This Chinese New Year, Macao welcomes the irrepressible monkey, with Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) and Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) hosting a cornucopia of festive celebrations for Lunar New Year.

On 8^th February, a golden dragon and 18 lions will perform exciting dances from 11:00am to 11:20am starting from the Ruins of St. Paul's before moving to Senado Square, Calçada do Tronco Velho, St. Agostinho Square, Rua Central, Travessa da Paiva, MSAR Government Headquarters, Travessa do Padre Narciso, St. Lawrence's Church, Bairro de Lilau Square, Rua da Barra, A-Ma Temple, Pousada S. Tiago, Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Sai Van, Rotunda da Baía da Praia Grande and Sai Van Lake Square.

On the same day, MGTO's Dragon and Lion Dances, God of Fortune, Gods of Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity, Entourage Boy and Girl and the Five Tourism Ambassadors will distribute Lai-See red packets and souvenirs from 10:30am to 10:50am to visitors arriving at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (Arrival Hall), Senado Square, A-Ma Temple, Rua da Cunha, Taipa Houses-Museum, Eduardo Marques Square (in front of the St. Francis Xavier Church), Iao Hon Market Park and Macao Fisherman's Wharf.

On 9^th February, more Lai-See red packets and souvenirs will be distributed at such places as the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (Arrival Hall), the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square, A-Ma Temple, Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro (in front of the Albergue of the Macao Holy House of Mercy), Rua do Cunha, Taipa Houses-Museum, Iao Hon Market Park and Macao Fisherman's Wharf.

MGTO's colourfully themed 'Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Monkey' will weave its way through the city on the evenings of 10^th and 13^th February. On the 10^th February from 7:30pm to 10:00pm, the Parade floats, starting from Macao Science Centre, will wend their way to Av. Dr. Sun Yat Sen and Sai Van Lake Square, where a stage performance and Chinese New Year firework spectacular provide a grand finale.

On 13^th February, the Parade floats will file through Rua Norte do Patane, Av. do Conselheiro Borja, Estrada do Arco, Estrada da Areia Preta, Av. de Venceslau de Morais, Rua Quatro do Bairro da Areia Preta, Av. da Longevidade, Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon and finally Iao Hon Market Park where a stage performance will be held.

After the Parade, all the floats will be displayed for public appreciation at Sai Van Lake Square (10:00pm on 10^st February to 5:00pm on 13^th February) and Tap Seac Square (10:00pm on 13^th February to 6:00pm on 21^st February). So wrap up and snap away!

In addition, IACM and IC has invited local and Mainland China arts groups to dance and sing during the 8^th to 10^th February period. Watch out, too, for the Exhibition of Lunar New Year Traditions (2^nd to 29^th February) at which hundreds of displays from China's principal cities of Beijing and Shanghai will be exhibited.