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Fun Things to Do in Hong Kong at Night

Hong Kong at night

Looking for the best things to see and do in Hong Kong after dark?

You’re in luck! This city is very safe at night, and it’s chock full of both touristy and unusual things to do at all hours.

But first, a friendly reminder: whether your party of insomniacs includes jet-lagged kids, artsy night owls, or nightlife lovers, make sure to read up on the Hong Kong visa before planning all the cool things you want to do.

With that essential trip planning done, now for the fun part!

From tame, family-friendly activities to wilder, adult-only options, here’s a list of our top fun things to do in Hong Kong at night.

Walk Along the Avenue of Stars

Modelled on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, this beloved corner of the city features metal handprints and plaques dedicated to over 100 stars of the HK film industry.

Beautiful views of the skyscrapers over the harbour offer the perfect backdrop for an impressive statue of Bruce Lee. The statue is atop a fountain, with the flowing water calling to mind a famous quote from the legendary martial artist: ‘Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water’.

Seeing the Avenue of Stars is one of the top free things to do in Hong Kong. This is also one of the best spots to see the nightly lights show at 8 pm. But more about that later!

Reach New Heights on the Observation Wheel

This Ferris wheel is 60 metres (197 feet) tall, giving riders spectacular, unobstructed views of the iconic city skyline.

It’s open from 11 am to 11 pm, making this activity easy to fit into any itinerary. This is a great thing to do in Hong Kong with kids, especially if they need to sit down and take a rest (while still enjoying the sights!)

Get Artsy

If you’re looking for indoor things to do in Hong Kong when it rains, try some art appreciation!

The Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Art is an enormous space in the heart of Central that hosts exhibitions and performances. In a blending of old and new, its offering includes contemporary art, heritage exhibitions, and the performing arts. Open till 10 pm, though some spaces close at 8 pm.

For something a bit more glamorous, check out the K11 Art and Cultural Centre on the 6th floor of K11 Musea. In addition to an outdoor sculpture park, K11 has a diverse range of artworks, including pieces by internationally renowned artists like Yayoi Kusama and Erwin Wurm.

The other floors of the ultra-modern building are dedicated to a shopping mall, so K11 Musea may be the best of both worlds if you’re looking for things to do with teens and young adults (and shopaholics of all ages!).

Experience the Night Markets

Speaking of shopping, no visit to HK would be complete without a trip to one of the night markets!

Temple Street Night Market has more than 100 stalls in 5 blocks. In addition to all the souvenirs, gadgets, knick-knacks, clothes and herbal medicines you could ever want, it’s also a great place for people watching. Fortune tellers and opera music players add to the ambiance.

If you’re looking for some wacky things to do in Hong Kong, why not get your fortune told?

For the best experience, hunt for the hidden stalls away from the more touristy spots, and don’t forget to bargain!

For other things to do in Kowloon, you can also check out the nearby Mongkok Ladies Market (selling clothes, souvenirs, counterfeit goods) and Goldfish Market (guess what they sell!) The fish tanks take on an eerie but beautiful glow after dark. Both of these street markets are located on Tung Choi Street.

Can’t sleep? The Yau Mai Tei Wholesale Fruit Market is open from 10 pm to 5 am. Known as the ‘gwo laan’, this authentic market is alive and boisterous with vendors and buyers haggling over the daily fruits. Be attentive to those around you and make sure you’re not disrupting the flow of traffic, as these people mean business! The market has a bit of a sketchy reputation, so it’s recommended that you avoid going alone.

Sample the Street Food

Tasting the street food is one of the things you absolutely have to do in Hong Kong!

Try cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), dan tat egg tarts, tea eggs, bubble tea, curry fish balls, cart noodles (choose your own toppings), cha siu bao (sweet bbq pork in a spongy, cloud-like bun), egg waffle, and animal-friendly imitation shark fin soup!

Street food is available all over, but you may want to try Sham Shu Po in Kowloon or the Central to Mid-levels escalator in Central. If you’re making a late night of it, head to Mong Kong, where many restaurants and food stalls are open until 2 am.

