• This year’s special edition Fireworks Display Contest features six nights of unrivalled pyrotechnic artistry
  • Anim’Arte NAM VAN is one of the most popular of many fireworks watching vantage points on both the Peninsula and Taipa Island

Macao International Fireworks Display Contest Celebrates 30th Edition

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In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest’s 30th edition this year Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has invited an unprecedented number of twelve extraordinary world-class pyrotechnic teams to present twelve spectacular fireworks displays themed ‘Duo Celebrations for Macao’ from early September to 1st October Golden Week.

MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes remarked that since its inaugural edition in 1989 the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest has gradually developed into one of Macao’s major events and travel highlights, doubling from five teams in the beginning to a lineup of ten teams a year since 1995. Instead of inviting ten teams to perform on five fireworks evenings, the Office has invited twelve teams to dazzle on six fireworks nights for the first time, as the Contest celebrates its 30th edition this year.

Contest dates - embracing the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day - will extend to 1st October Golden Week, with MGTO tailoring an impressive array of events to this very special occasion. In striving to motivate higher participation among residents by enriching the diversity and charm of the programme, it is anticipated that the double celebration will further advance Macao’s international profile and transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure.

Unprecedented extravaganza of twelve fireworks shows

The 30th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest will stage two fireworks shows a night on 7th, 13th, 21st, 28th September and 1st and 5th October. In order of performance, the Contest will pit teams from Malaysia, the Philippines, Portugal, Korea, United Kingdom, Romania, South Africa, Canada, France, China, Japan and Australia against each other. Pyrotechnic companies from Malaysia and Australia will make their Macao debut, while the remaining teams have competed in Macao before, with seven of them returning home with titles. All the contestants boast rich experience and extraordinary artistry in the creation of fireworks shows - thus extravaganza performances are assured!

In celebration of the 30th edition of the Contest, the twelve pyrotechnic teams will choreograph their 18-minute fireworks shows to the top prize-winning song of last year’s inaugural Songwriting Contest - ‘Light your Fire’ - as one of their background music scores, while the top entry of last year’s Trophy Design Contest will adorn the trophies to be awarded to the winners of the 30th Fireworks Display Contest.

Through the foregoing, MGTO seeks to further blend the city’s tourism products with culture and creativity, steering the whole industry forward.

Diversity of outreach programmes, new fireworks seminar for residents

MGTO will organise a fireworks seminar at Macao Contemporary Art Centre - Navy Yard No.2, at which a representative of the pyrotechnic consultancy assigned this year will be invited to talk about the process of fireworks production, on-site installations and safety arrangements for the Contest, among other specialty information. Residents can learn more about the actual operation behind the event and gain a deeper understanding of fireworks and the Contest.

In addition to the popular annual Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest, video and poster design contests will be launched this year in tandem with the Fireworks Contest. An online application system is accepting the submission of entries for various outreach programmes from 7th September to 31st October.

MGTO is supporting local community organisations and enterprises initiating tourism activities that resonate with and enliven the Fireworks Contest - including a weekend programme of DIY workshops for the 30th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, scheduled at Anim'Arte NAM VAN on every fireworks evening from 7th September to 5th October, and the 4th Macau International Lantern Festival, to be held along Anim’Arte NAM VAN and the Waterfront Promenade of One Central Macau and Wynn Macau (Avenida de Sagres) from 7th September to 15th October.

Designed to enable visitors and residents to soak up the cultural and artistic ambience of Macao while enjoying the dazzling fireworks, there is much to look forward to!

Live broadcast, Fireworks Carnival, and online vote

The fireworks displays - broadcast live on TDM - HD TV Channel with synchronised music streaming from TDM - Radio Macao’s Chinese Channel (FM100.7) at 9:00pm and 9:40pm every scheduled evening - means spectators can enjoy the beauty of the fireworks in myriad convenient ways.

MGTO and CTM have jointly organised an online voting activity to enhance residents’ and visitors’ interest and participation in the Contest whilst gaining wider publicity for the event. After enjoying each of the fireworks evenings, spectators can vote for their favourite fireworks teams online and enter a lucky draw offering attractive prizes.

In addition, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbours Association of Macau will co-present a much loved Fireworks Carnival near Macau Tower from 5:00pm to 11:00pm on the six fireworks evenings. A confluence of culinary delights, music performances, parent-and-kid workshops and games, the Carnival puts a colourful zing into the city’s celebrations. The top three entries in last year’s Songwriting Contest will be presented on stage during the event.

For more information about the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest and its outreach programmes, please visit: http://fireworks.macaotourism.gov.mo.