12 arts and culture events in May: Mona Lisa and Bruce Lee exhibitions, ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ and more

When: May 1 to July 27
Where: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sha Tin
What: Centred on Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece The Mona Lisa, this exhibition is divided into two sections: Meet Mona Lisa and Portraying the Renaissance. Using digital media and interactive installations tailored to the museum, the first section retraces the 500-year journey of the painting, with the Mona Lisa herself acting as a digital guide. The second section highlights Renaissance treasures from prominent French and Italian institutions, including four priceless Da Vinci manuscripts. These exhibits—ranging from sculptures to decorative arts—offer a glimpse into the creativity of the humanistic movement. The show also features items from the museum's own collection alongside paintings by Xu Lei, creating a cross-temporal dialogue. 

Read more: Mona Lisa exhibition opens in Hong Kong this month, showing Da Vinci’s manuscripts and an animated ‘Mona Lisa’

When: May 8 to 10
Where: Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre
What: Theatre Ronin celebrates its 20th anniversary with The Tear Deer, a production adapted from the novel by the late Hong Kong writer Xi Xi. Set during the Qianlong era, the story follows Amuktai, a youth from the north who learns to summon deer by whistle. The narrative intertwines his journey with that of the Qianlong Emperor, who enters the Mulan hunting grounds searching for answers following an unsettling dream. Inspired by the 18th-century painter Giuseppe Castiglione, the production uses magical realism to reimagine a world where humans and nature merge. This adaptation continues Theatre Ronin’s romantic intuition, exploring Xi Xi’s vision of history which transcends world events to enter the realm of natural history.

When: May 8 to 10
Where: Sheung Wan Civic Centre
What: The Hong Kong Singers, the oldest community theatre company in the city, celebrates its 95th anniversary with the nostalgic production Encore! 95 Years of Song. Renowned for bringing everything from Gilbert and Sullivan classics to modern Broadway hits to the local stage, the company marks this incredible milestone with a journey through its storied history. Audiences can expect a poignant evening of songs and stories culled from the finest musicals performed over the decades. Featuring talented members who have graced the Hong Kong stage for years, this production is a must-see for theatre lovers seeking a high-quality tribute to a nearly century-old legacy of community performance. 

When: May 9 to June 4
Where: Hart Haus, Kennedy Town
What: Concluding his residency at Hart Haus, artist Michael Rikio Ming Hee Ho presents his solo exhibition, and I love you dearly. Immersed in the studios of Kennedy Town, Ho exchanged ideas with fellow residents to develop a body of work inspired by the city’s urban details. Working across language, collage, and trompe-l’œil painting, his practice reflects on identity, memory, and emotional distance. Small urban sources of familiarity are transformed into sources of quiet nostalgia within his work. This compelling new series weaves poetry and text with painting to explore the nuances of identity, offering a deeply personal reflection on the artist’s time spent in Hong Kong.

When: May 14 to 17
Where: Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-Levels
What: Children of the Mekong Hong Kong presents its 2026 charity art exhibition, Art Across Boundaries, held in collaboration with French May. This multicultural, mixed-media show features works by more than 30 international and local artists united by a commitment to social impact. Through paintings and sculptures, the artists explore how creativity can connect cultures beyond geopolitical boundaries. These pieces express themes of resilience and unity through vibrant colour and form, echoing the mission of the charity. Each artwork serves as an emotional bridge and a cultural exchange, with proceeds contributing to a brighter future for underprivileged children in Southeast Asia. The exhibition is curated by Anne Deligny Villet, Sandra Ormiston and Christel Villepelet. 

When: May 14 to 17
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
What: Established in 1999, the Affordable Art Fair returns to feature contemporary works by living artists. With price points starting from HK$1,000, the fair curates a wide selection of artworks to suit diverse tastes and budgets. The fair aims to make art collecting easy for everyone, whether looking for original pieces for a home or inspiration for an office. Visitors can browse a broad range of artworks from more than 105 galleries hailing from 15 different countries. By bridging the gap between established galleries and new collectors, the event continues its mission to democratise the art market while providing a platform for international contemporary talent. 

When: May 17
Where: Hong Kong City Hall
What: Grammy Award-winning violinist and vocalist Charles Yang returns to the city to perform alongside his frequent collaborator, pianist Peter Dugan in a recital by Premiere Performances. A Juilliard graduate and recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award, Yang is celebrated for his ability to transcend classical boundaries with genre-defying creativity. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or leading the string band Time for Three, his electrifying energy remains a constant. The programme features Yang and Dugan’s original arrangements, spanning from the classical virtuosity of Monti and Ravel to the soulful grooves of The Beatles and improvised jazz sets. This performance promises a fresh, exhilarating experience that seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary flair.

Yang will also be speaking at a salon moderated by Tatler’s senior arts editor Zabrina Lo at Carlyle & Co May 19.

Read more: Grammy-winning violinist Charles Yang on working with ‘Bridgerton’ composer Kris Bowers, exploring AI in music and more

When: May 22 to 24
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre
What: The 20th-century master Wu Guanzhong is celebrated in this grand dance poem, In Between—Wu Guanzhong’s Ink Odyssey. Throughout his life, Wu pursued a convergence of traditional Chinese ink aesthetics and modern Western art. This production by the Hong Kong Dance Company features artistic director Yang Yuntao as choreographer and pop singer Ivana Wong as composer and guest performer. The performance weaves together dance, music, and light, transforming Wu’s signature dots and lines into a sensory feast. As a programme of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026, it creates a dialogue that transcends mediums and time, capturing the fluid essence of ink and emotion. 

When: May 27
Where: Tides, The Whampoa, 1 Tak On Street, Hunghom
What: Take a nostalgic journey back in time to celebrate the King of Pop with Michael Starring Ben, a hit theatre production headlining the UK’s premier tribute artist, Ben Bowman. Mirroring the look, vocals, and flawless choreography of the legendary entertainer, Bowman delivers an uncanny performance that leaves audiences spellbound. Accompanied by a spectacular live band, the production features dazzling costumes and iconic dance routines alongside the greatest hits of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5—including Beat It, Billie Jean, and Thriller.

When: May 29 to 31
Where: Tai Kwun, Central
What: Musicus Society presents Tastes and Timbres, a series of four heritage concerts led by artistic director and cellist Trey Lee. Performing with the homegrown ensemble Musicus Soloists Hong Kong, Lee presents a programme inspired by the historic locale of Tai Kwun and Central. The ensemble is joined by illustrious guest leaders, including Finnish-Estonian violinist Anna-Liisa Bezrodny and South African violist Gareth Lubbe, former principal of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Featuring a repertoire of Western masterworks and Chinese tunes, the concerts evoke impressions and memories through flowing music and aromas. It is an engaging sensory experience designed to reflect the storied history of its Central venue. 

When: May 29 to June 7
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre
What: Renowned choreographer Vladimir Malakhov brings a powerful new production of The Sleeping Beauty to the city. Set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, this classical ballet tells the tale of Princess Aurora and Prince Desiré overcoming the evil fairy Carabosse. This Hong Kong Ballet production features an international cast, including Bolshoi Ballet’s youngest principal dancer to date, Elizaveta Kokoreva, and former Hong Kong Ballet dancer Tirion Law, now a principal at the National Ballet of Canada. Malakhov will also perform as Carabosse in select shows. Requiring intense precision and stamina, this bewitching fairytale masterpiece promises a fanciful wedding celebration that will leave audiences falling under its spell.

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