Culture
Macao is one of the earliest port cities that China opened up to the world, as well as a crucial node and trading hub of the Maritime Silk Road. Chinese and Westerners have been living in the same territory harmoniously for over 400 years, while exerting influence on one another, contributing to the formation of Macao’s culture that features a blend of Eastern and Western characteristics and a sense of inclusiveness. After Macao’s handover to China, the city has won itself three prestigious titles on the international stage, namely the city of ‘World Cultural Heritage’, ‘the Memory of the World’, ‘the Creative City of Gastronomy’ and was awarded as the “Culture City of East Asia 2025” lately, which have immensely elevated its image as a cultural city. Coupled with the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macao will invest greater efforts in establishing itself as ‘a hub of exchange and co-operation where traditional Chinese culture prevails and other cultures flourish in harmony’.
Following its policy of promoting Chinese culture whilst preserving the unique pluralistic cultural heritage of Macao, the operation of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC thereafter) comprises of different sectors, including cultural heritage, exhibition and museums, performances, creativity and public libraries.
In addition to the promotion, transmission and the promotion of the tangible and intangible cultural heritages, the IC hosts various cultural and artistic exhibitions, reading promotions and cultural dissemination activities, through the two professional orchestra and mega cultural and artistic events, the IC also promotes multi-culture and art transmission, dissemination, exchange and cooperation, so as to enhance the cultural literacy and aesthetics. Meanwhile, the government encourages non-governmental organisations and cultural workers to organize cultural activities and artistic creation, so as to enrich residents’ life, as well as enhancing the humanity essence of as World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and the cultural image of Macao. In addition, the Government has granted subsidies to aid non-governmental organisations and cultural workers in organising different forms of cultural activities and art creation to enrich the cultural life of Macao residents.
Cultural Heritages and Intangible Cultural Heritages of Macao
The Historic Centre of Macao is a living representation of the city’s historic settlement, valuable resource of the sustainable development of Macao, and the product of cultural exchange between the western world and Chinese civilization. The Historic Centre of Macao was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2015, making it the 31st designated World Heritage site in China. In addition, the abundant cultural historical resources of Macao include classifies immovable properties, intangible cultural heritage, archaeological heritage, ancient and famous trees. In order to strengthen the protection of Macao’s valuable cultural resources, including The Historic Centre of Macao, the government made the Law No. 11/2013 – Cultural Heritage Protection Law, which clearly lays down the relevant provisions regarding the protection of Macao’s cultural heritage, such as the scope and method of protection, procedures and standards of the assessment of heritage, legal responsibility and obligation, on the other hand, the Cultural Heritage Committee is set up as consultation body, which established the system of the protection of cultural heritage of Macao SAR. (more)
World Heritage
On 15 July 2015, the 29th meeting of UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the Historic Centre of Macao was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2015, making it the 31st designated World Heritage site in China. The Historic Centre of Macao comprises of 22 classified immovable assets and eight piazzas as well as the streetscapes that links the piazzas and architectural legacies, with its historic street, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological influences from East and West. (more)
The Historic Center of Macao includes:
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22 classified immovable assets
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| A-Ma Temple | Ruins of St. Paul’s | Moorish Barracks |
| Na Tcha Temple | Mandarin’s House | Old City Walls (Section at Calçada de S. Francisco Xavier) |
| St. Lawrence’s Church | Mount Fortress | St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church |
| St. Anthony’s Church | Dom Pedro V Theatre | Casa Garden |
| Sir Robert Ho Tung Library | Protestant Cemetery | St. Augustine’s Church |
| Guia Fortress | Sam Kai Vui Kun (Kuan Tai Temple) | “Leal Senado” Building |
| Cathedral | Holy House of Mercy | St. Dominic’s Church |
| Lou Kau Mansion | ||
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8 piazzas
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| Barra Square | Lilau Square | St. Augustine’s Square |
| Senado Square | Cathedral Square | St. Dominic’s Square |
| Company of Jesus Square | Camões Square | |
Architectural Heritage
Macao’s abundant cultural heritage has witnessed the harmonious integration of Chinese and Western cultures in the past hundreds of years. In addition to the Historic Center of Macao, there are many properties of cultural significance in Macao. Since the Decree-Law No. 11/2013 – Cultural Heritage Protection Law was effective, providing legal protection for all properties of cultural significance, the government will regularly launch cultural heritage evaluation and research, which will eventually include more properties of cultural significance to legal protection. By the end of 2024, protected properties in Macao had been increased from 128 (before Cultural Heritage Protection Law was promulgated) to 165, which are classified into four categories: monuments, buildings of architectural interest, ensembles and sites, scattered across the Macao Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane. The Government formulates protection measures according to the value and characteristics of the heritage, to promote and pass on cultural traditions. The Government actively safeguards Macao and its cultural heritage, which is characterized by unique multicultural diversity and harmony.
Ruins of St Paul’s College and the old church of Mater Dei
St Paul’s College was established by the Society of Jesuit in 1504, which was the first western-style institution of university level in the China, the old church of Mater Dei was part of the College. The old church of Mater Dei was built from 1602, the foundation still lays on the left of the façade, MATER DEI” is engraved on the front door, which means “Mother of God”. The St Paul’s College and the church was destroyed in a fire in 1835, only the façade of the church, staircase and most of the foundation remained. The local people used to call it “Dai San Ba Pai Fong” because the façade looks similar to Chinese traditional arch, and the transliteration of St. Paul.
St Augustine’s Church
First established by Spanish Augustinians in 1591, the original structure was simple, the rooftop was covered with fan palm leaves. Seen from afar, these leaves appeared to be dragon’s whiskers floating in the wind, hence the local Chinese named it Long Song Miu (Temple of the Long-whiskered Dragon). In 1874, the building was revamped to what people can presently witness. The church has a brick and wood structure, orientating in the north and facing the south, and a simple, neoclassical front. St Augustine’s Church is also the starting point of the event “Procession of Passion of our Lord”. The Procession boasts a long history in Macao. It can be traced back to 1708, is part of the Catholic “Novena of the Passion of Our Lord, the God Jesus”, which takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday of Lent. It starts from the St. Augustine’s Church heading to the Cathedral on the first day and returns on the second day. At each designated “Station” on the return route, a female taking the role of Veronica solos a sorrowful song and responded by a priest and the participants in prayers and songs, giving a sense of grief conveyed in the air. The Procession is inscribed on the List of Intangible Heritage of Macao.
St Dominic’s Church
This church was established in 1587, it was the first church being established in China by Dominican. It was originally built in wood, hence its naming in Chinese as Pan Cheong Tong meaning “Church of Wooden Planks”. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. It was built in baroque style. The façade is symmetrical and divided into four horizontal levels, on the religious insignia of the Dominican order is carried on the centre of the third level. The Treasure of Sacred Art which has a collection of around 300 artefacts dated from the 17th to the 19th century was installed during the restoration of the St Dominic’s Church in 1997.
