As 2026 edges into view, Macao is shaping up as one of Asia’s most exciting places to wrap the year. December reveals a version of the city that balances culture with sparkle, sport with spectacle, heritage with glamour – ideal for travellers wanting an atmospheric, energetic, or simply laidback escape.
Revving up with sports and action
The festive rhythm begins with one of December’s most anticipated events: the 2025 MGM Macau Tennis Masters, held 27–28 December at the Macao Forum. Blending world-class tennis – headlined by Li Na and Conchita Martínez – with relaxed, holiday charm, the event is a rare chance for visitors to enjoy top-tier play in an intimate, celebratory setting.
Across town, Galaxy Macau adds its own twist to the season with The Artistry of Table Tennis exhibition, running until 4 January 2026. Think oversized paddles transformed into sculptural objects, mosaics made from 7,000 colourful table-tennis balls, and cabinets of rare, beautifully crafted memorabilia.
Arts meets sports at The Artistry of Table Tennis exhibition at Galaxy Macau.
Feel the market buzz
The Christmas Market in Tap Seac Square, running from 16 December to 1 January, brings classic festive cheer to the city. Festive booths line the square, while families are drawn to the merry-go-round, Christmas train, and inflatable slide. Balloon-twisting Santas, juggling clowns, and magicians add to the feel-good buzz. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve, the market stays open until midnight, perfect for travellers who want to soak up the holiday atmosphere at their own rhythm.
Once the sun sets, Macao transforms again. From 6 December to 11 January, the Macao International Light Festival turns streets, façades, and waterfront promenades into glowing canvases. It’s the kind of nighttime experience that demands very little planning – travellers can wander between installations, linger in front of animations or walk through illuminated corridors.
The cultural tempo deepens with Macau Jazz Week, starting 9 December. A highlight of Macao’s arts calendar, the festival gathers international jazz names and local musicians for a series of inventive, atmospheric performances. This year, the festival draws inspiration from literature, spinning improvisational sets that echo the dreamlike moods of Haruki Murakami’s novels.
Enjoy festive vibes at Macao’s lively Christmas markets.
Ring in 2026 in style
As the final hours of the year approach, Macao’s energy rises once more. At the Macao Cultural Centre, the Macao Orchestra rings in the year with its annual New Year Concert. This edition features star pianist Hiromi Uehara, adding charisma and brilliance to a programme designed to usher in the year with style.
Taipa Houses offer a different year-end finale: intimate, charming, and warmly local. Surrounded by heritage architecture and the soft ambience of Taipa’s historic promenade, visitors can enjoy local bands, cultural performances – a relaxed, community-rooted way to end the year.
Travellers craving the collective thrill of a big countdown will find it at Sai Van Lake Plaza, where live performances, the glittering skyline and a swelling crowd set the tone for a classic NYE moment.
And on Cotai, Macao’s integrated resorts take things up a notch with some of Asia’s most spectacular countdowns. Expect rooftop fireworks, themed soirées, world-class dining, and DJ-driven parties that stretch into past dawn. For luxury-focused travellers, this is where the city’s theatrics shine brightest, and the convenience of staying within a mega-resort ensures a seamless, high-energy finale to the year.
This article is brought to you by Macao Government Tourism Office