October is just around the corner and autumn is in the air. Between mid-term holidays and Halloween, there are plenty of things to do with kids in Hong Kong this October, so start planning.
We’re pinching ourselves that it is October already (have you started the Christmas Countdown yet?). There are lots of great kids activities to keep your little ones busy during the school holiday, including half-term holiday camps and some Halloween themed events as well. Check out these NEW things to do with kids in Hong Kong and special events to inspire your weekends.
Jump to:
Things To Do With Kids
Halloween Events
Free Things To Do With Kids
Places To Visit
Dates For The Diary
Read more: 50 Things To Do In Hong Kong With Kids
Things To Do With Kids In Hong Kong This October
The Gruffalo Live On Stage
It’s the long-awaited return of live performance! We can’t wait to take the kids to rediscover the magic of theatre with this special performance of family-favourite, The Gruffalo. Join Mouse on an adventure through the deep dark wood in this stage adaptation of the classic children’s storybook.
When: Friday, 1 to Sunday, 3 October; Friday 8 to Thursday, 14 October 2021
Where: Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy Of Performing Arts, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: From $225 to $435
Contact: Tickets on sale now from Hong Kong Ticketing
Oktoberfest at BaseHall
Get the kids into the festive German spirit with a family day out at BaseHall. The Day begins with fun activities like cookie decorating, ring toss and face painting. Known as Lebkuchenherz in Germany, cookie decorating is a traditional activity for kids during Oktoberfest and it’s a great way to get the little ones involved in the festivities. As an extra touch, the cookies have beenn specially prepared this year by Nest Bakery; a not-for-profit bakery empowering adults with learning disabilities in Hong Kong. Don the lederhosen and dirndls, braid your hair and embrace your inner Bavarian.
When: Saturday, 9 October, 2021; 11am to 4pm (with a separate, more grown up party kicking off from 5pm)
Where: BaseHall, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $50
Tickets: Eventbrite
Half-Term Camps
October is the time for the half-term holidays for most schools in Hong Kong and that can only mean one thing – time to find some exciting holiday camps and classes for the kids. With that in mind, here are some of the Autumn and half-term workshops, camps and classes being planned this year. With schools taking breaks at different times, not all class providers are available at all times, so check directly before booking your holiday camps this season. Whether you are looking for sports classes or speech workshops, outdoor adventures or music lessons, there are some great options around town.
Read more: October Holiday Camps And Classes
Playright Play Day And Staycation At Gold Coast Hotel
It’s no secret that the Gold Coast Hotel is a firm favourite on the family staycation circuit. This month the hotel has teamed up with the charity organisation Playright to create a Pop-Up Playground. There are eight different play zones and lots of fun to be had. Visit for the day or make a staycation of your weekend.
When: Friday, 1 and Saturday, 2 October, 4pm to 6pm; Sunday, 3 October, 2021, 10am to 12pm
Where: Gold Coast Hotel
How much: $130 per person (ages 3 and up); $250 for two people; Staycation package from $2,600
Contact: Gold Coast Hotel
The Langham Share The Pink Love Afternoon Tea
We can think of no better surroundings to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness month than the lush surroundings of Palm Court at The Langham. As if we needed any more excuses, the pink sweet and savoury afternoon tea bites look divine, if you are wearing pink (not including accessories) you’ll be treated to a complimentary glass of Saicho sparkling tea, and, with every afternoon tea set sold, $25 will be donated to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Sounds like a fantastic excuse to treat your little ones to an elegant high tea!
When: Friday, 1 October to Tuesday, 30 November 2021; 3pm to 5:30pm on weekdays, 2:15pm to 4:15pm and 4:30pm to 6:30pm on weekends
Where: Palm Court, The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $398 for one; $688 for two
Contact: Palm Court, The Langham
Pink Run 2021
In place of the annual Pink Walk, there’s an upgraded Pink Run this year! This fun and inclusive event is a way to show your commitment towards raising awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.
When: Sunday, 24 October 2021; 11am to 3pm (session 1: 11am to 1pm; session 2: 1pm to 3pm)
Where: Chief’s Blend to Tamar Park,
Chief’s Blend, Lucky House, Corner of 17-21 Burrows Street Shop No. 4, G/F, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tamar Park finishing point to be shared closer to the event date
How much: Team of 6: $1,400; Team of 4: $1,000; Individual: $200
Contact: Register here
My Little Pony: A New Generation
Take the kids for a day out at the movies for some pony fun. The 90-minute film is great for all ages and features the voices of Vanessa Hudgens, Kimiko Glenn and James Marsden. With themes of friendships and unity, with a dose of fantasy and magic – after all, we are talking unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies – My Little Pony: A New Generation is sure to be a winner with the kids.
When: In cinemas from Wednesday, 22 September 2021.
Water World Ocean Park
Have you booked your tickets to Water World Ocean Park yet? We’re sure this is going to be the must-visit attraction for the kids during the October school holidays. Don’t forget to take advantage of introductory pricing by visiting in the first 60 days.
When: From Tuesday, 21 September 2021
Where: Water World Ocean Park, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
How much: Ticket pricing is dynamic. During the grand opening, prices are as low as $320 for adults and $225 for children during the week, with prices increasing during peak periods, weekends and public holidays.
Contact: Water World Ocean Park
Halloween Events In Hong Kong
Halloween At Hong Kong Disneyland
The villains are taking over Hong Kong Disneyland! Dress up in your favourite costume as you explore the park, catch Mickey’s Halloween Street Time Party and don’t miss the performance of “Let’s Get Wicked”. Over at Adventureland, the baddies have set up their lair for some spooky fun. As if we needed another excuse to visit Disneyland in the next school holidays!
When: Until Friday, 31 October 2021
Where: Hong Kong Disneyland
Contact: Hong Kong Disneyland
Read more: Sassy Mama’s Family Guide To Hong Kong Disneyland
New Normal – New Hallo – Halloween Fest At Ocean Park
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Halloween Fest at Ocean Park. To mark 20 years of spooky Halloween traditions there will be a 20 Years Of Horror exhibition at the Applause Pavillion. You can expect to see all the visual theatrics of the park up close. Elsewhere in the park, you’ll find Jack O’Lantern’s Kingdom, a garden full of freaky and friendly creatures and a huge, 5-metre tall Jack O’Lantern. Take the kids for some trick or treating, but beware after dark when things can get a bit eerie and mysterious. There are also murder mysteries at Old Hong Kong, you can sign up for Survivor Of The Undead at The Summit or the Supernatural Ghost Tour through the haunted control room of an abandoned thrill ride. Check the website for the full lineup and tour bookings.
When: Friday, 1 to Sunday, 31 October 2021
Where: Ocean Park Hong Kong
Contact: Ocean Park Hong Kong
Read more: How To Plan Your Day At Ocean Park
Halloween Costume Swap At Retykle
Love getting the kids dressed up for Halloween but hate the waste that costumes create? Retykle gets it! This October it is bringing back its beloved Halloween costume swap. Bring along your outgrown Halloween costume from last year and swap it for something new. Simple! Don’t have a costume to swap? You can purchase your second-hand costume for just $50.
When: Friday, 1 to Sunday, 31 October 2021
Where: Retykle Studio, 8/F, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
Contact: Retykle
Halloween At Ministry Of Mussels
Head on over to Ministry of Mussels for some spooky fun every weekend. This is quickly becoming a popular dining destination amongst parents for its great kids’ play area. Enjoy some Halloween themed dishes like Mummified Sausages, Sweet Potato Fingers with Brains or the Jack-o-Roni. There’s also a fun pumpkin painting competition!
When: Every weekend until 31, October; 11am to 4pm
Where: Ministry of Mussels, 3/F, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
Contact: Ministry of Mussels
Free Things To Do With Kids In Hong Kong This October
FriendsWithYou Art Installation At West Kowloon Art Park
As the weather cools down it’s a perfect time to visit Art Park at West Kowloon. We’re sure the kids (and parents!) will love checking out the FriendsWithYou pop-art installation. It brings together gigantic characters envisaged by artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III. It’s fun, playful and perfect for a selfie!
