Four giant inflatable figures, including the beloved Labubu, Elmo, Doraeman, and Grimace, lined up for their debut at Victoria Harbour on Saturday, Oct. 25, attracting thousands of fans and tourists alike.
The figures are part of the “Water Parade” organised by the creative brand AllRightsReserved—the same brand which hosted the infamous “Double Ducks” that deflated due to heat in 2023.
The public can view their favourite characters for free at the Central and Western District Promenade from Oct. 25 until Nov. 1. For visitors who want a better view, tickets to access the elevated viewing platform start at HK$70 for adults and HK$40 for children via Klook. The ticket also provides complimentary access to the “Water Parade Market” located in Tamar Park.
The highlight of the event will be on Nov. 1, when the four inflatable characters will cruise between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Tickets to view this special event at the viewing platform are sold separately at HK$50 for adults and HK$40 for children.
Beyond the inflatable figures, the “Water Parade Market” features themed pop-up stores selling exclusive merchandise. Among the themes are Netflix’s most popular film “KPop Demon Hunters,” hit series “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things” Season 5, Snoopy and the Peanuts, and the city’s iconic TOLO original duck. The market also has special games, fun photo spots, delicious food trucks, and an exciting capsule toy section.
On Saturday, the crowd’s favourites were the Grimace game booths, including the wiffle ball toss and fishing game. Visitors lined up under the scorching heat for hours in hopes of winning the top prize—a giant Grimace plushy. Hong Kong local Jamie Chan, one of the many who lined up for the wiffle ball game, was drawn in by the giant Grimace plushy.
“I originally came to see the Labubu but I found myself attracted to the huge Grimace plushy. I’ve spent more than HK$300 trying to win one but I’ve yet to succeed.”
Like Jamie, many visitors paid HK$50 for a basket of 12 balls to participate in the wiffle ball game. While most went home empty-handed, lucky winners like local couple Celia and Justin Mak scored two giant Grimace plushies.
For other visitors, the food trucks were the highlight of the market. The food and beverage area featured four stalls, including two Doraemon-themed, one Sesame Street-themed, and one hot dog-themed. Each stall had its unique dishes, including red-bean pancakes, ice cream, doughnuts, and milkshakes.
The Sesame Street-themed food truck was a fan favourite, offering colourful doughnuts and sweet beverages. The Elmo doughnut was particularly popular as it featured a fluffy doughnut covered in strawberry-flavoured coconut flakes and decorated with chocolate. Many visitors, including Malaysian tourist Tristan Wong, lined up to taste the limited edition doughnut and take a snap at the Insta-worthy dish.
“I was quite surprised at the many dessert options they have here. I don’t know about the taste though, it’s (the doughnut’s) a bit too sweet for me,” Wong said.
Located outside the market are the elevated viewing platforms. The four platforms gave a clear view of each inflated figure, allowing visitors to take pictures in front of their favourite character. Some fans even brought their own Labubu dolls to take pictures at the harbourfront.
However, for local Jessica Chau and his 5-year-old son, the elevated platform was not worth the money. Chau expressed disappointment with the McDonald’s mascot, Grimace, due to its angle.
“The purple figure (Grimace) is way too flat. My tiny son can’t see it at all. I have to lift him up so he can see the whole thing,” Chau said.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said at the parade’s opening ceremony that the government is aiming to collaborate with more world-renowned characters in support of cultural events in Hong Kong.
As the city braces itself for more cultural intersection, the iconic pop culture characters merge with Victoria Harbour’s scenery, creating a picturesque spectacle that draws crowds together.