Cantonese opera is performed at festivals, on religious holidays and in some of Hong Kong’s larger venues by professional troupes. Plots are based on well-known legends and stories, and the performances feature garish makeup, glass-cracking vocals and crashing percussion often bewildering to novices, though bouts of elaborate sword fighting and acrobatics are enjoyable. Other cultural shows include traditional music, puppet theatre, folk dancing, acrobatics, magic and martial arts.

Street markets and festivals are good places to look for informal shows, or ask at tourist offices about big-venue performances.