Now that “Ber” month has arrived, the countdown to the new year has started. But let’s make the most of all that’s going on in September before we indulge in any year-end celebrations. This time of month, when schools start following summer break, may make some people cringe. We have the Mid-Autumn Festival activities to look forward to, even if the temperature is still very warm with occasional light rains. September offers a plethora of art and cultural events to be enjoyed in Hong Kong. Discover what’s coming up this month by continuing to read.
September in Hong Kong is roaring with events that cater to the city’s artistic and creative dwellers. Or even those just looking for something fun to do on the weekend. First off, there’s the inaugural edition of ART021, one of the most known art fairs in the region. Fashionistas shouldn’t miss out on Centrestage for their style fix while cinephiles can get their fill at the ASEAN Film Festival, Asian Cinerama, or Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.
Music lovers can also join in the fun at the first Star Nest Music Festival as well as Ultra Hong Kong. Of course, September is also synonymous with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Other than all the delicious mooncakes and fun family reunions, there’s the annual Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. What did we tell you? There are plenty of Hong Kong events you can’t miss, right? So, bookmark the best things to do in Hong Kong this September.
Hong Kong events: The best things to do in September 2024
1. ART021 Hong Kong Contemporary Art Fair
ART021, the distinguished art fair in the region, will make its debut in Hong Kong in September. The fair’s extensive programme promises to inspire, engage, and invigorate attendees with immersive sculptures and thought-provoking curatorial projects that integrate digital elements with reality. There will be five sections at distinctive locations across the gallery. Galleries at the Phillips Asia Headquarters feature 40 galleries that highlight works by established and emerging artists from around the globe.
The Videos, Expansion, Sculpture, and GBA Art Week will have 42 galleries showing vibrant works from the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau area. In addition, there will be a four-day Art Forum with eight talks that explore topics such as the art market, insights on collecting, and the Global South. Don’t miss the two book launches about Chinese modern and contemporary art history.
Date: August 28 to September 8
Venue: Various locations across Hong Kong
Website: art021.org
2. Centrestage
Centrestage, Asia’s premier annual fashion event, will return this month for a four-day fashion extravaganza. This year’s showcase boasts a record of 250 local and international brands from 17 countries and regions. As the event enters its ninth edition, it will be open to the public free of charge entirely. This will allow style lovers to immerse themselves in the world of fashion. The highlight will be the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, set to dazzle at the opening night at the HKCEC. Don’t miss the designers’ showcase in creative forms and brands such as 12mountainyam, the Chaos, Victor Chan Studio, and more.
Date: September 4 to 7
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Website: hktdc.com/event/centrestage/en
3. ASEAN Film Festival 2024
The second edition of the ASEAN Film Festival will grace the city this September. For the first time, the festival will feature films from all 10 ASEAN countries, offering free screenings of over 20 films. Moreover, filmmakers, directors, and actors from around 10 of the featured films will participate in sharing sessions, meeting with local youth, and ASEAN students in Hong Kong. The movies will provide Hong Kong viewers with the chance to explore and delve into the diverse communities of ASEAN countries through a cinematic lens.
Some highlights include Gadong from Brunei, Sugarcane Baby from Cambodia, Isolation Ward from Indonesia, The Signal from Laos, Malbatt: Misi Bakara from Malaysia, and The Attachment from Myanmar. Movies such as K’na the Dreamweaver from the Philippines, Singapore’s 7 Letters, Thailand’s Manta Warrior, and Vietnam’s Dreamy Eyes will also be shown.
Date: September 5 to 28
Venue: Various locations across Hong Kong
Website: aseanfilmfest.org
4. Musicus Heritage Concerts: Fragrance Notes
In this concert series, the Musicus Society will transport attendees back to the Belle Époque by bringing together chamber music and floral installation. Weaving a multi-sensory experience, three-chamber concerts will take place over two days. The programme features works by composers of the era such as Puccini’s Crisantemi string quartet, Pavel’s impressionistic Piano Trio in A minor, and César Franck’s ultra-expressive Piano Quintet in F minor. Furthermore, French violinist Fannt Clamagirand and Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham will join cellist Trey Lee, pianist Helen Yu, and Lee Yat on viola as special guests.
Date: September 6 to 7
Venue: Fringe Underground, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
Website: musicussociety.org
5. Star Nest Music Festival
Gear up for the first Star Nest Music Festival in Hong Kong as the hottest Korean stars lead the two-day music event. Catch superstars CL, Sumni, Treasure, and more as performers in addition to Taiwanese acts Marz23, ØZI, and J.Sheon. Other performers include NCT Wish, Kiss of Life, HyunA, and BEBE. Since its debut in 2014, the festival has attracted more than 250 million attendees. So, it’s now time for Hongkongers to show up.
