Fourteen Lunar New Year fairs opened across Hong Kong on Wednesday, drawing early crowds as stallholders expressed optimism for a robust holiday shopping season.
At Victoria Park, the city’s largest festive market, vendors reported a strong start to the week-long event, which precedes the start of the Year of the Horse.
Sherry Lam, a vendor specializing in children’s hair accessories, said the initial turnout exceeded her expectations. “Today is the first day. I think it’s out of my expectations,” Lam said, noting a high volume of parents visiting with children. She added that her goal for the week is to clear her entire inventory and turn a profit.
The fairs, a staple of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year traditions, feature a mix of traditional flowers, snacks, and themed merchandise. This year, a group of veterinary students joined the ranks of entrepreneurs, offering a line of Year of the Horse-themed products including lai see (red envelopes), fai chun (lucky banners), and keychains.
“Our expectations for this Lunar New Year’s Fair is that we just hope that Hong Kong citizens can come around and then they can bring some type of cute item back home,” said Bernard Lau, one of the student designers. “They can walk out here with a smile. That is our main goal.”
While the first day saw steady foot traffic, many vendors are bracing for a significant surge in the coming days. Kobe Yip, a third-year fair participant selling apparel and tote bags, said he anticipates the heaviest crowds will arrive over the weekend and during the final three days leading up to the holiday.
Amid the festivities, Hong Kong Customs officers maintained a visible presence, patrolling the stalls to prevent the sale of counterfeit or infringing goods. Officials urged consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious items.
“We can notice certain things, such as the price and packaging, and the printout of the goods,” a Customs spokesperson said. “If the printouts are very rough, this may arouse suspicion.”
The fairs are scheduled to run through the eve of the Lunar New Year, serving as a primary destination for residents to “walk the flower market” for good luck in the year ahead.
