Hong Kong National Day celebrations draw record crowds

Key facts

• Hong Kong's National Day fireworks display drew a record 430,000 spectators.
• Free museum admissions attracted 63,000 visitors on a single day.
• 460,000 tourists from mainland China visited Hong Kong during the first three days of Golden Week.
• Malls reported a 20% to 30% increase in business during the holiday period.
• Night markets saw some vendors report a fivefold increase in business.

Hong Kong celebrated the 77th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1 with a series of events and perks that drew record crowds. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu stated that the return of the National Day fireworks spectacle after a five-year hiatus signifies Hong Kong's resilience and return to normalcy.

The fireworks show at Victoria Harbour attracted an unprecedented 430,000 spectators, significantly exceeding the average attendance of 200,000. Lee expressed optimism for the tourism industry and encouraged continued innovation from businesses.

In addition to the fireworks, the government's initiative to offer free admission to multiple museums saw 63,000 visitors in a single day. The Hong Kong Space Museum alone recorded a historic 11,000 admissions. Theaters also experienced a surge, with 154,000 people attending shows at half-priced tickets, marking a decade-long record for National Day attendance.

New attractions, including three night markets at the harborfront, drew 100,000 visitors, with some vendors reporting a fivefold increase in business. During the initial three days of the eight-day Golden Week holiday, Hong Kong welcomed 460,000 tourists from mainland China. Several shopping malls reported a business boost of 20% to 30% amid efforts to revive the nighttime economy.

Looking ahead, Lee announced that popular night carnivals will continue at three venues every weekend until early next year, with plans to incorporate diverse elements based on public input.