Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) presents its mega festive event - 'Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Rooster,' in celebration of Chinese New Year - on the third day (30^th January) and eighth day (4^th February) of Lunar New Year.

Birds gather in Macao to pay homage to the phoenix

In the story of the Parade, birds of all kinds gather in Macao to welcome the phoenix, which breaks through the golden eggshell to bestow wishes of happiness, good fortune, longevity and prosperity to residents and visitors in Macao at the beginning of Chinese New Year. The event features fantastic float parades, mega joint performances, dazzling fireworks display, float exhibition, snapshot competition, and more.

The launch ceremony of the first Parade was held on the third day of Lunar New Year (30^th January) at 8:00pm in front of Macao Science Center. A flotilla of 14 dazzling floats proceeded together with 688 performers in different groups from nearly 10 countries and regions via Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen on Macao Peninsula to Sai Van Lake Square in front of Macau Tower, making a grand march towards a brighter year ahead. Spectator seating was set up at three locations including the roundabout in front of Macao Science Center (Palace of the Peacock), the front square of Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre (Palace of the Crane) and the front square of Rua da Torre de Macau (Palace of the Magpie).

A finale show of cultural performances was staged at Sai Van Lake Square at 9:00pm. Local singers Ari, Alan Tse and Viviana Lo joined singers Fred Cheng and Joyce Cheng from Hong Kong for a great evening show. In addition, part of the Parade procession joined the stage performance upon arrival at Sai Van Lake Square, followed by a fireworks display at around 9:50pm. Meanwhile, Hong Kong pop band C AllStar and celebrity hosts Bob Lam and Sarika Choy were invited to entertain the crowds at the opening show of the parade.

Parade continues to Northen District

The launch ceremony of the second Parade will be held on the eighth day of Lunar New Year at 8:00pm at Rua Norte do Patane. Featuring 14 floats as well, the float parade will make its way through Avenida do Conselheiro Borja, Estrada do Arco, Estrada da Areia Preta, Avenida de Venceslau de Morais, Rua Quatro do Bairro da Areia Preta, Avenida da Longevidade, and Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon until finishing at Iao Hon Market Garden, where performers including local singers Hyper Lo, Josie Ho and AJ as well as Hong Kong artist Benjamin Yuen will dazzle in the finale show.

Float display at Sai Van Lake Square and Tap Siac Square

The splendid floats will be showcased at Sai Van Lake Square from 10:00pm on 30^th January to 5:00pm on 4^th February, and then at Tap Siac Square from 10:00pm on 4^th February until 6:00pm on 12^th February. Local residents and visitors can enjoy the sight of illuminated floats from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. During the aforementioned periods (with adjusted schedules on 30^th January, 4^th and 12^th February).

Chinese New Year Parade Float Snapshot Competition

This year, MGTO and Macao Cultural Heritage Reinventing Studies Association will jointly organize the Chinese New Year Parade Float Snapshot Competition. Between 30^th January and 7^th February, residents and visitors can follow Macao Cultural Heritage Reinventing Studies Association's account 'heritage.mo' on Instagram and then upload their photos of the Parade for Celebration of the Year of the Rooster to Instagram. After that, they can add the hashtags @heritage.mo, #macao2017 and #cnyparade2017 and then share the photos for an opportunity to win a Certificate of Merit and cash award.