When: Thursday, 23 September to Thursday, 14 October 2021
Where: Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Contact: West Kowloon Cultural District
“What’s Bothering You Mr Bird” At Lung Fu Shan Environmental Centre
Take a short trip from the concrete jungle of Central, up to the Lung Fu Shan Environmental Centre. Located near the start of the Morning Trail on Kotewall Road, the centre makes for a great educational kids’ activity. The “What’s Bothering You Mr Bird” exhibition allows visitors to transform into different animals, learn about their “life skills” through games. Are toads boring for having dull-coloured skin? Would birds get tired of the choices of food limited by their beak length? There are so many questions to be answered!
When: Saturday, 18 September 2021 to Sunday, 13 February 2022; 10:30am to 5:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Sundays; 10:30am to 2:30pm on Wednesdays
Where: Lung Fu Shan Environmental Centre, 50 Kotewall Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Contact: 2975 9031, Lung Fu Shan Environmental Centre
Light It Up – Diwali Bazaar
Diwali – the traditional Hindu festival of lights and the biggest celebration in India is just around the corner and to help celebrate this sparkling festival right here in Hong Kong, [email protected] is hosting its annual Diwali bazaar. There will be plenty of stalls selling festive items from traditional home decorations, curated gift items, to tableware, clothing and jewellery. There are also some mini-workshops planned for kids to get them in the Diwali spirit through art and crafts.
When: Friday, 15 October 2021, 11am to 7pm*
Where: Amazed, 77 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Contact: [email protected]
*Editor’s note: This event was previously scheduled for Saturday, 9 October but was postponed because of the T8 typhoon signal.
Read more: That Mama: Mehroo Turel, Found of SUMMER and [email protected]
Handmade Hong Kong, Discovery Bay Markets
Handicrafts meet beach day at the Discovery Bay market. Showcasing local, independent vendors selling handmade or self-designed wares, you’ll find everything from jewellery, homeware, fine art and children’s accessories. This month there’s also a Halloween Market at DB North Plaza and you’ll want to save the date for the Christmas Market on Sunday, 7 November!
When: Sunday, 10 and 31 October 2021; Sunday, 7 November 2021
Where: Discovery Bay Plaza (10 October and 7 November); DB North Plaza (31 October)
Places To Visit In Hong Kong
Hong Kong Swimming Pools
We were so excited to hear that the public pools are finally opening the children’s pools and slides. Firm family-favourites Kennedy Town and Tseung Kwan O have both had their kids’ facilities open, but be sure to give the pool a call before heading out to double-check as it does depend on the lifeguard availability on the day. Prefer a hotel day pass? Le Méridien Hong Kong in Cyberport has reopened and is offering day passes.
Read more: The Most Kid-Friendly Swimming Pools In Hong Kong
Stanley
When was the last time you took the kids for a day out in Stanley? Whether it’s hiking the Wilson Trail or watersports, a day on the beach or a stroll through the Stanley Market, a day out on the Southside is long overdue. Don’t forget to let the kids run loose at the pirate playground either.
Read more: Where To Take Your Kids In Stanley Hong Kong
Dates For The Diary
AWA Charity Bazaar
The AWA signature event is back after a years break. There are some fabulous Hong Kong businesses in town, so pencil in the date and get your Christmas shopping done early.
When: Thursday, 11 November 2021, 11:30am to 7:30pm
Where: PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
Contact: American Women’s Association
Santa’s Magic Kingdom
Are you planning Christmas already? Tickets are on sale soon (2 October) for a magical Christmas experience. Kids are in for a treat at Santa’s Magic Kingdom. More than just a chance to meet Santa, they’ll train up as special Elfvestigators to return Santa’s magic sack and save Christmas. Upon booking they’ll even receive a special, personalised letter in the mail inviting them to meet Santa. Be prepared for an hour filled with games, activities, laughter and magical moments.
When: Saturday, 4 December, 2021
Where: Santa’s secret location (sent to you in advance via e-mail)
How much: $425 per person (regardless of age and every attendee must have a ticket)
Tickets: Eventbrite
Read more: Family-Friendly Staycation Hong Kong: Top Hotel Getaways With Kids In The City
