11 Hong Kong cultural events in November 2023 you don’t want to miss out on

This month’s arts and cultural events bring Christmas-themed musical extravaganza, rare photos of Audrey Hepburn and much more to the city

Christmas might still be more than a month way, but there are those who are already getting fully into the festive mood. The Peninsula Hong Kong, for instance, is embracing the Yuletide spirit with a train-themed musical extravaganza. And for those looking to enjoy Hong Kong’s arts scene this season, the city has a lot to offer. From rare prints that give us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn on the sets of My Fair Lady (1964) to award-winning actress Sylvia Chang’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream onstage, there’s something for everyone.

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1. ‘My Fair Lady’ group exhibition

Above A still from “My Fair Lady” (Photo: courtesy of F22 Foto Space)

When: Until December 30

Where: F22 Foto Space, Shops BW11 and 13, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Kowloon

What: The American comedy My Fair Lady (1964) is one of Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn’s most well-remembered roles. This exhibition, which features both original prints from 1963 and recent reprints, showcases rare behind-the-scenes images from the film’s sets. American photographer Bob Willoughby, known for having documented Hepburn in his photography work for years, captured the cast and crew members as they took breaks, attended rehearsals and acted on the set. The show offers an insider’s look into the filmmaking process of the award-winning movie.

2. ‘Swire Symphony Under The Stars’ outdoor concert

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When: November 18

Where: Central Harbourfront

What: This year’s outdoor concert will see HKPhil’s resident conductor Lio Kuokman (who was one of Tatler’s Asia’s Most Influential honouree last year) conducting and performing as a pianist. The line-up also includes sopranos Louise Kwong and Vivian Yau; vocalists and educators Crisel Consunji and Roy Rolloda; and TV presenter Heidi Chu. They will jazz up the night by performing pieces from the Indiana Jones film franchise, the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story, as well as music from Hong Kong films.

In case you missed: HKPhil revives the most famous Cantonese opera this Christmas

3. ‘An Enchanting Journey Continues – Aboard The Peninsula Express’ musical extravaganza

Above Festive railway-themed musical extravaganza (Photo: courtesy of The Peninsula Hong Kong)

When: November 23

Where: The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Kowloon

What: Taking place at the hotel’s lobby, the Christmas musical extravaganza An Enchanting Journey Continues – Aboard The Peninsula Express will transport guests to London and Istanbul, where The Peninsula has opened new hotels. Music performances, live dances and more will culminate in a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Guests can enjoy the rest of the evening with a sumptuous festive meal at the hotel’s restaurants. A portion of proceeds will go to Make A Wish, a local charity that supports children with critical illnesses.

4. Intangible Cultural Heritage Mart

Above A lion dance showcase at Intangible Cultural Heritage Mart in 2022 (Photo: courtesy of the Hong Kong Culture Festival)

When: November 4-5

Where: Tai Kwun and Central Market, Central

What: The Hong Kong Culture Festival returns with a two-day mart and night market highlighting the city’s traditional craftsmanship and intangible cultural heritage. There will be dragon, lion, Hakka unicorn dances, Chinese martial arts and puppetry performances; and dough figurine crafting, Chinese herbal tea, Chinese seal engraving and mahjong crafting workshops. The market will also feature merchant stalls that sell cheongsam, tea and wooden accessories.

5. ‘Elijah the Opera’

Above ‘Elijah the Opera’ (Photo: courtesy of Bel Canto Singers)

When: November 10

Where: City Hall, Central

What: Hong Kong opera singing academy Bel Canto Singers adapts German composer Felix Mendelssohn’s 1846 oratorio Elijah into a modern opera production. Conducted by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s conductor Vivian Yip, it musically narrates the events in the life of the Prophet Elijah as mentioned in the Old Testament.

6. ‘Peter Pan Jr’

Above A poster of ‘Peter Pan Jr’ (Photo: Facebook / Opera Hong Kong)

When: November 18-19

Where: Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wan Chai

What: Known for its fun and elaborate productions, Opera Hong Kong Children Chorus takes on Scottish playwright J M Barrie’s timeless play Peter Pan (1904) this year, following the adventures of Peter, Wendy and other children in the magical realm of Neverland. The production features scores by Morris Charlap and Jule Styne, and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

7. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Sylvia Chang’

Above A still from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Sylvia Chang” (Photo: courtesy of the HKPhil)

When: November 3-4

Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui

What: Sylvia Chang, the winner of last year’s Golden Horse award for best leading actress, takes on one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies in this collaboration with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The original play is a story of magic, love, jealousy and farce. Chang will portray 14 characters in this new version, adapted by Taiwanese writer Yuan-pu Chiao and accompanied by the orchestra and the orchestra’s chorus.

