“2022 Macao Illuminated” has opened, embark on a winter dream journey to Macao!

Macao's year-end event “2022 Macao Illuminated” kicked off on December 9 and will run until January 1, 2023, bringing everyone a dazzling visual feast.

After seven years as the Macao Light Festival, this year it debuts under a new name, “2022 Macao Illuminated”, with the theme “Shining Winter”. The Macao Government Tourism Office, together with six integrated tourism and leisure enterprises, jointly presents a diverse array of light installations, projection mapping shows, interactive games, and more, using innovative technology to illuminate Macao and create an immersive nighttime light experience. Not to be missed.

Event locations are spread across the city! They cover 8 districts: Northern District, Central District, Lower Central District, Southern Bay District, New Port Reclamation Area, Taipa District, Coloane District, and Cotai District, with a total of 28 locations, bringing everyone a shining Macao where streets and alleys are filled with a sea of lights!

Come follow my guide and embark on a light-chasing journey!

Central District "Immerse‧Metaverse"

In Central District, at Rua da Calçada, Travessa do Chun Sau, Rua Central, and Rua Central de Trás, there are light installations such as “Pixel Door”, “Street Corner Surprise”, and “Everything is Pixel”, opening the door to the colorful metaverse in a second! There is also the projection mapping show “Creative City, Beautiful Town”, presenting a touching story that combines history, fusion, surprise, and excitement.

Lower Central District "Heritage‧Aesthetics"

In Lower Central District, at the Barra Square (in front of A-Ma Temple), there is the “Macao Story” series of light installations, including “Macao Story: A-Ma Temple”, “Macao Story: St. Augustine’s Theatre”, and “Macao Story: St. Francis Xavier Church”. A perfect combination of technology and light art, the UNESCO World Heritage buildings of Macao tell the story of Macao... There is also an interactive game “Want to Fly ~ Tour Macao!” giving you a pair of wings to soar over Macao for a limited time.

Southern Bay District "Through•Nature"

In Southern Bay District, at the Nam Van Lake Water Activities Centre, there is a light installation “Embrace Nature”. Embrace nature together at the starlit camping experience area! There are also interactive games such as “Explore the Arctic”, “Little Prince of Ursa Major”, and “Secret Garden”, to experience the unique camping experience in the city. At Nam Van‧Arts and Culture Lake, there is also the whimsical “Fantasy Fun House”, playing with the “Parallel Universe”.

Northern District "Mystery‧Event"

In Northern District, at the Fai Lap Si Street Rest Area, there are light installations “Mysterious Crystal Ball” and “Dream Fire”. Giant colorful flames and dynamic song and dance performances tell the story of pursuing dreams for visitors.

New Port Reclamation Area "Virtual-Real‧Quantum"

In New Port Reclamation Area, the highlight is a 100-foot-long light installation “Quantum World” at the Macao Science Center Square, showcasing a magical space of visual illusion; the projection mapping show “Frost Blossom” interprets a winter under an icy dream with different visual forms; the “Phantom Halo” at the Science Center Square is full of fairy atmosphere, making it an excellent photo spot.

Taipa District "Romance•Winter"

In Taipa District, the large light installation “Colorful Stained Glass” at the Carmo Market captures the beautiful light and shadow of stained glass in an instant; at the Taipa Arch, the “Blessing of Eros” – tap to receive a romantic light projection from the god of love, and if lucky, encounter colorful bubbles specially made for lovers. Come feel the romantic winter atmosphere! At the Fire Services Bureau Square, there will be the projection mapping show “Right Here”, which uses three chapters – color, flavor, and festival – to authentically showcase the characteristic cultures of Hengqin and Macao.

Coloane District "Leisure‧Space"

At the Municipal Square, there is a holographic projection PFP Ferris wheel, as well as the “Flower Season NFT” interactive installation. When visitors walk past the flowers, they emit different colors – a virtual flower-viewing journey. At St. Francis Xavier Church and the Márquez Square, the light installation “Tea Time” uses pixel teapots and light tea soup to present a splendid tea gathering. The projection mapping show “The Starting Point of Fusion” takes the starting point of Macao’s Sino-Portuguese cultural fusion, showcasing the unique character and charm of Chinese and Portuguese history and culture. Welcome people from all over the world to experience the joy of Christmas.

The above exhibitions and performances will be staged from 7pm to 10pm during the event period. The projection mapping shows will be held every half hour, with the last show each night starting at 9:50pm.

For the first time this year, the event has partnered with six integrated tourism and leisure enterprises in Macao. In line with the theme “Shining Winter”, they have set up lighting installations and light shows on the exteriors of their facilities and buildings located in Macao and Cotai.

City of Dreams Macau presents an outdoor light show – Shining Winter Extravaganza, on the circular see-through exterior of the new sensory art space The Showroom; Studio City Macau presents a light show – Shining Winter Extravaganza, on the exterior of the world’s highest figure-8 Ferris wheel “Golden Reel”; MGM Cotai presents a light show – Lion’s Shining Illuminated MGM, using the hotel’s exterior as a display screen, with a lighting system of 60,000 LEDs in three colors: gold, white gold, and rose gold, to showcase the theme “2022 Macao Illuminated”; Galaxy Macau has set up light installations with the theme “Winter Dream” at the Diamond Lobby and Crystal Lobby, and at Broadway Macau, there are “Broadway Food Street” light decorations; Wynn Palace has a patch of golden dreamy wheat field and large-scale light decorations on the south gate outdoor lawn, making you feel like you are in a dreamy winter wonderland for photo ops; Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau decorates its west gate with light installations: the lush garden on the third floor is magnificent, with a giant dome at the center and 160,000 lights in the surrounding maze shining brilliantly; The Londoner Macao’s light effect show makes the entire hotel building and lights complement each other, with dazzling light effects paired with different British-themed music, creating a feast for the eyes and ears.