Hong Kong is welcoming autumn with a bevy of exciting activities to kickstart the last quarter of the year. Following the highly anticipated comeback of the National Day Fireworks over the long weekend, Hong Kong will see the return of other signature events that we missed during the pandemic. From the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival and art fairs to Oktoberfest celebrations, here are the biggest events that will take over Hong Kong in October 2023.
Hong Kong Wine & Dine – Oct. 26-29
After a five-year pause, the highly anticipated Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival is back for a culinary extravaganza like no other. This autumn, immerse yourself in a four-day celebration of delights, workshops, and live performances against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour.
Indulge your taste buds in a wine-tasting event featuring an impressive selection of wines from 36 countries and regions, such as classic vintages from France and Italy, as well as tropical wines and hidden gems from Moldova, Finland, and Thailand. But the journey doesn't stop at wines. Hong Kong's diverse gastronomy will also be showcased, offering a blend of local and international flavours that cement the city’s status as the region’s culinary capital.
Visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s website to purchase your ticket.
Location: Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central, Hong Kong
Ticket prices: HK$20-HK$40 (admission ticket) | HK$200-HK$400 (tasting pass)
Fine Art Asia – Oct. 5-8
Returning after a three-year hiatus, Fine Art Asia 2023 brings together prominent galleries from Hong Kong and around the globe, creating a captivating art fair experience. Prepare to be captivated as you explore a breathtaking array of artworks that carry with them over 5,000 years of history – spanning from exquisite antique Chinese bronzes to thought-provoking contemporary masterpieces.
Established in 2006, Fine Art Asia has established itself as the region's most distinguished fine art fair. Fine Art Asia continues to attract leading galleries, including returning exhibitors such as Carlton Rochell Asian Art (New York), Rossi & Rossi (Hong Kong/London), Luohan Tang (Paris/Hong Kong) Ever Arts Gallery (Hong Kong), Vanderven Oriental Art (The Netherlands), and Jorge Welsh Works of Art (London/Lisbon), to name a few.
As the autumn season commences in the city, Fine Art Asia 2023 sets the stage for a truly remarkable display of museum-quality creations from the East and the West. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to witness the beauty of centuries past and the creativity of the present.
Click here to view the full list of exhibitors. For tickets, go here.
Location: (New Wing) Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Ticket prices: HK$168 (standard) | HK$68 (Full-time students, senior citizens) | HK$518 (VIP)
Oktoberfest – Throughout October
Immerse yourself in the frothy fun of the world’s best beer-filled celebrations. Filling up the autumn air is a flurry of Oktoberfest activities where bratwurst delights overflow and good times pour.
Get ready to dance to the tunes of a live DJ and Oompah band, while savouring the exclusive Festbier brewed by Young Master on Oct. 7 at BaseHall. You can experience the exhilarating atmosphere of a traditional Bavarian beer tent by joining the Keg Tapping Tradition, a treasured practice of pouring beer from the keg into a glass to kick off Oktoberfest.
From Oct. 14-21, FRITES Central and FRITES Causeway Bay will serve authentic German delicacies such as Lowenbrau steins, sauerkraut, and pretzel towers to mark the occasion.
For a celebration that melds gastronomy and German cultural delights, join MGM’s signature Oktoberfest event from Oct. 12-23. Aside from overflowing food and beer, this event will see the return of Högl Fun Band from Munich to give Hong Kong the authentic Oktoberfest experience straight from the festival’s home country.
Not to be missed is Young Master Festbier’s exclusive offer for this beer-heavy month! From Sept. 18-Oct. 31, you can score special promos at TAP: The Ale Project, Second Draft, and Alvy's. Savour the specially brewed Festbier in 1L glasses and enjoy a 10% discount when you buy two glasses or 20% off when you buy four glasses. Gather your friends as this is an offer that’s hard to resist!
Location: Multiple venues, please check the links above for the hottest OktoberFest celebrations near you
Hong Kong Asian Film Festival – Oct. 13-Nov. 12
Now on its 20th year, the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival has lined up nearly 100 films to be screened across various cinemas in the city. Most of the titles have been featured in globally renowned film fests such as the Cannes Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and Berlin international Film Festival, providing a visual feast that champion the creative geniuses of Asian filmmaking talent.
Among the opening films is “Cobweb” (South Korea), director Kim Jee-woon’s latest full-length about a filmmaker who shares the same name, who is on a quest to re-shoot the ending of his movie in an attempt to improve it. The other two film-fest kickers are “Time Still Turns The Pages,” a 2023 Hong Kong feature from director Nick Cheuk, and Lawrence Kan's "In Broad Daylight," a story of delayed justice as told from the lens of an investigative journalist. Aside from the film screenings, festivalgoers can also check out master classes by acclaimed Japanese actor Koji Yakusho and South Korean actor Song Kang-ho from the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”
Location: Multiple venues; Click here to find a cinema near you
Ticket prices: HK$95-HK$110 (full price) | HK$75 (senior citizens, students, children)
Digital Art Fair – Oct. 19-23
Dubbed the first art fair for everything Web3, Digital Art Fair returns to Hong Kong this month to take you to the captivating world where tech and art cross paths. This year, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in the spotlight, inviting visitors to a closer look at how this new-age tech is shaping the future and driving innovation at an unprecedented pace. Prepare to be mesmerised by the curated section of world-class artwork and pioneering artists who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the digital art realm through five themed zones: Immersive Zone, Prestige Zone, Pioneer Zone, Virtual Zone, and Inspire Zone.
Get ready to expand your knowledge and insights at a series of intriguing panel talks and seminars, featuring acclaimed art professionals, collectors, as well as business and technology experts. For the lucky few, don't miss out on the Future of Immersive Art Dinner, an exclusive, invite-only opening dinner that will transport you to another dimension.
Click here to score your tickets.
Location: 6F, Kunsthalle, K11 MUSEA, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Ticket prices: HK$380 (one-day, regular ticket) | HK$150 (concession ticket) | HK$680-HK$1,380 (VIP)
Shi Fu Miz Festival – Oct. 27-29
Returning to Cheung Chau Island this Autumn, Shi Fu Miz festival is bringing the noise and turning up the dials with a stellar lineup of talented DJs in the realm of electric house and techno. First established in 2016 by the Hong Kong-based creative music and arts agency FuFu Creative, alongside La Mamie DJ crew, the outdoor experience has become a staple event for underground and electronic music lovers in Hong Kong. Taking to the big stages this year are Antal, Esa, Gigi Testa, and Soichi Terrada; alongside back-to-back performances from local crews and many other well-loved DJs.
Click here to get your tickets.
Location: Sai Yuen Farm, Cheung Chau Island, New Territories
Ticket prices: HK$580 (Friday, one-day) | HK$880 (Saturday, one-day) | HK$680 (Sunday, one-day) | HK$1,280(three-day)