumplings and morning teas into a visual celebration of Hong Kong’s DNA.  Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery In the exhibition space, visitors will encounter a customised dim sum cart installation, decorated by David and Lousy, in addition to photographs depicting beloved dim sum dishes in Leung’s signature mirrored style, mounted inside bamboo steamers crafted by master artisan Lui Ming of Ming Sang Steel Bamboo Receptacle. ‘Crab’s Kid Burn & Sell’ shows siu mai in a different light, appearing almost like the face of a crustacean, while ‘Char Siu Cat No. 2’ draws parallels between char siu bao and felines. We also particularly liked the birdcage installation which houses real emu eggs and plastic cards from dim sum carts inscribed with the Chinese onomatopoeia for bird chirps. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery Branching out from photography onto canvas and installation work for the first time, Leung is also presenting the ‘Sauce’ series, applying the same mirrored techniques to create patterns reminiscent of Rorschach inkblot tests. Inspired by traditional Fu Lu Shou statues representing fortune, prosperity, and longevity, Leung uses foldable boards loaded with pigment to ‘find’ faces hidden in the paint. In contrast, Lousy – rather than focusing on the food aspect of dim sum – aims to capture the feeling of community and chaos experienced during a yum cha get-together. He paints and draws on top of old dim sum order sheets to give graphic form to the hustle and bustle of a Cantonese restaurant, depicting figures sat at a table, abstract interpretations of food, hands pouring tea, and more. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery David and Lousy’s collaborations don’t end there. Lousy has teamed up with Wendy’s Wok World for a ‘Special Collab Soy Sauce’. 22 bottles of Tiu Yuen small-batch soy sauce are covered in custom packaging artwork created by Lousy. Meanwhile, Leung worked with chef May Chow of Little Bao to wrap 50 bottles of her handcrafted Fook Jiang chilli sauce in original ‘chilli sauce’ Rorschach artworks, bringing the food-focused project one degree closer to the art of Chinese cooking. ‘Double Umami’ is on exhibition at JPS Gallery from January 30 to March 7. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Art book publisher Taschen is having a huge sale in early February Starbucks opens at the Hong Kong Palace Museum with Hong Kong’s first Chinese calligraphy shop sign and exclusive products Fujifilm releases a camcorder-instant camera hybrid in the instax mini Evo Cinema

Listen, we love a good beat drop or screaming chart-toppers like any other nighttime reveller in the city, but in this era of EDM and throwback pop-heavy party scene, it would be nice to enjoy something authentic that sounds different for once. Well, it looks like we got our wish, because a vinyl record-based bar has just announced they’ll be opening in Lan Kwai Fong. The brainchild of longtime friends Brian and Ah Hei, the 8055 vinyl bar has had previous iterations based in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, which grew in popularity to welcome even local celebrities and creatives like Eason Chan and Tyson Yoshi as patrons. The pandemic eventually saw the shuttering of the bar – but not for good. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Building on their seven-year brand identity as a hotspot for authentic vinyl DJ-ing, graffiti art, and Japanese chill drinking culture, 8055 is now back in the game with a new home in the heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife district, Lan Kwai Fong. Expect the warmth and pops of analogue sound being played all night, with a focus on Japanese hip-hop, jazz, funk, and city pop – a sound that’s pretty unique within our nightlife scene and, frankly, a breath of fresh air from all the other clubs around. To pair with the music, 8055’s drinks turn the focus on premium Japanese whiskies and umeshu plum wine. Their signature tipple is an elegant, simple umeshu soda, but you can also truly do things the Japanese way by leaving the choice up to the bartender, omakase-style. Staying true to the brand’s history, 8055’s new venue will also allow guests to freely draw, scribble, and unleash creativity all over the walls with graffiti markers, so if you’ve ever left your mark in bars like Not2Sweet, you’ll want to do the same here as well. Photograph: Courtesy 8055 Check things out at 8055’s grand opening party on January 24, when they’ll be hosting a 10-hour DJ relay from 8pm onwards. The lineup will include Andrew Bull, better known as DJ El Toro or the ‘Father of Hong Kong DJs’, who is famous for initiating the city’s first disco in The Peninsula hotel as well as the iconic Canton Disco. Sounds like a party and a half! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Kodak Apparel opens a time-limited concept store in Hong Kong New brasserie Chouchou brings French comfort food to an elevated setting in Wan Chai Sai Ying Pun’s historic steakhouse Sammy’s Kitchen announces closure this month

