The Venetian Macao bustles as Sands Shopping Carnival kicks off sixth edition

The Venetian Macao buzzed with activity as the 2025 Sands Shopping Carnival officially opened on July 17, marking the sixth consecutive year Sands China Ltd. has hosted the event in collaboration with the Macao Chamber of Commerce.

Originally scheduled to run through July 20, the carnival concluded one day early due to the approach of Typhoon Wipha.

Despite the shortened schedule, the event attracted nearly 110,000 visits over three days, nearly matching last year’s four-day total, highlighting strong turnout from both residents and tourists.

Held at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo as a free business platform for local SMEs and Sands retailers, the Sands Shopping Carnival has become Macau’s largest sales event and a vibrant summer tradition – celebrating local entrepreneurship, community engagement, and the economic contribution of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Since its inception during the pandemic, the event has provided over 3,400 free booths and has recorded a cumulative attendance of more than 640,000.

“This initiative has been driven by its original mission from the pandemic to support local SMEs by providing them a free business platform. The unique model of housing local SMEs and Sands retailers under one roof creates a powerful synergy,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd.

“Our concerted efforts are what make this widely anticipated, signature tourism and leisure extravaganza a success each year,” he added.

This year’s carnival featured over 580 booths across 21,000 square meters of air-conditioned space, showcasing a diverse range of local and international offerings, from household goods and gourmet foods to cultural and creative items.

A newly added coffee zone nods to the city’s burgeoning café culture, offering visitors a place to relax amid the bustle.

The carnival operated with environmental awareness in mind as well, in line with the goals of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability strategy. Local NGO Green Future, along with a group of Sands ECO360 Ambassadors, demonstrated effective methods for recycling cardboard, plastic and metal to exhibitors, teaching them practical knowledge and techniques for recycling.

More than just a market, the carnival has evolved into a social hub that blends commerce with community service.

19 community organizations participated – a record since the carnival’s inception – reflecting its widening reach.

Sands China continues to deepen its community involvement, expanding its partnership with local social service organizations.

These groups used the platform to raise public awareness about their services and to provide practical vocational experiences for their members.

Among these was an NGO focused on drug rehabilitation, which joined for the fourth consecutive year.

“For us, it’s not about profit – it’s about the message we share with the community: people in recovery deserve opportunities,” said Augusto Nogueira, executive director of the Association of Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau (ARTM).

“This platform helps reduce stigma and promotes reintegration. People recognize that those manning the booth are in recovery, and it changes perceptions,” he added.

The NGO also operated a café staffed by individuals in rehabilitation.

“Some feel more comfortable working behind the scenes; others are ready to engage. The important thing is that they’re gaining experience and confidence. Events like this help them face society without fear,” Nogueira remarked.

Another NGO dedicated to people with intellectual disabilities echoed similar sentiments: The Macau Association for Intellectual Development Services.

For the fifth consecutive year, their Sam Meng Chi Snack Shop has returned to the Sands Shopping Carnival, which they describe as a vital platform for visibility, training, and inclusion.

“Our first year was 2020, and we’re grateful to have shared this five-year journey with Sands,” said Ray Ng, service director of the association. “We have more than 2,000 members. They’ve given our members more than a booth – they’ve given them opportunity, trust, and dignity.”

With Sands China covering all booth and facility fees, the organization is able to focus resources on what matters most: development and empowerment.

“Some of our students prepare food at our store; others create crafts. The carnival pushes them to improve and shows the public that people with intellectual challenges can contribute meaningfully to society.”

Meanwhile, local SMEs were equally enthusiastic.

Among them is Voyage Thai Kitchen, one of seven winners in Sands China’s Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens – an initiative that helped the business start its operation in the historic district. Making their carnival debut this year, Marcus Hoi, owner of the restaurant, describes the opportunity as “a great platform to meet new customers and introduce our brand to a wider audience.”

“These dishes are some of our best-sellers,” Hoi explains, referring to the restaurant’s boat noodles with options of beef and pork, mango sticky rice, and Thai milk tea.”

Despite industry headwinds, Hoi believes events like the Sands Shopping Carnival offer a valuable boost.

“There are a lot of customers here,” he says. “It’s a great chance to let people try our food, and if they like it, they’ll remember us.”

