More than 800 young dancers from Macau and overseas took part in Saturday’s opening parade of the International Youth Dance Festival 2026 at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ruins of St Paul’s, bringing music, colour and performances to the city’s historic centre, according to a statement by the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) that day.
The six-day festival, organised by the bureau in with several government entities, opened with a parade beginning at the Ruins of St. Paul’s and ending in Largo do Senado, the city’s main square, the statement said.
According to the statement, the opening ceremony was officiated by DSEDJ Director Kong Chi Meng and representatives from the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Sports Bureau (ID), Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and other organisations.
The statement noted that a total of 33 dance groups, comprising more than 800 local and overseas youngsters, paraded through Rua de São Paulo, Rua da Palha and Rua de São Domingos before arriving at Largo do Senado, adding that along the route, the performers presented a variety of dance styles and interacted with residents and tourists, showcasing Macau’s cultural diversity and promoting exchanges among young people.
Held under the theme “Dancing Youth, Rising Future”, this year’s festival runs until Thursday, featuring a range of performances and activities in both Macau and Hengqin, the statement noted, pointing out that the programme includes flash mob performances, outdoor and indoor dance shows, artistic workshops, themed promotional activities. and a photography contest.
The statement said that the festival aims to promote Macau’s development as a City of Performing Arts while strengthening cultural exchanges and friendship among young people through dance. Visitors can find more information on the festival’s official webpage (https://portal.dsedj.gov.mo/webdsejspace/site/dance/2026/index.jsp) and Facebook page.
This handout photo provided by the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) shows a dance group performing near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ruins of St. Paul’s during the opening of the six-day “International Youth Dance Festival 2026” on Saturday.
