The best things to do in Hong Kong this August

Hopewell Mall is turning into an animal sanctuary this summer with the return of Exotic Pets World. The pop-up exhibition features four themed zones, showcasing over 15 rare and exotic species, including the Lesser Antillean iguana, the Aldabra giant tortoise, and the ever-adorable axolotls. Alongside a dedicated aquatic zone and fascinating wildlife displays, visitors can enjoy interactive experiences, hands-on workshops like insect specimen mounting, and a behind-the-scenes summer programme for kids aged seven and up. Admission to the main exhibition is free, with registration required for the workshops and educational activities.

From July 4 to August 23, MOSTown is transforming into a breezy seaside oasis featuring 30 adorable Namagaki and Friends designs. Expect a vibrant lineup of interactive, camera-ready photo spots, a treasure-filled sand pit, and a giant gashapon machine loaded with plushie prizes. Alongside the family-friendly fun, you can also browse the pop-up store packed with over 20 new MOSTown-exclusive items and more than 20 limited-edition collectables from Japan, or head over to PHI Coffee & Pancake for Japanese soufflé pancakes, Italian mains, and specialty coffee. Great for soaking up the summer vibes – minus the blistering heat and humidity.

The Mahou Dokoro Harry Potter pop-up is returning to Hysan Place! Open from July 24 to August 25, the new store offers a fresh lineup of official apparel, accessories, and other collectables inspired by both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. Highlights include glow-in-the-dark and colour-changing tees, house-themed pouches with plush bears, a candy-shaped Honeydukes shoulder bag, and a range of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans jewellery. Shoppers who spend $300 or more in a single transaction before July 31 will also score an exclusive, limited-edition ‘Happee Birthdae Harry’ cake pouch, available while stocks last.

Hong Kong’s transit network is getting an adorable upgrade this summer as the MTR Corporation and AllRightsReserved launch the ‘Next Station: Chiikawa Artiverse’ campaign. Running on weekends from July 25 to August 30, a specially decorated Light Rail train will operate four trips on each day from Siu Hong Stop towards Tuen Mun or Yuen Long, featuring character-shaped handrail straps, exterior glow-in-the-dark stars, and artwork of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi. Passengers can join the experience by purchasing an $88 Light Rail Travel Pass package on-site at Siu Hong (Platform 4), which covers one designated themed train journey, unlimited same-day Light Rail travel, and collectable merch. The transit takeover also extends into the main network with station installations at Admiralty and Lok Ma Chau, alongside an MTR Mobile app stamp card lucky draw offering 300 tickets to the upcoming Chiikawa Artiverse exhibition.

In a landmark collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) of Egypt, 250 treasures and relics from the land of the Pharaohs will be on display in Hong Kong for nine and a half months. Named ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’, this exhibition is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian artefacts Hong Kong has ever seen, displaying archaeological finds loaned straight from Egypt, many of which are being shown outside of their home country for the very first time.

Some of our favourite highlights include a set of canopic jars used to store internal organs in the mummification and burial process; statues of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and Rameses II; painted coffins of wood and stone; a Book of the Dead papyrus scroll; and even an ancient Egyptian toilet seat.

Swing by the gift shop to find a wide range of Egypt-related merch, including an adorable series of blind box plushies created by HKPM which depict pharaohs, canopic jars, mummies, and more.

Landing in Wan Chai for a two-month run from July 1 to August 31, Marrow is a sleek, meat-led pop-up restaurant offering an unconventional take on open-fire cooking. Curated by chef Chris Ma, the concept moves away from traditional steakhouses to highlight lesser-known cuts with distinct local and regional flavours. Alongside a selection of fire-cooked mains, diners can enjoy a playful menu of creative starters, seafood options, and nostalgic desserts. The restaurant is open daily for dinner only, and with a short summer residency, booking ahead is highly recommended.

