13th Macau A-Ma Cultural & Tourism Festival

Celebrations include a large and dramatic Grand Opening ceremony (Photo provided by Government Information Bureau)

The 13th Macau A-Ma Cultural & Tourism Festival - held from 19th to 22nd October - is organized by the Goddess A-Ma Foundation of Macau, and co-organized by the Commerce Department of Shaanxi Province, and the Culture Department of Shaanxi Province, among others.

The A-Ma Customs and Beliefs of Macau were inscribed on the Macau Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2012. The Macau A-Ma Cultural & Tourism Festival is held once a year in the A-Ma Cultural Village on top of Mt. Coloane, which also supports the world's tallest A-Ma statue - standing at 19.99 metres and weighing 1,000 tons. The Festival attracts thousands of visitors, religious representatives and believers every year.

The main two days event of the Festival features the Shaanxi Business Culture Promotion at the Sheraton Macau Hotel on 20th October, with the Grand Opening and Blessing ceremony held on the morning of 21st October. In the afternoon, a team will embark upon the Mazu Holy Pilgrimage from A-Ma Cultural Village to Fai Chi Kei, holding a parade from Fai Chi Kei to Iao Hon Market Park with music performances a highlight of the evening's activities.