Hello Kitty is celebrating her 50th anniversary this year! Hello Kitty is partnering with Harbour City as the International Friendship ambassador. The “HELLO KITTY · HAPPY 50 @ Harbour City” celebration starts on January 25, 2024 until February 25, 2024. If you are visiting Hong Kong, don’t miss this chance to take home some limited Hello Kitty merchandise. Don’t miss these five areas inside Harbour City.
Hello Kitty Parade Performance
Upon arriving at the Star Ferry Pier, you will be greeted by Hello Kitty, Mimmy, and a 5-meter-tall Daruma. This parade performance, similar to the concept of the annual New Year’s Float Parade, is led by Hello Kitty holding a flag. Following her is her sister, Mimmy, who is driving an apple-shaped float. Behind Mimmy is the main float that carries the giant Daruma, known as the “Apple Wishing Garden”.
When you enter the Apple Wishing Garden, you will come across Hello Kitty and her friends, as well as eight small Daruma dolls. Each Daruma represents a different wish, such as family, career, wealth, happiness, fortune, health, study, and love. To obtain a Daruma doll, visitors can use the gashapon machine located behind the giant Daruma by inserting a special coin that can be purchased at the counter for HKD 50. Starting February 1, couples will be able to hang a Kitty Love Lock on the bridge inside the garden for HKD 25.
Candies Pop-up store
Chinese New Year is approaching, it is a perfect time to get some candies for the snack box at home. The pop-up store is located on Level 2 of Ocean Centre. The pop-up store sells cookies and candies from Kee Wah Bakery. There are three kinds of gift boxes to choose from. Each gift box has a different price and a designated amount of candies and cookies and includes Hello Kitty-themed candies. The price of each gift box is as follows:
- A cardboard tote bag costs HKD 68 and includes 10 pieces of candies or cookies of your choice, along with up to 3 pieces of themed candies.
- A coin-purse style bag costs HKD 288 and includes 20 pieces of candies or cookies of your choice, along with up to 6 pieces of themed candies.
- A tin box in the shape of Hello Kitty costs HKD 388 and includes 30 pieces of candies or cookies of your choice, along with up to 12 pieces of themed candies.
“Every flower tells a story” Exhibition
Fans, don’t miss out on the exhibition located at Shop 207, Level 2 of the Ocean Center. The exhibition showcases art sculptures and artwork collections by renowned artists such as William Chan, Bull & Stein, and Hisahiro Fukazawa.
One of the main attractions of the exhibition is the Hello Kitty art sculpture with her signature apple on her head, which is absolutely adorable. The sculpture comes in different colors and is limited to 20 pieces per color.
Moreover, you can find other limited edition merchandise inside the exhibition that you definitely won’t want to miss out on.
Hello Kitty Lion Dance Garden
Don’t forget to visit the Lion Dance garden located at the Ocean Terminal Deck. To go to the Ocean Terminal Deck, look for the sign “LCX”. And then take the escalator located at the end of the LCX. Afterward, go up two levels and you will reach the terminal deck.
I love that most of the events happening in Harbour City install part of the art installations at the Ocean Terminal Deck. The terminal deck offers a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. Taking a picture with Hello Kitty wearing a Lion Dance costume with Victoria Harbour as the backdrop makes it even more special.
50th Anniversary Pop-Up Store
Lastly, just before you leave, make sure to drop by the pop-up store. The store is located at the Atrium, Ground floor of Ocean Terminal. It offers many special edition merchandise such as commemorative pins, postcards, plush figurines, bags, etc. It is a perfect place to shop for gifts.
Unfortunately, my phone ran out of battery while I was shopping. So, I do not have a picture of the pop-up store. Please check out Harbour City’s official announcement to learn more about the event.