The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) announced in a press conference at the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) – also known as Forum Macao – yesterday that the 34th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest will take place from September 12 to October 4, featuring 10 international fireworks teams and large-scale drone shows for the first time.
Organised by MGTO, this year’s contest is themed “Set Sail for Macao, where the Silk Road Sparkles” and will combine fireworks, drone shows, and community activities to create a series of nighttime events during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day periods.
Addressing the press conference in Sai Van, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said that the contest remains one of Macao’s iconic annual events, adding that the event has continued to embrace innovation and diversity since its inception, aiming to showcase Macao’s appeal as a destination through “tourism + events”.
Senna Fernandes added that this year’s introduction of large-scale drone shows will create a new experience for spectators, with fireworks, light formations, and music coming together to present stories in the sky, adding that the budget for this year’s edition is 18.9 million patacas. Last year’s budget stood at 18.06 million patacas.
By chronological order, pyrotechnic enterprises from Brazil, Canada, China, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Kingdom will stage shows over the waters off Macau Tower at 9:00 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. on September 12, 19, and 25, as well as October 1 and 4, two companies each night.
According to a statement by MGTO yesterday, each display will last about 18 minutes.
Companies from Brazil, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland will make their local debuts, while six returning teams include British, Philippine, and Chinese firms that placed first, second, and third respectively in last year’s contest.
The contest will be divided into three chapters – “Encounter with History”, “Encounter with Civilisation”, and “Encounter with the Future” – with more than 3,400 drones forming large-scale aerial displays, the statement said, adding that the drone shows will serve as opening and closing highlights for the first and final nights.
The September 25 displays by the Portuguese and South Korean teams will coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival, while the Thai and Chinese teams will perform on October 1 for National Day. Following the two final displays on October 4, a prize-giving ceremony will announce the contest winners.
Meanwhile, a series of parallel activities will accompany the contest – the Photo Contest, Student Drawing Contest, and AI Generative Art Contest. According to the statement, the Photo Contest will introduce a new category for Hengqin residents this year.
The Fireworks Carnival, co-hosted by MGTO and the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (Kai Fong), will be held beside the Macao Science Centre waterfront in Nam Van from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on each fireworks night.
Temporary traffic and parking arrangements will be implemented during the firework displays, including the suspension of some metered and motorcycle parking spaces and temporary traffic restrictions around Sai Van Lake and parts of Taipa.
As the contest takes place during the typhoon season, MGTO will monitor weather conditions through an interdepartmental mechanism and assess their impact on the event schedule and operational safety, the statement said, adding that contingency plans will be implemented according to typhoon conditions, with any changes announced to the public as soon as possible.
Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes addresses yesterday’s 34th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest press conference at Forum Macao in Sai Van. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
