Hong Kong Halloween Month campaign sparks religious opposition

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched ‘Hong Kong Halloween Month,’ a citywide campaign featuring cosplay street parties, themed installations, and music events across major districts like Central, Mong Kok, and Tsim Sha Tsui. The festivities, scheduled for Saturdays throughout October, include activities such as monster flash mobs, DJ performances, and themed dining experiences.

However, the campaign has met opposition from dozens of Christian groups in Hong Kong. A petition submitted by the group Yeshua Families Built in Love, signed by approximately 70 signatories, urges authorities to scrap the initiative. The groups argue that using public resources to promote a festival associated with ‘death, evil spirits, curses, and the dark world’ is inappropriate and could negatively impact the wellbeing of the younger generation.