May 24 (Public Holiday) | Feast of The Drunken Dragon

Written on May 23, 2007 by admin

If eating and entertaining appeals, you should consider participating in the unique festivals on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar (May 24), on which occasion three feasts occur. Visitors are welcome to participate in the celebrations on the Macau Peninsula and in Taipa and Coloane.

Feast of the Drunken Dragon — Dragon Parade

Have you seen a drunken dragon? Every year, many visitors and photographers join in the parade — which starts from Rua dos Mercadores (near the Mercadores Market) and moves on to Rua do Tarrafeiro, Hong Kung Temple, Rua das Estalagens and Iao Hon before returning to the starting point. The peculiar dance originated in Zhongshan and was developed in Macau, and is now an “Intangible Cultural Heritage” item listed on behalf of Guangdong Province. In this frenetic conga-like procession, fishermen enter into the spirit of the occasion by drinking copious amounts of alcohol before bearing the wooden heads and tails of the dragon in a Drunken Dragon Dance.

Time: About 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission free
Organizer: Macau Fresh Fish & Commercial Association
Telephone enquiries: (853) 2857 5908

Feast of the Buddha

The Feast of the Buddha is an important traditional celebration in Macau, and to commemorate this occasion, Buddhist associations in Macau organize a “Bathing of the Buddha” ritual, which attracts many devotees and visitors.

The gracious bronze statue of the Buddha, standing 5.4 meters high and weighing 6 tons, sits at the Po Tai Monastery (Po Tai Un), a place of pilgrimage with a popular vegetarian restaurant.

Po Tai Monastery
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Address: Estrada Lou Lim Ieok, Taipa
Telephone enquiries: (853) 2881 1038

Feast of the God Tam Kung

The birthday of the God Tam Kung is one of the most important festivals of Taoism. Every year, a great variety of traditional celebrations are held in Coloane for the occasion when Tam Kung, one of the patron saints of the sea, is worshipped as the protector of seafarers. Chinese operas are publicly performed for five consecutive nights starring famous Hong Kong artists — a real treat for fans who should not miss these performances! Also, parades by costumed devotees and a special communal Basin Food Feast called “Pun Choi” for invited guests are hosted to enhance the atmosphere.

Chinese Operas
Time:
Day show - 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (24 to 27 May)
Evening show - 8:00 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. (23 to 27 May).
Venue: Tam Kung Temple Square, Coloane
Organizer: Associac,a~o de Beneficie^ncia “Quatro Pagodes” Coloane
Ticketing and telephone enquiries: (853) 2888 2161 or 6669 2639
Free shuttle bus provided to Macau & Taipa after evening shows.

Feast of the God Tam Kung in Coloane
Time: 11:30 a.m. (24 May)
Admission free
Venue: Coloane Village (bus-stop at Coloane Village)
Organizer: Coloane “Son I” Association
Telephone enquiries: (853) 2888 0170
Free shuttle bus service:
Time: 10:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. (from Macau to Coloane) / 1:15 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. (from Coloane to Macau)
Macau bus stop: Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Av. da Praia Grande

Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes