Just next door in Macau... Six evenings of mesmerizing fireworks and music extravaganzas!!!
Fireworks displays can be some of the most sensational spectacles one can witness, imagine the best of the best in the world battling it out on a competition that encompasses six evenings of stunning lights and sounds, with international teams competing for the coveted trophy.
Two teams participate each evening, each evening features a different theme and the fireworks display sessions last approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The first at 9:00 pm and the second at 9:40 pm.
When?: September 7, 14, 21 and October 1 and 6, 2024. Two nightly Fireworks sessions each day at 9:00 pm and 9:40 pm. Each firework show lasts approximately 18 minutes:
- Saturday September 7: Russia and France (POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER)
- Saturday September 14: Canada and Thailand
- Saturday September 21: Spain and the Philippines
- Tuesday October 1st: China and Italy
- Sunday October 6: Japan and Portugal
Where?: Fireworks will launch from the sea area in front of the Macau Tower.
Typically, a Fireworks Carnival is held every fireworks evening next to the Macau Tower from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. There are cultural performances and games and of course, fantastic carnival food!
How Much?: FREE!
The fireworks will also be broadcast live on TDM - Macao TV Channel. The synchronized music will be streamed on FM100.7 from TDM - Radio Macao's Chinese Channel.
Where To Watch the Fireworks in Macau?
Where to watch? Just about anywhere in Macau, preferably where the Macau Tower is in full view as this is the focal point of the fireworks. The barges are set up on the bay in front of the Macau Tower. Naturally, watching from the Macau Tower itself will also offer some spectacular views, either from the top or around the base.
There are also plenty of FREE viewing spots, needless to say, these places will be crowded and you should come early to be sure to get a good spot!
This year, Fireworks cruises will be available as well, they will depart each contest night at 8:00 pm from Macau Fisherman's Wharf and cost MOP350 per person (about US$45). More info and booking at www.turbojet.com.hk
And there is no shortage of cafes and restaurants with that million dollar view, as well as rooftop bars and for the ultimate splurge, watch the show from the comfort of your hotel room with views of the stunning fireworks!
We have mapped some great options for you to consider:
Popular public spaces to watch the fireworks:
At the top of Penha Hill
Along Sai Van Lake
The Macau - Taipa Bridge
Leisure Area of Taipa Waterfront
Hotels With Fantastic Fireworks Views
These hotels are top picks to watch the fireworks. If you want to watch from the comfort of your own room, be sure to book a room at one of the higher floors with bayfront views. All of these hotels will also have restaurants, lounges or rooftop bars from which to comfortably watch while enjoying a cocktail or a nice dinner from a relatively uncrowded space.
Fantastic Macau Hotel Offers!
Watch from the Macau Tower
View of the Fireworks from the base of the Macau Tower
Standing at 338m high right at the edge of the peninsula, this is the centerpiece of a massive entertainment and restaurant complex and fireworks "grand central".
During the fireworks contest, the area surrounding the Macau Tower is enveloped in a carnival atmosphere, with lots of activities being planned for festival nights.
Watching the fireworks from atop the Macau Tower will give you splendid front row seat views of the stunning display, and on fireworks nights the Tower goes all out with many promotions for the "Sparkling Sky - Fantastic Feast" celebration taking place at their many observation platforms, restaurants, cafes and outdoor plaza:
- Watch the fireworks from the Observation Deck - Adult MOP195, Child MOP128
- 360° Cafe Fireworks Dinner Buffett (The rotating restaurant on the 60th floor) - two sittings 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm (for the early sitting you receive complementary Tower admission to enjoy the fireworks later on the Observation Deck)
- Tromba Rija Outdoor Plaza Portuguese BBQ Dinner Buffett 7:00pm - 10:00 pm
Remember you can get discount tickets for the Observation Deck at Klook: Adult MOP195 MOP150 (US$18.65), Child MOP128 MOP88 (US$10.95) ››
Watch from the Open-Top Bus Night Tour
This tour combines the regular Night Sightseeing Bus Tour of Macau's popular sights and landmarks beautifully illuminated AND a session of the International Fireworks Contest, please note, that only the FIRST session is included in this tour.
The tour starts at 8:30 pm at the Ferry Terminal and gathers at the Visitor Information Center, so very convenient if you are arriving with the TurboJet for the night. It then takes you around the sights of the Macau Peninsula, fireworks session starts at 9:00 pm, then the sightseeing resumes as it heads over the Sai Van Bridge to the Taipa side where the tour concludes at the Venetian Hotel.
More Info and Booking Macau Open-Top Bus Night Tour with Macau International Fireworks MOP223 US$28 per person ››
Watch along the Macau Peninsula Shoreline: Kum Ian Statue and Macau Science Center
The Macau Science Center and Fireworks in the background
From the Macau Tower all along the shoreline you can catch some great views. Two popular areas are around the Kum Ian Statue park and the Macao Science Center.
