French May Arts Festival is making a grand comeback! The 32nd edition of the French May Arts Festival (French May 2025) held its press conference yesterday morning at The Peninsula Hong Kong. The event offered an exclusive preview of the festival’s diverse activities and highlights, as well as shared mesmerizing moments of French May Arts Festival ambassador Karena Lam @karenalamkayan during her visit to France!
The press conference was a dazzling event, featuring an impressive lineup of esteemed guests. Attendees included Ms. Florence Sham Fung-kwan, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ms. Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau; as well as Ms. Karena Lam, Ambassador of the Le French May Arts Festival. The event also had a special highlight with the participation of Jeffrey Ngai @jeffreyngai, who joined as a guest to celebrate the occasion. Furthermore, Ms. Florence Dalia-Seffre, Culinary Arts Ambassador for Le French GourMay and Executive Chef at The Peninsula Hong Kong, shared insights into this year’s gastronomic theme. She emphasized the integral role of French spirits, not only as a drink of choice but also as a quintessential soul of French cuisine.
This year, French May takes 《Art Carnival》 as its theme, bringing together more than 60 spectacular programs across seven major domains: art, film, circus, music, dance, theater, and cuisine. For instance, last month’s collaboration with M+ on the 《Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents Series: Picasso ── A Dialogue with Asia》 exhibition was undoubtedly a highlight of this year’s arts festival, offering a multi-faceted showcase of this modern art master’s profound connection with Asian culture. The exhibition runs until July 13.
However, in the realm of performing arts, this year introduces the groundbreaking 《Phantom Night Ball》 at the Parade Ground of Tai Kwun, delivering a fresh theatrical experience. Adding to the excitement, 《Boundless Body》 will be showcased at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre, and 《Gisele》 will be performed at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre—each presenting a spectacular showcase.
Additionally, the music-related programs offer a rich array of performances, including captivating shows by French singer-songwriter Sarah Lancman in collaboration with renowned local pianist Rachel Cheung, such as Paris Melody, Gautier Capuçon’s Shostakovich, and The Wanderers Trio Hong Kong Premiere. These performances will take place at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall and Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. What’s truly special is the concert featuring French singer-songwriter Joyce Jonathan alongside celebrated Hong Kong pop singer Phil Lam. Joining them will be acclaimed Hong Kong music director Zhao Zengxi and creative director Li Zhilun in the Heartfelt Echo concert. This multicultural, diverse performance will bring audiences on an enchanting journey of cultural and musical exchange, delivered in Chinese, English, and French. Be prepared to immerse yourself in melodies that resonate deeply, sparking joy, and energizing the city’s pulse and interaction.
When mentioning French May, it’s impossible not to talk about Le French May Gastronomy Festival.
Now in its 16th edition, Le French May Gastronomy Festival pivots the spotlight to France’s rich liquor culture this year. From the amber brilliance of Cognac to the delicate aroma of Calvados, each sip invites you on a journey through time and tradition, offering a sensory taste of French heritage. The festival will showcase the essence of French culinary culture through five key event categories: exclusive dining offers, a citywide bar crawl, retail discounts, educational events, and a gourmet market. The gourmet market itself will come alive from May 1 to May 5 at the Central Market, and from June 6 to June 8 at Nina Mall, offering attendees an up-close experience of the art of French living.
As one of Hong Kong’s iconic events in May, the French May Arts Festival has served as a vital platform for fostering cultural exchanges between France and Hong Kong since its inception in 1993. Over the past three decades, it has attracted more than 20 million participants, drawing 350,000 visitors and locals annually, successfully establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for culture and the arts. This year, with the support of organizations such as The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the festival will continue to energize Hong Kong with boundless artistic vitality through groundbreaking cross-cultural collaborations, sparking creativity and nurturing endless possibilities.
This series of wine and culinary experiences will be grandly launched in Hong Kong from March 15 to July 13! Regarding ticket information, tickets for the programs organized by the French May Arts Festival will be available for public sale via URBTIX starting April 16. Interested audiences can visit the official websites at www.frenchmay.com and www.frenchgourmay.com for more details.