CATS The Musical Returns to Hong Kong

Now and forever, it seems — CATS is coming back to Hong Kong. Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking musical, the one that turned T.S. Eliot's poems into a stage phenomenon, lands at the Xiqu Centre (戲曲中心) this summer for a month-long run. If "Memory" still gives you goosebumps, this is the August date to lock in.

What is CATS — and why the fuss?

CATS is one of the most successful musicals ever staged. First opening in London's West End in 1981, it ran for decades there and on Broadway, scooping Olivier and Tony Awards along the way. The story is loose by design: on one special night, a tribe of Jellicle cats gathers to decide which of them will be reborn into a new life.

What audiences really come for is the spectacle — Andrew Lloyd Webber's score, the feline choreography, and of course "Memory", one of musical theatre's most famous songs. It is built on the verse of poet T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, which gives the show its playful, slightly surreal charm.

For a sense of where it sits in the city's stage calendar, see our round-up of the best musicals coming to Hong Kong in 2026, and our look at the West Kowloon hit Cloud Gate's Lunar Halo at the Xiqu Centre.

When and where is CATS playing in Hong Kong?

CATS runs from 6 August to 6 September 2026 at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The run pauses for a single dark day on 17 August, splitting it into two blocks: 6–16 August and 18 August–6 September.

Showtimes follow a familiar pattern. Evening performances are Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm, while weekends add a matinee: Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. There are no Monday shows. With a full month on stage, there's plenty of flexibility to find a slot — though prime weekend seats will move fastest.

How much are tickets and how do I book?

Tickets are priced by seat tier and by whether the performance is peak or non-peak. Peak shows are Fridays, Saturdays and the Sunday matinee; everything else is non-peak. Here's the full breakdown.

Booking is through Cityline and Klook, the official ticketing partners. You can find full seating plans and any late-release dates on the West Kowloon event page and the Hong Kong Tourism Board listing. If you're planning a wider culture week, our guide to Hong Kong's theatre highlights pairs well with a CATS night.

Getting to the Xiqu Centre

The Xiqu Centre (戲曲中心) sits at 88 Austin Road West, on the eastern edge of the West Kowloon Cultural District. It's one of the easiest big venues to reach: the nearest MTR is Austin Station, Exit D, about a five-minute walk, while Kowloon Station and the Elements mall are also close by for dinner beforehand.

The High Speed Rail's West Kowloon terminus is right next door, so it's a simple journey from across the city. Give yourself time to find your seat — the Grand Theatre is a proper opera-house space, and latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break.

Good to know before you go

A few practical notes. Children under five will not be admitted, and the show uses laser effects, strobe lighting and pyrotechnics — worth bearing in mind if you're sensitive to flashing lights or bringing younger family members. The running time, including interval, is in line with the West End original at roughly two and a half hours.

Make a proper evening of it. The West Kowloon waterfront promenade and the M+ museum are within walking distance, so an afternoon matinee can fold neatly into a day out on the harbourfront. For more ideas, browse our best theatre shows in Hong Kong this month.

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