Themed “The Dazzling Wonderland”, “Light up Macao 2023” will take place from this Saturday through February 25, showcasing 36 light installations, 20 interactive installations and three mapping shows in 34 locations across seven neighbourhoods, comprising the city centre, and the peninsula’s Praia do Manduco, Nam Van, Nape and northern districts, as well as Taipa and Coloane.
The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) once again has joined hands with the city’s six integrated resort (IR) operators to hold the annual event, aiming to “create an immersive experience of light artistry in various districts to invigorate community tourism and nighttime economic development”, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said during a press conference at the World Trade Centre Macau (WTCM) on Friday.
Macau’s “longest-ever light art” event will last for about three months, spanning across a series of major festivities, including the Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (December 20), Winter Solstice (December 22), Christmas (December 24, 25), New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year (February 10), Valentine’s Day (February 14), Renri (“everyone’s birthday” on February 16) and Chinese Lantern Festival (February 24), according to Senna Fernandes.
Both the light and interactive installations will be on from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night during the event, while mapping shows by teams from Macau, South Korea and the mainland will be staged in front of Macau Science Centre and in Largo dos Bombeiros (“Firemen’s Square”) in Taipa every 30 minutes from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every night throughout the event, as well as outside the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier in Coloane every 15 minutes from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on December 2-30, except on December 24 and 31, according to Friday’s MGTO statement.
Senna Fernandes said at the press conference that of the total budget of 39.3 million patacas for the event, MGTO bears 14.1 million patacas, or 20 percent less than that of last year, while the remainder will be paid by the six IR operators.
MGTO will present interactive games themed as “Light up Macao 2023” on its WeChat MiniProgram – MGTO’s Interactive Zone, the statement said, adding that event information such as the event’s themes, maps and programme are available on the Interactive Zone.
In addition to installations and mapping shows, according to the statement, this year’s event also features innovative outreach activities, namely, “Light up! F’art for U”, “Snowy Wonderland” and “Luminescent Night at Travessa do Armazém Velho 2023”, as well as concurrent events, namely, “Creative Camp Marketplace” and “Colourful Christmas Carnival Coloane Winter Craftsman Market”.
This artist’s rendition provided by the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) on Friday shows a light installation of its three-month-long “Light Up Macao 2023” event.
