One of Hong Kong’s largest LGBTQ+ events, Pink Dot, has been cancelled for the second consecutive year after organizers lost access to their planned venue just weeks before the scheduled celebration.
The cancellation, announced on Monday, follows a decision by property management company Link REIT to withdraw the venue over what it described as licensing concerns, dealing another setback to LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts in the city.
Organizers said preparations for the June 2026 carnival were already at an advanced stage when they were informed that the venue could no longer be rented.
In a statement, the Pink Dot organizing committee explained that despite ongoing efforts to secure the necessary permits from authorities, the uncertainty surrounding venue approval and the limited time remaining before the event left them with no option but to cancel.
“Faced with venue uncertainty, given the tight timeline and the involvement of numerous partner organizations, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel,” the organizers said.
Pink Dot, launched in 2014, grew into one of Hong Kong’s most visible celebrations of diversity and inclusion, attracting thousands of participants annually through outdoor carnivals, performances, and community activities.
The event reached a peak attendance of more than 13,000 people in 2023 before experiencing mounting operational difficulties in recent years. In 2025, organizers were forced to cancel the festival after the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority denied access to its Art Park venue, leading to a scaled-down online edition instead.
Activists say the repeated cancellations reflect an increasingly restrictive environment for civil society events and advocacy campaigns in Hong Kong.
While authorities have not formally banned LGBTQ+ gatherings, organizers and community groups have reported growing challenges in securing public venues for large-scale events. Hong Kong has not hosted a traditional outdoor Pride parade since 2018, with many organizations shifting activities to smaller indoor spaces or digital platforms.
The latest cancellation also comes amid wider debates over LGBTQ+ rights in the territory. In 2025, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council voted against a bill that would have granted limited legal protections to same-sex couples, despite a previous court ruling urging the government to establish a legal framework for recognition.
Community advocates warn that the loss of major public events like Pink Dot risks narrowing public discussion around diversity and inclusion in one of Asia’s leading financial centers.
Despite the setback, organizers said they remain committed to promoting equality and supporting the LGBTQ+ community through alternative initiatives and future engagements.
