Free Things To Do With Families This May In Hong Kong

Check out all the free things to do!

Don’t let the stress of finding fun, entertaining – and FREE! – things to do stop you from enjoying our beautiful city. Let us take care of that for you! We’ve scoured around to find you age-appropriate, exciting events for families with kids of all ages. With eco-friendly events, storytelling, sports and yoga, trips to the islands and more, we think you’ll find enough to keep you busy this May!

LUSH Live Central

If you haven’t noticed, we at Sassy Mama have long been on board with the eco-friendly charge that’s taking over Hong Kong (slowly but surely!), so we had to highlight this event! LUSH Live Central is for anyone who wants to make a change in our community. Gather and exchange thoughts on what you care about with like-minded folks. If you register in advance you’ll receive a free door gift by showing your e-ticket (anyone is allowed in, even if you don’t register). There will be workshops where you can plant herbs in a LUSH black pot, make handmade cosmetics and even vegan treats. If you’d rather hear more about human rights, animal rights or the environment, there will also be plenty of spots to discuss your opinion with other like-minded eco-warriors.

When: 12 May and 13 May, 11am to 10pm
Where: PMQ, Soho, Hong Kong
How much: FREE! Register to get a door gift for 12 May here and for 13 May here

The Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival

Although we’re loving the race dubbed the “The Lamma 500” for its excitement, this challenging and competitive dragon boat race features much more than just sport. For one, it’s held on the stunning Lamma Island, hosting an exciting day for men, women and kid’s races (the “Junior Crews” are age 12 to 17). But it also supports the Make A Wish Foundation, raising $220,000 to date! Best of all, it has an active recycling initiative, and boasts recycling stations, paperless programmes, a water refilling station (free!), and will soon ban single-use plastic. Yay for this being a “green” event!

When: 13 May from 9am to 6pm
Where: Tai Wan To Beach, Lamma Island, Hong Kong (from Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan)
How much: FREE! Click here to learn more about the festival

(Sneak peek! Check back to read our article on where to watch all the Dragon Boat races!)

Free Yoga Class

Anyone (including students!) is welcome at this special free yoga class. Just bring your yoga mat, towel and water (in a plastic-free container, mm goi!) and head to Central Pier 10 where you’ll be led by a certified yoga instructor.

When: Every Sunday from 8:30am to 9:30am
Where: Pier 10, Central, Hong Kong
Class Level: Beginners level
How much: FREE! Sign up here before attending classes. Students must sign a waiver before attending.

Fatburn Extreme and GameFit

This free event is meant to challenge anyone and everyone! Held in front of the AIA Observation Wheel these two classes by XP Fitness Hub will have you and your brood pumped up for more. The Fatburn Extreme is a 20-minute intensity workout, and GameFit is especially designed for sport coaches, so they know how to target certain areas when training athletes.

When: 22 May, 3pm to 4pm
Where: AIA Observation Wheel, Central Harbour, Central, Hong Kong
How much: FREE! For more information, click here; waivers must be signed in advance.

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is held every year on Buddha’s Birthday and it’s a festive and exciting celebration, especially for families. Legend has it the island was affected by a horrible disease during the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911), killing thousands of islanders until the god Pak Tei arrived, driving the bad spirits away and the plague along with it. This festival pays homage to Pak Tei with week-long entertainment, including floats, parades, lion dances, music, games and the iconic bun scrambling contest held on the final evening, where finalists compete by scrambling up a “tower” to grab as many lucky buns as they can.

(Sneak peek! We’ll be featuring our updated neighbourhood guide to Cheung Chau soon! Keep checking Sassy Mama or like us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with what’s new!)

When: 19 to 23 May
Festivities held on 22 May include a kung fu demonstration at 10:30am; parade from 2pm to 4pm; 23 May: Bun Scrambling Contest at 11:30pm
Where: Cheung Chau Island
How much: FREE!

French Story Time

Bonjour! Whether your little one speaks fluent French already or your child is learning the language of love at school, this free event is something that will help their understanding of this beautiful language. Running in both French and English, this is a chance for them to hear French short tales at no cost to you!

When: Saturday, 26 May and Saturday, 20 June 1:30pm to 2pm
Where: Alliance Francaise; call to find out where each story time will be held: Wan Chai 2527 7825, Jordan 2730 3257; Sha Tin 2635 0861
How much: FREE! RSVP here