Culture and parades

The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and integrated resorts have organized a full calendar of events for the Year of the Horse. Lunar New Year celebrations feature parades, concerts, and markets continuing through early March.
From Feb. 13 to 26, a Barra Lucky Blessing Market will run at the former Barra Slaughterhouse site. Organized by MGM, the market mixes Chinese intangible cultural heritage, contemporary illustrations, Lunar New Year goods, and live music. Exhibits include New Year paintings from Prince Kung’s Palace Museum with a creative workshop until Feb. 25.

At Tap Seac Square, a Chinese New Year Market operates until Feb. 16, selling flowers, decorations, gifts, and snacks from noon to midnight, extending to 1 a.m. on Feb. 17.

On Feb. 17, the MGTO’s Golden Dragon Parade travels from the Ruins of St. Paul’s to A-Ma Temple from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Horse features 17 floats and 1,300 performers from Macau, Hong Kong, mainland China, Italy, the Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, and Spain, according to the MGTO.

On Feb. 19, the twelfth day of the Lunar New Year, an opening ceremony with local bands, alongside Hong Kong singer Mike Tsang Pei-tak, begins at 5:40 p.m. at Sai Van Lake Square. That same day, the first CNY parade starts at 8 p.m. from Sai Van Lake Square and ends at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf.

The second parade takes place on Feb. 28. It starts at 8 p.m. from Rua Norte do Patane, follows Avenida do Conselheiro Borja and other streets, and ends at Iao Hon Market Park, where a final show with Hong Kong and Macau artists Andrew Chan, Winnie Lam, and Kane Ao Ieong is scheduled that evening.

Parade floats go on display at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf from Feb. 20 to 27 and at Tap Seac Square from March 1 to 8. The parade will showcase 17 vibrant floats, eight of which will come from government departments.