Virtual reality (VR) experiences and food trucks are some of the new elements in this year’s Macau Light Festival which will take place from December 2-31, it was announced on Monday.
Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said at a press conference held at Macau Tower that the budget for the event, which will illuminate the city and its old quarters throughout the festive month, was 18.5 million patacas, a 2.5 percent increase from last year’s as it’ll cover the expenses for overseas production teams from Portugal and Belgium. The two foreign teams and a local team will take turns to showcase their own projection mapping shows on the façade of the Ruins of Saint Paul’s.
This year’s festival takes the theme “Time Travel in Macau” where light shows and installations will revolve around local gastronomy, humanity, architecture, culture and creativity, portraying nostalgic stories and childhood memories of local people.
According to a presentation at the press conference, the festival has three themed routes, where “Play Time” covers the central district, “Youth Time” covers the Praia Grande and Sai Van districts, and “Taste Time” covers areas in Old Taipa Village.
In addition, there will be food trucks at three locations and a food night market in the square in front of Pak Tai Temple, which are new to the festival.
As with VR games, there will be a “Nostalgic Hopscotch” at Largo do Pagode do Bazar, and a “Future Mailbox” at Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro. The “Fly over Macau VR Experience” at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre will allow participants to “soar above Macau” to enjoy a scenic flight with VR goggles and robotic arms.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, a cultural and creative night market will be set up at Anim’Arte Nam Van, in addition to live performances of local bands at the outdoor podium there.
Throughout the festival, the public will be able to spot Macau’s tourism mascot Mak Mak in 14 different themes, and if people share photos of themselves and at least three different Mak Mak themes on social media and gain a certain amount of “likes”, the posters will receive souvenirs from the organiser.
Mak Mak is modelled on Macau’s extremely rare black-faced spoonbills.
