Macau celebrates the Chinese New Year with great gusto. The territory is one of the best places to witness the spontaneous joyousness of this festival each year. One of the must-experience attractions is the long parade that many people love to bring their families to enjoy.

This year, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), together with the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Cultural Affairs Bureau, will host a cornucopia of festive celebrations for Lunar New Year.

The ‘Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Ram’ will be held on 21^st & 28^th February. On the 21^st February, fourteen parade floats with nine overseas performing groups including Italy, Portugal, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong - and Macau - will lead off from the front of Macau Science Centre at 8:00pm and finish at Sai Van Lake Square. Hong Kong actor Johnson Lee does the honours as the opening ceremony Master of Ceremonies, while Hong Kong pop siren Miriam Yeung, Andy Hui and several Macau singers will strut their stuff onstage. The Chinese New Year firework spectacular is always a great crowd favourite, and this year will be held from 11:00pm on 21^st February. On the 28^th February, the parade floats start at Rua Norte do Patane and wind their way to Iao Hon Market Park, where a stage performance of Hong Kong pop singer Stephy Tang provides a grand finale.

For those in other parts of the city, MGTO will set up giant screens in Friendship Square, Macau Science Centre, Iao Hon Market Park, Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção Park, Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, Macau Tower, Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva, Tap Seac Square, and Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa for live broadcasts. There will also be an audience viewing area in front of the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre and Macau Tower, making it more convenient than ever for people to watch the exciting progress of the parade.

This year, MGTO is introducing once again the SMS game ‘My favourite local performing team’ plus a new We-chat lucky draw and We-chat message wall, in addition to distributing free parade themed souvenirs to the public.

After the parade, all the floats will be displayed for public appreciation at Sai Van Lake Square (11:00pm on 21^st February to 5:00pm on 28^th February) and Tap Seac Square (10:00pm on 28^th February to 6:00pm on 8^th March). Photos a must!

In addition, the ‘Let’s Celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Goat’ will be held during Lunar New Year. The Golden Dragon Parade, held on 19^th February, starts from the Ruins of St. Paul’s at 10:00am. Meanwhile, the ‘Lion Dance Performance’ kicks off from Senado Square at 11:00am on 21^st February and from Tap Seac Square at 4:30pm on 22^nd February. Also, catch performances by The Art Troupe of the Charm of Chongqing in various venues (for details, please visit: www.iacm.gov.mo).