8. ‘Stream of Dust’

Above A still from “Stream of Dust” (Photo: courtesy of City Contemporary Dance Company)

When: November 11-17

Where: The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon

What: Tibetan choreographer Sang Jijia, who studied with the influential American choreographer William Forsythe, kicks off the City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC)’s annual dance festival with his new work, Stream of Dust. Sang is known for evoking psychological tension and awe through experimenting with dance techniques. Co-produced by CCDC and West Kowloon, the show also plays with the uncontrolled movement of dust floating in light and shadows as the dancers create air currents. It promises to be a mesmerising portrayal of the nature of time, existence and human emotions.

9. Musicus Fest

Above Camerata Salzburg (Photo: courtesy of Camerata Salzburg)

When: November 11 to December 3

Where: Several locations

What: In 2010, Hong Kong cellist Trey Lee founded Musicus, a charity that promotes exchange between international musicians and rising local talents. This 11th edition of its annual Hong Kong music festival will bring musicians from Austria, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany and South Korea—some of whom will perform with local artists. Highlights this year include two performances of Camerata Salzburg, a world-class chamber orchestra from Austria; and free concerts at the Former North Kowloon Magistracy, a grade II listed building, which will be accompanied by a showcase of qipao from the 1920s hosted by the Hong Kong Cheongsam Association.

10. M+ Sigg Prize 2023

Above M+ Sigg Prize 2023 celebrates contemporary artists (Photo: courtesy of M+)

When: Until January 2024

Where: M+, West Kowloon

What: The second edition of the Sigg Prize, being held this year, celebrates contemporary artists who tackle topical themes through their diverse artistic practices. The Sigg Prize 2023 exhibition will showcase the works of six shortlisted artists: Jes Fan, Miao Ying, Wang Tuo, Xie Nanxing, Yu Ji and Trevor Yeung—who was selected to represent Hong Kong at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Spanning generations and gender identities, the selected artists will present art from wide-ranging mediums including Yeung’s botanical-inspired installations, and Fan’s distinctive glossy sculptures and Ying’s digital creations.

11. ‘Mould the Wing to Match the Photograph’

Above Mrinalini Mukherjee and art pieces from “Mould the Wing to Match the Photograph” (Photo: courtesy of M+ and the artist)

When: Until February 29, 2024

Where: Asia Art Archive, 11/F Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan

What: An exhibition featuring a sculpture by one of the most prominent sculptors from India, Mrinalini Mukherjee (1949-2015), will be on view at Asia Art Archive this month, the first showcase of her work in Hong Kong. Mould the Wing to Match the Photograph pairs Pari (1986), Mukherjee’s monumental hemp fibre sculpture, with materials from her personal archive. Her uniquely draped textile sculptures were the result of years/decades/some sort of measurement of experimentation; and while her work was incredibly distinctive from practising male sculptors of the time, it became part of the late 20th-century Living Traditions of India movement which aimed to preserve vernacular art forms into contemporary art. Curator-led tours, workshops and performances will be part of the public programming for the exhibition.

12. Oh, To Believe in Another World

Above Oh, To Believe In Another World (Photo: courtesy of Hong Kong Sinfonietta)

When: November 18 and 19, 2023.

Where: Hong Kong City Hall, Central

What: This year’s New Vision Arts Festival, which is known for putting on international and local multidisciplinary productions, closes with South African multidisciplinary artist William Kentridge’s Oh, To Believe In Another World. This production, with live music accompaniment by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, is the screening of a movie about Soviet-Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich and his complicated relationship with the Soviet state from the 1920s to the 1960s. Set inside an abandoned Soviet museum made of cardboard, the film is shot with a miniature camera to bring the audience through the different halls of the museum, where the audience will meet the different historical characters of the story. This production is an Asian premiere.

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Musical Christmas Music Dance Culture