October 2023 Events That Should Be on Your Radar

I’m a few days late with this as I had a hectic end to the month with client work and then may or may not have found hope at the bottom of a mango cider or seven as I rang in 33. Thanks to a self-prescribed vacation until the 11th, today is the first day the mind, body, and soul have felt unencumbered, (temporarily) unshackled from the banalities of everyday life. 

Now that I think of it, isn’t that what Halloween is for once you become an adult? A chance to suspend disbelief and untether from the reality of spreadsheets, water cooler pleasantries, and Tim from HR telling you about how he’s training for his first Hyrox competition.

With a heart full of pumpkin spice and woe, here are some hand-picked events, festivals, restaurants, and things to do this October 2023. 

Note: If you have any particular types of events, festivals, or things that you’d like to see more of, let me know in the comments or via email (info@palealetravel.com). I’d love to hear from you and keep building out a monthly events calendar that gets people jazzed.  

October 2023 Spotlight: Crazy Noodles [Central]

‘Crazy Noodles’ on Stanley Street in Central is my October spotlight as it’s where I went with my father for a joint birthday lunch. He is a noodle fanatic. I was in the mood for some dan dan mian. It was the perfect meeting point before I scoped out some of the finest, mid-range Japanese washing machines on the market at Fortress. 

Billed as a “noodle bar,” Crazy Noodles serves up spicy, Sichuan-style noodles that you can customize down to the T. From extra spicy mala broths packed with pork intestines to soupless, slightly tangy dan dan noodles packed to the gills with savory ground pork to noodles with fried egg in a mellow tomato soup base, Crazy Noodles has something for everyone. 

I also recommend making it a set and grabbing yourself a side of the black fungus in chili oil and dumplings in sweet and sour sauce (more of a traditional pleated dumpling like you are used to but with a 红油抄手 – spicy chili oil wonton – finish). 

• Website: Crazy Noodles website
• Address: Central, Stanley St, 66-72號, Kai Tak Commercial Building, 1/f
• Price: HKD$90 to HKD $110 per set. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you are in Central and in the market for some Central European cuisine (i.e. schnitzel) that is done proper justice, make sure to check out my post on ‘Schnitzel & Schnaps’ on Hollywood Road.

October 2023 Festivals, Concerts, & Cultural Events

I’m tempted to exclude anything that doesn’t incorporate pumpkin spice in its offerings but I will do my best to be unbiased. October is not as culturally ripe for the picking as September but there are still more than enough festivities (other than Halloween) to get into. 

Hong Kong Asian Film Festival

Having just come hot off of seeing a fantastic film (Cora Bora) with a top roll dawg of mine at Hong Kong’s Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, you could say that I am a cultured man who appreciates fine art and cinema (and many leather-bound books in my apartment which smells of rich mahogany). 

Starting October 13th, The Hong Kong Asian Film Festival will be showing over 100 Asian films, most of which have been previously screened and selected from top film festivals around the world (e.g. Cannes, Berlin, etc…). Local directors are highlighted and can be found opening and closing the festival, with local scriptwriter and director Nick Cheuk’s Time Still Turns the Pages (reflecting on generational traumas in nuclear Hong Kong families) kicking things off and Noris Wong’s The Lyricist Wannabe (following on girl’s dream of Canto-pop stardom) closing it out on November 12th.

• Where: Assorted Venues Across Hong Kong (https://www.hkaff.asia/en/ticket/2023) 
• When: October 13th to November 12th
• Price: HKD$95 to HKD$110 

Shi Fu Miz Festival

I swear to god that even my mother has asked me about this festival. Well, she hasn’t but I wouldn’t be surprised considering the amount of people who have messaged me asking if I’m going. Located on my favorite of Hong Kong’s outlying islands (and recommended in my Hong Kong date ideas guide) ‘Cheng Chau’, Shi Fu Miz (meaning scissor, paper, rock in French) is an eco-friendly, zero plastic waste, house and techno music/art festival featuring artists like Ani Phoebe, Antal, Gigi Testa, and Esa. 

