Extended Victoria Park lantern show attracts thousands for National Day
Por Connor Mycroft — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Hong Kong tourism Hong Kong Society Extended Victoria Park lantern show attracts thousands for National Day
Many people arrived early at sunset to avoid huge crowds, after social posts warned of past overcrowding at International Lantern Spectacular
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Connor Mycroft Published: 8:41pm, 1 Oct 2026
Thousands of Hongkongers, domestic helpers and tourists have taken advantage of the extended lantern show in Victoria Park as the National Day “golden week” holiday kicked off in mainland China.
Many people arrived early at sunset on Thursday to avoid the huge crowds that had previously gathered for the International Lantern Spectacular, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which has attracted more than 500,000 visitors since its debut in September.
Before many of the lanterns turned on in the evening, the South China Morning Post observed hundreds of visitors to the park snapping selfies and walking around, including domestic helpers, tourists and locals.
Among the early birds was Anant Raj, a 36-year-old banking employee, who was visiting the lantern show with his wife and their two young sons.
Raj, an Indian national who has lived in Hong Kong for a year, said the family was keen to take part in the National Day celebrations and would head to the harbourfront to watch the fireworks later in the evening.
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