In 1929, this church integrated the worship of Our Lady of Fatima into its religious service. The Macao Procession of Our Lady of Fatima first took place on the same year. The procession currently takes place on 13 May of each year, is part of the “Feast and Novena of Our Lady of Fatima”, the Procession of Our Lady of Fatima is dedicated to the celebration of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, in Portugal, 1917. With recitations of rosary and singing of hymns all along, the procession makes its way from the St. Dominic’s Church to the Penha Chapel, providing a very impressive scene. The religious celebration in Macao shows distinctive features as well as an inscribed item on the List of Intangible Heritage of Macao.
Guia Fortress, Chapel and Lighthouse
Situated on the peak of Guia Hill – the highest point of Macao Peninsular, Guia Fortress was built in 1622 and underwent expansion works from 1637 to 1638. It comprises a barracks, a powder magazine and a tower. Since then, the fortress was classified as a restricted military area, until 1976 when the Portuguese army retreated from Macao. Since then, it has been kept as it was. The chapel next to the lighthouse has been known as Guia Chapel, was built in 1622, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Guia. In 1996 frescoes were uncovered inside Guia Chapel during routine conservation work. Colourful frescos were painted on the vaulting and the walls inside the chapel. Its painting techniques integrate both Chinese and Western art, is a perfect example of Macao’s multicultural dimension. Guia Lighthouse became operational on the 24th of September of t865. It was the earliest modern lighthouse in the Far East and on the Chinese seacoast. The lighthouse was damaged by a typhoon in September 1874. Its service resumed on the 29th of June 1910, after the conclusion of the repair works.
Mandarin’s House
The Mandarin’s House is the ancestral home of Zheng Guanying, a pioneering thinker, industrialist, literary writer and humanitarian of modern China. Words of Warning in Times of Prosperity, which Zheng wrote while living in the Mandarin’s House, has been called a masterpiece that pushed forward reform of modern China. It can be traced back to 1869 when Zheng Wenrui, the father of Zheng Guanying, initiated the building of the Mandarin’s House. The Mandarin’s House is a residential complex, as well as the only “Ronglu Hall” (which means House of a Chinese government official) in Macao. The Mandarin’s House has the characteristics of traditional Guangdong’s residences. Yet, it also features a fusion of architectural influences from western cultures. The Mandarin’s House occupies an area of 4000m2, it extends more than 120 metres in depth, on which are buildings and open spaces designed in various architectural styles. The entire complex has more than 60 rooms in total. A private residence for one family of such scale is rare in Macao.
Lou Kau Mansion
Lou Kau Mansion is believed to be built in 1889, which was the former family residence of the prominent merchant of Macao, Lou Va Sio (Lou Kau). Although the house is typically Chinese in its general architectural structure, which represents the Chinese residences featuring the graceful and delicate architectural style in the late Qing dynasty, its decorative motifs also integrate western influences. The Mansion is a two-storey house, organised in a three-by-three grid of space. The inside of the building was designed with several patios to enhance ventilation and natural lighting. Despite being separated by door screens, the space along the central axis is directly accessible. The interior dncor is rather fascinating with a combination of Chinese brick carvings, plasterwork, horizontal panels, hanging openwork arches and oyster shell windows, which are common in central Guangdong, as well as Western false ceilings, Manzhou widows (stained glass windows) and cast-iron handrails. The mansion is a representation of the integration of Chinese and Western architectural styles, which is unique to residences in Macao.
Dom Pedro V Theatre
Built in 1860 as the first Western-style theatre in all of China, the Dom Pedro V Theatre has since served as a performing venue for music, dance and various other kinds of performances. In addition to a theatre, the structure once also housed a ball room, a reading room and a billiard parlour, making it a venue of central importance for the Macanese community at the time. The Theatre was also rented out to local businessmen in the past, for the showing of films, which led to the establishment of the “Macao Cinema for Distinguished Films”. For this reason, the Dom Pedro V Theatre is also known in everyday Chinese as the “Macao Theatre”.
With an exquisite and refined architectural and decorative design, the Dom Pedro V Theatre emanates a strong romantic flavour. Its neoclassical style not only embodies the splendid characteristics of the European theatres of the time, it also integrates beautifully into the Macao environment. White cornice and architrave mouldings define spaces on the sage green exterior walls, which feature doors and shutters in dark green, all housed under a terracotta roof. This contrasting colour palette stands out against the blocks of yellow buildings on Largo de Santo Agostinho, yet it strikes a harmonious chord with its surroundings. The Theatre contains a vestibule boasting an ancient crystal chandelier, which adds an immensely rich artistic ambience and even a sense of mystery to the interior. The performance hall is comfortable and spacious, with a capacity of 275 seats arranged in curved rows. A staircase located at the end of a long side corridor leads up to the semi-circular balcony seating area. Having spent over a century in vivid use by the Macao community, the Dom Pedro V Theatre is now one of the important historic buildings in the Historic Centre of Macao ensemble inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Theatre has survived as a witness to the bygone leisure and entertainment activities of the Macanese community and today remains a tremendously refined and distinctive performing venue for culture and arts, staying true to its traditional function and historic legacy. It stands as one of the most important and enduring testimonies to the development of Macao’s performing arts.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
As a place of meeting cultures, Macao has created the unique cultural landscape for intangible heritage. As of 2021, a total of 70 items in Macao have been recorded on the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with 12 items inscribed on the List of intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition, 11 items of Macao inscribed on the mentioned National Representative List, including: Cantonese Opera, Herbal Tea Brewing, Woodwork – Religious Figure Carving, Cantonese Naamyam (Narrative Songs), Taoist Ritual Music, Festival of the Drunken Dragon, Belief and Customs of A-Ma, Belief and Customs of Na Tcha, Macanese Gastronomy, Patuá Theatre and Belief and Customs of Tou Tei.
In order to strengthen the protection of Macao’s intangible cultural heritage, when the Macao SAR government prepared Law No. 11/2013 – Cultural Heritage Protection Law, the intangible cultural heritage was included as an object of protection. This law dedicates a specific chapter to protective measures related to the safeguard of Macao’s intangible cultural heritage, also defining the scope of what constitutes intangible cultural heritage, while also establishing the criteria, inventory procedures, emergency response mechanisms and the duties inherent to the transmitters of this type of heritage, among other standards, altogether representing a significant advancement.
The Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage
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Art expressions and items of performing nature
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| Cantonese Opera | Cantonese Naamyam (Narrative Songs) | Taoist Ritual Music |
| Patuá Theatre | Lion Dance | Dragon Dance |
| Saltwater Songs | Baatyam Percussion | Portuguese Folk Dance |
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Social practice, religious practice, rituals and festive events
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| Festival of the Drunken Dragon | Belief and Customs of A-Ma | Belief and Customs of Na Tcha |
| Belief and Customs of Tou Tei | Belief and Customs of Chu Tai Sin | Procession of the Passion of Our Lord |
| Procession of Our Lady of Fatima | Procession of the Dead Lord | Procession of Saint Anthony |
| Feast of Saint John | Procession of Saint Roque | Feast of Saint Martin |
| Feast of Immaculate Conception | Spring Festival | Lantern Festival |
| Sacrifice Offering to the White Tiger on Insect Awakening Day | Cheng Ming (Day of the Departed) | Tung Ng (Dragon Boat Festival) |
| Dragon Boat Racing | Qixi (Single Girls Feast) | Yu Lan (Hungry Ghost Feast) |
| Chong Chao (Mid-Autumn Festival) | Chong Yeong (Worship of the Ancestors) | Winter Solstice Festivities |
| Seak Kam Tong Celebrations | Opening of Kun Iam’s Treasury | Tai Wong Celebrations |
| Pao Kong Celebrations | Festivities of the Day of Kun Iam | Pak Tai Celebrations |
| Festivities of the Day of Buddha | Tam Kong Celebrations | Sin Fong Celebrations |
| Lou Pan Celebrations | Kuan Tai Celebrations | Hong Chan Kuan Celebrations |
| Va Kong Celebrations | ||
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Knowledge and practice regarding nature and the universe
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| Tai Chi Martial Arts | Wing Chun Martial Arts | Choi Lei Fat Martial Arts |
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Conventional skills and techniques of traditional handicrafts
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| Herbal Tea Brewing | Woodwork – Religious Figure Carving | Macanese Gastronomy |
| Craft of Bamboo Scaffolding | Manufacture and Painting of Portuguese Azulejos | Manufacture of Cantonese Porcelain |
| Micro Engraving in Porcelain | Dough Sculpture | Manufacture of Incense Sticks |
| Seong Ka Carpentry | Making of Chinese Cheongsam | Making of Chinese Wedding Garments |
| Confection of Custard Tarts | Confection of Dragon Beard Candy | Confection of Chinese Pastries |
| Confection of Almond Biscuits | Confection of Traditional Chinese Wedding Cakes | Making of Traditional Chinese Sauces |
| Confection of Preserved Fruits | Macanese Gastronomy – Confection of the Alua | Making of Jook-Sing Noodles |
Exhibition Facilities and Museums
The Department of Exhibition and Museums manages a number of museums and exhibition facilities. The museums cover themes such as history, culture, art, humanity, traditional industries and religion, which includes the Museum of Macao, Macao Museum of Art, Museum of Taipa and Coloane, Zheng Guanying Memorial Museum, Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum, Former Chong Sai Pharmacy, General Ye Ting’s Former Residence and Heritage Exhibition of a Traditional Pawnshop Business. Exhibition facilities are mainly used for visual art exhibitions, such as Tap Seac Gallery, Macao Contemporary Art Center – Navy Yard No.1, Mong-ha Villa, Mount Fortress Corridor and Former Municipal Cattle Stable.
Macao Museum
The Macao Museum was opened on 18th April 1998. The Macao Museum showcases Macao’s history and cultural diversity. With their rich and profound historical and cultural connotations, the exhibits in the museum demonstrate the historical changes of Macao over the past centuries. The Macao Museum, which opened on 18 April 1998, is three storeys high. Two floors are built under the platform of Mount Fortress, while only the top floor is converted from the ground building of the original weather observatory, thus retaining the original architectural style and geomorphological features of Mount Fortress to the maximum.
The first floor of the museum presents the development of Chinese and Western culture before the Portuguese arrival in the 16th century, Macao’s early history and the development of its culture, influenced by the commercial activities between the Chinese and the Portuguese, and by religious and cultural contact between the two civilizations, as well as the culture of Macao which is developed from then on; the second floor shows various aspects of the traditions and folk arts of Macao, as well as its religious ceremonies and traditional festivals of Macao; the third floor features current city life and highlighting the portrayal of the region by various literary and artistic personalities.
Macao Museum of Art
The Macao Museum of Art (MAM) opened on 19 March 1999. It is the largest museum dedicated to cultural relics and arts in Macao, with a total area of 10,192 square metres in five storeys. Over 4,000 square metres are exhibition areas. Two theme galleries are located on the 4th floor, with large display cases for artefacts and Chinese calligraphy and paintings. Three theme galleries on the 3rd floor primarily showcase collections of MAM and local artworks. A large special gallery on the 2nd floor exhibits modern and contemporary western works of art. The 1st floor comprises a lobby exhibition space, the reception, the Museum Shop, the Palace Museum Cultural and Creative Store, and an auditorium. On the ground floor, there is a functional area for artistic activities and education promotion workshops.
The Macao Museum of Art’s collection includes over 16,000 items, ranging from Chinese calligraphy and paintings, historical paintings, ceramics, photography, modern and contemporary art, to performance art. In addition to displaying its own collections, MAM regularly collaborates with cultural institutions in the Chinese mainland and other countries or regions to organize exchange exhibitions, introducing artistic cultures from different regions and eras.
The museum organizes exhibitions of different genres featuring local artists every year. Since 2007, under the name of ‘Macao, China,’ MAM has participated in the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, bringing Macao artists and their works to the forefront of contemporary art.
Handover Gifts Museum of Macao
The Handover Gifts Museum of Macao is also the area that was used for the handover ceremony on 20th December, 1999 in which Macao was returned to the Mainland. When the hall was dismantled after the ceremony the area became part of the Macao Cultural Centre. Construction work for the Handover Gifts Museum of Macao started in March 2003 and was completed in October 2004. The Museum was officially opened December 2004 to commemorate the handover for its significance in Macao’s modern history.
The handover gifts exhibition hall mainly exhibits the handover gifts presented by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, its country-wide provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The designated topic exhibition hall will be used to hold different exhibits, which are mainly themed at the local culture and history of Macao. In 2020, the “Patrioctic Education Base for Young People” was established under the management of the Education and Youth Development Bureau.
Jao Tsung-I Academy
The academy was established in 2015 to introduce the public to the academic achievements of Professor Jao, and promote Chinese culture and arts, as well as promulgating Chinese culture and arts and promoting academic exchange related to sinological studies. There are two exhibition rooms, one on the ground floor and the other one of the first floor. Besides, there is a library and an auditorim which be used for holding exhibitions, seminar, and workshops, while higher priority will be given to Chinese traditional cultural related activities. The Jao Tsung-I Academy, Tap Seac Galleery and its peripheral buildings were all constructed during the same period, together forming a unique cluster of historic monuments, is one of Macao’s designated heritage sites.