• Where: Sai Yuen Farm, Cheng Chau
• When: October 27th to 29th
• Price: HKD$580 to HKD$1,150 – Get your tickets over at: https://www.shifumiz.com 

Festival goers can get their ‘glamp’ on at one of Sai Yuen’s geodesic domes or tents, participate in eco-talks and seminars, and help give back to the community/environment with beach cleaning sessions. While I’m not a house or techno music type of guy, I am an outlying island type of guy, which is why I’m heavily considering this.

Freespace Jazz Fest

Get jazzed up with 7 days of international and local jazz artists across Hong Kong for the biggest edition of the Freespace Jazz Fest yet. There are free concerts at the Great Lawn, M+, Harbourside Lawn (West), family-friendly activities and arts and crafts booths, sharing sessions by world-renowned jazz artists, and more food and drink than you can shake a flute at. 

• Where: Freespace, Art Park, Wonderland, M+, Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District
• When: October 3rd to 8th, October 26th
• Price: You can find a list of free and ticketed concerts here: https://www.westkowloon.hk/en/jazzfest 

Fun fact: This Big Body plays the tenor and bari saxophone, and the tuba. One of the coolest musical experiences I’ve ever had was participating in a jazz “lab band” one summer (back in New England), which was a rag-tag group of non-traditional jazz instruments (me on tuba) shredding Moanin’ by Charles Mingus and other jazz classics. 

Halloween Celebrations – Literally Everywhere

One of my earliest memories of Hong Kong was my first year (back in 2012) when I threw on a yellow dragon onesie from Pottinger Street and ripped through Ocean Park rides with an adolescent curiosity and vigor. Little did I know that 10 years later I would be posing next to Oogie Boogie at Disneyland with two buddies while donning Minnie Mouse ears and my finest pairs of New Balances. 

If there are several Halloween celebrations that I can personally attest to, each of the below three has been Big Body certified. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt (and Minnie Mouse ears), and drank the beers.

Disneyland

Disneyland’s ‘Halloween Time’ has actually been in the full swing of things since September 16th. While it’s not a party per se, it’s a vibe (food, merch, shows, and more). It’s Disneyland but on Halloween steroids. There’s an unparalleled energy and nostalgia that you just can’t beat and my trips to Disneyland were the first time in a long time that I felt like I could just turn off, be goofy (no pun intended), and spend time with friends.

Some of my favorites include the ‘Let’s Get Wicked’ musical, which is a collection of all Disney’s top villains who lead their various sections in a lyrical war against one another (seriously, it’s incredible), Mickey’s Halloween Main Street Party (just make sure to post up a little before to get a good viewing spot), and Jack Skellington’s ‘The Nightmare Before Dinner’ (this is where I posed with Oogie Boogie).

• Where: Disneyland Hong Kong
• When: September 16th to October 31st (including)
• Price: HK$639 over at the Disney Website: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/book/general-tickets. Or consider picking up discounted tickets at Klook starting at HKD$439: https://www.klook.com/activity/39-hong-kong-disneyland-resort-hong-kong/   

I should note that Disneyland turns up at night. They even serve booze. Post-6 PM, the crowd noticeably shifted from families and couples to mid-thirty and forty-somethings who were proponents of both booze and Halloween festivities.

Ocean Park

Everyone says it. It’s Disneyland for the vibes. Ocean Park for the rides. Having already begun (September 15th), Ocean Park’s Halloween Fest ticket trio (regular park admission not included) grants access to three Halloween-specific attractions (this year, a school-themed horror experience). Don’t forget to check out several fright-inducing shows (including ‘A Deadly Pageant’ and ‘Spooky Gala’ and if you dare, make sure to ride my favorite roller coaster – the Hair Raiser.

• Where: Ocean Park
• When: September 15th to October 31st (including)
• Price: There are too many combo deals to pick so I recommend checking out the Ocean Park Website for pricing. 

Lan Kwai Fong

While there is no “official” party hosted by Allan Zeman, the (former) Canadian business magnate behind an estimated 65% of Lan Kwai Fong’s developments and bars, it is the place to be this Halloween if you are looking for booze, lechery, and the spectacle of it all. 

