Hong Kong’s waterfront is set for a burst of color and whimsy when the Merry Balloon Hong Kong large-scale character helium balloon parade makes its long-awaited debut on January 11 at the West Kowloon Cultural District.
Billed as the city’s first parade of its kind, the event will see 20 beloved international and local IP characters transformed into towering helium balloons, gliding along the harbor promenade with Victoria Harbour as their backdrop.
To help families and fans enjoy the spectacle up close, organizers will release more than 10,000 free tickets to designated spectator zones. The tickets will be available via Klook starting at noon on January 7, with each account eligible for up to two tickets. Access to the four spectator zones along the route will be restricted to ticket holders.
The parade will travel along the West Kowloon promenade, moving from the Hong Kong Palace Museum to M+ before looping back. Two sessions are planned: a morning parade from 11.30am to 1pm, and an afternoon parade from 2pm to 4pm. Among the viewing areas, Zones B and C are expected to be especially popular for their sweeping views of the harbor.
Leading the procession will be LuLu the Piggy, joined by a line-up that includes Care Bears, CoComelon, M&M’S, Moomin, PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, and a mix of homegrown favorites.
Organizers say the format is designed to let audiences experience the balloons at close range, turning the promenade into a family-friendly parade route rather than a distant viewing corridor.
Beyond the parade, visitors can also spend the day at Balloon Park, a giant inflatable playground set up on the Art Park lawn at West Kowloon and running through January 11.
The park is divided into two main zones: the Giant Bouncy Zone and the Snap & Play Zone. Highlights include an immersive “Inverted Balloon World,” an 80-meter-wide bouncing area, a seven-meter-tall inflatable slide, and a 40-meter obstacle track designed to help children burn off energy.
For photo-hunters, the Snap & Play Zone features a seven-meter inflatable wishing tree, where visitors can toss stars representing hopes for health, love, family, career, studies, and fortune. Colorful inflatable mazes and more than 15 large-scale IP installations—ranging from Garfield and Peppa Pig to Ocean Park’s Panda Friends and The Little Prince—round out the experience.
Programming runs from day into night. Daytime sessions are geared toward families with young children, while evening slots turn into a light-and-music “night bounce party,” with select sessions featuring a resident DJ.
A dedicated toddler session is also scheduled for children under 120 centimeters, allowing parents to let younger ones play safely.
With free parade tickets, a scenic harbor route, and an all-day inflatable playground, Merry Balloon aims to offer a relaxed, festive outing for families and visitors alike—one that turns West Kowloon into a playful winter carnival just as the new year gets underway.
Merry Balloon Parade: January 11, 2026 (Sunday), 11.30am–4pm
Route: Hong Kong Palace Museum ↔ M+ (round trip)
Free spectator zone tickets: Available via Klook from noon on January 7 (two per account)
marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com
