From Halloween celebrations and world-premiere ballet to immersive theatre, beachside Sundays and a new Museum of Illusions, here are some of the best things to do in Hong Kong this October.
Dress up for Island Shangri-La’s Halloween contest
Island Shangri-La’s annual Best Dressed Contest returns for its sixth year on 31 October, with more than HK$100,000 worth of prizes across Best Dressed Family, Most Creative Costume and Best Dressed Kids. Before the judging begins, families can make an afternoon of it with children’s activities, character meet-and-greets, a photo booth and carnival treats, followed by a live theatre performance in the Lobby Lounge.
The hotel is making more than a day of Halloween, too. From 24 October to 1 November, there’s a themed afternoon tea, crab buffet and pumpkin carving and decorating sessions for children. Find out more here.
Island Shangri-La, Admiralty | 31 October, 3–5pm | HK998 for a family of four; HK$358 per adult; HK$258 per child
Disney gets wicked for Halloween
Hong Kong Disneyland is in full Halloween mode, with Disney Villains taking over the park until 1 November. New this year is Mickey’s Happy Halloween Adventure, a musical show at the Castle of Magical Dreams featuring Mickey and friends in their Halloween best, followed by a costume parade for younger visitors.
For something a little darker, Maleficent leads an extended Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party, while villains including Cruella, Jafar and Gaston make surprise appearances around the park. There’s also trick-or-treating, Halloween character encounters and plenty of suitably spooky food along the way.
Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island | Until 1 November | Park admission and advance reservation required
Ocean Park gets a gothic makeover for Halloween
Ocean Park’s Halloween Fest returns, this time with a collaboration with Under the Castle, the fantasy universe created by Jackson Wang. Taking over The Summit, the experience brings gothic-inspired sets, themed food and drinks, exclusive merchandise and plenty of suitably spooky photo opportunities.
It forms part of Ocean Park’s wider Halloween celebrations, with more seasonal attractions appearing across the park throughout the month.
Ocean Park, Aberdeen | Throughout October | Admission and event ticket prices vary
TEDxTinHau Women turns 10
TEDxTinHau Women celebrates its 10th anniversary this autumn with its most ambitious programme yet. Taking over the Xiqu Centre under the theme UNCHARTED, the event brings together 13 speakers from six countries for a day of ideas spanning science, design, sport and social impact.
New for 2026 are “Quests”, a series of smaller workshops and excursions taking place around Hong Kong ahead of the main event, offering a chance to explore some of the day’s ideas beyond the auditorium.
Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District | 2 October | Advance booking required
A Spark of Sichuan
A Spark of Madness is bringing back its Sichuan cooking workshops for four nights this month, with small groups of eight to 12 preparing a seven-course feast together in Kennedy Town.
Along the way, you’ll get to grips with Sichuan flavours, techniques and chilli combinations before sitting down to eat the results. Everyone also makes a jar of chilli oil from scratch to take home, with an optional wine pairing for those who prefer their Sichuan with a glass in hand.
Kennedy Town | 8, 9, 15 & 16 October, 6.30–10pm | HK$850 per person
WITHIN at Upper House
Upper House becomes the stage this October with WITHIN, a new immersive theatre experience created with ONE HUNDRED, whose team includes key creatives behind Sleep No More.
The Hong Kong chapter, The Dreamer, takes audiences on a 20-minute journey through the hotel, using performance, movement, light and sound to transform its familiar spaces and blur the line between audience and performer along the way. Part of Upper House’s Art Encounters programme, the experience is complimentary, but reservations are essential.
Upper House, Admiralty | 9–11 October | Free, advance booking required
Sundays By the Bay
Treasure Island is marking its 30th anniversary with a new monthly Sunday gathering on Pui O Beach. Launching on 11 October, Sundays By the Bay brings together live music, DJs, local makers, food and drinks, charities and community activities for a laid-back afternoon by the sea.
It’s free, family and dog friendly, and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and make a day of it. The series continues on the second Sunday of each month, with November bringing a sustainability-focused Eco Fest By the Bay.
Treasure Island Campsite, Pui O | 11 October, 12–6pm | Free
Hong Kong Ballet’s Dunhuang: In Search of Light
Following The Butterfly Lovers, Hong Kong Ballet presents a new world premiere inspired by the ancient cave temples of Dunhuang and Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha. Classical ballet meets immersive visuals in a production that looks east and west for inspiration, and promises to be one of the more ambitious additions to Hong Kong’s autumn cultural calendar.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui | 16–18 October | Tickets via URBTIX
Become a Junior Guide Dog Navigator
Young animal lovers can spend a morning learning what it takes to be a guide dog at the Hong Kong Guide Dogs Academy’s Junior Guide Dog Navigator Camp. Designed for children aged five to 11, the half-day programme combines hands-on activities with an introduction to the lives of visually impaired people, from understanding how guide dogs work to decoding canine body language and learning some of the basics of dog care.
There’s an interesting setting, too: the academy occupies the former Lau Fau Shan Police Station, a Grade 3 historic building overlooking Deep Bay. At the end of the session, children receive their own certificate officially naming them a Junior Guide Dog Navigator.
Book your spot here.
Hong Kong Guide Dogs Academy, Lau Fau Shan | 18 October | For children aged 5–11
