Cover ‘Step by Step: Where and Wherever’ by the Guangdong Modern Dance Company, who will be performing in West Kowloon this month (Image: courtesy of the dance company)
‘Step by Step: Where and Wherever’ by the Guangdong Modern Dance Company, who will be performing in West Kowloon this month (Image: courtesy of the dance company)
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Exhibitions, concerts, dance shows and a book fair: July has plenty of arts and cultural events for everyone
If you’re staying in Hong Kong for the summer break, or are looking for family-friendly activities while school’s out, consider these standout events.
The city’s annual book fair returns with an impressive 770 exhibitors. Major cultural institutions including M+, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Fringe Club are hosting exhibitions ranging from Islamic imperial carpets and Canton art in the 20th century to the darkly humorous works of Spanish cartoonist Joan Cornellà.
The performing arts scene is equally robust, with concerts featuring Grammy-winning musicians and acclaimed regional talents.
Read on to find out more about Tatler’s selections this month.
Don’t miss: Performance artist Tehching Hsieh staged performances that ranged from one to 13 years. Here’s why.
1. ‘Canton Modern: Art and Visual Culture, 1900s–1970s’
Above An installation view of ‘Canton Modern: Art and Visual Culture, 1900s–1970s’ (Photo: courtesy of Dan Leung and M+, Hong Kong)
An installation view of ‘Canton Modern: Art and Visual Culture, 1900s–1970s’ (Photo: courtesy of Dan Leung and M+, Hong Kong)
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When: Until October 5
Where: M+, West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: M+’s latest exhibition explores the visual language of Cantonese artists responding to 20th-century social changes and political tensions in Guangzhou. These artists—often also journalists and publishers—moved beyond classical ink poetics, using mass media such as print, photography and illustration to portray subjects like leisure, labour, war and disaster. The exhibition includes over 200 works, many on public display for the first time.
2. ‘Dreamlike Dunhuang: Recreating the Grandeur of Dunhuang’
Above A museum team member preparing the installation of ‘𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐡𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐠’ (Photo: Instagram/@hkulibrary and @chamberofyoungsnow)
A museum team member preparing the installation of ‘𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐡𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐠’ (Photo: Instagram/@hkulibrary and @chamberofyoungsnow)
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When: Until September 7
Where: G/F to 3/F, Main Library, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam
What: Presented by the University of Hong Kong Libraries with the Chamber of Young Snow and the Dunhuang Academy, this exhibition marries technology and tradition. Through immersive digital displays and six themed zones, visitors can explore Buddhist cave murals, contemplate spiritual themes, and learn about artefact conservation.
3. ‘Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha’
Above ‘Wonders of Imperial Carpets’ (Photo: Instagram/@hongkongpalacemuseum and @westk.hk)
‘Wonders of Imperial Carpets’ (Photo: Instagram/@hongkongpalacemuseum and @westk.hk)
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When: Until October 6
Where: Gallery 9, Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon
What: This landmark exhibition—the first of its kind in Hong Kong—traces artistic exchanges between Safavid Iran, Ottoman Türkiye and Mughal India. Co-curated with the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, it features ornate carpets, ceramics, manuscripts and the 16-metre Kevorkian Hyderabad carpet, one of the largest in museum collections.
Read more: From Paris to the Middle East: here’s what the Louvre Abu Dhabi is bringing to the global art scene
4. Season finale: Jaap & Augustin Hadelich
Above Augustin Hadelich (Photo: courtesy of Suxiao Yang)
Augustin Hadelich (Photo: courtesy of Suxiao Yang)
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When: July 4 and 5
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: Grammy Award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich joins the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for its 2024/25 season finale. Conducted by Jaap van Zweden, the programme includes Wagner’s overture from Tannhäuser, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major and Symphony no 7 in A major.
In case you missed it: Violinist Hilary Hahn on ‘feeling like Taylor Swift’ ahead of her Hong Kong concert and why you can’t ‘plan to win’ a Grammy
5. ‘Step by Step: Where and Wherever’
Above ‘Step by Step: Where and Wherever’ (Photo: courtesy of Guangdong Modern Dance Company)
‘Step by Step: Where and Wherever’ (Photo: courtesy of Guangdong Modern Dance Company)
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When: July 5
Where: The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon
What: Three generations of dancers from the Guangdong Modern Dance Company, Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company and BeijingDance/LDTX explore the evolution of modern Chinese dance through a series of compelling performances.
6. ‘Open the Box 2025: Bloom of Light’
Above ‘Open the Box 2025: Bloom of Light’ (Image: courtesy of Tai Kwun)
‘Open the Box 2025: Bloom of Light’ (Image: courtesy of Tai Kwun)
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When: July 5 to August 3
Where: Tai Kwun, Central
What: Tai Kwun Contemporary brings back Open the Box with Bloom of Light, an interactive installation by Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki. Part of his Echoes Infinity series, the evolving artwork invites visitors to create floral motifs that alter the piece over time.
7. Joan Cornellà: Hong Kong solo exhibition 2025
Above A piece by Joan Cornellà (Image: courtesy of the artist)
A piece by Joan Cornellà (Image: courtesy of the artist)
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When: July 11 to 27
Where: The Fringe Club, Central
What: Known for his vibrant visuals and biting satire, Spanish artist Joan Cornellà presents over 100 original works, including new limited-edition prints and figurines. His last Hong Kong show was four years ago; this return is poised to spark conversation.
8. Liu Yin: Summer
Above ‘Summer’ (2025) by Liu Yin (Image: courtesy of the artist and Kiang Malingue)
‘Summer’ (2025) by Liu Yin (Image: courtesy of the artist and Kiang Malingue)
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When: July 11 to September 13
Where: Kiang Malingue, Wan Chai
What: Guangzhou-born artist Liu Yin overlays shōjo manga aesthetics on current imagery, reconfiguring narratives through sparkling, emotive eyes. This exhibition builds on her 2023 show Spring, reflecting on emotion in nature through delicate works on paper.
9. Hong Kong Sinfonietta feat. The Whoop Group
Above The Whoop Group (Photo: courtesy of the artists and the HKS)
The Whoop Group (Photo: courtesy of the artists and the HKS)
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When: July 12
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, Central
What: Polish saxophone quartet The Whoop Group joins the Hong Kong Sinfonietta in a bold reinterpretation of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Conducted by Yip Wing-sie, this arrangement by Anna Lo preserves the original’s lyricism while introducing a fresh sonic texture.
10. Hong Kong Book Fair
Above Hong Kong Book Fair (Photo: courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board)
Hong Kong Book Fair (Photo: courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board)
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When: July 16 to 22
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
What: This year’s book fair features a “Food Culture, Future Living” theme, with seminars led by global authors on AI, digitalisation and storytelling. With nearly 770 exhibitors, it remains a highlight of the city’s summer calendar.
11. Was it a vision, or a waking dream?
Above ‘Sea Girl’ (2020) by Chen Zhe (Image: courtesy of the artist and Flowers Gallery)
‘Sea Girl’ (2020) by Chen Zhe (Image: courtesy of the artist and Flowers Gallery)
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When: July 17 to September 6
Where: Flowers Gallery, Sheung Wan
What: Beijing-born photographer Chen Zhe, British painter Bianca Raffaella and Romanian-born dyptich artist Aida Tomescu present works that explore the dreamlike tension between perception and memory. Through painting, photography and mixed media, the show invites reflection on the fleeting nature of experience.
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