The 20 meter tall Kum Ian Statue is located on the Outer Harbour. It sits on a man-made island that sticks out 60 meters from the mainland and offers totally unobstructed views of the fireworks. The statue is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and is the symbol of the Ecumenical Centre. Kun Iam, or Guan Yin in Mandarin, is a deity embodying love, mercy and compassion.
Likewise, the Macau Science Center just a short walk away, with its distinctive I M Pei-designed, asymmetrical, conical structure, sits in a prominent position by the sea. If you have kids, this is a great place to spend a couple of hours checking out the exhibits (all five floors of them) and Planetarium. There is a viewing platform up the long escalator to the top floor. There is even McDonalds here for the kids! The area surrounding the Macau Science Center and the wide promenade that skirts the shoreline is a great vantage point for the fireworks.
From Nam Van Lake Shoreline: Promenade and Anim Arte Nam Van
Fireworks views from Anim Arte Nam Van Leisure Center
Just behind the Macau Tower there is Nam Van Lake, a man-made lake with a broad promenade from which to watch the fireworks with nothing in between to obstruct your views. On the east shore of the lake are several hotels, the Wynn Macau, the MGM Macau and the Mandarin Oriental which also enjoy splendid vistas.
On the north end, a new leisure center has opened, the "Anim'Arte Nam Van" where you can stroll around and spend a couple of hours during the day and enjoy the cultural performances, handicraft kiosks, delicious fare at the cafe, and of course the fireworks at night.
Watch from atop Penha Hill
The fireworks from atop Penha Hill
Penha Hill is the third highest hill in Macau and overlooks the harbour, making it a prime spot for the fireworks. This is also where Our Lady of Penha Church is located, with a statue of the Virgin facing the sea. It's a pretty spot and very popular for wedding photography shootings.
From the Hill you have a clear unobstructed view of the Macau Tower and the three bridges that cross the harbour to the Taipa side. Fireworks or not, this is one of the best scenic views in Macau and worth the 15-minute uphill walk (or just take a taxi!)
Also on Penha Hill is the Hotel Riviera Macau, it faces the bay and has fantastic fireworks views.
Watch from the Sai Van Lake Shoreline
The area around Sai Van Lake is quieter with a beautiful tree-lined promenade and Penha Hill towering above it. You can watch the fireworks along the Avenida da Republica which skirts the lake on its northwest side and there is nothing obstructing the views of the Harbour but the Macau Tower which makes for a nice focal point.
There are a few cafes and restaurants along the Avenida where you can enjoy a bite and the fireworks display: Ali's Curry House, which is one of the best Portuguese restaurants in Macau and Henri's Galley, try the African Chicken!
Watch From the Macau-Taipa Bridge
Macau-Taipa Bridge illuminated at night
There are three bridges that link the Macau Peninsula to Taipa Island, the Macau-Taipa Bridge is the middle one and the only one where pedestrians are allowed. The bridge is about two-and-a-half kilometers long, and at the middle point it is 35 meters high, the views from here are breathtaking, you have the Macau Tower and the the Sai Van Bridge in sight and beautifully illuminated. It takes a good 15-20 minutes to get to the middle point from either end.
Also known as the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge, access to it on foot from the Macau Peninsula side is by the Wynn Macau which is adjacent to the bridge.
On the Taipa side, the bridge ends on a road that skirts the shoreline and by the Regency Art Hotel and the Altira, both are also fantastic choices for fireworks viewing. The Altira in particular has a phenomenal rooftop bar on the 38th floor.
On The Taipa Side
Watching along the shoreline on the Taipa side also gives you unobstructed views, although you are a bit further away from the action.
One popular spot is at the end of the Sai Van Bridge where the Leisure Area of Taipa Waterfront Park is. There are jogging and biking trails, kids areas, toilets, but the best part of course are the views.
Getting to Macau
Getting to Macau and back is fast, easy and convenient with the Macau Ferries and now with the opening of the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau Bridge you can also take the shuttle buses to enter Macau.
Check out our "Macau Day Trip" page for more info on ferries and coaches, getting around once in Macau and other practicalities as money matters and passports/visas.
Remember you can get Turbojet and CotaiJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets from Klook.com:
TurboJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets are as follows:
Hong Kong Island to/from Macau Harbour:
- Single Trip (weekday, slightly more on weekends): HK175 US$ 22.40
More information and Booking Macau TurboJet Ferry Tickets ››
CotaiJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets are as follows:
- Single Trip (weekday, slightly more on weekends): HK175 US$ 22.40
More information and Booking Macau CotaiJet Ferry Tickets ››
TurboJet Macau Ferry Discount Tickets also available to/from Hong Kong Airport
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