Take a Night Bus Tour

Have you got aching feet or tired children? Take a ride on an open-top, double-decker bus for an easy way to visit nighttime highlights, like Nathan Road, Temple Street Night Market, the Clock Tower, and the HK Coliseum. If you feel tempted, you can hop on and off the bus to walk around the places that call to you.

Have a Picnic on the Beach

There is so much going on in this buzzing city that sometimes it’s nice to have a chill night. And one of the most relaxing things to do in HK is having a picnic by the water.

Pack your favourite eats and head for the coast! You may want to try Clearwater Bay, Kwun Yam Wan, Ham Tin Wan, or Lamma’s Power Plant Beach.

Keep in mind that not all beaches are open for swimming. So pig out, relax and enjoy watching the reflection of the lit-up skyscrapers ripple on the water.

Go Squid Fishing (and Eating!)

This is a great interactive activity if you’re looking for things to do in Hong Kong with your family. A boat takes you out to open water, and the boat staff use lamps to attract the squid.

Then, you catch them! Fishing equipment is provided, and even beginners are usually able to capture a few tentacled specimens.

To end the night, the staff cook up the squid with garlic and soy sauce so you can taste the fresh seafood. Yum! And if you’re feeling especially adventurous, try eating it raw.

Squid season is from April to August.

Get Off to the Races

Every Wednesday night is horse racing night from September to June.

If everyone in your party is over 18, you can head to Happy Valley to breathe in the super-charged energy. In addition to the adrenaline-inducing horse races, there’s also live music, food, drinks and a whole lot of atmosphere.

Try Neon Sign Photography

Unleash your inner photographer and capture the neon signs that give the city its unique nightly glow.

You will be surprised and delighted by the variety of luminescent animals, characters and symbols that light up the city. This is a fun thing to do in Hong Kong alone, but if you’re travelling with kids, try making it into a scavenger hunt!

Sing Karaoke

Channel your inner rock star and belt your heart out! Karaoke is a super fun thing to do in Hong Kong with friends. Karaoke bars serve food, drinks and tunes, so there’s something for everyone!

And if crooning to strangers isn’t your thing, not to worry. Private karaoke rooms are widely available, so you can bare your musical soul to just your closest confidants.

Tsim Sha Tsui East is one of the best places for karaoke bars, but it’s pretty easy to find them anywhere.

Have a Night at the Opera

For a truly unique thing to do in Hong Kong, book a ticket to see a Cantonese opera show at the historic Yau Ma Tei Theatre.

Many shows have English subtitles in case you don’t speak Cantonese, so don’t let that stop you from enjoying this traditional form of entertainment. Get ready for an immersive cultural experience complete with falsettos, gongs, elaborate costumes and red, white and black face paint.

Relax in the Fountain Terrace Garden

An activity for all ages, plus free admission! The fountain terrace garden in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens is open until 10 pm.

The zoo area closes at 7 pm, so go early to see the animals and then round out the evening by enjoying the peaceful garden.

Ride the Tram up Victoria Peak

This is the best vantage point over the city, where the green treetops of the forest strike a contrast with the neon skyscrapers and water of Victoria Harbor.

Once you get to the top, you can walk along the nature trails (you can also hike up the peak instead of taking the tram!), visit one of the many restaurants, or head to Sky Terrace 428, the highest point in the city, for 360-degree views.

Catch the Peak Tram on Garden Road. It runs until 10 pm.

Catch the Symphony of Lights

Every night at 8 pm there is a dazzling light show in Victoria Harbour synched to music and narration. Not only do all the buildings light up, there are also laser lights and digital fireworks. The show lasts for 15 minutes.

The narrations are in English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The best places to watch the Symphony of Lights are along the waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and the HK Cultural Centre, the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, or from a boat in the harbor itself! There are several different companies that run boats in the harbour, from traditional junk boats to shiny yachts.

 

With so many fun activities after dark, nighttime may be your favourite time here!

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