The House of Macao Literature
Inaugurated on 17 September 2022, The House of Macao Literature is located at no. 95A-B, Av. do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida. Constructed in the 1920s, the building was formerly a residence for civil servants and now part of the ‘no. 89-95G, Av. do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida’ ensemble which is among the Classified Immovable Properties in Macao.’ The house consists of the main building, ancillary building, and an inner and an outer garden. The main building comprises four spaces, namely a permanent exhibition room dedicated to themed exhibitions in relation to Macao literature, a reading room where a rich variety of literary works and selected books are available for the public to read, and two multifunction rooms which can be used for small exhibitions, talks and film screenings. The ancillary building is not open to the public and the inner and outer gardens are open for visits.
The Taipa Houses
The Taipa Houses were built in 1921; consist of five Portuguese buildings once serving as the residences of senior civil servants and Macanese families.
The five houses are ‘Macanese Living Museum’, ‘Exhibitions Gallery’, ‘Creative Casa’, ‘Nostalgic House’ and ‘House for Receptions’ from west to east, respectively. This project has converted the place into a combination of culture and creativity, with outdoor performances and leisure elements making it a showcase of not only the culture of the Portuguese-speaking countries but of culture from all over the world.
Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum
To commemorate the people’s musician Xian Xinghai who was born in Macao, the Macao SAR government established the Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum to introduce Xian Xinghai’s life story and promote his musical achievements. Opened on 23 November 2019, the Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum is located at No. 151-153, Rua de Francisco Xavier Pereira. The Museum has been incorporated into the List of State Facilities and Sites Marking the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (the third of its kind) since September 2020.
Pátio da Eterna Felicidade
The Pátio da Eterna Felicidade, also known as “Alley of Eternal Happiness” in Chinese, situates at foot of the west of the Mount Fortress and adjacent to the Ruins of St. Paul’s and St. Anthony’s Church. It is lined by traditional Chinese residential buildings of varying heights but in a coherent style, which gives a sense of uniqueness in space and ambience. The Pátio da Eterna Felicidade shows the distinctive characteristics of pátios and is one of the well-preserved alleyways of Macao which are rare to find in Macao nowadays. In 1940s, Hip Lu San donated the ownership of the area to the Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association. After using the area for charitable purpose for over a half century, the Association donated 13 buildings in the area to the government of Macao to continue the cultural value of neighbourhood and multi-culture of Macao.
Ka Ho Village
In the Ka Ho Village stands the only old site of Leprosy Centre. In 1885, the Portuguese government built the Ka Ho Leprosy Center which was originally one or two simple brick houses. The Centre was rebuilt and expanded to five houses and a small chapel in the 1930s, more buildings were constructed thereby to meet the actual need. the houses which stand up until today were built and occupied by the patients. The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows was constructed in 1966, the small chapel was then turned into an activity room. In 1953, Father Gaetano Nicosia, an Italian priest of Salesian community moved to Macau to look after the leprosy center, the Ka Ho Leprosy Center was later changed into Our Lady of Sorrows, symbolized the care of Holy Mary.
Currently there is an activity canter in the village, an exhibition to introduce the history of the Ka Ho Village, and a gallery and café operated by local organization, which assists rehabilitated persons to return to the society.
The Patane Night Watch House
The Patane Night Watch House is the only remain of the night watch house in Macao. In order to reveal the traditional values of mutual assistance, which took place between different neighbourhoods and local communities, the Cultural Affairs Bureau and Patane’s Tou Tei Mio Mercy and Charity Association work together to rehabilitate the Patane Night Watch House to showcase the history of the night watch profession of Macao and folk traditions and local history. The Night Watch House was officially opened to the public on the 18th of December, 2015
The Na Tcha Exhibition Room
The Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs of Macao having been passed down from generation to generation, were inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2014. In order to foster and promote the Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs, in 2012 the Na Tcha Exhibition Room was established adjacent to the Na Tcha Temple, which was used exclusively as a cultural facility to introduce and showcase the artifacts and historical document of the Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs.
Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory
Macao’s firecracker industry began to develop rapidly in the 1920s and became an economic backbone in local industrial development with the establishment of several factories in Taipa, making firecrackers an important export back then. In the heyday of the industry from 1950s to 1970s, many Taipa residents engaged in firecracker manufacturing, and the firecracker industry was closely related to people’s livelihood and the community in Taipa, playing a vital role in Macao’s economic development history. The Iec Long Firecracker Factory operated from 1925 until 1984 and the bygone factory layout and environment have been retained, making itself the only well-preserved heritage site of the firecracker industry in Macao. It not only reflects the prosperity of the local traditional firecracker manufacturing in the 20th century, but also bears witness to the city’s modern industrial development. The site, which has been open to the public since 23 December 2022, includes a walkway, an exhibition hall and a cultural and creative souvenir shop.
Lai Chi Vun Shipyards
The Lai Chi Vun Shipyards were constructed in the 1950s and ceased operation in the 1990s. Located on the riverside of Lai Chi Vun Road, the shipyards are similar in size, built in parallel rows, and perpendicular to the water, constituting a modular cluster and creating a particular landscape that reflects the perfect harmony between the natural environment and the man-made structures. The Lai Chi Vun Shipyards, a heritage of shipbuilding crafts, is the only extant and well-preserved shipbuilding industry site in Macao and bears witness to the urban development, shipbuilding industry status and lifestyle in Macao during that time. At present, Plots X11-X15 of the first phase revitalization of the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards have been open to the public starting 24 June 2023, featuring an exhibition, featured market, performance space and workshops.
Centre for the Preservation and Transmission of the Cultural Heritage of the Palace Museum in Macao
In order to strengthen the conservation, restoration and educational promotion of cultural heritage in Macao, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region signed the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Establishment of the “Centre for the Preservation and Transmission of the Cultural Heritage of the Palace Museum in Macao” to jointly build the “Centre for the Preservation and Transmission of the Cultural Heritage of the Palace Museum in Macao” (hereafter referred to as “the Centre”), with the Palace Museum being responsible for professional advice and technical support for the restoration of Macao’s cultural heritage.
Cultural and Arts Events
Art Macao
Launched in 2019 and held biennially, Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale is a cultural tourism brand co-created by the government and enterprises. Through a citywide art festival, it enhances urban cultural experiences, fosters international cultural exchange and cooperation, and propels the development of local art. Art Macao will continue to encourage local talents and those based overseas to actively engage in artistic creation, building an internationally oriented platform for Macao’s cultural undertakings and cultural industries.
