31st October 2024 – (Hong Kong) As Halloween festivities unfold today, many residents in Hong Kong have already begun celebrating, with vibrant costumes and lively gatherings observed over the past weekend. Chin Chun-wing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar & Club Association, reported that bars in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui are expected to see business increase by at least 10% compared to last year’s Halloween.

This year, Halloween falls on a weekday and is not a public holiday, limiting residents’ ability to travel north for celebrations. Consequently, many are choosing to remain in Hong Kong to partake in the seasonal atmosphere. Anthea Cheung So-may, Director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, noted that most bars received customer bookings two weeks in advance, leading to fully booked venues since the weekend. “Last Friday, the streets were packed with revellers,” she stated.

The annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, which attracted approximately 155,000 attendees last week—marking a 10% increase from the previous year—has also contributed to the vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, the Lan Kwai Fong district is hosting its “Spooktacular October” event, showcasing urban horror-themed decorations that have drawn significant crowds.

Cheung described this Halloween as “the best year yet,” with foot traffic and revenue up by 10% compared to last year. She attributed this to locals feeling buoyed by the recent festival and the desire to continue the celebration into the night within Lan Kwai Fong.

Chin Chun-wing further emphasised the positive impact of concurrent events, such as the wine festival and laser shows in Tsim Sha Tsui, which have successfully stimulated customer turnout. He expressed optimism for the upcoming Christmas period, anticipating continued strong performance in the bar sector.