To mark its third anniversary in July 2025, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) is pleased to announce the launch of “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” to celebrate this significant milestone. “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” features seven new learning and engagement programmes including “The Little Archaeologists Summer Camp”, a “Storytelling through Patterns”creative masterclass, the first-ever Family Day themed around mythical creatures and creative summer workshops. Starting today, those who register for programmes under “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” will enjoy an exclusive limited-time 50% discount on the “HKPM Friends – Family” membership offered by the HKPM. At the same time, the Museum is also introducing a summer family package, offering a 20% reduction on tickets to its special exhibitions. These initiatives aim to engage audiences of all ages with history and art while helping to foster cross-cultural understanding.
In addition, to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the third anniversary of the HKPM, the Museum will offer free admission to its thematic exhibitions (Galleries 1 to 7) on 1 July 2025. Free-admission tickets will be available for booking from 10am on 19 June 2025 (Thursday) via the HKPM website, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) website, the WestK mobile app, or through official ticketing partner Cityline. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
“The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” exclusive offer: 50% discount on “HKPM Friends – Family” annual membership
“The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” includes at least seven learning and engagement activities designed for young people and families. One of the highlights is the debut of the “Storytelling through Patterns” masterclass, co-organised with SCMP Learn during the summer holiday. This programme is part of the HKPM’s educational initatives under “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”. It aims to recruit 50 young creatives aged 14 to 18. Led by award-winning digital artist Derry Ainsworth and the Young Post Editor, the workshop explores how digital storytelling transforms patterns found in artefacts and architecture into dynamic narratives using photography and creative writing, crafting compelling stories that bridge heritage and modernity. Students selected for the programme will receive a one-year “HKPM Friends – Youth” membership (valued at HK$300). Outstanding works will be featured in the Young Post and on the HKPM’s social media platforms. The “Storytelling through Patterns” masterclass will take place on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. Online registration is open until 12pm on 3 July 2025. “The Ways in Patterns” exhibition is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Palace Museum, and exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP).
Another highlight of “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” is the debut of the full-day “Little Archaeologists Workshop Series” summer camp in August. Focused on pottery, the programme allows children and parents to become archaeologists for a day, engaging in simulated archaeological excavations, measurements and documentation. They will get a taste of ancient lifestyles by exploring the meanings of the motifs, shapes and functions of artefacts, gaining valuable insights into Chinese civilisation. Participants will also have the opportunity to design their own unique patterns on the pottery and take home their creations.
On 16 and 17 August, the HKPM will host its inaugural HKPM Family Day, a fun-filled party under “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series”, inviting families on a whimsical cultural adventure. With activities themed around Chinese gardens, architecture and mythical creatures, participants will explore different corners of the Museum, uncovering traces of these legendary creatures. During the event period, the Museum will offer 1,000 complimentary tickets to children aged 7 to 11 to its thematic exhibitions (Galleries 1 to 7), encouraging families’ participation in the event. Details will be announced in due course. Families are invited to dress up as animals or bring along their beloved stuffed animal toys, adding a sense of wonder and imagination to their journey at the HKPM. This event is part of the “HKPM Jockey Club Education Programme”, organised by the Museum and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
Other family and children's workshops under “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” include†:
- “Shadow Puppet-making Family Workshop” on 20 July – offers a fun and interactive way to explore Qing Dynasty court paintings. From art appreciation to shadow puppet-making, participants will experience how significant historical events were captured in court paintings and will bring history to life through role play using shadow puppets.
- “Family Tour (Art Tech-themed)” on 23 July – combines creative learning activities with thematic guided tour to “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum”. Families will learn to appreciate the patterns and their symbolic meanings of the artefacts from the Palace Museum.
- “Intaglio Etching Workshop” on 27 July – introduces children and youths to the techniques and development process of copperplate engraving, allowing them to experience the creative process firsthand and create their own unique prints.
- “Magic Carpet Adventure” Stop Motion Animation Family Workshop on 3 August –invites families to unleash their imagination, from creating a storyboard to designing characters, bringing the enchanting adventure of a flying carpet to life through animation.
Participants in any of the seven programmes under “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” can enjoy a special 50% discount on the “HKPM Friends – Family” annual membership, now available at HK$600 (originally HK$1,200). This membership is designed for two adults and includes either one child member (ages 7 to 11) or one full-time student. Membership benefits include unlimited free admission to all thematic exhibitions, eight free admissions to special exhibitions, member-exclusive viewing hours, discounts at the Museum workshops, shopping and dining venues, and more. Registration for “The Palace Academy Summer Art-venture Series” activities is now open. The museum will continue to update event and registration details on its website and social media platforms.
Two major special exhibitions this summer focus on the treasures of the Mughal Empire and the connections between the Islamic and world civilisation, with public guided tours and special ticketing packages
This summer, the Museum will present two new special exhibitions, “Treasures of the Mughal Court from the Victoria and Albert Museum” and “Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha”. To enhance the visitor experience, the HKPM will offer public guided tours for both special exhibitions as well as for the thematic exhibition “From Dawn to Dusk: Life and Art in the Forbidden City”, daily throughout July and August. Each guided tour lasts 45 minutes and has a limited capacity. The schedules for the tours in English, Cantonese and Putonghua, along with pricing and registration details, will be shared on the “Tours” page on the HKPM website in due course.
In addition, starting from 1 July, the HKPM will offer special family packages for visits to special exhibitions during July and August. Visitors purchasing two adult tickets and one child ticket^ will enjoy a discount of up to 20%. More details will be announced on the “Tickets” page on the HKPM website.
This July, “HKPM SHOWTIME!” returns with a series of captivating performances. On 6 July, the Museum presents “Descendants of the Dragon”, a music performance by the Hong Kong Arts Without Boundaries Foundation, which pays tribute to the symbolic dragon by incorporating the city’s vibrant local culture and colours, showcasing a joyful blend of traditional melodies and contemporary interpretations. On 26 July, the Museum will host the “Musical Magic Carpet Ride” music performance by The Saffron. The local ensemble blends traditional Middle Eastern instruments, including the qanun, oud and darbukah, complemented by the cello, to present traditional Turkish and Iranian compositions.
†Additional sessions may be offered exclusively on the HKPM’s official ticketing partners.
^The ticket for children in the special family package is applicable for children aged 7 to 11.
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About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
Through innovative curatorial approaches, the Hong Kong Palace Museum presents priceless treasures from the Palace Museum along with the finest collections from other world-renowned institutions. The Museum is also in the process of building its own world-class collection. Opened in 2022, the Museum is a leading institution for the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture and the promotion of dialogue among world civilisations. The Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2031.
Through research, exhibitions, publications, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum builds international partnerships and positions Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. A resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum inspires community engagement, fosters dialogue, and promotes creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural hubs in the world and Hong Kong’s new cultural tourism landmark, spanning 40 hectares alongside Victoria Harbour. WestK comprises a mix of landmark arts and cultural facilities, including world-class museums M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, intricately designed performing arts venues the Xiqu Centre and Freespace, the 11-hectare Art Park with a waterfront promenade, and the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre.
Hosting over 1,000 exhibitions, performances, programmes, and events each year, WestK provides a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. WestK welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year, evolving as the international cultural brand of Hong Kong and strengthening the city’s strategic role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
https://www.westk.hk