The popular Japanese mascot series Namagaki is taking over Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong with a themed installation! Since Namagaki characters began popping up inside claw machines and arcades across town, so many hearts have been captured by their simple yet lovable designs and adorably blank expressions. The Namagaki Festival features a series of installations and exhibits for fans to take pictures with, as well as a charming merch pop-up with exclusive items for sale. Photograph: Courtesy Yell / Festival Walk At the centre of the installation is a four-metre-tall giant oyster can, where Namagaki characters spill out alongside rainbow-coloured sweets. Right next door is the pastel-coloured Namagaki Washoku House, where cute oyster characters act as chef and waiter at this makeshift traditional Japanese eatery. See if you can spot the pink pumpkins dotted around the space – it’s the installation’s discreet nod to the upcoming spooky season.  Beyond photo ops, fans will definitely delight in browsing through the themed pop-up store housing over 100 exclusive Namagaki products, including 80 first launches in Hong Kong that span everything from stationery to t-shirts and tote bags. Don’t forget to stop by the Namagaki claw machine and the collectible trading card capsule machine for an adorable surprise!  Photograph: Courtesy Festival Walk In the spirit of Halloween, Festival Walk is inviting visitors to trick or treat around designated stores in the mall. Exclusive to My Festival members, take part in this seasonal activity by purchasing a $1,000 gift card to receive a limited-edition Baby Namagaki birthstone bag charm and candy can clutch – where you can store your hard-earned sweets.  Namagaki Festival will be at Festival Walk from October 24 to November 13. See footage of the Namagaki Festival pop-up here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 18 hotels in Hong Kong and Macau have been awarded 2025 Michelin Keys OneRepublic is coming back to Hong Kong in February 2026 The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year

Remember when we all saw a giant Doraemon sitting unexpectedly at the dockyard along Tsing Yi last week? Well, the news is out and it’s not that a robotic cat is invading Hong Kong – instead, a fleet of floating inflatable sculptures will be making their appearance along Victoria Harbour next month. AllRightsReserved, the local creative brand behind last year’s thousands of panda sculptures and the recent Chiikawa exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, is putting on the Water Parade, where a set of four giant, floating inflatable figures will be making a debut at sea. In the lineup is Doraemon, perched on his favourite dorayaki snack; Elmo from the Kaws & Sesame Street collaboration; McDonalds’ purple blob-shaped mascot Grimace; and Labubu, the globally viral Nordic-inspired monster by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. After a trial run in the waters of Tsing Yi on September 20, these four figures will be set afloat along Victoria Harbour on October 25, and will be shown in brand-new poses. Visit them just off of Tamar Park in Admiralty and snap plenty of photos, because when else are you going to see such universally recognised and different cartoon characters all sitting together? Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved On November 1, the floating sculptures will be taken on a water parade between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing along both sides of Victoria Harbour, before departing from our waters on the evening of the same day. For the entire duration of the sculpture display, there will also be a Water Parade Market at the promenade near Tamar Park. Aside from pop-up stores, F&B stands, game booths, photo spots, and a capsule toy zone, the market will also feature other internationally popular IPs from KPop Demon Hunters, season five of Stranger Things, Squid Games, Snoopy and the Peanuts, as well as Hong Kong’s classic TOLO Founding Duck, which is marking its 40th anniversary. Early-bird tickets to the festivities will be available at $50 for adults, starting at 12 noon on September 26. Walk-in tickets can also be purchased on site, subject to availability. All tickets include a $20 merchandise voucher, which can be redeemed cumulatively on purchases of every $200. Attendees can also buy a viewing platform special ticket at $150, which includes entry to the Water Parade Market. See some footage of the Water Parade here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: The best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (September 22-28) Super Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong braces for the strongest typhoon of the year as it approaches the city

Do you remember an exhibition last summer that displayed miniature scenes of the Central and Western districts in Pacific Place? In case you missed it, the Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is back once again, this time with more incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. The 24 art pieces will highlight some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, cultural customs, and unique lifestyles. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nighttime revelry along Lan Kwai Fong, the customs of worship and pin wheel buying at Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway, views of Victoria Harbour complete with boats sailing and fireworks, and more.  Photograph: Courtesy Joyful Miniature Association The new miniatures at this show include the Kai Tak Sports Park, the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, night scenes of Temple Street, horse racing, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s transhipment history at the Insta-famous Western District Pier. The JMA brings together over 100 Hong Kong artists who collectively integrate the traditionally European craft of miniatures with our distinctly local culture using cutting-edge technology. If there’s one way to stroll through the most iconic sights and experiences of Hong Kong in just a few steps, this exhibition is definitely it. ‘Hong Kong: Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition’ will be on display at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong ranked as the 10th most walkable city in the world; 1st in East Asia Hong Kong Airport Express proposes fare increase of 9.4 percent The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is hosting a carnival this Sunday

We sit down with artist and designer Joe Foti before his new exhibition in Hong Kong

March in Hong Kong is not complete without a trip to the Wanchai Convention Centre to spend a day or two at Art Basel. This year’s fair gathers 240 global galleries, with large-scale installations, paintings, sculptures, digital art, live performances, video works, and more to see!

From a world without colours to her love of big city metros, we caught up with British artist Monster Chetwynd for a round of quick-fire questions while she's in town for her new installation at Pacific Place!