One of the best-loved characters in children's literature is stomping back into Wan Chai. The Gruffalo Live on Stage returns to Hong Kong this September, marking 25 years since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's picture book first sent Mouse wandering through the Deep, Dark Wood. If you have a small child who knows the rhyme by heart, here is everything you need to book the show.
In This Guide
What is The Gruffalo, and why the 25th anniversary?
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's bestselling picture book, The Gruffalo Live on Stage follows a quick-thinking mouse who invents a terrifying monster to scare off a fox, an owl and a snake — only for the real Gruffalo to show up in the Deep, Dark Wood. The stage adaptation is produced by ABA Productions in association with CDP Kids Productions (Australia) and Tall Stories (UK), and this September's Hong Kong run marks 25 years since the book's original publication.
The production has genuine global reach: over the last quarter-century it has toured to 18 countries, been translated into seven languages, and been seen by more than 3 million audience members, with 37 different actors having played the title role along the way. ABA Productions first brought the show to Hong Kong back in 2009 and has returned it to the city several times since due to popular demand.
The Gruffalo Live on Stage
Two promo codes are running at the time of writing: GRUFFALO15 takes 15% off Thursday and Friday performances, and GRUFFALO10 takes 10% off weekend shows. Tickets are described as strictly limited, so book directly through Cityline rather than waiting until the week of the show.
When and where does it play in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong engagement is split into two blocks: 4–6 September and 11–13 September 2026, at the Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre inside the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) in Wan Chai. The split run gives families two separate weeks to work a matinee or evening show around school and nap schedules.
Looking for more family stage shows this season? See our guides to CATS the Musical in Hong Kong and Panda-rama by HKDance, or browse the wider best theatre shows in Hong Kong this month.
How much are tickets, and how do you book?
Tickets run across four price points: HK$275, HK$375, HK$425 and HK$475, and are on sale now through Cityline, either online or by phone on 2111 5333. The promotional codes GRUFFALO15 (15% off Thursday and Friday shows) and GRUFFALO10 (10% off Saturday and Sunday shows) can bring the cost down further, though these offers are time-limited and worth checking at the point of booking.
Because the run is split across two separate weeks rather than one long residency, and because Gruffalo shows in Hong Kong have historically sold out, book as early as you can rather than waiting for a specific date to become more convenient.
Is The Gruffalo right for your child?
The show is built around a picture book aimed at pre-schoolers and early primary-age children, and the stage adaptation keeps that audience firmly in mind — expect a relatively short runtime, plenty of audience call-and-response, and a story structure most young children will already know from bedtime reading. Executive Producer Matthew Gregory notes it is "often one of the first bedtime books read" to children, and for many, this is their first taste of live theatre.
If your child is younger or new to theatre, this is a gentler entry point than a longer, plot-heavier production. For slightly older kids after a bigger stage spectacle, our guide to the best kid-friendly things to do in Hong Kong has more options across age groups.
Getting to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is at 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, a short walk from Wan Chai MTR Station — take Exit C and follow the signed pedestrian route, roughly five minutes on foot. The venue sits close to the Wan Chai waterfront, so it is easy to combine a matinee with a walk along the harbourfront promenade afterwards.
Planning a fuller day around the show? Pair it with our guide to the best family hotels in Hong Kong if you're visiting from out of town, or see what else is running this month in our rainy-day indoor activities round-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book your family's tickets
Twenty-five years on, Mouse and the Gruffalo are still packing out theatres. Book through Cityline before your preferred date sells out.