Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said in a speech on Saturday during the opening ceremony she expected that “Light up Macao 2025” will encourage both residents and visitors to explore local neighbourhood communities more deeply, support local businesses, stimulate economic opportunities, and further promote community tourism, and the night-time economy.
The opening ceremony for the monthlong illumination festival was held at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre, coupled with community and gastronomy events, aiming to invigorate the community tourism and night-time economy, based on MGTO’s objective of enriching the city’s reputation as a World City of Tourism and Leisure.
The “Light up Macao 2025” event is being held until January 11 in three major districts – Nam Van, the northern district and Zape, featuring 3D mapping shows, a carnival, flash mobs, performances and a total of 28 groups of radiant installations from Australia, the Chinese mainland, Portugal, South Korea and the United States, as well as local teams.
Senna Fernandes noted that a special carnival on Rua de Luís Gonzaga Gomes (高美士街), Rua de Xiamen (廈門街) and Rua de Nagasaki (長崎街) near the Macau Grand Prix Museum, has 20 stalls offering food, creative cultural products, and games.
Meanwhile, a parallel event entitled “ZAPE Christmas Wonderland” is being held in the area between Rua de Cantão (廣東街) and Rua de Pequim (北京街), striving to present the festive Christmas atmosphere.
Meanwhile, two community tourism funded projects “2025 Luminescent Night at Travessa do Armazém Velho” around Rua dos Ervanários (澳門的關前街區) in the city centre and the “Northern Winter Market” in Praça dos Lótus, Ilha Verde district (青洲坊蓮花廣場), aiming to create an amplified effect of community activities.
Senna Fernandes said that the sparkle-fest not just sets off the blended appeal of “tourism + events” but also beautifies the urban space and brings together various neighbourhoods’ community dynamics.
One of “Light up Macao 2025” light installations, complete with local mascot MAK MAK, is displayed at the Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre in Praia Grande. – Photo: Armindo Neves
