May in Hong Kong brings forth a vibrant array of cultural celebrations and entertainment, offering something for everyone to enjoy. From the cherished traditions of the local Cheung Chau Bun Festival, where participants climb a giant bamboo tower covered with imitation buns, to contemporary art exhibitions and events hosted by Affordable Art Fair and Le French May, musical performances by Elijah Woods and FKJ, there's no shortage of excitement.
Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, artistic showcases, or musical enchantment, May in Hong Kong promises unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike.
Hong Kong Whisky Festival 2024: May 4 - 5
Returning to the InterContinental Grand Stanford in Tsim Sha Tsui, this two-day extravaganza will showcase an impressive array of over 1,100 spirits sourced from renowned brands worldwide. Moreover, attendees can partake in more than 35 whisky masterclasses hosted by brand ambassadors and industry experts.
At the festival, aficionados will have the chance to sample vintage whiskies hailing from the 1970s and 1980s, alongside exclusive rarities like a 17-year-old sherry offering from The Glenlivet or a 36-year-old Jamaican rum from Invergordon.
When: May 4 – 5
Location: Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hotel, 70 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Ticket prices: Start from HK$188
The Hoppening 2024: May 10 – 11 
Get ready for the ultimate craft beer experience in PMQ, the centre of Hong Kong's party district – The Hoppening! This epic event will showcase the best of local and international breweries, for you to taste and explore. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, to fresh sours, this is a must-attend event for all beer enthusiasts.
Click here for more information.
When: May 10 – 11
Location: Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, 88 Austin Road West, West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon
Ticket prices: Free Entry
Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong: 16 - 19 May
Making art accessible to a wider audience, Affordable Art Fair (AAF) will showcase in Hong Kong from May 16 to 19. While AAF is a smaller event when compared to Art Basel and Art Central, it remains popular among art lovers. Artworks exhibited usually fall within the price range of HK$1,000 to HK$100,000 – ideal for art enthusiasts on a budget, or those new to the scene looking to start their art collection for a reasonable price. Click here for more details.
Schedule: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, 16 May / 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM, 17 May / 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, 18 May / 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, 19 May
Location: Hall 1D&E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai
Ticket prices: From HK$151.16
Le French May: April 1 – June 30 
Le French May has celebrated fine art, music, dance, film, and gastronomy in Hong Kong for over 25 years. With 150 programmes hosted over two months, Le French May attracts more than one million visitors to the city. Over the years, French May has given people the opportunity to see world-class performances and artwork, including masterpieces from the French National Collections, paintings by Edgar Degas and Claude Monet, and performances by the National Opera Ballet of Lyon and the Jean-Claude Gallota Dance Company.
Events are showcased between April 1 and June 30 at traditional venues like Hong Kong City Hall and the Hong Kong Cultural Center, as well as small art galleries, public spaces, shopping malls, museums and churches, reaching a broad audience.
Click here for more information about the 2024 lineup.
Schedule: April 1 – June 30
Location: Various locations
Ticket prices: Click here for more details.
Boomerang Presents: DJ NewJeansNim: May 17
Don't miss the highly anticipated performance of NewJeansNim at Boomerang in LanKwai Fong on May 17th. Fresh off his incredible show at S20 Taipei, he is ready to bring his mesmerizing beats and infectious energy to Hong Kong. This 18+ event guarantees an unforgettable night of great music. Your entry-ticket includes admission between 11:00 PM and 12:30 AM, along with a complimentary drink. Be sure to seize this opportunity to witness the rising sensation firsthand and be part of a sensational evening.
When: May 17.
Location: G/F, 33 Wyndham Street (formerly LKF Tower)
Ticket price: HK$480
Spiga Presents: Il Casanova – Masked Rooftop Free Flow Party: May 18 
Don your Venetian-style mask and get ready for a wine free-flow Saturday night under the Hong Kong sky, featuring a DJ set at Spiga’s stunning rooftop venue. Hosted on May 18 from 06:00 PM – 12:00 AM, highlights include over 50 wines up for tasting, a prize for the best mask of the night, and canapes to line the stomach.
When: May 18.
Location: 3/F, LHT Tower Podium, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Central
Ticket price: HK$548
Elijah Woods ILU 24/7, 365 Tour: May 18 
Elijah Woods is a multi-faceted, multi-platinum pop artist, singer-songwriter, producer, and recording engineer. With multiple platinum and gold records to his name, 4x JUNO Award nominations and a SOCAN 2022 Pop Award, Elijah is an artist on the cusp of worldwide stardom. In 2021, he spent over 39 weeks in the top 5 on Billboard’s Canadian Emerging Artist Chart and is now garnering international buzz with fans from all over the globe. Experiencing unparalleled growth as an independent artist, Elijah has amassed over 350+ million streams and counting. He also swiftly sold out his first-ever cross- Canada tour in Fall 2023, a testament to his fast-growing and wide-reaching fanbase.
When: From 08:00 PM onwards, May 18.
Location: Kitty Woo Stadium, Tung Po: No.2, Tsat Po Street, San Po Kong, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Ticket prices: Starting from HK$320 + Handling Fees
The Red Stripes 7” Vinyl Release Party: May 25 
The Red Stripes are celebrating the launch of their brand new original 7" vinyl single 'Lion' on Mod Sound Records with a party at the Fringe Club Dairy. Featuring a full set of original and classic Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady and Dub, support from Hong Kong Reggae band Murphy and the Lawyers, and Vinyl Selecters. The limited-edition new single on red vinyl will be available to buy and a free download code given to every ticket holder.
When: 07:30 PM – 02:00 AM, May 25
Location: Fringe Club Dairy, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central
Ticket prices: HK$220 + Handling Fee
FKJ 2024 Live in Hong Kong: May 29 
Vincent Fenton, also known as French Kiwi Juice or FKJ, is a versatile musician based in Paris. He will be performing in Hong Kong for one night only in May. FKJ's musical style effortlessly blends blues, electronica, and pop, a reflection of his self-taught mastery of various instruments. With sold-out shows across Asia, Europe, Australia, and America, FKJ's live performances are highly anticipated. Audiences can expect a mesmerizing performance as FKJ showcases his talents on vocals, guitars, saxophone, keyboards, and more.
When: 08:00 PM onwards, May 29
Location: AsiaWorld-Expo, Runway 11, 1 Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok
Ticket prices: HK$999
Cheung Chau Bun Festival: May 12-16 
Tonnes of buns, papier-mâché effigies, lion dancers and tall tales of ancient evil spirits all converge on the island of Cheung Chau to create one of the world’s quirkiest local festivals — the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. One of the city’s most spectacular festivals marks the end of spring, when thousands of visitors ferry over to the tiny, serene island for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival.
Comprising the piu sik parade with children dressed up as deities paraded on stilts, lion dances, Taoist festivals and the exciting Bun Scrambling Competition, the festivities are on China’s national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. From the buns to the bun towers, everything is prepared by the local community, so this is truly a unique Hong Kong festival.
Find out more about the history and celebrations of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival here.
When: May 12 – May 16
Location: Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
Ticket prices: Free Entry
