Whether you’re a music lover, ballet aficionado, avid reader or artist at heart, Hong Kong has something for everyone to enjoy this month. Here are some exciting events happening this November. 

Clockenflap

Hong Kong’s biggest music and arts festival is going all out for its 10th anniversary along the waterfront. This year’s line-up is headlined by international acts including Massive Attack (UK), Feist (Canada) and MØ (Denmark). “Festivals like Clockenflap occupy a very important place in the cultural and creative landscape of the city,” says founder Justin Sweeting. “This is our 10th year and we’re very much staying true to our vision and spirit as always. You’ll have to come to see for yourself – the only way to experience the magic.”

17-19 November
Central Harbourfront Event Space
9 Lung Wo Road, Central
HK$570-1,720
clockenflap.com

Arts in the Park

Calling all kids and kids at heart – this popular annual outdoor youth arts festival and puppet parade is back, this time celebrating all things Roald Dahl. The British novelist’s works (Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) will come alive in the form of giant characters and storytelling sessions. Interactive activities like the African Drum Jam and free art stalls will allow youngsters to unleash their creative energy in projects like mask and headdress making or face painting.

11-12 November
Victoria Park, Causeway Bay
Free
hkyaf.com

Rugby Charity Ball

Now in its 16th year, the prestigious Hong Kong Rugby Union Charity Ball continues its gala-for-a-cause. This year’s event will be headlined by World Classic Rockers, a supergroup composed of former members of Santana, Kansas, Boston and other legendary bands. The annual fundraiser has contributed over HK$88 million to education and rugby programmes serving underprivileged children since 2002. The black tie affair includes pre-dinner cocktails, a four-course dinner, a live concert and an auction (starring a custom-painted Harley- Davidson bike!) to cap off the night.

11 November
Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention
& Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. 6pm
HK$2,488
hkrucharityball.org

World Cultures Festival

Thumping beats and tribal arts travel to Hong Kong from the cradle of civilisation: Africa. The colourful World Cultures Festival is set to showcase the continent’s most distinctive music, dance and theatre acts in a line-up opened by none other than “African artist of the century” Youssou N’Dour (Senegal). The closing performance by Cape Town Opera pays tribute to South Africa’s first black president in a stirring folk opera entitled Mandela Trilogy.

Until 19 November
Schedule and venues vary
HK$80-$580
worldfestival.gov.hk/2017

Secret Theatre’s Project Mayhem

If you’ve been bemoaning the lack of an edgy arts scene in the 852 reminiscent of London and New York, maybe you haven’t been looking hard enough. Secret Theatre – which got its start with a production of Edward Scissorhands in an abandoned New York City factory – is in town for another round of immersive storytelling. While details on this experiential dinner and theatre show are intentionally scant, audiences can expect to be placed in a warehouse with devious characters who will act out “one of modern history’s most twisted tales of fraternity, violence and all-out psychological warfare”. You’ve been warned!

3 November – 10 December
Location to be announced upon ticket purchase
From HK$850
secretstudiolab.com, ticketflap.com/projectmayhemhk

Hong Kong International Literary Festival

Established and emerging writers from around the world come to Hong Kong for a 10-day programme of discussions, literary-themed lunches, workshops, debates, book signings, lectures and readings. The annual festival embraces creative writing in English, with an emphasis on connections to Asia. Look out for Amy Tan (author of The Joy Luck Club) at the gala dinner.

3-12 November
Venues and prices vary
festival.org.hk

Le Corsaire

Emmy Award-winning choreographer Anna-Marie Holmes is the creative force behind Hong Kong Ballet’s premiere of Le Corsaire. This staging stars Moscow-born Maria Kochetkova (San Francisco Ballet) and Canadian Matthew Golding (The Royal Ballet). Audiences can follow the romance between a dashing pirate and the beautiful harem girl he rescues – a classic adventure with a side of pas de trois.

3-12 November
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
2:30pm & 7:30pm
HK$140-$1,000
hkballet.com