Inflatable Icons to Parade Across Hong Kong Victoria Harbour

A waterfront spectacle set to transform Victoria Harbour

Hong Kong is turning its skyline-framed harbor into a floating gallery of pop culture this autumn. From October 25 to November 1, 2025, four giant inflatable sculptures of Doraemon, Labubu, Sesame Street character Elmo reimagined by contemporary artist Kaws, and McDonalds purple mascot Grimace will float off Tamar Park in Admiralty. On November 1, the quartet will set off as a fleet for a one day water parade that sails along both shores of Victoria Harbour, creating a moving panorama for residents and visitors lining the waterfront.

The production, titled Water Parade by AllRightsReserved at Victoria Harbour, blends art, entertainment and place making. It is curated by AllRightsReserved, a Hong Kong creative studio known for staging large scale public artworks with global artists and brands. Alongside the harbor display, an eight day Water Parade Market will run beside Tamar Park, adding food, games, collectibles and themed experiences that anchor the event on land.

The inflatables are built on a mammoth scale. Organisers say the tallest works exceed 20 meters in length, giving the characters a ship like presence when they glide through the channel between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The mix of familiar faces and contemporary art flourishes is designed to appeal to families, culture fans, and collectors who follow character merchandising across Asia.

What is the Water Parade and who is behind it

AllRightsReserved, often shortened to ARR, has become a byword in Hong Kong for playful, high impact urban spectacles. Founded in 2003, the studio has worked with global names including Kaws and Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. Its projects have ranged from the giant KAWS:HOLIDAY figure that rested publicly in various cities to the Rubber Duck Project that delighted Hong Kong in past years. The Water Parade extends that formula onto the harbor itself, with a curated group of pop culture icons turned into floating sculptures.

ARR founder Lam Shu kam frames the production as a regional collaboration that ties art to mainstream character culture. He has spoken about how the show breaks through usual brand boundaries and should draw crowds from both the city and abroad.

Lam said the event marks a breakthrough in overcoming geographic and brand limitations, and he expects it to attract locals as well as overseas visitors.

Lam also pointed to a key insight that shaped the curation. Hong Kong may not have the biggest market for licensed characters, but fan loyalty runs deep across age groups. That loyalty, he argues, makes the city an ideal stage for a headline event that revolves around beloved IP.

Hong Kong’s IP market is not big, but people are very loyal and familiar with their favorite characters.

Which characters will appear and how big are they

Four core inflatables form the heart of the harbor display and the November 1 parade. Each measures around or beyond 20 meters, so they read clearly from promenades on both sides of Victoria Harbour.

Doraemon, the time traveling robot cat from Japanese manga and anime, appears in a playful pose that nods to his sweet tooth. Labubu, the elfin creature created by Hong Kong artist Lung Ka sing and popularized by Pop Mart, brings the toy culture craze onto the water. Grimace, McDonalds friendly purple character, joins in a laid back position. The fourth sculpture is Elmo, part of a crossover with American artist Kaws. In Kaws’ signature touch, Elmo’s eyes are turned into crosses, echoing the look of his Companion character and connecting street art with family television. Kaws, whose real name is Brian Donnelly, has collaborated with ARR on public art in the region for years.

Design flourishes that fans will notice

During trial demonstrations held at a shipyard, the characters were shown reclining on buoyant platforms. Elmo and Grimace drifted as if sunbathing on the harbor, while Doraemon rested on a dorayaki, his favorite red bean pancake. Labubu lounged on an oversized donut. These poses keep the sculptures low and stable in the water, make them photographic from a distance, and give each character a distinct personality as the fleet moves along the shoreline. The result is a floating cast that reads as cute from the ground while also showcasing the artistic twists that aficionados recognize.

When and where to watch

The four inflatables will be on public display at sea outside Tamar Park from October 25 to November 1. Viewers can see them from the Central and Western District Promenade, Tamar Park’s lawn, and the Central Piers area on Hong Kong Island. On the Kowloon side, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Avenue of Stars area provide open views across the water. On November 1, the sculptures will form a fleet and parade between the two shores, giving spectators on both sides a chance to watch them cruise along Victoria Harbour.

The November 1 procession is a one day showcase. After the parade, the sculptures will leave the harbor. Specific timings and routing are handled in coordination with marine authorities, which means route adjustments can occur for safety or weather. Visitors are encouraged to check organiser updates before heading out and to arrive early at preferred vantage points.

The Water Parade Market and tickets

Running alongside the harbor installation, the Water Parade Market will bring character culture onto land from October 25 to November 1. The market stretches along the Central and Western District Promenade, Central section, next to Tamar Park in Admiralty. Opening hours are scheduled from 10 am to 10 pm daily, with last admission in the evening. The venue will host IP themed pop up shops, skill game booths, exclusive photo spots, a capsule toy zone, and a varied lineup of food and beverage vendors. While the floating parade focuses on four headline characters, the market widens the cast to include Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, Netflix titles such as Squid Game, Stranger Things 5, and KPop Demon Hunters, and Hong Kong’s classic Tolo founding duck. A viewing deck inside the market gives ticket holders a higher vantage point toward the water.

