Hong Kong practically invented the neon skyline. For decades, the streets of Kowloon and Wan Chai blazed with towering signs advertising everything from pawn shops to roast goose. Most of those signs are gone now, pulled down by government regulations and replaced by LED screens. But the craft has not disappeared. It has moved indoors, into studio workshops where you can learn to bend, twist, and shape your own neon creation in a couple of hours.
We tried several neon workshops across Hong Kong this spring and came back with glowing souvenirs, a deeper understanding of the materials involved, and a strong opinion on which ones are worth your time and money. Here is what we found.
What You Are Actually Making
Before you book, it helps to know what “neon” means in the workshop context. Traditional neon signs use glass tubes filled with gas, heated and bent by a skilled craftsman using an open flame. That process takes years to learn and is not something you can pick up in an afternoon class.
The DIY workshops in Hong Kong use EL (electroluminescent) wire or LED flex neon, which are flexible plastic strips that glow when powered by a battery pack. The visual effect is similar to real neon, especially in a dark room or on a shelf at home, but the process is closer to wire sculpting than glassblowing. You bend the wire around a template or freehand design, secure it with clips or glue, and connect it to a small battery box. The result is a portable, battery-powered neon sign that you take home the same day.
This is not a criticism. EL neon workshops are genuinely fun, surprisingly meditative, and produce a finished piece that looks good on a shelf or a wall. Just know that you are working with flexible wire, not molten glass.
Amazing Neon HK
Amazing Neon is the biggest name in Hong Kong’s neon workshop scene and the one we recommend trying first. Their studio is tucked inside an industrial building in San Po Kong, which is part of the charm: you ride a cargo lift to the 18th floor, walk past a corridor of small workshops, and step into a room lined floor to ceiling with glowing neon signs in every colour.
The company offers three workshop formats. The Monochromatic Neon Sign Workshop (HK$320 per person, 1 to 1.5 hours) gives you a 3-metre strip of single-colour EL wire and a battery pack. You sketch your design on paper, then bend and twist the wire to match. This is the best option for beginners and produces clean, simple pieces: a word, a silhouette, a symbol.
The Frame Neon Sign Workshop (HK$380 per person, 2 to 2.5 hours) adds a second colour and an A4 photo frame. You get two 2-metre strips of thinner wire (2.8mm) and build a two-tone design inside the frame. This takes longer and requires more precision, but the framed result looks polished enough to hang on a wall or give as a gift.
The Feature Neon Sign Workshop (HK$350 per person, 30 minutes to 1 hour) uses a pre-cut backing plate shaped like a Hong Kong icon: a pineapple bun, a red-sailed junk boat, a rooftop skyline. You trace the wire along the outline. This is the fastest and easiest option, ideal for younger children or anyone who wants a quick, guided experience.
All workshops require a minimum of two people for individual bookings. Group bookings (10 or more) can be arranged at the studio or off-site at your office, school, or event venue. Booking is by appointment via WhatsApp.
Aura Art
Aura Art runs neon workshops at two locations: inside the Tai Kwun heritage complex in Central and at their Causeway Bay studio. The sessions (from around HK$400) are 45-minute workshops where you choose from a set of templates or sketch your own design, then bend LED neon tubing and mount it on a black frame. The Causeway Bay studio offers a longer 1.5-hour session (from HK$445 on Klook) with more design freedom.
We recommend the Tai Kwun location for the setting alone. Making a neon sign inside a restored colonial police station is a very Hong Kong experience. The sessions are smaller than Amazing Neon’s group workshops, which means more one-on-one guidance from the instructor. Booking is available through Klook or direct via WhatsApp.
Other Workshops Worth Knowing
Neon Light HK operates from their own studio and offers both EL wire and LED flex neon workshops. Their pricing and format are similar to Amazing Neon, with individual and group options. Check their website for current availability.
NeonLite HK is a smaller, more boutique operation focused on handmade neon art. Their workshops tend to be more intimate, with smaller class sizes. They are a good alternative if Amazing Neon’s slots are fully booked.
KowloNeon (九龍霓虹) is an artist-run studio in the Southern District (Island South) that combines neon craft with contemporary art. Their workshops focus as much on design thinking and Hong Kong neon history as on the making process. Worth seeking out if you want a deeper cultural experience rather than a pure craft session.
Eldage (年青老野) does not run a DIY workshop, but their Neon Sign Production Guided Tour is the closest you will get to real glass neon. Master Wu Chi Kai, one of the last traditional neon sign craftsmen in Hong Kong with over 30 years of experience, walks you through the history and demonstrates the gas-and-glass technique. You do not make your own sign, but you watch a master at work and try part of the process. This is the option for anyone interested in the heritage side of Hong Kong neon.
Tips Before You Book
Wear clothes you do not mind getting slightly dirty. The wire bending involves handling glue, clips, and battery packs, and your hands will be busy for the full session.
Bring a design idea. Most workshops let you create freehand, and having a sketch on your phone saves time. Simple shapes and short words (under 8 letters) work best for beginners.
Book at least a few days ahead. Weekend slots at Amazing Neon and Aura Art fill up quickly, especially during school holidays. Weekday afternoons are the easiest to get.
The finished piece runs on 2A batteries, which last roughly 20 to 30 hours of continuous use. Replacement batteries are cheap and available at any convenience store.
Quick Info
| Best For | Couples, friends, team building, family (ages 7+ for simple workshops, 10+ for frame workshop) |
| Price Range | HK$200 to HK$445 per person |
| Duration | 30 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on workshop type |
| Top Pick | Amazing Neon HK (widest range of formats, most experience) |
| Amazing Neon Address | Flat 13, 18/F, Laurels Industrial Center, 32 Tai Yau Street, San Po Kong (Google Maps) |
| Amazing Neon Phone | +852 6360 4507 (WhatsApp) |
| Amazing Neon Website | amazingneonhk.com |
| Aura Art (Tai Kwun) | Tai Kwun, Central. Book via Klook |
