Not the Sevens: seven things to do in Hong Kong this weekend if you don’t have a ticket to the party in So Kon Po
Don’t worry, there’s no shortage of alternatives to the South Stand if you can’t be at the stadium or want to get as far away from the mayhem as you can
If you’re missing out on Hong Kong’s biggest party of the year this weekend, when rugby fans descend on the city in their thousands for the Hong Kong Sevens, don’t worry. For those who couldn’t get their hands on one of the 40,000 precious tickets to see the action at the Hong Kong Stadium, or would rather be as far away from the mayhem as possible, there are plenty of other things going on.
We picked out seven alternative events happening over Sevens weekend:
1. Songkran Hong Kong festival
Getting soaked at the annual water fight in “Little Thailand” – Kowloon City – during the Thai New Year is guaranteed to cool you down as the summer heat starts to kick in. The local Thai community will be holding its 13th Songkran carnival in Hong Kong on Sunday from noon to 6pm at the Carpenter Road Playground. Don’t forget to bring your water pistol.
Attractions include the “Water Angel” beauty contest, and Thai dancing and boxing performances.
2. Tsing Yi Bamboo Theatre
Don’t miss the five-day outdoor food market at the Tsing Yi Athletic Association Sports Ground, which takes place twice a year. The five-day celebration of Chinese god Zhen Jun’s birthday kicks off on Saturday with more than 110 stalls selling fare ranging from authentic Cantonese grilled seafood to fusion snacks including molten lava cheese chicken pieces.
Cantonese opera performances will take place in bamboo theatres next to the stalls. Admission is free. The market opens from 2pm to 11pm daily from April 8 to 12.
3. Mui Wo Cycling Tour
For something a bit more physical than just watching rugby, a cycling tour led by a Mui Wo resident will give participants a glimpse of the history and little-known gems of the rural eastern coast of Lantau Island. The tour involves a three-hour bike ride. Bikes can be rented at the Mui Wo pier for the tour, which takes place from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on Saturday. Tickets cost HK$50.
4. Introduction to Calligraphy Workshop - Dip pen
For something more relaxing, consider this two-hour calligraphy workshop for beginners in Sham Shui Po on Sunday. Participants at the workshop – with English and Chinese instruction – will be taught how to write the 26 letters of the alphabet using an ink pen. You also get to keep the tools for further practice at home.
The cost of the workshop – with all materials provided – is HK$500. It will be held at Cafe Sausalito in Tai Nan Street from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday.
5. D2 Place Weekend Markets
Two markets are taking place side by side at Lai Chi Kok’s D2 Place mall, for both families and prospective parents. Market Fairish will sell children’s toys and clothes, and organise games stalls and parent-child art and craft workshops.
The So Dream Market will be held next door, aimed at couples looking for handmade decorations and craft ideas for their upcoming wedding. Market Fairish will be open from 11am to 8pm, while the So Dream Market runs from noon until 7pm. Both are open all weekend.
6. Easter Board Game Social
Put the smartphone away and rediscover the fun of playing physical board games at the Easter Board Game Social event, held at 3/F, 18 Gilman’s Bazaar in Central on Saturday. The organiser is providing more than 150 types of board games together with snacks and drinks from 2pm to 7pm.
7. M+ Screenings: Genderfluid
Five screenings under the theme “Genderfluid” will look into how the representation of gender has been transformed across nations and in different generations. The screenings at the Broadway Cinematheque in Yau Ma Tei from Friday to Sunday night are organised in conjunction with the ongoing West Kowloon Cultural District’s M+ exhibition “Ambiguously Yours: Gender in Hong Kong Popular Culture”. Tickets are still available for HK$85.
