Hong Kong Extends Halloween Festivities to Boost Tourism Spending

What changed

Hong Kong has stretched its Halloween celebrations across three consecutive weekends, turning a one-night tradition into a month-long tourism push. Tens of thousands gathered in Lan Kwai Fong on October 24, while organisers reported about 80,000 visitors there on October 31, 2025; attractions now include a giant eyeball installation in Central.

Why it matters

The plan gives Hong Kong’s bars, restaurants and retailers more chances to capture spending, while positioning the city as a regional Halloween destination. Allan Zeman, chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, estimates the festivities already lift food and beverage sales by 20% to 25% each year.

The timing is deliberate. Halloween celebrations have faced tighter controls in mainland China since 2023, creating an opening for Hong Kong to market a more permissive, longer-running version of the event. Costumes ranged from zombies and Taoist priests to pandemic-era mock enforcers, giving the festival a distinctly local blend of imported horror, Chinese folklore and recent memory.

The longer programme could bring more visitors and spending, but it remains uncertain whether it will exceed last year’s attendance or draw substantially more mainland visitors.