2007 Calendar of events

Macau is a city of year-round events, and chances are whenever you visit, there will be plenty of colorful activities to enjoy. Here are some highlights of what's coming up from now through May 2007.

Chinese New Year
February 18-20
The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday each year for Macau, and the date of every new year is never the same, as it follows the Lunar Calendar. Lion and dragon dances parade through the streets in celebration of a new year, and to ward off evil. Traditionally, it is a time when people visit friends and relatives to hand out red packets of money (or lai see in Cantonese). Children and unmarried young adults receive red packets from married couples, but only if they are greeted properly with the words, “Kung Hei Fat Choy” (wishing you prosperity in the New Year). May also go to the temple at the start of the year to pay their respects.

Procession of the passion of our Lord, Jesus
February 24-25
This is a tradition unique to Macau, where the image of Christ is carried in a solemn procession from St. Augustine’s Church to the Cathedral. An overnight vigil takes place, and the image of Christ is then taken back to St. Augustine’s Church.

Feast of God Tou Tei
March 20
Tou Tei is the Earth God and celebrations in Tou Tei’s honor are held at Tou Tei temples throughout Macau.

Ching Ming
April 5
Each spring during the time of Ching Ming, Chinese families traditionally pay a visit to an ancestor’s grave to clean the tombstone, leave fresh flowers, fruit and glasses of wine. They also burn incense and paper objects so that their ancestor can receive these gifts in his/her other life. Locals often refer to Ching Ming as bai san because they must pay a visit to their ancestors’ graves in the hillsides (“san”).

Easter
April 6-7
An important holiday for Christians all around the world, it is an equally important religious time for Christians in Macau. Shops around Macau sell chocolates and Portuguese folar (egg cakes) at this time of year.

Macau Arts Festival
May 5 - June 2
This is a superb international programme of concerts, theatrical performances, Chinese opera and painting exhibitions. The Cultural Institute and the Civic Municipal Affairs Bureau organize this spectacular event each year. For more information, visit: http://www.icm.gov.mo and pick up a oopy of “What’s On” produced by the Macau Government Tourist Office for updates on performances this year.

Labor Day
May 1
Banks and government offices will be closed on this day, and there may be special events to mark the holiday.

A-Ma Festival
May 9
A-Ma is a special goddess for the people of Macau. She is the Goddess of Seafarers, and it is through her that Macau derived its name. Legend has it that when a poor fisherman allowed maiden A-Ma on his boat and entered stormy seas, A-Ma called upon the storm to settle and the boat arrived safely to shore. In the 16th century, the mariners built the A-Ma temple in her honor in the Inner Harbor of Macau. They continue to pay their respects to her each year.

Procession of Our Lady of Fatima
May 13
This is an annual procession of devotees from the St. Domingos Church to the Penha Chapel where an open-air mass takes place. The event commemorates the miracle of Fatima in Portugal. In 1917, three Portuguese children claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary near the small town of Fatima over the course of several months. In June of each year, millions of Catholics travel to Fatima, Portugal to pray at the spot where they believe Mary appeared to the three children.

International Museum Day
May 18
All of Macau’s museums organize a series of events, exhibitions, theatrical performances, music shows and more to entertain locals and visitors.

Feast of the Drunken Dragon
May 24
This is a very unique festival to Macau, and like no other Chinese festival anywhere in the world, dating back to the time of the Kangzi Kingdom in the Qing dynasty. The festival begins at the Kwan Tai Temple near Senado Square. Men perform a drunken dance with the wooden heads and tails of a dragon. They walk toward the Inner Harbor and stop along the way at some shops to drink wine until they can go no further. The day ends with a great feast.

Macau Open 2007
May
Macau’s annual, 4-day golf tournament played at the Macau Golf and Country Club on Coloane, attracting some of the best players in the region. For more information, visit: www.sport.gov.mo