Labubu, Doraemon, Elmo, and Grimace star in Victoria Harbour parade

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The Victoria Harbour came alive on Saturday and will do so until November 1 with the “Water Parade,” a vibrant event featuring giant inflatable sculptures of globally beloved characters like Labubu, Doraemon, Kaws X Sesame Street, and McDonald’s Grimace, set to captivate locals and visitors alike.

Organized by the renowned creative brand AllRightsReserved, the Water Parade will showcase massive inflatable sculptures, some exceeding 20 meters in length, displayed in the waters off Tamar Park starting today.

The public can enjoy views of these iconic figures from the Central and Western District Promenade.

Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, highlighted that the Victoria Harbour Water Parade blends globally popular intellectual properties with the iconic beauty of Victoria Harbour, showcasing Hong Kong’s vibrant creativity through beloved pop culture figures. 

She emphasized that the event reinforces Hong Kong’s status as a global hub for major events. 

The government is actively aligning with current trends, collaborating with industry partners to drive the growth of cultural and creative industries. 

Various government bureaus and departments are working together to provide comprehensive support to event organizers and the industry, ensuring fresh and memorable experiences for both visitors and local residents.

The highlight of the event, a grand water parade, is scheduled for November 1 from 2pm until evening, when the four giant inflatables will cruise along both shores of Victoria Harbour, delighting spectators with a colorful spectacle.

In preparation, the Admiralty MTR Station has been transformed into a thematic hub for the event, adorned with decorations featuring Labubu, Doraemon, Kaws X Sesame Street, and Grimace. The station’s exit E glass wall and concourse are decked out with Water Parade designs, and commuters will hear familiar character voices making announcements, guiding them from the station to the parade venue.

The parade route is expected to mirror the 2023 giant rubber duck event by AllRightsReserved, starting from Central’s waterfront, passing through Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, Fortress Hill’s East Coast Park Precinct, and Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars and Hong Kong Cultural Centre, before looping back to Central and ending at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

From October 25 to November 1, Tamar Park will host the Water Parade Pop-Up Market, featuring themed pop-up shops, interactive games, dining options, and photo spots tied to popular IPs like Netflix’s “KPop: Demon Hunters,” “Stranger Things” Season 5, “Squid Game,” Snoopy, and the classic Peanuts family, alongside TOLO’s original rubber duck. Notably, Labubu will not be part of the market activities.

Early bird tickets, starting at HK$50 for adults and HK$40 for children, went on sale September 26 via Klook.

The Water Parade promises to blend art, culture, and fun, transforming Victoria Harbour into a festive showcase of creativity and global pop culture.

(Updated at 5.34pm)