Make your way to Harbour City this summer as Toy Story 5 takes over the waterfront complex with a massive summer carnival! Meet giant two-metre-tall sculptures of Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye at the Ocean Terminal Forecourt, and challenge yourself to four interactive games featuring the animated franchise's beloved characters. Upstairs on the Deck, a towering 4.5-metre Buzz Lightyear stands next to colourful displays from Hong Kong Disneyland, while downstairs at the Main Concourse is an official pop-up store packed with over 800 exclusive merch. Fans can also snap photos with a Hong Kong-limited 1:1 scale Buzz-themed show car at Gateway Arcade, and explore rare animation sketches at Gallery by the Harbour. All proceeds from the event (after deducting costs) will go directly to Make-A-Wish Hong Kong.

Cool down this summer at Water World Ocean Park’s 80s-themed summer festival! From July 4 to August 31, the park will host a series of late-night Cantopop pool parties featuring a lineup of international DJs. Beyond the music, visitors can explore neon-lit photo spots, play interactive games like giant Jenga and Connect Four, join Aqua SUP yoga sessions, or make some new friends at a weekly matchmaking event. Head to the Water World Ocean Park website to check ticket options and book your spot for the season.

Running from August 1 to September 6, 2026, ‘Chiikawa Artiverse’ splits its adorable antics across four immersive zones at K11 Musea, featuring more than 130 original character sketches, interactive music setups, larger-than-life character installations, and the world's first Chiikawa-themed carousel, the Chiikawa-Go-Round. Advance ticket packages go on priority sale via Klook at 3pm on June 11, giving fans the exclusive chance to bag global debut merchandise, pick up interactive gadgets, or even reserve a seat for a spin on the adorable carousel.

Discover the history, art, and cultural impact of gaming at CityUHK’s new interactive exhibition, The Power of Play. This hands-on showcase spans 5,000 years of gaming history, tracking the evolution of human play from ancient Egyptian board games and nostalgic 1980s arcades to immersive virtual reality experiences, modern esports, and collaborative robotics. Curated by professor Espen Aarseth, the exhibition offers a fascinating look at how society’s attitude toward gaming has shifted from a casual amusement to a global competitive phenomenon. 

The Power of Play runs from July 4 to October 25 at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery (18th floor of the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building at CityUHK). Doors are open from 11am to 7pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Entry won't cost you a penny, though you’ll need to register online before turning up.

Hong Kong football fans are in for a treat this May as the FIFA Museum makes its large-scale debut at Times Square. Kicking off on May 28, this six-month residency offers a deep dive into the history of the beautiful game, featuring The Rainbow installation of 211 member association jerseys alongside original trophies and artefacts from both the men’s and women’s World Cups. Beyond the glass cases, visitors can also catch screenings of short films or uncover unique stories from Asia and Hong Kong.

Tickets go on sale April 16 at 6pm via the Arena-Tix platform, with standard entry priced at $180 and concessionary tickets for $140. Limited VIP packages with guided tours and exclusive souvenirs are also available.

Switch up your weeknight plans and head over to PMQ for Kebab Night at La Terrace by Louise. On August 20, October 8, and December 17 from 6pm onwards, the terrace will be serving up succulent chicken kebabs with sauce blanche, harissa, salad, tomatoes, and onions, alongside fries and a coconut soft serve with lime sorbet. A range of Burgundy wines by the glass and bottle will also be available for your pickings. It’s a hugely popular event, so be sure to make your reservation well in advance.

Running from June 27, 2026, to January 10, 2027, at M+, this highly anticipated interactive exhibition brings the viral Japanese showcase to Hong Kong with a unique local twist. Adapted from the hugely popular ‘Design Ah! neo’ exhibition, the family-friendly event features 21 playful stations themed around 10 ordinary daily actions like eating, walking, and sitting. From giant installations and interactive challenges to an immersive rhythm game, this creative exhibition shines a completely new light on the seemingly mundane routines and objects we often overlook. It's well worth a visit, so pencil it into your calendar!