All tickets are sold through the official platform Klook. Early bird sales open on September 26. General admission to the market is available with single entry for a selected date and time, and includes one complimentary viewing platform experience. Organisers indicate that early bird tickets start from HKD 50 for adults, with HKD 40 for children aged 4 to 11, and free entry for children aged 3 and under. For the November 1 parade day, organisers state that early bird adult tickets start from HKD 80. Availability is limited and sessions can sell out quickly. Purchases of collectibles, games, and food are separate from admission.

Ticketing terms specify that the event is outdoors and subject to weather. Hours may be adjusted for safety, and the organiser reserves the right to modify arrangements if needed. For official details and bookings, visit the Klook event page at this link.

Why the Water Parade matters for Hong Kong cultural tourism

Large scale cultural events draw visitors into the city’s public spaces and keep them there for longer. The Water Parade places a playful, camera friendly spectacle in the center of Hong Kong, then ties it to a walkable market district that can support extended visits and spending. The experience is easy to understand for families and travelers, language light, and powered by characters with global reach. That approach aligns with the city’s push to host high profile happenings that energize nightlife, shorelines and plazas, and create reasons to extend a stay beyond a single attraction.

Character IP has become a reliable driver of footfall across Asia. Pop Mart collectibles attract long lines for limited drops, Peanuts maintains multigenerational appeal, and Netflix franchises have deep streaming audiences. Putting these brands side by side, then laying them across the city’s most recognizable landscape, turns Hong Kong into a stage where global pop culture meets a local waterfront tradition.

Organisers emphasize that the production is built for both tourists and residents, with a focus on shared experiences on the harbor’s edge.

Event materials describe a fusion of art, entertainment and culture that gives locals and visitors a visual spectacle with engaging activities.

Logistics, access and viewing tips

Getting to the harbor venues is straightforward by public transport. Admiralty Station and Central Station offer multiple exits that feed into Tamar Park, the Central Piers and the Central and Western District Promenade. On the Kowloon side, East Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui stations connect to the waterfront via the Cultural Centre area and the Avenue of Stars. Driving is possible but parking is limited near the waterfront on busy days. Public transport is the quickest way to reach and leave the event zones.

Plan viewing around comfort and safety. Arrive early for the best positions, especially on November 1. Bring water, sun protection and a light layer for breezy conditions near the water. Keep pathways clear and follow guidance from event staff and crowd control teams. If you intend to visit the market, check your ticket slot time and last admission rules before heading out.

• Best island side views: Tamar Park lawn, the Central Piers, and the Central and Western District Promenade
• Best Kowloon side views: the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Avenue of Stars
• Photography tips: use a moderate zoom to frame characters with skyline landmarks, shoot from slightly elevated spots for reflections on the water
• Accessibility: the promenade is generally flat and wide, with ramps and accessible facilities near major access points
• Weather watch: the harbor can be windy, so check official updates if rain or strong winds are forecast

Behind the scenes, from design to the water

Building a sculpture that floats safely in the harbor requires careful engineering and marine coordination. The characters are fabricated from heavy duty materials such as PVC coated textiles, stitched and heat sealed to hold their form. Industrial blowers and valves manage internal air pressure. To keep the forms stable, crews mount the inflatables on custom platforms or pontoons and rely on tethers and towing boats that guide speed and direction. Low, reclining poses help lower the center of gravity, reduce wind load, and prevent sharp pitching in harbor swells.

Trials held off Tsing Yi offered a preview of that choreography. Elmo and Grimace were pulled by two boats, one ahead and one behind, moving slowly to maintain position and alignment. Doraemon’s dorayaki and Labubu’s donut acted like buoyant rafts that stabilize mass and make the characters legible from shore. For a public parade, marine traffic coordination is essential. The route is set in consultation with authorities to preserve shipping lanes. Safety boats shadow the sculptures, while staff monitor the inflatables from nearby pontoons. Contingencies are in place for wind, rain, or mechanical issues, so timings can adjust on short notice.

ARR’s previous harbor and waterfront projects helped build the playbook. The giant Rubber Duck visits to Hong Kong familiarized the city with large scale floating art, and Kaws collaborations established a visual language that merges contemporary art with popular characters. The Water Parade adapts those lessons to a multi character fleet. It adds a market at the water’s edge to keep the action on land while the sculptures rest at sea.

Key Points

• Four giant inflatable sculptures, Doraemon, Labubu, Kaws x Sesame Street Elmo and Grimace, will float off Tamar Park from October 25 to November 1, 2025
• The fleet will parade along both shores of Victoria Harbour on November 1 before leaving the harbor
• AllRightsReserved curates the event and also runs an eight day Water Parade Market beside Tamar Park with pop up shops, games and themed food
• Additional IPs at the market include Snoopy and Peanuts, Netflix titles such as Squid Game and Stranger Things 5, and Hong Kong’s Tolo founding duck
• Tickets are sold only through Klook, early bird sales start September 26, with adult market entry from HKD 50 and children from HKD 40
• Organisers indicate early bird adult tickets for the November 1 parade start from HKD 80
• Best viewing spots include the Central and Western District Promenade, Central Piers and Tamar Park on the island side, and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade on the Kowloon side
• ARR calls the production a breakthrough collaboration that aims to attract both Hong Kong residents and overseas visitors