Hong Kong turns Halloween into month-long event with street parties, free rides

A new month-long campaign to transform Hong Kong into Asia’s premier Halloween destination will feature street parties across five neighbourhoods along with free rides on decorated buses and trams.

The Tourism Board’s inaugural “Hong Kong Halloween Month” will bring street celebrations to Central, Kai Tak, Lan Kwai Fong, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui East on three consecutive Saturdays from October 17, culminating on Halloween night.

The events will run alongside promotional events at Disneyland and Ocean Park.

“We want to turn up the festive energy across all corners of the city,” Tourism Board executive director Anthony Lau Chun-hon said, adding that he hoped Hong Kong would become the first destination people thought of for Halloween celebrations in Asia.

The campaign follows a tourism strategy outlined in February’s budget to put greater emphasis on festivals that are less prominent in mainland China, including Halloween, to draw more visitors to the city.

The five selected areas will have different attractions. In Central, Statue Square Gardens will host illuminated Halloween installations, and a large costume party will be held on Chater Road on October 31.

Kai Tak Sports Park will combine cosplay with Cantopop DJ sets and a pet photo area.

A haunted red minibus installation will be displayed in Mong Kok, while Tsim Sha Tsui East will hold DJ parties and a Halloween market.

In Lan Kwai Fong, organisers are planning three themed street celebrations with performers, music and photo spots.

Allan Zeman, chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, said about 80,000 people visited the nightlife area during last year’s Halloween celebrations.

He expected the expanded festivities to bring additional business to restaurants, bars and shops.

The Tourism Board has also arranged a Halloween-themed open-top Citybus route linking major celebration sites on October 17, 24 and 31.

Two decorated trams will run between Causeway Bay and Sheung Wan on the same evenings. People in costumes can use both services free of charge.

Lau said the board was extending a celebration previously concentrated on Halloween night and individual venues into a month-long promotion, with the aim of spreading visitor spending across different parts of the city.

Halloween displays and activities elsewhere, including at the West Kowloon Cultural District and Tai Kwun, will also be promoted as part of the campaign.