A representative from a Portuguese-themed bookstore and specialty shop praised the carnival’s value for business growth and exposure.

“We showcased Licor 35, Portuguese books, and ceramics. It was a good mix of product promotion and community engagement,” said Reinaldo Cansino from the Portuguese Bookshop.

“It’s also a fantastic networking opportunity. You meet like-minded business owners and share ideas, even across borders.”

For some, the event was a good opportunity for brand positioning and product testing.
An SME specializing in aromatherapy described their participation as a form of live market research.

“We launched new scented products and promoted our scent studio. Events like this help us understand customer reactions and refine our marketing strategies,” said Icy Leong from Macau Soap and Detergent Production.

U Kin Cho, vice president of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the broader economic role of the carnival.

“Now in its sixth consecutive year, the Sands Shopping Carnival is showcasing an ever-growing reputation. This event has evolved into a local shopping staple and a magnet for tourists seeking to immerse themselves in Macau’s distinctive allure,” said U.

“Such achievements underscore Sands China’s unwavering dedication to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with local SMEs. The company generously offers a platform for SMEs to exhibit and sell their products at no cost, sharing resources to forge new opportunities as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he added.

The official remarked that this ongoing commitment injects dynamic vigor into the city’s economic landscape, promoting diversification and bolstering its esteemed reputation.

The Macao Government Tourism Office also lent strong support, with director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes praising the alignment of the carnival with the city’s “tourism+” initiative.

“The SAR government is committed to promoting diversified development in the tourism and leisure industry, striving to refine and strengthen integrated resorts’ offerings,” said the official.
“Shopping remains a pivotal component of the tourism experience,” she added.

Beyond the booths, the carnival featured a packed schedule of family-friendly entertainment, workshops, and competitions.

One of the most anticipated highlights, the ICBC ePay Presents: Greater Bay Area Karaoke King Singing Competition, drew more than 100 talented contestants from across the Greater Bay Area.

Free shuttle buses and parking ensured convenient access, with routes linking major city hubs to the event venue at Cotai Expo.

In addition to the consumer-facing aspects, Sands China also brought in entrepreneurs from its Community Revitalization Series – including the aforementioned Rua das Estalagens programme – giving them a stepping stone toward greater commercial visibility and stability.

Entrepreneurs among Sands China’s own ranks were featured as well. The Sands EmpowHER team member resource group ran a booth to give participating female employees a platform to showcase their entrepreneurial talents, promoting experiential learning and supporting professional development.

This multifaceted approach to SME support and community development has helped turn the Sands Shopping Carnival into more than just a summer retail event.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to all parties for their tremendous support to our event, no matter rain or shine. We are encouraged to see that the carnival was well-received by local residents and tourists, reaching nearly 110,000 visits during the three-day run. This remarkable result demonstrates the effectiveness of the unique model of housing local SMEs and Sands retailers under one roof,” said Dr. Wong.

Community spirit and cultural celebration

The 2025 Sands Shopping Carnival was not only a hub for shopping and entertainment but also a vibrant stage for cultural exchange and community engagement.

The company’s Sands Cares Ambassadors played a key role in supporting these efforts, accompanying families from the Salvation Army Joy Family Integrated Service Centre through fun carnival activities such as karting and game booths.

Ambassadors also joined children and parents from the Macau Catholic Family Advisory Council for the BOC Smart Kids Presents: Little Master Chef Workshop, where participants learned how to prepare sushi under the guidance of Sands China’s culinary team.

Upholding its tradition of inclusivity, the carnival once again welcomed members of Macau Special Olympics, who took on the roles of journalists for the day: interviewing attendees, taking photos, and documenting their experience for their own news reports.

Through initiatives like these, the Sands Shopping Carnival continues to go beyond commerce – creating a platform where cultural exchange, social inclusion, and community support come together in a celebration of Macau’s spirit.

Highlights of the carnival

• Over 260,000 products, including over 5,000 MOP1 items daily and discounts up to 90%.
• Karaoke King Singing Competition sponsored by ICBC ePay.
• Little Master Chef Workshop by BOC Smart Kids, allowing children to explore culinary creativity.
• A Food Court featuring international cuisine and eco-friendly utensils.