Patriotic carnival held in Hong Kong's Victoria Park for fourth year on Tiananmen anniversary

Victoria Park in Hong Kong is hosting a patriotic carnival for the fourth year running, coinciding with the anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown. The event, which opened on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, for a five-day run, occupies the space where large-scale candlelit vigils were traditionally held to commemorate the victims of the 1989 crackdown.

The "Hometown Market Carnival," jointly organized by 30 provincial hometown associations, features 370 booths showcasing Chinese specialties and performances. Visitors must undergo security checks before entering the venue. The carnival aims to promote "love for hometowns" and boost local consumption, according to Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan, who attended the opening ceremony.

Thursday marks the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown, when the People's Liberation Army suppressed months of student-led demonstrations in Beijing, resulting in an estimated hundreds to thousands of deaths. Before the imposition of the national security law, Victoria Park was a focal point for pro-democracy activists remembering the dead and advocating for China's democratization.

On Wednesday, the eve of the anniversary, police were observed surrounding two performance artists attempting subtle performances in the nearby Causeway Bay area. Meanwhile, Hong Kong officials and lawmakers visited Victoria Park to publicly endorse the patriotic event.

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The event boosted “love for hometowns,” as well as local consumption