Lan Kwai Fong caters to Halloween’ers of all costumes and budgets (just make sure to wear a costume!). Looking to save a few extra doll-hairs while getting your midnight mayhem fix? Crack a cold one from 7-11. Looking to splurge on a table while you dance into the early morning? Cassio or Dragon-I it is. Looking for something in the middle? Head to Geronimo Shot Bar (about a 75% chance I end up here at some point that weekend).   

• Where: Lan Kwai Fong
• When: Expect craziness starting the weekend before – October 27th (probably even the 26th) to October 31st (Halloween)
• Price: Whatever you want it to be

Maybe I don’t need to put a disclaimer but I just want to throw out that everyone should be careful this Halloween. Stay vigilant of your surroundings, personal belongings, and friends. As we’ve seen with Seoul (and the 1993 incident in Hong Kong), things can easily take a turn for the worse. I encourage everyone to get rowdy but also use common sense and err on the side of skepticism when it comes to large crowds. Always have an exit plan and try to operate via the buddy system if possible.

P.S. You can find a wider range of costumes right on Pottinger Street if you are in need of a last-minute get-up. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: When I was 21, I went to Dragon-I with some friends of friends and ordered a round of tequila shots for everyone. It was the first time that I learned that college prices didn’t apply to Hong Kong clubs and had to tell the waiter I couldn’t afford it and slunk off with my tail between my legs. 

Where to Eat & Drink This October (Hint: Oktoberfest)

The first of several steaks at Frites’ all-you-can-eat steak and frites one Saturday (many moons ago).

Shoutout to when I moved over to Europe and timed it perfectly so that I could make it to Munich’s infamous ‘Oktoberfest’ but ended up drinking 9 Erdingers on the plane (and 3 IPAs in the airport lounge pre-flight) and slept through the remaining days of the world’s biggest beer festival and carnival. I’m not missing it this year. 

Oktoberfest [All Over Hong Kong]

While there is no shortage of Oktoberfest celebrations across Hong Kong this month, this is one that I am personally looking forward to/will be attending:

Frites

Frites is criminally underrated in my books. Good steaks, great beers, a friendly, attentive staff, and a communal, German beer hall vibe like you dream of (in Asia, that is). You can expect Lowenbrau steins, pretzel towers, classic German comfort dishes, and more!

• Where: Frites Central, Frites Causeway Bay
• When: October 14th (Frites Central) and October 21st (Frites Causeway Bay)
• Price: HKD$3,000 minimum spend (table of 6) for the day, HKD$3,500 minimum spend (table of 6) for the night

To reserve tickets for either location, head over to this link.

Florence Trippa

I currently have an article in the works published about ‘Florence Trippa’ on Caine Road, a (relatively) new takeaway Italian joint (with a small counter for quick bites too) serving up possibly one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten – the lampredotto. The lampredotto is a beloved Florentine classic consisting of the “fourth stomach” of the cow, which is boiled with various herbs and spices, slathered with a Tuscan salsa verde (made with anchovies), drizzled with a chili oil sauce, and served in a toasted bun. 

I’ve been mixing these into my diet at least two to three times a week and am intent on pushing the science behind how much tripe is too much tripe. If you aren’t in the tripe mood and looking for your favorite Italian classics, don’t fret. The silver-haired and gregarious Claudio, his protege Eddie, and co. are cooking up thin, crispy pizzas (which have become a Sunday staple for me) and assorted pasta (get the pesto) that epitomize comfort food. 

• Website: N/A
• Address: 39 Caine Rd, Mid-Levels

Chom Chom

I can’t count how many times I’ve walked by the graffiti wall at the intersection of Peel and Staunton scrawled with Chom Chom’s message, ‘In Vietnam For the Summer’. Chom Chom is everybody’s favorite neighborhood Vietnamese joint serving up honest, Hanoi-inspired street food fare (and drink) like beef tenderloin pho (that I would pit against most I’ve eaten during my one year-plus living in Saigon), buttery soft shell prawns, and ice cold Bia Hois (literally meaning draft beer).

