Hong Kong Events Calendar for May 2014

Hong Kong is a hub of constant activity. This vibrant Asian city has something exciting happening at any given time. Listed below are some prominent events and festivals scheduled for May 2014.

Le French May
Hong Kong is currently home to the largest French community in Asia. It is no wonder that the SAR hosts an annual celebration of French arts in the form of a two-month long festival called ‘Le French May.’ The festival, which is organized by the Consulate General of France for Hong Kong and Macau, dates back to 1993 and features more than 100 events. Music, dance, film opera, theater, fashion, culinary events (Le French Gourmay) all feature on the festival program. Events are held at various venues all over the SAR until the end of June 28.

The Cheng Chau Bun Festival
The tiny island of Cheng Chau is an outlying island of the SAR. This densely populated island lies 10 km to the southwest of Hong Kong Island and is easily accessible by a regular ferry service. The Cheng Chau Bun Festival is the island’s most prominent event. The epicenter of this event is the island’s ancient, historic Pak Tai temple. The festival is a Taoist ritual, which dates back to the Qing dynasty. This quirky, colorful and noisy event features lion dances, Chinese opera and drumming, a Bun Scrambling competition. A regular feature of the festival is a colorful parade.

Buddha’s Birthday

The tower Tian Tan Buddha or the Big Buddha is one of Hong Kong’s star attractions. This imposing bronze Buddha soars to a height of 34 meters and attracts hoards of Buddhist pilgrims all year round. The Big Buddha and its allied sight, the Po Lin Monastery are especially busy in early May when an elaborate ceremony is held to celebrate the birthday of Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) the founder of Buddhism.

Hong Kong Arts Month
Hong Kong has in recent years become a leading center for art events. Affluent Chinese buyers and collectors are prominent players on the global arts arena. Hence, the SAR plays host to several prestigious art events, which attract galleries, artists, dealers and art enthusiasts from around the globe.

So if you are an art lover and visiting Hong Kong in May, a veritable arts bonanza awaits you. You can visit this event till the end of May.

Art Basel Hong Kong
The second edition of Art Basel Hong Kong will be held from May 15 to 18 at the Hong Kong’s gargantuan Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center situated in Wan Chai. This world famous art fair will feature six main show sectors. On display will be a varied collection of artworks from well-known, established names as well as new emerging artists and curated collections. Talks, seminars and films also feature on the agenda of Art Basel Hong Kong 2014. Galleries from Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa are participating in this year’s event.

Asia Contemporary Art Show
Hotels are a prominent feature of life in Hong Kong, for the city is a leading center for trade and commerce as well as a gateway to China. A leading hotel property in Hong Kong usually plays host to the city’s bi-annual Asia Contemporary Art Show. This year’s event host is the luxe Conrad Hong Kong located in the heart of the city’s business district at Pacific Place.

The 4th edition of the show to be held from May 15 to 18, will feature more than 100 exhibitors from countries such as the USA, Russia, UK, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Argentina, China, Hong Kong and more. Seventy exhibiting artists will be onsite to meet collectors and art lovers as they explain the inspiration behind their works. The Asia Contemporary Art Show is a satellite event of Art Basel Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Contemporary Arts Fair
Yet another art show scheduled for Hong Kong from May 17 to 19, this time is at the Excelsior hotel in Causeway Bay. This annual event, which celebrates its third anniversary this year, will feature paintings, sculptures, installations and more.

Asia Week Hong Kong
As the above art events are not enough, added to the mix is a relatively new initiative in the form of Asia Week Hong Kong. This showcase for Asian art will be held from 17th to 27th May at various venues across Hong Kong. The program for Asia Week Hong Kong lists exhibitions, auctions, lectures and special events.

Hong Kong Trade Fairs
As a leading hub for trade and commerce in Asia, Hong Kong has a packed trade fair schedule. The city’s main exhibition and convention centers such as the Asia World Expo, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center and the Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre host numerous exhibitions, conferences and sourcing fairs all year round.

Some prominent trade fairs scheduled for May 2014 include the Asian Architecture and Interior Design Fair, Vinexpo and the Hong Kong Medical Devices and Supplies Fair.