Festive Celebrations for Three Chinese Feasts

Rich in history and multiculturalism, Macao celebrates three diverse festivals on 12^th May incorporating traditional beliefs held to this day; namely, the fishing industry’s Feast of the Drunken Dragon, Taoism’s Tam Kong Festival, and the Feast of Buddha.

The highlight of the Feast of the Drunken Dragon - added to the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in May 2011 - is the Drunken Dragon and Lion Dance Parade, which starts in Senado Square and winds its boisterous way to various districts on the Macao Peninsula, disbursing blessings and good fortune to every corner.

Meanwhile, Dragon Boat Longevity Rice, symbolising good fortune and health, is freely distributed during the Feast to deserving recipients in front of Red Market, Iao Hon Market, Tamagnini Barbosa Market and Sam Kai Vui Kun, with visitors and residents welcome to participate in the often raucous celebrations.

A fishing village in the past, the Coloane community would pray to Tam Kong for protection before setting out on the briny; Tam Kong also legendarily quelled a plague on the island and is thus celebrated by Coloane residents with the Parade of Tam Kong Festival, in which some 30 performing teams featuring float parade, dragon and lion dances, Portuguese folk dancing and juggling, make their way to Tam Kong Temple in Coloane to pray for good fortune. During the Festival, a Cantonese Opera for Tam Kong and a beer festival will be staged, too.

This year also marks the 2563^rd birthday of the Buddha, and to celebrate the Feast of Buddha - also known as the Feast of the Bathing of Lord Buddha - the Buddhist Association of Macau will organise Buddha-bathing rituals and game booths in Senado Square to solicit prosperity, harmony and peace.