• Website: https://www.chomchom.com.hk 
• Address: 58 Peel St, Central

Networking Events This October

Someone asked for a business card of mine the other day and it was only at that moment that I realized, mid-exchange, that the Vietnamese stationary store owner who cut my cards back in 2019 had cut the top at a slight angle. As I gripped my new acquaintance’s card with both hands, I sympathized with Patrick Bateman after being handed Paul Allen’s off-white, perfectly thick, watermarked business card. 

Don’t be like me. Get properly designed and cut business cards. 

Digital Marketing Asia 2023

If you really boil down what I do for work, it is heavily intertwined with digital marketing and generating organic, sustainable traffic for businesses. Digital Marketing Asia 2023 is a combination of 200-plus digital marketing minds from across the globe to connect and discuss current and upcoming marketing trends, such as analytics in a post-cookie world (actually relevant to what I do), the integration of AI and L.L.M.s in marketing processes and campaigns, and social commerce. 

• Where: The Mira Hong Kong: 118-130 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
• When: October 26th to 27th
• Price: HKD$6,999 to HKD$18,999 – Get your tickets at: https://conferences.marketing-interactive.com/digital-marketing-hk/pricing/ 

Sassy Networking Night at The Hive

Featuring a trio consisting of a professional storyteller, financial advisor, and brand coach, Sassy Networking’s ‘Strategies For Success’ is focused on empowering women in the workplace. The panel and mixer will work through identifying and addressing biases in the workplace, strategies for building and achieving financial security, and tips on how to cultivate a personal brand that highlights values and professional strengths.

• Where: The Hive Central x CCG Commons
• When: October 18th, 6 PM to 8 PM
• Price: HKD$50 – Get your tickets over at Eventbrite.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you are like me and enjoy posting up at the occasional (or more than occasional) cafe to get some work done, make sure to check out my post breaking down my favorite laptop-friendly cafes in Hong Kong. 

How to Open & Maintain Your Company in Hong Kong

As someone who went through the process of opening/registering a company in Hong Kong, and received/receives quite a few questions from friends/random people about doing so, Garage Society is putting on an exclusive event with Dr. Laurent Timmermans about registration procedures, legal pitfalls to avoid, and more. 

You do have to register to secure your spot though, which can be done here. 

• Where: Garage Society Campus, 4F Beverly House, 93 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
• When: October 25th from 7 PM to 8 PM
• Price: Free

Fun fact: Opening a company in Hong Kong is actually something that can be done by yourself and for a reasonable sum, so don’t be discouraged if you think that you need X amount of capital to get started. I recommend checking out the government’s Company Registry for initial guidance on what type of fees you can expect when registering a company by yourself. 

My Thoughts For October 2023: Very Good, Very Nice

Goodnight, Neverland! – Hook (1991)

As a New Englander, October is the ultimate month that inevitably conjures up nostalgia for me. Growing up, it was (and still is) the month with the most palpable smells, sights, and feelings. I attribute a lot of this to the remaining days of deciduous trees and their watercolor-esque glory, bonfires with old friends over thirty-racks of crappy light beer, and apple picking with your crush who inevitably tosses your best red and black flannel on when the day’s temperature drops to 52 (Fahrenheit). 

I think it’s hard sometimes not to let a slight wave of melancholy reflection wash over you which can then lead to you slipping into a bit of a funk – like when Austin Powers lost his mojo. A little nostalgia and staring off during a meeting thinking about late-night games of Capture the Flag or Friday Night Lights never hurt anyone. But it’s putting measures and safeguards in place to ensure that it doesn’t last any longer than it’s meant to or lead to something more sinister.

For me, that’s adhering to a predictable but healthy routine, continuing to create (and not letting myself go weeks without putting something out there content-wise), and making sure that I take at least one positive step the day after a previous night of lechery to end the chain of self-destructive behavior. 

If you have an event, festival, restaurant, or activity you’d like to add to future monthly roundups, don’t hesitate to reach out via email (info@palealetravel.com) or in the comments. When doing so, please provide a description of the event or activity (and dates that it is happening), an original photograph (if you don’t have one, that’s alright and I can use one of mine), any specific details you want to emphasize about it, and a link for readers to find more information!

Cheers everyone,

Big Body