West Kowloon Cultural District
If you have been looking for a reason to spend more time on the West Kowloon waterfront, this is it. WestK FunFest 2026 launches on March 19 and runs through April 12, turning the cultural district into a sprawling playground of performances, art installations, and workshops. With more than 120 programmes on the schedule and over half of them free, it is shaping up to be one of the most accessible arts events Hong Kong has seen this spring.
What Is WestK FunFest?
WestK FunFest is a multi-week arts festival staged across the West Kowloon Cultural District waterfront. Now in its second edition, the 2026 programme features artists and companies from Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the UK, the US, and Spain. The focus is firmly on interactive, family-friendly experiences, but there is plenty here for adults who enjoy contemporary performance art, immersive theatre, and outdoor installations.
The festival coincides with Art March, Hong Kong’s broader cultural season that also includes Art Basel and Art Central, making late March and early April one of the best stretches of the year for culture in the city.
The Headline Acts
The centrepiece is The Cats that Slept for a Thousand Years, a giant inflatable installation by UK creative studio Air Giants making its Asian debut. The original 10-metre-long cat is joined by two big cats and a kitten, all stationed on the Harbourside East Lawn. These are not just for looking at: the sculptures are interactive and respond when visitors touch or lean against them. The installation runs on weekdays from 2pm to 8pm and on weekends and public holidays from noon to 8pm.
Beyond the cats, the theatre programme is stacked. Australia’s Spare Parts Puppet Theatre brings the award-winning Rules of Summer (based on Shaun Tan’s picture book) to the Xiqu Centre. Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballet performs Tiger Tale, a dance piece exploring courage and identity, with Playful Tiger, an accessible version designed for neurodivergent audiences. For the youngest visitors, Barcelona’s La petita malumaluga presents Bob Marley for Babies, a multi-sensory music and movement experience for infants and toddlers up to 36 months old.
From March 22, Sydney-based Atelier Sisu transforms the Harbourside Lawn East with Ephemeral, an immersive light-and-sound installation exploring the fleeting nature of beauty.
Free Events and the FunFest Market
More than half of the 120+ programmes are offered free of charge. The outdoor installations, including the giant cats, are all free to visit during opening hours. For families on a budget in Hong Kong, that alone makes the trip worthwhile. If you are looking for other Art March events, FunFest pairs nicely with a stroll along the waterfront or a visit to the neighbouring M+ museum.
The FunFest Market at Arts Park runs over three consecutive weekends starting March 22, featuring food stalls, specialty products, and retro photo spots. It is a relaxed way to spend a Saturday afternoon with kids or friends.
Quick Info
| Location | West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong |
| Dates | 19 March to 12 April 2026 |
| Admission | Many programmes free; ticketed shows via Cityline |
| Cat Installation Hours | Weekdays 2pm to 8pm; Weekends/PH 12pm to 8pm |
| Getting There | MTR Austin Station (Tuen Ma Line) or Kowloon Station (Airport Express/Tung Chung Line) |
| Website | westk.hk |
