Published: 7:21pm, 7 Jul 2025Updated: 7:22pm, 7 Jul 2025
Hot-air balloons in the shapes of animals such as a panda, dinosaur and rabbit will fly against the Hong Kong skyline as part of a coming four-day megafestival in September, along with nightly concerts starring Cantopop singers such as Joey Yung Cho-yee and Leo Ku Kui-kei.
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The organiser said on Monday that it expected the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest Hong Kong to draw 80,000 international visitors and residents alike between September 4 and 7, which could boost tourism and local spending in the city.
“We hope that tourists from the mainland and overseas would, because of the hot-air balloons, reconsider Hong Kong as a travel and leisure destination in Asia,” said Joey Chan Pui-kwan, chief operating officer of Grand Events Asia.
“Local families are also our target audience. We hope that the hot-air balloon festival will encourage more Hongkongers to spend in the city and to enjoy a brand new experience.”
The HK$30 million (US$3.8 million) festival at the Central Harbourfront Event Space will have six large hot-air balloons measuring up to 20 metres (66 feet) tall, complemented by more than 10 smaller ones from countries such as Canada, Germany and Japan.
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Stalls for games, food and shopping will also be featured as part of the festival.
Chan highlighted that her team had taken reference from hot-air balloon festivals around the region and was confident that the variety of balloons would allow for a fresh display, as she hoped for the event to be hosted annually in the city.