Lan Kwai Fong sees record Halloween crowds and increased turnover

Anthea Cheung So-may, the director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, reported on a radio program that this year's Halloween has been the busiest since the pandemic began, with a significant presence of local patrons who stayed out until the early hours.

During the Halloween celebration, Lan Kwai Fong teemed with both citizens and tourists, with some attendees estimating the crowd size to be two to three times larger than the previous year.

On a radio interview today, Cheung described the atmosphere in Lan Kwai Fong as exceptionally vibrant, noting that bars and restaurants saw customers come and go multiple times throughout the evening, with restaurants turning tables at least once. She expressed confidence that the turnover could see a 15 percent increase compared to last year.

Cheung highlighted that on typical weekdays, some bars in Lan Kwai Fong start winding down around 11.30 pm. However, on Halloween night, the area was bustling from 7 pm to midnight, with festivities continuing until 4 am. She also mentioned that there were mainland tourists who had booked their flights two weeks prior to partake in the celebrations.

The recent Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and other festive activities contributed to a heightened festive atmosphere, according to Cheung. Lan Kwai Fong enhanced the experience by offering on-site makeup services and launching Halloween-themed discounts and activities, including parties and DJ sets, which attracted a younger crowd. Promotional efforts were also intensified on mainland social media platforms, drawing in numerous tourists from the mainland.

Cheung noted that the majority of the patrons were locals, with mainlanders and overseas tourists making up about 20 percent of the total visitor flow. She observed that guests were generally cautious with their spending, opting for mid- to low-priced wines and focusing on enjoying the festivities, with only a few opting for champagne.