Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025: Celebrating Joy through Comedy, Music, and Art in April

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April

The third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival (PCF), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will kick off in April themed "More Than Joy". By exploring the classics of Hong Kong's master comedians and discovering elements of hilarity in music, images and text, audiences can appreciate how pop culture can be transmitted and transformed, and how integration and breakthroughs are possible in addition to joy and laughter. Opening week programmes will feature "Silhouette Resonance x The Banquet (1991)" and music carnival "ImagineLand 2025", inviting the public to immerse themselves in the charm of pop culture.

Opening Week Programmes

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Silhouette Resonance x The Banquet (1991)

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Kicking off the festival is the opening programme "Silhouette Resonance x The Banquet (1991)" to be staged on April 4 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Renowned musician Ng Cheuk-yin will reimagine beloved songs from classic comedy films with fresh arrangements, while pop singer Alfred Hui, the a cappella choral theatre company Yat Po Singers, and beatboxer Heartgrey (Eric So) will perform together with a live band. Following the performance, there will be a screening of "The Banquet" (1991) (4K digitally restored version), a comedy produced to raise disaster relief funds for flood relief, directed by Tsui Hark, Clifton Ko, Cheung Tung Joe and Alfred Cheung, featuring a cast of legendary stars. The opening programme, blending entertainment with cultural artistry, offers audiences a fresh and inspiring perspective on the vibrancy of Hong Kong's pop culture.

ImagineLand 2025

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Another highlight of the PCF is an outdoor music carnival "ImagineLand 2025" to be held on April 5 and 6 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, the Central Lawn & Event Trellis of Salisbury Garden, the Avenue of Stars free of charge. Supported and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the two-day carnival features both daytime and evening programmes. "Go Beyond Concert", "Comics Fun Experience Gallery" and "Funarts Corner" will be available during the day, whereas film programme "Movie Under the Stars" will be held at night. "Go Beyond Concert" will showcase three stages featuring over 35 musicians and artists from Hong Kong and eight countries and regions including Mainland China, Japan, Korea, the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and Ukraine. The event showcases boundless possibilities of music across the performances. Major line-ups of local artists include Ivana Wong, Joey Tang, Yatfung, Cloud, Ashley Lin, Pandora, Chu Wan-pin and more, performing mesmerising popular songs and original works.

In addition to the music concert, "Comics Fun Experience Gallery" will display Hong Kong comics and animation from different eras to highlight the creativity of local artists. Visitors canlearn aboutthe history of Hong Kong's comics and animation while taking photos with comic characters. In addition, "Funarts Corner" will offer workshops on art, music, and crafts for public participation. In the evenings, "Movie Under the Stars" will screen local comedies: "Table For Six" (2022) and "Forbidden City Cop" (1996) on April 5 and 6 respectively, allowing audiences to enjoy outdoor films while relaxing on the lawn.

Other festival highlights include:

Film Screening

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Apart from "The Banquet" (1991), the Hong Kong Film Archive will hold a "Laughter Double Bill: Hong Kong Comedy Film Spectacular" film screening, showcasing eight pairs of thematically related classic films from the 1940s to the 2000s, including "Black Rose" (1965) (2K Digital Version) and "92 The Legendary la Rose Noire" (1992), "The Judge Goes to Pieces" (1948), and "Justice, My Foot!"(1992), showcasing the comedic sparks of master comedians from different eras while illustrating the evolution of Hong Kong comedy films.

Exhibitions

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"Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics", running from May this year to March 2026 at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, will showcase exhibits related to Hong Kong comedy comics from different periods. The exhibition will also feature the creative concepts and artistic features behind them, showing the unique charm of Hong Kong comedy comics.

Another exhibition, "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s", to be held from May to October at the Hong Kong Film Archive, will feature a wide selection of highlights from different films, offering an amusing window into the past. In-depth analysis of the films by renowned actors and behind-the-scenes filmmakers will also be offered to reveal the essence of Hong Kong humour.

Library Activities

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To support the PCF's theme of "More Than Joy", the Hong Kong Public Libraries will organise a series of activities under the theme of "Happy Reading" from April to August. This will feature book displays with themes "Delightful Comics", "Into the World of Movies" and "Music Delights: from Classical Music to Popular Songs". It will also include subject talks on "Hong Kong Comics" and "Hong Kong Style Humor Films", as well as workshops on "Digital Art - Creative Comic Drawing" and "National Games Comics Path", all aimed at sharing fun and happiness through comics, music and films. The "Meet-the-Authors 2025" will focus on "Joyful Writing" to explore writing and positivity. In April, Dr Chan Kai-tai, a psychiatrist and lyricist, will speak on "When Words meet Music and Mind: Cantopop and Well-being" to explore how the lyrics of Cantopop promote our mental well-being.

Performing Arts

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The 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras-Bands "The Animated Melodies - Our Nostalgic Memories" will be held at Yuen Long Theatre in April, showcasing all-time favourite theme songs from animations such as "Nintama Rantarō" and "The Lion King", and a medley of works by Akira Toriyama to transport audiences back to nostalgic moments. Another two "Let's Have Fun with Music" concerts by Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra in May will blend the best of classical and pop music. To heighten the excitement, original animations crafted by local talents will be woven into the concert, making it a truly engaging and enjoyable concert. Meanwhile, "Vivek Mahbubani Stand-up Comedy - Funny made in Hong Kong" by Hong Kong born stand-up comedian Vivek Mahbubani will feature jokes about the funny things of Hong Kong's golden standard of "fast, beautiful and awesome" in June.

In pop music, "Ko Shan Fest" will be staged at Ko Shan Theatre in June, featuring two concerts curated by renowned producer and music director Carl Wong. Wong will collaborate with bands with diverse backgrounds and styles to reintroduce audiences to the history and culture of Hong Kong band music. Another two "Music & Laughs" concerts will be held in July at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Curated by veteran producer Edward Chan in collaboration with pop music artists and the Symphonic Pops Orchestra and band, the performance invites the audience to explore together: What is comedy? Severalpopular artists will join this feast and details will be announced later.

Alongside the above programmes, several industry partners will be offering a range of events as part of the festival, which are not to be missed. These include "My Stage@HKCC 2025/26 - Saturday Music Live" by Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups; "2025 Hong Kong Reading +" by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation; "JITN - SHAG" by the Jazz World (Hong Kong) Ltd & Count-in Music Ltd; "Cinema Day 2025" by Hong Kong Theatres Association Ltd; "Cherish Tonight" concerts by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra; and the "4th HK Comics Support Programme" by the Hong Kong Comics & Animation Federation.

Hong Kong's pop culture has drawn inspiration particularly from humour, a constant trendsetter that has left a deep footprint on many aspects of the city's rich and colourful pop cultural landscape. The PCF 2025, with more than 20 programmes, will not only delight audiences with exciting performances and works but will also offer an insight into the development paths of Hong Kong's pop culture along the line of "happiness". By participating in these activities, audiences will be able to discover their own happiness.

For more details, please visit the website:www.pcf.gov.hk, or call 2601 8703 for enquiries.

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to open in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB reminds parents to choose primary schools under Central Allocation process for their children

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (January 12) reminded parents that children who have joined the Primary One Admission (POA) System for 2026 but have not yet secured a discretionary place can take part in the Central Allocation process for a Primary One (P1) place in a government or aided primary school. Parents concerned should make their choice of schools within the period from January 19 to 25.

Digitalisation of POA

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In line with the Smart Government strategy, the EDB has fully implemented digitalisation of the POA. Parents who have registered as POA e-Platform (ePOA) users and have bound their account to "iAM Smart+" may submit the Choice of Schools Form for Central Allocation from January 19 to 25 through the ePOA. Please refer to the related videos and Parent's Guide on the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for activating and logging into an ePOA account and for making school choices for the Central Allocation of POA via the e-Platform.

Making school choices at Central Allocation Centres

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The EDB will send letters to parents on January 14 inviting them to make their choice of schools. To cater for the needs of different parents, parents can still submit the Choice of Schools Form in paper form by visiting the designated Central Allocation Centre at the suggested time slot (i.e. 9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 24 (Saturday) or 9.30am to 12.30pm on January 25 (Sunday)) stated in the letter.

Parents who are ePOA users may choose to submit the Central Allocation Application via the ePOA or in paper form to the Central Allocation Centre but should not submit duplicate applications. Parents who have not yet received the letter by January 19 should call the School Places Allocation Section of the EDB (Hotline: 2832 7700) as soon as possible.

Only one parent of an applicant child is required to complete the school choice-making procedures. Parents are advised not to take their children to the Central Allocation Centre if possible. Parents who cannot make school choices within the suggested time slot can go to the designated Central Allocation Centre from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 25. The Choice of Schools Form will be sent together with the letter to parents who have submitted a paper Application Form at the Discretionary Places stage for filling out in advance.

In the event of adverse weather or other special conditions on any day during the period of making school choices, please pay heed to radio or television announcements on the relevant special arrangements.

Unable to submit application within specified choice-making period

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For individual parents who are unable to use the ePOA or go to the Central Allocation Centre to make school choices, they can authorise in writing a representative to bring the completed Choice of Schools Form and their signed Letter of Authorisation to the Central Allocation Centre to proceed with the related procedures.

To apply for POA 2026 for their children after January 25, parents need to complete necessary procedures with the School Places Allocation Section, which will separately arrange P1 places for the applicant children in June.

Change of residential address

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An EDB spokesman reminded parents that, if they have recently moved their residence or have such plans in the near future, they are required to inform the School Places Allocation Section as soon as possible so that they can make school choices in the POA School Net where their new home is located. Parents should fill in the actual residential address of their child. If they provide a false address for securing a P1 place, the POA application of their child will be rendered void and the P1 place allocated will be withdrawn.

The EDB has put in place a monitoring mechanism to verify the residential addresses of applicant children as given by the parents. Random checks have also been stepped up. The public may call the School Places Allocation Section to report suspected cases of using a false address by parents for their children's POA application. The EDB will take action against false address cases.

Mechanism of Central Allocation

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Central Allocation is composed of two parts. Part A, which takes up 10 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation, is for unrestricted school choices. Parents can choose up to three government or aided primary schools in any school net. Part B takes up the remaining 90 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation. Parents of applicant children residing in the school net concerned are to select schools from the "Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation (Primary One Admission 2026)" of their school net, while parents of applicant children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong are to select schools from the "2026 Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation (For Applicant Children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong)". Parents should fill in the Choice of Schools Form in the order of their preference.

The mechanism of the Central Allocation is based on parents' choices in general. The computer-programmed allocation will first process the school choices in Part A and then the school choices in Part B. For oversubscribed schools, the order of priority in allocating places will be determined by random numbers generated by the computer for individual applicants to ensure fairness.

For information about the procedures for Central Allocation, please call the EDB's 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088.

Release of Central Allocation results

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For parents who have already activated their ePOA account via "iAM Smart" or "iAM Smart+", they will receive their Central Allocation results through the ePOA from 10am on June 3. Parents who wish to receive the allocation results via SMS on June 3 may choose such an option in the Choice of Schools Form. In addition, the allocation results will be sent to parents by post on June 3 and 4.

Source: AI-found images