MGTO announces Lunar Year celebrations

The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) will present the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the MSAR – Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Pig, on February 7 and February 10.

For the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY), MGTO has prepared a series of celebrations for residents and visitors.  Yesterday, it announced that the range of activities include a float parade, performances, fireworks display and float exhibition and the Favorite Parade Float Voting.

The two parades will be staged in the central and northern districts.

The parades will be themed “Return home from Chinese New Year.”

Eighteen floats will represent various CNY dishes that symbolize auspicious wishes, showering abundant blessings on residents and visitors.

According to MGTO director Helena de Senna Fernandes, MGTO has been enhancing both hardware and software facilities of the parade and deepening the level of enjoyment among spectators so that the parade will gain wider popularity. 

Joined by a total of 32 local and international performance groups, 18 floats will set off from Sai Van Lak Square before Macau Tower at 8 p.m., march along Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen on Macau Peninsula until the destination at theMacau Science Center.

Starting from 5.30 p.m., warm-up performances will take place at intervals in designated performance zones.

Hong Kong and Macau singers including MC Jin, Terence Chui, Vivian Chan and Germano Guilherme will perform and a 15-minute fireworks display will take place at 9:45 p.m..

Spectator stands will be set up at Sai Van Lake Square, the front square of Rua da Torre de Macau, the front square of Kun Iam Ecumenical Center and the roundabout in front of Macao Science Center.

MGTO will also operate free shuttle bus service around five routes between event locations and various districts in the Macau peninsula, Taipa and Coloane.

Starting from 8 p.m. on the night, MGTO will live broadcast the parade on LED screens set up at multiple locations so that more people can watch the parade.

There will be another float parade and finale show of cultural performances on the 6th day of the CNY. The float parade will commence with a kick-off ceremony at Rua Norte do Patane at 8 p.m.

The floats will be showcased at the seafront of the Science Center between February 7 and 10, and following that, on display at Tap Seac Square between February 10 and 17.