HKPAX 2026 to showcase artists from five continents in October programme

Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo 2026 (HKPAX) will take place from 9 to 13 October 2026, bringing together artists, companies, presenters, venues, producers, funders and other performing arts professionals from across the world.

Organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) and sponsored by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the second edition of HKPAX will be held under the theme ‘Passion in Motion’. The programme will include International Showcase, Pitching, Hong Kong Chapter, Conversations, Networking, Exchange Avenue, Partner Programmes, Cultural Offerings and a Greater Bay Area Performing Arts Tour.

HKADC said the 2026 edition will feature more than 40 performances across the International Showcase and Pitching strands, as well as more than 30 dialogue and exchange sessions. Presenters include artists and companies from five continents, with work spanning dance, theatre, music, xiqu, circus, multidisciplinary performance, music theatre and technology-led performance.

The International Showcase will present 15 programmes by artists and companies from 14 countries and regions, selected from submissions across more than 80 countries and regions. The line-up includes Modern Table Dance Company from South Korea, Danish Dance Theatre, Stegreif – The Improvising Symphony Orchestra from Germany, Cas Public from Canada, Recirquel Cirque Danse by Bence Vági from Hungary, Sankofa Danzafro from Colombia, The Last Great Hunt from Australia and City Contemporary Dance Company from Hong Kong.

Pitching will bring together 18 works from 15 countries and regions, offering artists and companies a platform to present works-in-progress, early-stage ideas and touring-ready projects to presenters, producers, agents, venues, funders, curators and other arts professionals.

Participating organisations include Cirque Le Roux, One Fell Swoop Circus, Aracaladanza, Muziektheater Transparant with Huang Ruo and The Netherlands Chamber Choir, Huichang Theatre Village, Dimension Plus, Ivanhoe Lam Chun-ho and Danny Yeo with Phang Kok Jun.

A new Hong Kong Chapter strand will spotlight local independent artists and small and medium-sized arts groups through concise presentations, demonstrations and excerpts. The 10 selected participants are Yat Po Singers, Fountain Collective, Rooftop Productions, ANIMA Ensemble, CHLOEOGRAPHY PROJECT, Fung Lam, TS Crew, Toolbox Percussion, ALAN (Artists who Love Animals and Nature) and THÉÂTRE DE LA FEUILLE.

The Opening Showcase will be _City Reverie_, a multidisciplinary performance combining media art, piano music and emotional tracking technology. Created by Joel Kwong, Vvzela Kook, Fung Lam and Silver Cheung, the work is part of ARTS · TECH 4.0, an annual flagship initiative presented by HKADC.

The Hon Kenneth Fok, BBS, JP, Chairman of HKADC, said the return of HKPAX came ‘at an important juncture for Hong Kong’s cultural development’ and aligned with the Government’s Blueprint for Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Development, as well as the cultural direction outlined in the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

He said: ‘Building on the strong foundation established by its inaugural edition, which facilitated many new professional connections, collaborations, and touring opportunities, HKPAX has demonstrated its value as a connector-platform for the international and regional performing arts community.’

He added that HKPAX supports local arts and culture in reaching international audiences and helps consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an ‘East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange’.

Partner Programmes will feature work presented by major arts and culture institutions including China Performing Arts Agency, Xinjiang Performing Arts and Culture Co., Ltd., The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Dance Company, Hong Kong Fringe Club, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Opera Hong Kong, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and WestK Performing Arts.

The 2026 edition will also include Exchange Avenue, an exhibition space for institutions and arts groups, alongside networking events, public engagement programmes and cultural experiences across the city. A four-day pre-opening Open Prologue will run from 6 to 9 October, featuring free performances and public activities.

HKPAX 2026 will follow immediately after the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (AAPPAC) Annual Conference 2026, which will be held at Freespace in the West Kowloon Cultural District from 6 to 9 October. A joint AAPPAC × HKPAX Bundle offers a 10% discount to delegates purchasing both an HKPAX Standard Pass and a ticket to the AAPPAC conference.

The inaugural HKPAX in 2024 attracted more than 1,600 arts leaders and practitioners from 60 regions and countries, as well as more than 32,000 attendees and audience members.

Passes for HKPAX 2026 are now available. The Standard Pass is priced at HKD 1,560, with a 20% early-bird discount reducing the price to HKD 1,250 until 17 July 2026. Hong Kong arts practitioners are eligible for a concessionary Standard Pass at HKD 780. Day Passes are priced at HKD 390 and Student Passes at HKD 150. Further information is available via the HKPAX website.