Free Things For Families To Do In Hong Kong This March

Grab the kids and check out all HK has to offer this month!

Is there anything more frustrating than finding things to do at the weekend? Actually, yes. It’s finding free things to do. Sure, Hong Kong has quite a lot to offer families, but when we’re on a budget (as most families are!), we like to be able to do things that won’t require pulling out our wallets. So, we found a few events that are just for families, and ones you and your kids can enjoy for nothing but a little travel time to get there. Enjoy!

Harbour Arts Sculpture Park

Taking the kids to see Hong Kong’s first International sculpture park is the perfect day out! Presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (and just in time for art month!), 21 artworks by 19 incredibly talented emerging and renowned artists are scattered throughout the harbourfront in Central and Wan Chai. The one you’ve probably seen on Instagram is the massively large yellow pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama, (look for the huge black feet and the teddy bear made of what looks like garbage bags!), but your kids and you will love looking at all the fascinating creations.

When: Now through 11 April, 2018
Where: Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Rd, Central, and Wan Chai Harbourfront, Fenwick Pier Navy Shopping Centre, 1 Lung King St, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Free!

Wishing Well Festival

Just off the heels off of Chinese New Year, the Wishing Well Festival is a chance to see all the floats from the Chinese New Year Parade, as well as the parade’s troupes doing a performance. Your kids will love being able to make wishes on the Wishing Trees. All they have to do is write their wish, name and date of birth on a piece of paper (the Chinese tradition for good luck is to write on red or gold paper), tie it with a string, tie an orange to the other side and toss the wish over the Wishing Tree branches. If it successfully catches one of the branches and stays hanging, your wish should come true! (You may need to bring the paper, string and orange with you, although we hear they may have some on hand while there.) While there, make sure you stay for the Wishing Lantern releasing (where lighted lanterns are released into the air with wishes made upon them) and also the

When: Now through 4 March, 2018
Where:  Lam Tsuen (take the MTR to Lam Tsuen, and the festival is in the nearby main square) Click here for directions and information.
How much: Free! But there is a fee for food and other items.

Spring Lantern Exhibition

One of the most celebrated events for Chinese New Year is the Spring Lantern Festival, which is best seen at night. The display of gorgeous lanterns is colourful and exciting, and your kids can expect to see all the zodiac animals, goldfish, pomegranate lanterns and more. There will also be a series of performances such as musical concerts, acrobatics, folk songs, dances and more. Best of all, there will be cultural things for your kids to do, including lantern making, Chinese painting, paper cutting, and more.

When: Tsim Sha Tsui: Youth Night is 1 March from 7:30pm to 9:30pm and Carnival Night is 2 March from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. New Territories West: Youth Night is 2 March from 7:30 pm to 9:30pm; Carnival Night is 3 March from 7:30pm to 10:00pm; New Territories East: Youth Night is 3 March from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Carnival Night 4 March from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: TST: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tung Chung North Park, Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong; New Territories West: Tung Chung North Park, 0 Tat Tung Rd, Tung Chung, Hong Kong; New Territories East: Hong Kong Velodrome Park in Tseung Kwan O, 105-107 Po Hong Road, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong.
How much: Free!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a fun event for kids and parents everywhere to enjoy the luck o’ the Irish! Be sure to don your favourite green outfits and head to see a Chinese take on an Irish tradition. Complete with everything from marching bands and bagpipes, you’ll also see some fun kung fu demonstrations and lions and dragons dancing (in green!). This year’s event will have many new groups, including local schools and performers.

When: 11 March (parade begins at 2:00pm)
Where: The Observation Wheel at Tamar Park, Harcourt Rd, Admiralty, Hong Kong
How much: Free!

The Irish Village Festival

Get your restless ones moving at this family friendly event. Your kids can snack on the festively coloured green popcorn and then have their faces painted while they take turns in the always loved bouncy castles! Irish Dance instructors, Echoes of Erin, will be teaching (and performing) as well.

When? 17 March at 12:00pm (until late)
Where? Ocean View Court and The Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Cyberport, Hong Kong
How Much? Free!
For a series of Irish special events including the Hong Kong Whiskey Festival and more, click here.

Hung Shing Festival

Head down to Ap Lei Chau to experience the Chau Hung Shing Festival, where it will pay homage to the deity Hung Shing. This 100-year-old tradition is meant to seek blessings for good weather and peace among the residents. The event will include dragon and lion dances, traditional processions, Chinese opera and more. There are various Hung Shing Festivals throughout Hong Kong, so click here to find one near you.

When: 18 March through 2 April. Blessing of Water Lanterns: 10:30am on 25 March;
Blessing of Dragon Boats: 11:30am on 25 March; Hung Shing Festival Parade: 2:00pm to 5:00pm on 25 March.
Where: Ap Lei Chau Hung Shing Temple, Ap Lei Chau Hung Shing Temple Square, Ap Lei Chau Park, Ap Lei Chau
How much: Free!

Urban Canvas 2018 Exhibition

Celebrate art month this March admiring all the street art HK has to offer, but make sure you take time to check out the HK Urban Canvas 2018 Exhibition. This community art project was created to promote and highlight local culture through art and oral history. Ever notice how some of your neighbourhood streets come alive with artwork when the shutters are pulled down? These are part of the canvases you’ll see in Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. Works have been inspired by each participant’s neighbourhood and will be showcased in a free public exhibition. For more information, call +852 2214 0280 or click here.

When: 17 March through 17 April, 2018, 10:00am to 8:00pm
Where: Begin at Comix Home Base, 7 Mallory Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Free!

Free Sports And Activities Classes and Events

Got an anxious little one who might benefit from the teachings of Tai Chi? There are free classes taught by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, you can find a variety around Hong Kong. Tai Chi Fun Day is one for ages 6 and older, and is a great way to introduce your young ones to this ancient Chinese tradition. But if you don’t think your young one is ready for that skill, there are other free classes, including briefing on the use of sports equipment, fitness walking (age 6 and older), day camp for children with disabilities (all ages), Golf Fun Day (age 8 and older), Parent-Child Badminton Fun Day (age 7 and older), the Wan Chai Parent-child Carnival and more! (Editor’s note: some of these events may be held in Cantonese only, so it’s best to check before venturing out.)

When: Various times and dates
Where: All over Hong Kong. Click here to find out more.
How much: Free!

Family Walks and Nature Trails

Want to get those kids off their smartphones and tablets? Take a family walk! There are a variety of nature trails and hikes around Hong Kong that are perfect for getting out in natures and seeing the best parts of Hong Kong. These are great for everyone from toddlers to teens. For a list of family hikes and nature trails, click here. And be sure to look at our favourite family hikes as well!

Volunteer

It’s never to early to teach your children the importance of giving back, so why not spend the day helping out at a charity? Whether you’re into animal welfare, helping the elderly, cleaning up the environment or supporting refugees, we have created a list for you to pick and choose what you can do to help. Nothing is better for teaching family values than helping others! Click here to learn more about volunteering in Hong Kong.

Read more: The Ultimate Family Guide to Tsim Sha Tsui