Your guide to free Hong Kong events for kids this month.
As the year ticks on (can you believe October is here already?), it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be inundated with a host of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year obligations. Before all that though, we highly encourage you to make the most of the calm before the storm – and we have just the roundup of (mostly) free events to help you do so! From film screenings to music festivals and live storytelling, here’s our pick of where to take the kids in October.
Read more: 5 Places We’re Taking The Kids In Hong Kong This October
Science Theatre
Discover the work of Dr. Jane Goodall and her mission to protect the chimpanzees in this free screening of the documentary “Jane”. Using a trove of never-before-seen personal footage and a new interview with the woman herself, this acclaimed and intimate film tells Jane’s extraordinary story. Make sure to stick around to the end for an exclusive post-screening talk by a representative of the Jane Goodall Institute (HK). Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the screening will be in English with Chinese subtitles.
When: Wednesday, 2 October; 2pm to 4pm
Where: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
PolyU Design Workshop
Do you have any budding designers in your midst? Give them a head start in achieving the career of their dreams with the PolyU Design Workshop (aimed at prospective university design students). In this hour-long class, students have the opportunity to learn how to undertake the fundamental methodology for a design project – a quality skill that can be applied to prepare their future portfolios! Remember to bring pens, pencils, erasers and colour markers!
When: Saturday, 5 October; 2:15pm to 3:15pm
Where: V1201, 12/F, Jockey Club Innovation Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry upon registration (register here)
Read more: 6 Things You Need To Consider For Your Teenager’s UCAS Application
Absolutely Fabulous Children’s Theatre (Storytelling)
Moral education meets fantastical storytelling in this vibrant live performance of Aesop’s Fables. Presented by The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection, English-speaking actors will retell storybook classics – with a twist! Suitable for kids aged between three and ten.
When: Saturday, 19 October and Sunday, 20 October; 3pm and 4pm (each show lasts for around 25 minutes)
Where: 2/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry
Rotten Head Music Festival
*Editor’s Note:This event has been cancelled. Head here for more info.*
Set to be “the most exciting thing to happen to Lantau Island since the Mongol invasion of 1276”, it’s fair to say that our expectations for the Rotten Head Music Festival are sky-high. Featuring over ten Lantau and Hong Kong craft breweries (including Heroes and Moonzen), delicious food stalls, pop-up shows, the Handmade Hong Kong market and, of course, an eclectic line up of musical talent, there’ll be plenty to keep the adults happy. As for the kids, they’ll have a riot taking part in drama classes, talks and an art jam. In addition to all that, the festival is also striving to be as low impact as possible on the environment, with a zero single-use plastic policy, which will see it reusing cups and composting food waste. Though you do technically have to pay for this event if you’re an adult, kids under 12 can join for free!
When: Saturday, 26 October; 12pm to 10pm
Where: Tat Tung Road Garden, Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
How much: $300 for adults, $120 for kids aged 12 to 17 (kids under 12 go free)
Whiskers N Paws Halloween Party
Not only kid-friendly but pet-friendly too, Whiskers N Paws invites both families and furry friends alike to join it for what will possibly be the cutest Halloween party in town. Expect floor-to-ceiling decorations, inflatable props and a doggie obstacle course, alongside free goody bags, dog popcorn and ice cream. Dog identity tag engraving will also be available on the day. And costumes are highly encouraged!
When: Sunday, 27 October; 12pm to 5pm
Where: Whiskers N Paws, 10/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry