Labubu, Elmo, Doraemon to hit the water in Hong Kong’s cultural tourism mega-event

Popular characters Labubu, Elmo, Grimace, and Doraemon will be inflated and floated at Victoria Harbour this October as part of one of Hong Kong’s largest cultural tourism events, which also features a sea parade and a bazaar.

The organiser, Hong Kong design studio AllRightsReserved (ARR), revealed on Saturday that the mega event would also feature a number of intellectual property (IP) characters from around the world, such as Kaws, Sesame Street, Snoopy and the Tolo yellow rubber duck.

Themed ‘Water Parade By AllRightsReserved at Victoria Harbour’, the event is described as a cultural tourism extravaganza and an unprecedented collaboration between global artists and IP characters.

ARR founder Lam Shu-kam said the event marked a breakthrough in overcoming geographic and brand limitations and was expected to attract not only locals but also overseas visitors.

“Hong Kong’s IP market is not big, but people are very loyal and familiar with their favourite,” Lam told the Post.

Between October 25 and November 1, the four IP characters—Hong Kong artist Lung Ka-sing’s elfin Labubu; a crossover between American artist Kaws and Sesame Street’s Elmo; Grimace; and the Japanese manga character Doraemon—will be inflated and displayed in the waters off Tamar Park near the government headquarters in Admiralty.

The crossover of Kaws and Sesame Street will transform Elmo’s eyes into crosses, mimicking the eyes of Kaws’ signature character, Companion. Kaws’s real name is Brian Donnelly.