May heralds entertainments galore, including the beautiful Cheung Chau Bun Festival and world-famous Dragon Boat Festival, the Affordable Art Fair and Soccer Sevens, as well as superb arts and theatrical productions.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

Celebrate this wonderful festival steeped in cultural tradition by joining the happy throng of visitors heading to the beautiful island of Cheung Chau. The key days of the festival are filled with lion dances, Taoist rituals and the amazing piu sik parade. Here, village children on stilts seem to float through the narrow streets, a spectacle made even more memorable as they are dressed as deities in brightly coloured attire. There is also the famous bun scrambling competition to enjoy, followed by the pomp of the presentation ceremony. This fun-filled festival always leaves lasting memories.

When: 5-6 May

Where: Changzhou Island

How much: Free

For more information: cheung-chau.com

Choi Sown le Plays Chopin

Chopin’s piano music is utterly enchanting. His works stand between the Classical and Romantic eras – both romantic yet retaining the purity of Classicism, deeply moving while preserving the timeless elegance of the classical tradition. He composed many captivating pieces without titles, only categorized by genre, such as nocturnes, waltzes, impromptus, mazurkas, and polonaises. During his time, the hallmark of Romanticism was the use of ‘programmatic titles,’ so strictly speaking, Chopin was not entirely a Romantic composer.

When: 5-6 May

Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall

How much: From HK$280

For more information: lcsd.gov.hk

Soccer Sevens

As it has done for more than 20 years, the Hong Kong Football Club has once again invited teams from prestigious clubs in the world of professional football, including a clutch of giants from the English Premier League and stalwarts from Japan, the Netherlands and Australia, to show their skills on a smaller pitch. Under 21 stars from defending champions Brighton & Hove Albion and rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United, among others, will do battle in a series of highly competitive seven-a-side games. Women’s and masters’ tournaments also kick off during this action-packed weekend.  

When: 16-18 May

Where: Hong Kong Football Club

How much: Various prices

For more information: hksoccersevens.com   

Affordable Art Fair

First conceived in London in 1999, Hong Kong’s annual version of the Affordable Art Fair pops up for a 12th airing and is certain to arouse intense interest from art lovers in the city and beyond. More than 90 local and international galleries will gather to present a wide range of works, all with the proviso that they cost below HK$100,000. Workshops, food and beverage stalls will keep visitors amused.

When: 22-25 May

Where: Hall 1D-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

How much: From HK$157

For more information: affordableartfair.co

Dragon Boat Festival

A joyous spectacle luring crowds to the waterfront, the Tuen Ng Festival is embedded deep into the fabric of Hong Kong’s cultural life. It pays homage to Qu Yuan, a famed poet in ancient China who threw himself into the Miluo river, spurring villagers to race out in their boats in a vain attempt to save him. Traditional cuisine in the form of joong or zongzi – sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves – is served to mark the occasion and celebrate his life and times.

When: 31 May

Where: Various locations

How much: Free

For more information: dragonboathk.com   

China-France Cultural Encounters

Grab your final chance to admire a cultural collaboration of the highest order. To mark six decades of diplomatic ties between France and China, the Palace of Versailles, the Palace Museum in Beijing and Hong Kong’s Palace Museum linked arms in stunning style last December to present an extraordinary exhibition featuring almost 150 objects from their esteemed collections. The treasures will return home soon.

When: Until 4 May

Where: Gallery 9, Hong Kong Palace Museum

How much: HK$150

For more information: hkpm.org.hk

Buddha Bathing Ceremony

Soak up a soul-cleansing ceremony imbued with huge religious significance. Marking the Buddha’s birthday, this tradition is founded on the belief that nine dragons appeared and sprayed fragrant water over the newly born infant. To honour the significance of this act and reach a higher state of purity, the Buddhist faithful assist in the ritual bathing of a statue of the baby Buddha at Lantau’s Po Lin Monastery. Eating bitter green cookies before and after the birthday is thought to aid spiritual healing.

When: Until 5 May

Where: Hall of the Great Hero, Po Lin Monastery

How much: Free

For more information: plm.org.hk

Cézanne and Renoir Looking at the World

Take yourself on an immersive journey into the realms of the inner worlds of two celebrated artists whose works offer unparalleled depths of expression. This awe-inspiring exhibition showcases the output of French Impressionist masters Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and invites attendees to unearth their own hidden meanings from beautifully crafted pieces which explore the pair’s enduring friendship. The eclectic range of 52 paintings will inspire contemplative thoughts and lift the spirits.

When: Until 7 May

Where: The Special Gallery, 2/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art

How much: HK$50

For more information: hk.art.museum

Tonight with the Impressionists – Paris

Billed as an immersive expedition in virtual reality, this experience marries cutting-edge science with superb historical and cultural heritage for a sublime voyage of discovery. Created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition, it employs technology to bring to imagination the places and works of a movement led by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Cézanne, Pissarro and more.

When: Until 11 May

Where: Hong Kong Design Institute

How much: HK$80

For more information: hkdi.edu.hk