Date: September 7 to 8
Venue: AXA x Wonderland, West Kowloon, Hong Kong
Website: instagram.com/starnest_musicfest
6. Yun Wellness Circulation of Qi for Health® Qigong Workshop
Back on popular demand after a sold-out session in March is the Circulation of Qi for Health® Qigong workshop at Yun Wellness, Island Shangri-La. Led by world-renowned Qigong Master Budiman Handjaja, the eight-day intensive course will offer a rare opportunity for personal transformation and a deeper connection to one’s inner power. Discover the benefits of Qigong, a holistic system deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy.
The mind-body practice combines coordinated body postures, movements, breathing exercises, and meditation to enhance the flow of vital energy (qi) throughout the body. This curriculum at Yun Wellness will cater to beginners and experienced practitioners, covering fundamental concepts, breathwork, visualisation, and meditation. Grab the chance to learn meditative practices to unlock the body’s innate energy flow.
Date: September 7 to 14
Venue: Yun Wellness, Island Shangri-La, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Website: shangri-la.com
7. Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
The 35th edition of the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival is set with the theme of ‘Coral Wedding’ symbolising strength, longevity, and success. The theme also draws inspiration from the vibrant colour of coral. As such, the festival will continue to present a wide range of LGBTQ+ films from around the world. This year, there will be 27 feature films and four groups of 20 short films.
In addition to the post-screening Q&A sessions, the festival will also organise a panel discussion ‘Queer Asian Dynamics’, where director Ivan Leung and editor Michael Scotti Jr. from Extremely Unique Dynamic will share their creative concepts and challenges. The two opening films this year will be Taiwan’s The Time of Huan Nan and Pakistani-Canadian comedy The Queen of My Dreams. The whimsical dialogue-free Gondola will serve as the closing film in addition to Duino, for which directors Juan Pablo Di Pace and Andrés Pepe Estrada will be in attendance. Also new this year is the ‘Silver Screen Seniors’ section which highlights diverse gay and lesbian gay stories of the elderly.
Date: September 7 to 21
Venue: Various locations across Hong Kong
Website: hklgff.hk
8. Asian Cinerama
The Asian Film Awards Academy, joined hands with different film festivals and organisations around the world to present the film roadshow, Asian Cinerama. First introduced in 2015, the event aims to introduce quality Asian and local films to a wider audience in the hopes of expanding the film market within Asia. In addition, organisers wish to raise people’s awareness of different cultures and encourage diversity through films.
This year, there will be nine films from all over Asia with works spanning 2001 to 2024 to give a glimpse of the directors’ views on youth from different generations. The event will also have directors, filmmakers, and stars attend some of the screenings to meet viewers up close. Besides the theme of youth, the festival will also feature six films with female characters such as 4K remastered versions of My Girl and Take Care of My Cat.
Date: September 9 to 14
Venue: Various locations across Hong Kong
Website: cinema.com.hk
9. Ultra Hong Kong
Ultra, one of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals, will make a comeback in Hong Kong under the name ‘Ultra Hong Kong’ this year. The expansion marks the first full-scale Ultra event to increase its presence in Asia. There will be two main stages: the Main Stage and the Resistance Stage. The Main Stage will have 23 large trapezoids and triangles and serve as the stage for artists to put on incredible performances. Meanwhile, the Resistance Stage will have underground and house and techno fans experience a more immersive performance. Alesso, Marshmello, and Steve Aoki will headline the Main Stage. Meanwhile, Since 82, Massano, and Miss Monique will lead the Resistance Stage.
Date: September 14
Venue: Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central, Hong Kong
Website: ultrahongkong.com
10. Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance
One of the most iconic Hong Kong events to take place during the September festivities is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. During the main festival on September 17, the performance will happen at Victoria Park. Meanwhile, the procession will run around Tai Hang on other dates. During the dance, residents and performers will carry a 67-metre-long dragon made out of 72,000 joss sticks. It will be paraded around the neighbourhood for three nights together with 300 dancers taking part. Make your way to the intersection of Sheperd Street and Wun Sha Street for the best viewing point.
Date: September 16 to 18
Venue: Tai Hang and Victoria Park
Website: taihangfiredragon.hk
Which of these Hong Kong events in September will you attend?
Featured and hero image credit: Ultra Hong Kong/Facebook
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
