Whether you’re a local or planning your next visit, Hong Kong is the place to be in 2024.

The calendar is packed full of sports, arts and cultural “mega events”. From world-class art exhibitions and international film festivals to exhilarating dragon boat races and the iconic Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament, there’s something for everyone.

It’s no surprise that a growing number of visitors are flocking to the city. Indeed, Travel Weekly recently reported that the Cathay Pacific airline expects to reach full pre-pandemic capacity by the end of 2024.

Most recently, the star-studded LIV Golf tournament welcomed a record number of spectators, visiting from 30 countries and territories.

The mega events have also attracted some big-name visitors in recent years – for example, Pharrell Williams, musician and creative director at Louis Vuitton, was spotted soaking up the art exhibitions in 2023.

Read on to learn more about five of the most exciting mega events scheduled for the year ahead.

1. Art exhibitions, 25 March – 2 June

Three of the most popular exhibitions on the mega events calendar are Art Harbour, Art Basel, and Art Central.

Art Harbour is a large-scale outdoor art project that will take place on both sides of Victoria Harbour from 25 March to 2 June. This inspirational exhibition will include an array of interactive installations and digital art facades that integrate art, science, and technology. The waterfront promenade will be transformed into a stunning multi-sensory experience.

Art Basel Hong Kong, which runs from 28 to 30 March, will showcase artwork from 242 leading international galleries across 40 countries and territories. There will be a strong focus on art from the Asia-Pacific region, including historical pieces and work from emerging artists. Whatever your tastes, there’s bound to be something that captures your imagination.

Between 27 and 31 March, Art Central will host an extraordinarily diverse exhibition of paintings, sculptures, mixed-media work, and large-scale installations produced by artists from Hong Kong and worldwide. Visitors can also enjoy artist talks, video presentations, and performances.

2. Hong Kong International Film Festival, 28 March – 8 April

This is one of Asia’s most established international film festivals. Founded in 1976, the event is dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.

Each year, the festival screens around 230 films from more than 60 countries at various venues across the territory.

With so many films and venues to choose from, this is a real treat for cinephiles visiting or living in Hong Kong.

3. Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, 5 – 7 April

Mark your calendar for one of the most prestigious sporting events of the year, the Hong Kong Sevens. Spectators can expect three days of exhilarating sports action and entertainment.

Organised as part of the World Rugby Sevens Series, visitors travel from all over the world for this spectacular three-day event.

This year’s event will be especially poignant, as it’s the last time the tournament will be held at the Hong Kong Stadium before it moves to the Kai Tak Sports Park in 2025.

The organisers expect tickets to sell out, so be sure to book yours soon!

Read more: Celebrating the Rugby Sevens: 7 memorable moments from Hong Kong’s Rugby Sevens

4. FIVB Volleyball Nations League, 11 – 16 June

Volleyball is a popular sport in Hong Kong and it’s attracting a growing number of fans globally. With 900 million fans worldwide, it’s the seventh most-watched sport.

For six weeks between May and June 2024, the Volleyball Nations League will take the top 16 male and female national teams to compete in nine countries across four continents.

Fans can see their favourite players compete at the impressive 12,500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum, over six days of action in June.

5. International Dragon Boat Races, 15 – 16 June

As the birthplace of modern dragon boat racing, this event is steeped in history, customs, and traditions. It’s one of the highlights of the mega events calendar for locals and visitors alike.

Top dragon boat racing teams from Hong Kong and around the world compete along the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui East in Victoria Harbour.

The event attracts thousands of participants each year and generates significant global media coverage.

While the races are clearly the star of the show, there’s so much more to experience at the Dragon Boat Festival, which is a public holiday in Hong Kong. Huge crowds gather to watch the action, but also to eat sumptuous rice dumplings and try their hand at egg balancing!

Hong Kong’s calendar of mega events has something to offer all tastes and 2024 is a fantastic year to soak up all the action and culture of this vibrant city.