Macao Arts Festival
Started in 1988, the Macao Arts Festival lights up the city every early summer. The one-month Macao Arts Festival brings together theatre, dance, music, multimedia and visual arts in an artistic panorama of events. Performers from various regions and countries around the world present diverse programmes, different outreach activities such as workshops, master classes, art accessibility activities and screening which bring art into public’s life.
Macao International Music Festival
The first edition of Macao International Music Festival was held in 1987 and has since developed into a month-long event held in October each year. In organising this event, it is not only a platform to showcase the exquisite musical skills of local musicians, it also hopes to introduce outstanding musical works from different parts of the world to Macao. It features a variety of programmes, from classical opera, symphony, chamber music, vocal music, Chinese music, jazz and Latin American music to avant-garde music, providing Macao residents and tourists with a diversity of quality music programmes.
Macao International Parade
Promoting the concepts of “Love, Peace, and Cultural Integration” through rich and diverse artistic performances, the Macao International Parade showcases Macao’s multicultural charm. It establishes an international exchange platform, aiming to create an important window for mutual learning and interaction between Chinese and Western civilizations. The Parade brings together local artistic groups and participants from various countries and regions around the world, with more than 1,000 artists taking part. The participating groups set off from the Ruins of St. Paul, winding through the streets and alleys of Macao’s Historic Centre until they reach St. Dominic’s Square, where they interact closely with residents and tourists. They then proceed through Senado Square and along the Panoramic Avenue of Nam Van Lake before arriving at Sai Van Lake Square, where the Parade culminates in a grand joint performance that vividly expresses cultural integration, showcasing Macao’s unique cultural characteristics.
Macao International Children’s Arts Festival
The Macao International Children’s Arts Festival, established in 2024, runs annually during the July-August summer holiday period. This innovative cultural initiative seamlessly integrates tourism and the arts in Macao, offering a rich programme that includes performing arts, workshops, exhibitions, large-scale outdoor installations, children’s film festival, art camps, art carnival and more. Designed specifically for children and families, the festival creates diverse opportunities for artistic engagement, aiming to enrich children’s formative years through meaningful cultural experiences. By fostering curiosity and inspiring a spirit of exploration toward both art and the wider world, the festival ultimately contributes to building a more vibrant and fulfilling community in Macao.
Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries
In order to fully comply with strengthening Macao’s role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and highlight the charm of a multicultural city, using Macao as a platform to promote regular cultural exchange between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” is first launched in 2018. It includes a variety of activities such as Chinese and Portuguese traditional dancing, film panorama of China and Portuguese-speaking countries, annual art exhibition of China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Lusofonia Festival
The Lusofonia Festival was first launched in 1998 and over the years it has become an important event to share the culture of the Portuguese-speaking communities, showcasing Macao’s role as a platform of cultural exchange between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. From 2022, each edition of the Festival focuses on the promotion of the characteristic culture of one of the participating Portuguese-speaking communities or regions. At the Festival, Portuguese-speaking communities residing in Macao—namely from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Goa, Daman and Diu, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and East-Timor—along with the Macanese community, showcase their cultural exhibits. Additionally, music and dance groups from Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, as well as local lusophone groups, present various performances to the public. Traditional culinary specialties, traditional Portuguese games, table-soccer tournaments and children’s games, amongst others will be organized to encourage active public participation throughout the festival.
hush! Beach Concerts
hush! Beach Concerts is an event held at Hac Sa Beach and different venues in Macao. Musicians and bands from Macao and other regions are invited to perform in a non-stop marathon-style showcase. As an annual event in Macao’s popular music scene, it is considered a key cultural event in the city. In recent years, hush! has joined forces with the Yo-ga WELLFEST, illuminating Macao’s longest coastline with music and sports stages, highlighting the city’s urban creativity and vitality.
Macau City Fringe Festival
The Fringe brings all kinds of artistic and creative works to the city, breaking the barriers of the traditional performance venues. Adopting the concept “All around the city, our stages, our patrons, our artists”, the Fringe not only encourages the participation of artists and producers but also invites the general public to participate in it as venue provider.
Professional Orchestra
The Macao Orchestra
The Macao Orchestra (OM) is a local professional orchestra with a repertoire of Chinese and Western classics throughout the times. In 1983, Father Áureo de Castro of the St. Pious X Academy of Music and a group of music lovers founded the Macao Chamber Orchestra. In 2001, the Macao Chamber Orchestra was extended into an orchestra with double winds and was renamed the Macao Orchestra. Since 1 February 2022, Macao Orchestra has been managed by Macao Orchestra Company, Limited, which is wholly owned by the Macao SAR Government, and from the 2023–2024 season onwards, Macao-born conductor Lio Kuokman — one of the most acclaimed Chinese conductors on the international stage — has served as Music Director and Principal Conductor.
The Macao Orchestra has been presenting symphonic concerts of various scales in the city. Each season, the Orchestra invites internationally renowned conductors, soloists, and artistic ensembles to collaborate, delivering high-calibre performances and showcasing the great symphonic works of master composers from the classical music world. Embracing Macao’s unique East-meets-West cultural identity, the Orchestra has frequently staged cross-disciplinary symphonic works themed on Chinese stories, pushing the boundaries of musical creativity. The Orchestra also reaches out to the local community, performing at UNESCO heritage sites, cultural venues, and public spaces, allowing both residents and visitors to experience classical music up close, and contributing to the city’s musical development. The orchestra regularly collaborates with world-class performers, conductors, music and arts organizations to promote Macao’s construction of a “City of Performing Arts”.
The Macao Chinese Orchestra
The Macao Chinese Orchestra, established in 1987, is the professional Chinese orchestra in Macao. Upholding the tenet “Based in Macao while embracing the world and promoting culture with East-meets-West repertoire”, the Orchestra has been presenting traditional Chinese music reflecting the spirit of the times and promoting the integrated cultural image of Macau. From 1 February 2022, it is managed by the Macao Orchestra Company, Limited, which is wholly owned by the Macao SAR Government. Zhang Lie, the Music Director and Principal Conductor of OCHM, is a Class One Conductor and has been hailed as one of the “Ten Outstanding Conductors in Chinese Orchestral Music”.
The Orchestra presents a season of concerts that blend Eastern and Western musical aesthetics, radiating a vibrant diversity of the arts. The ensemble collaborates with renowned instrumentalists, vocalists, and performing artists from both China and abroad to deliver a range of outstanding Chinese music works. The Orchestra also brings Chinese music to different corner of Macao, curating a variety of performances throughout the season, including the “Music at World Heritage” concerts, the educational “Planting Musical Seeds Highlights” series, and the community-based “Community Involvement with Music” concerts—enriching Macao’s musical life with the graceful charm of traditional Chinese music.
Cultural and Creativity Activities and Facilities
Tap Siac Craft Market
Since 2008, the Tap Siac Craft Market is held twice every year in Spring and Autumn, providing a platform for cultural and creative practitioners to display and sell their products. The “Tap Siac Craft Market” is a distinctive brand in the cultural and creative market, it attracts both local and overseas creative talents featuring booths to showcase their creativity. During the event, various handicraft workshops will be held, in which experienced creative instructors will teach the participants handicraft skills, allowing the public to explore and enjoy the fun of creation, and wonderful music performance will be held.
Cinematheque‧Passion
The Cinematheque‧Passion was inaugurated in 2017, as an interactive and exchange platform for audience and filmmakers, the Cinematheque is taking the role of promoting film culture and Macao films widely, cultivating art sense to Macao people and film lovers, where Locals and tourists can enjoy more high-quality films from different parts of the world. The Cinematheque‧Passion is a three-storey multifunctional building assembled including film screening, local video storage, exhibition, as well as film journals and book reading services. The ticket office, screening room and control room are located on the ground floor. Local film materials and videos, periodicals and magazines are available for residents in the film information room on the first floor. It also provides exhibition area to hold related activities.
Anim’Arte NAM VAN
Jointly managed by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Sports Bureau, the Macao Government Tourism Office and University of Tourism, “Anim’Arte NAM VAN” was inaugurated in 2016, which transforms Nam Van Lakeside Plaza into a waterfront leisure hub with a distinct character combining creativity, leisure and dining. The project aims to provide residents and tourists with diverse tourism experience, thereby enhancing Macao’s cultural tourism products offerings.
Nam Van C-Shop
Nam Van C-Shop started operation since 2012. The shop creates a platform to promote, demonstrate and sell local original products where industry cluster and integrated marketing needed. The Cultural Affairs Bureau invites entities to operate C-Shop through public tender. Cloé Jewelry Concept Store started operation since 2021 and created a distinctive original jewelry concept store selling local original jewelry with coffee element.
Mandarin’s House Store
Operated by HOHO – DESIGN, the Mandarin’s House Store has incorporated the characteristics of Lingnan-style residential houses to create the traditional ambience of an old shop in Macao. Visitors can purchase cultural and creative products of local brands and overseas designers, souvenirs themed on the Mandarin’s House, as well as creative products related to local cultural events.
Creative Casa of Taipa Houses
The Cultural Affairs Bureau is leasing out the Creative Casa of Taipa Houses to companies in the cultural and creative industry by public tender. The Universal Gallery and Bookstore successfully won the public tender and has started their operation of a composite space combining bookstore and art gallery. The ground floor is a bookstore, mainly selling books on humanities, social sciences, art design and local publications, while the first floor is an exhibition area showcasing and selling artworks by outstanding local and foreign artists.
The ‘House for Receptions’ of Taipa Houses
The Cultural Affairs Bureau has selected LUBUDS Macau Ltd. through a public tender to operate a restaurant at the venue. Restaurant “Casa Maquista” is established to promote Macanese Gastronomy, one of the Macao’s intangible cultural heritage.
Tap Siac Square Commercial Centre (R2 & R3)
The Cultural Affairs Bureau has opened a cultural and creative shop and a dining space at the Tap Siac Square Commercial Centre by leasing out the commercial spaces through public tenders. The Universal Gallery and Bookstore Tap Siac (R2) at the Tap Siac Square Commercial Centre (a.k.a Glass House) is operated by the Oporto (Macau) Trading Company Limited. The shop is a complex space combining a bookstore, a gallery and art studios, as well as a dining space featuring a coffee shop, light meals and a takeaway service. In addition to exhibiting and selling local cultural and creative products and books, the shop will also invite local and overseas artists to hold exhibitions, cultural activities and art workshops, thereby providing a comfortable reading and exhibition environment associated with the cultural and creative atmosphere around the Tap Siac Square. The Portuguese Taste (R3) operated by the School of Arts and Crafts of Casa de Portugal em Macau (CPM) offers Portuguese cuisine and sells handicrafts created by its teachers and students as well as local artists.
N.º 3 of the Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory
The Cultural Affairs Bureau has introduced catering services at the Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory through a public tender leasing process, where Sam’s Workshop—Js Bakery is authorized to establish and run an eatery providing light meal takeaway service.
Macao International Airport Cultural and Creative Products Store
The Cultural Affairs Bureau has partnered with Macao International Airport Co. Ltd. to establish a retail store at Macao International Airport specializing in Macao cultural and creative products. Through an open call for operation proposals, the local enterprise “Macao Creations, Limited” was selected to operate the store.
Publication, Archive, Libraries and Reading Promotion Scheme
Publication of Cultural Affairs Bureau
The Cultural Affairs Bureau continues to publish books and periodicals related to local literature, history and art, such as “Review of Culture”, “Macao Culture Collection”, meanwhile, the Bureau organizes various academic activities such as Masters of Culture, seminars on the culture of “One Belt, One Road”. In addition, the Bureau participates book exhibitions with local entities, to actively promote local publications and build up cultural brand of Macao.
Cultural Affairs Bureau Online Book Shop
The Cultural Affairs Bureau Online Book Shop provides readers a simple and convenient online channel to purchase selected publications of the Cultural Affairs Bureau. More than 380 books and periodicals in languages including Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese and English are available for purchase. The genres are richly diverse, covering history, literature, visual exhibitions, performing arts, culture and academic research. Readers can place their order with electronic payment online. For Macao readers, they can select and pick up their orders from one of our 13 public libraries across the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane, while overseas readers will receive their orders through EMS by the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau.
Macao Archives
The Macao Archives is the master archive in Macao. The archive is mainly responsible for collecting, organising, safekeeping and protecting Macao documents of historical value and providing access to them for the general public. The archive currently houses more than 60,000 archive files, 70,000 images, 10,000 books and journals. The media are mostly in paper format. Other formats include photographs, slides, sound tapes, discs, and objects. The main language of the files is Portuguese. The earliest file can be traced back to the year 1630. The Archives receives records from the public services as well as records donated by organizations and individuals in the community. The Archives’ website provides access to full text version of records and documentation which are integrated into an online catalogue.
Macao Public Library
The Macao Public Library is composed of 15 public libraries and one Western rare books library (the Senado Library). In addition, the Department of Public Library Management also operates the Macao ISBN Agency. Currently, the Macao Public Library boasts a rich collection of over one million physical and digital items available for public lending, including general books, newspapers, periodicals, documents, audiovisual materials, and a wide range of electronic resources. With extensive coverage of various academic disciplines, it is committed to meeting the public’s knowledge needs in areas such as society, education, information, and leisure.
Adhering to the purpose of promoting reading culture and enhancing public interest in reading, the Macao Public Library actively facilitates the archiving and technical processing of local publications, while widely disseminating related library information. Taking into account the unique characteristics and atmosphere of each branch’s collection, it elaborately organizes a variety of free reading promotion activities, including lectures, workshops, reading gatherings, courses, exhibitions, and outreach programmes. Through these diverse activities, it encourages the public to make good use of library resources to enrich their cultural lives and to cultivate reading habits and interests across all age groups. In order to strengthen community ties, the Macao Public Library offers a book delivery service to promote the widespread use of its library resources and services. At the same time, to deepen cultural exchange and cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Macao Public Library collaborates with public libraries across the Greater Bay Area to organize cultural exhibitions and joint reading activities, aiming to enhance the appeal and impact of promoting reading for all by integrating cultural resources from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and to collectively foster a strong reading culture in the Greater Bay Area.
Cultural Transmission
Macao Conservatory
Established in 1989, the Macao Conservatory is a subsidiary of the Cultural Affairs Bureau. It comprises the Schools of Dance, Music and Theatre, and is a formal public institution that nurtures local performing arts talents. With a motto of “Respect art; adore aesthetics; be learned; and be dedicated” and a mission of “Emphasising professionalism and popularisation; integrating arts and life”, the conservatory implements a dual-track policy of providing both professional and general arts education. By offering the public a range of systematic, regular, and continuous arts education programmes in dance, music and theatre, the conservatory promotes cultivation of humanity values among the general public; while by establishing a music curriculum for secondary schools, it nurtures knowledgeable and creative performing arts talents.
Cultural Transmission Month
IC organizes Cultural Transmission Month in order to enhance the residents’ understanding towards the concept of cultural transmission, and encourages more residents to take part in cultural transmission and dissemination. IC takes the initiative to enlighten the public of cultural transmission by holding highlight events and activities, to reach out to the community, connect lives and experience culture in daily lives, all sectors of the community are welcomed to participate, and enjoy the cultural journey.
Macao Young Musicians Competition
The Macao Young Musicians Competition aims to promote the development of local classical music by providing valuable performance platforms and learning opportunities for young people. Piano events are held in odd-numbered years, while Chinese and Western music contests performed with other instruments take place in even-numbered years. Since its launch in 1983, this initiative has become the most recognized music competition in town.
Macau Youth Arts and Culture Programme
To enhance talent cultivation, promote cultural inheritance and innovative development, foster the youth’s growth with culture, maximise the utilisation of resources and extend the influence of activities, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has launched the brand-new ‘Macau Youth Arts and Culture Programme’ targeting secondary students by consolidating existing activities such as the Cultural Ambassador Programme, Cultural Heritage Little Guide programme, and Macao Museum Children Docents programme.
Launched in 2023, the ‘Macau Youth Arts and Culture Programme’ provides a three-year phased training course which covers knowledge learning, field trips, practices, cultural experience days and exchange visits, and encompasses a rich variety of course content, including the historical and cultural heritage of Macao, Macao museums and archaeological knowledge, docent theories and skills, theatrical and cultural creative space explorations, book publishing and binding, and dissemination of cultural knowledge. Trainees who have completed the fundamental learning phase will be certified as ‘Student Cultural Ambassadors of the Cultural Affairs Bureau’, and will continue to join advanced training sessions and various art and cultural projects in a bid to understand and participate in cultural endeavours from diverse prospectives and serve as vanguards to facilitate the promotion of culture and art. With the continual progression of this programme, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will encourage more local youths to engage in cultural inheritance and dissemination and expand the cultural dissemination team in the city.
Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum
Co-organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and the Palace Museum, the ‘Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum’ is held annually from July to August. The programme aims to enhance Macao youth’s understanding of the nation and Chinese culture, foster collaboration and exchange between Hong Kong and Macao students, improve their professional skills in museology and heritage conservation, and cultivate talent for Macao’s cultural development. In addition to professional internships and training at the Palace Museum, the programme includes cultural exploration activities in Beijing.
Busking Programme
Launched in 2016, the Busking Programme allows Buskers to showcase their art talents via street performance at designated areas in Macao, and provide more platforms to demonstrate their creative skills, at the same time to introduce domestic and overseas quality street performances, and revitalize the community and create cultural atmosphere. The programme currently opens eight “busking points” from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays, including Anim’Arte Nam Van, Taipa Houses, Mount Fortress Garden, Barra Square, The Village of Our Lady in Ka Ho, Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory, Lai Chi Vun Shipyards and Travessa do Aterro Novo Square (in the vicinity of Rua da Felicidade).
Exhibition and Performance Facilities
Macao Cultural Centre
Macao Cultural Centre consists of an Auditorium building, Macao Museum of Art and Handover Gifts Museum of Macao. The Auditorium building features four performance venues: Grand Auditorium with 1,080 seats (equipped with an orchestra pit), Small Auditorium with 387 seats, and two black box theaters that can accommodate up to 140 and 160 people, respectively. In addition to providing high-quality venues for performances, conferences, and exhibitions, the Cultural Centre actively promotes various cultural and artistic activities, enriching the city’s artistic and cultural atmosphere and creating an increasingly vibrant stage for performing arts.
Macao Outdoor Performance Venue
To support Macao’s “1+4” development strategy for the adequate diversification of the economy and to build Macao into a “City of Performing Arts”, the SAR Government has allocated a 94,000-square-metre state-owned plot of land in Cotai for temporary use as the “Macao Outdoor Performance Venue”, which can accommodate more than 50,000 spectators and began trial run from 7 December 2024. The venue is equipped with both essential and supporting facilities to host large-scale shows and diversified performing arts programmes, which would encourage organizers of outdoor cultural festivals, performing arts programmes, and tour shows from home and abroad to run performances in Macao.
Art and Cultural Space Releasing Programme
The Art and Cultural Space Releasing Programme was launched in 2019 to make active response to public’s needs on art and cultural space. By integrating and increasing the functions of the cultural facilities, IC opens up different art and cultural space for rehearsal, performance, exhibition and integrated purposes to the local organizations and individuals. From 1 June 2023, public would check the information of the relevant facilities and make reservation through “Macao One Account” .
Cultural Information Platform
The official website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau provides cultural services information regarding cultural activities, performances, exhibitions, heritage protection, promotion of arts education, and academic research, as well as information of the cultural facilities. Furthermore, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has established the Macao Heritage Net and Macao World Heritage Net to provide information of the cultural heritage and World Heritage of Macao; the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website to exchange information of the cultural and creative industries and deepen the understanding of the development of the cultural and creative industries for the society.
In order to provide residents and tourists a more comprehensive and convenient access to different types of activities and promotions in Macao, the Macao SAR Government launched the Macao activities website “Enjoy Macao” on 29 April 2023 to integrate the information on diverse activities launched by various government departments, higher education institutions and integrated resorts, and continues to enhance its platform with the launch of its mobile application (iOS / Android / apk) and WeChat mini programme. Users can search for information on various activities, receive push notifications on upcoming activities based on their preferences and use the navigation function to reach the activity venue easily, so as to facilitate the public to obtain information on activities through a “one-stop” platform.
In order to convey the relevant information through a convenient means, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has launched different social media platform such as WeChat account “IC_Art_Macao”, “IC Art” page on Facebook, Instagram account “artmacao”, Xiaohongshu account “Enjoy Macao”, Youtube channel “IC Macao” and Douyin account “澳門文化局”.
Sports
Macao Sports
The “Public Sports Facilities Network,” established by the Sports Bureau in 2006, serves as a comprehensive infrastructure offering venues for individuals and athletes to engage in physical exercise and routine training. Additionally, it functions as a platform for hosting a wide range of public and large-scale sporting events.
Sport for All
The SAR Government is committed to promoting the development of public sports by creating conditions that provide opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to participate in physical training. It continuously enriches the elements of public sports activities to attract citizens to engage actively, thereby promoting their physical and mental health, enriching their leisure life, and fostering social harmony. Additionally, public recreational resources are further decentralized to communities, organizing activities that cover various groups, including the elderly, families, youth, and workers.
For information on public sports activities, please visit the activity schedule at http://www.sport.gov.mo/zh/pa/patimetable, and follow the “Trend On Macau Sport For All” Facebook page, the “Macau Sports” public account on WeChat, and the “Macau SAR Sports Bureau” WeChat subscription account.
Grand Events
Macao International Regatta
To effectively utilize Macao’s maritime resources and promote the development of water sports, the Macao International Regatta was held for the first time in 2019. The competition took place in the waters south of Hac Sa Beach and south of the Macao Channel near the Macao Science Center. These waters are rich in resources and provide excellent conditions for water sports development. The event strengthens sports exchanges among cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while providing an interactive platform for local sailing teams to learn and improve their skills alongside top-level teams. By hosting international sailing events, Macao aims to develop marine sports activities, enrich its portfolio of major sporting events and continuously promote the Macao’s development as a world tourism and leisure center.
Macao International 10K
The Macao International 10K debuted in 2021 and was well received by long-distance running enthusiasts. The 10K race route is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Featuring two competition categories – a 10K race and a fun run of approximately 5K – the event offers 10,000 participant slots and attracts runners from various countries and regions to compete in Macao.
ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao
The ITTF World Cup has been held since 1980 and is organized by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). It is considered one of the three major table tennis events in the world, alongside the Olympic table tennis competition and the World Table Tennis Championships. The ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup has been held in Macao for two consecutive years from 2024 to 2025, featuring 48 elite male and 48 elite female table tennis players from around the world (totaling 96 competitors). The event is highly popular among fans and tourists, attracting large numbers of international spectators to Macao during the event and thus boosting the local tourism industry and related sectors.
Macao International Dragon Boat Races
Since 1979, dragon boat racing has been promoted as an annual international event in Macao, inviting teams from various countries and regions to participate in this traditional sporting activity. Not only has dragon boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival become a hugely popular festive celebration in Macao, but the Macao International Dragon Boat Races have also evolved into a major sporting event in the region, attracting numerous athletes to compete in this annual spectacle.
The WTT Champions Macao
World Table Tennis (WTT) events debuted in Macao in 2020, as WTT Macao 2020 marked the inaugural event of the WTT organization. Since then, Macao has hosted WTT Champions series events annually. These events not only feature world-class competitions, gathering top players from the global table tennis scene, but also offer a new sports presentation format. Through live viewing, media broadcasts, and streaming, the events provide table tennis fans and audiences from various backgrounds around the world with an innovative sporting experience.
Macao Open
The Macao Open golf event has been held since 1998 as a men’s professional golf tournament on the Asian Tour. Since its inception in 1998, the event has attracted numerous world-class players to compete.
Macau Grand Prix
The Macau Grand Prix, held since 1954, has now reached its 72nd edition and is the largest international sporting event in Macao. Over the years, it has hosted numerous important races, evolving into a comprehensive event featuring diverse racing disciplines including formula racing, GT cars, touring cars, and motorcycle racing. The circuit winds around Guia Hill, earning its name the “Guia Circuit.” Upgraded to FIA Grade 2 status in 2019, the circuit stands as the world’s only street circuit hosting races for cars, formula vehicles and motorcycles simultaneously.
Macao International Marathon
The Macao International Marathon, first held in 1981, stands as one of the city’s longest-running and most participated sporting events. Certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) since 1990, it attracts long-distance running enthusiasts from numerous countries and regions. In recent years, participant numbers have reached 12,000. The scenic course guides runners not only through vibrant urban districts but also past Macao’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and iconic landmarks, offering a unique journey through the city’s blend of past and present.
CTA Tour Professional Finals
The CTA Tour, an original tournament brand created by the Chinese Tennis Association, made its Macau debut in December 2021. The event features four categories: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles. The singles competitions have a top 16 format, while the doubles competitions feature a top 8 format, divided into a round-robin stage and a knockout stage. The tournament gathers top tennis players from mainland China to engage in fierce battles, delivering high-caliber tennis spectacles to audiences. This tournament not only significantly advances the promotion and development of tennis in Macao but also bolsters the growth of sports tourism in the region.
Public Sports Facilities Network
Venue booking services are divided into individual and group bookings while Individual users can apply either in-person or online. Both individuals and groups may reserve venues under the Public Sports Facilities Network according to their specific needs and preferred time slots.
Athlete Training and Development Centre
To further the long-term development of elite sports in Macau, the Athlete Training and Development Centre has been officially launched. As Macau’s first comprehensive training centre, it integrates three key functions: training space, accommodation, and sports medicine. The centre spans over 20,000 square meters, and includes 2-storey multi-function sports building, a 5-storey training hall, weight-training centre and indoor swimming pool. It is designed to provide athletes with a professional and ideal training environment, and also can be flexibly adapted to different sports disciplines based on training needs, supporting athletes in reaching their highest performance levels.
Sports Medical Centre
The Sports Medical Centre is dedicated to enhancing Macao’s sports development, strengthening residents’ health, and improving athletes’ competitive levels by providing scientific, professional and diversified services. The Centre serves athletes registered with the Federation of Macao Sport General Association, mass sports athletes, disabled sports athletes, school sports athletes, college sports athletes and referrals from the Health Bureau. In addition, the Centre provides physical fitness tests and assessment services to the community.