Embark on a culinary adventure with our Macau Chinese New Year Dining Guide and watch amazing performances of lion and dragon dance all throughout the city as the whole city is enveloped in the festivities of an important tradition. Highlighting family values mixed with entertainment that has transformed the modern celebration into an even more exciting event each year, we have compiled the best places you need to go for an awesome time with your family and loved ones.
Parade for the celebration of Chinese New Year
Macau is surrounded with fantastic events to celebrate the Chinese new year. Catch the marvelous parade featuring a 238-metre golden dragon and 18 lions that will start from the Ruins of St. Paul’s, passing by Lilau Square and A-Ma Temple, winding up at Sai Van Lake Square on January 28 at 11:00am. Watch out for the Lion Dance Competition that will take place in Senado Square on January 30 at 11:00am and in Tap Seac Square at 4:00pm on January 31.
The Parisian Macao
Make your way with the whole family to the newest addition to the Cotai strip, The Parisian Macao features a spectacular Chinese New Year Grand Illumination Show, which will take place every 15 minutes between 6:15 pm to midnight, from now until February 14. The young and old alike will surely love the lights show. Snap photographs in the beautiful Porte Cochère area dazzling with lanterns, floral displays, tree lights, and fans for a memorable evening.
The Parisian Macao Estrada Do Istmo, Lote 3, Cotai Strip, +853 2882 8833, parisianmacao.com
Grand Hyatt
Grand Hyatt is filled with exciting activities for the Chinese new year. Catch Calligraphy artist Master Un Meng at the Lobby Boutique showcasing his talent as he creates unique and stunning blessing inscriptions for guests and visitors to take home as mementos of the Year of the Rooster from January 25 to 27. Celebrate the start of Lunar New Year by watching stunning firecrackers and fireworks to dispel evil and bring good luck on January 27 at 11:58pm. Don’t miss the Lion and Dragon dance performances on January 28 at 12:00pm. With 30-meter long golden dragons and 5 Southern lion dances to represent a prosperous year of Rooster, the ceremony will showcase marvelous agility and athleticism on display at the hotel entrance. And it wouldn’t be Lunar New Year without the much adored glutinous rice cakes, which is an auspicious and delicious way to ring in the new year. You can order until February 1 for MOP $199 per box.
Grand Hyatt Macau City of Dreams, Estrada Do Istmo, +853 8868 1234, grandhyatt.com
The Venetian Macao
Don’t miss the incredible 3D Light and Sound Spectacular – “Seasons of Prosperity,” which beams Chinese New Year images on the façade of The Venetian Macao. Set to be one of the biggest attractions this holiday season, it takes viewers on a remarkable journey through Chinese culture. With a state-of-the-art digital video mapping technology, the projection covers 43,000 square feet on the front of The Venetian Macao. The light show will run every 30 minutes between 6:30pm to 11:00pm, from now until February 14.
The Venetian Macao Estrada Da Baia De N. Senhora Esperanca, S/N, +853 2882 8888, venetianmacao.com
Sands Shoppes at Cotai Strip
Every celebration is an occasion to shower our loved ones with presents. Head to Sands Shoppes Cotai Strip for the festive atmosphere, incredible discounts and happenings. Decked in peach blossom flower garden decoration, lion dance blessing ceremony and God of Fortune Lai See distribution, shop in a celebratory mood at the ultimate shopping destination in Macao. The schedule for Lion Dance Parade across Sands Shoppes are as follows: 11:00am at Venetian and Cotai Central, and 3:00pm at Four Seasons and Parisian.
Sands Shoppes at Cotai Strip www.sandscotaicentral.com
MGM Macau
Teeming with stunning decorations, MGM Macau features a Peony sculpture at its North-East Entrance, as well as a Gold and Tangerine Garden at Grande Praça to welcome Chinese New Year! Take the little ones to the Fish-Feeding Shows at Grande Praça. With a breathtaking 8.3-meter high cylindrical aquarium serving home to thousands of fish, which glitters underneath the huge glass ceiling, an interesting underwater interactive session is held daily at 3pm. One of the most anticipated Lion Dance Blessing show will take place at the MGM VIP Lobby Entrance at 3:30pm on Jan 28.
MGM Macau Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, +853 8802 8888, www.mgm.mo
With so many wonderful and exciting activities to usher in the Year of the Rooster, it’s bound to be another momentous year for Macau!
* Featured image credit to MGTO
