Hundreds flock to Hong Kong’s Water Parade featuring giant Labubu, Doraemon, Elmo

Hundreds of spectators have gathered on both sides of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour to catch a parade of giant inflatable cartoon characters such as Labubu, Elmo and Doraemon.

The event wraps up a week-long Water Parade organised by Hong Kong design studio AllRightsReserved (ARR), with the inflatables setting sail from Admiralty at 2pm towards Fortress Hill, and then across the harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui, before returning to Admiralty.

The four giant inflatables are Japanese manga character Doraemon, a Kaws version of Sesame Street’s Elmo, McDonald’s Grimace and Hong Kong designer Lung Ka-sing’s Labubu.

The event also featured a bazaar at Tamar Park showcasing other IPs such as Tolo Ducks, Snoopy, KPop Demon Hunters, Stranger Things and Squid Game, and will conclude with a drone show at 6pm in Admiralty

“We haven’t counted the overall attendance for the event, but we can say that there is a lot of footfall,” said ARR founder Lam Shu-kam. “From what we know so far, the single day footfall in the area for the past Sunday and the Chung Yeung holiday has exceeded over 100,000.”

Those waiting by the Tamar Park harbourfront to watch the parade include 20-year-old Lucas Cheng, who has been waiting at the location since 1.30pm.