Art Macao 2023 Guide: Best Exhibitions and International Artists to Catch

Get ready for a month-long celebration of creativity as the 35th Macao Arts Festival takes center stage from Apr. 25 to May 31, 2025.

Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), this year’s festival promises a dynamic program of theatre, Chinese opera, dance, music, and visual arts, featuring both local and international talent. 

Tickets go on sale at 10 AM on Mar. 22, 2025. One of the biggest highlights of this year’s lineup is "Life of Pi," the five-time Olivier Award-winning theatrical adaptation of Yann Martel’s bestselling novel, making a highly anticipated East Asian debut. 

Also bringing international flair is "Tap Fado," an energetic and rhythmic production by renowned Portuguese choreographers Jonas and Lander, blending traditional Fado music with contemporary dance.

The festival also showcases powerful narratives from across cultures. Deling and Cixi, written by celebrated playwright He Jiping, offers a gripping exploration of power in the Qing dynasty court’s private chambers. Fans of Studio Ghibli films will be delighted to see Kiki’s Delivery Service on the program, brought to life with a magical musical adaptation. 

Local productions are also in the spotlight, with the contemporary theatrical drama "Let No One Sleep" and "What’s the Deal?" which capture the essence of "Patuá Theatre," a type of performance art recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage of Macao.

Beyond the performances, festivalgoers can engage with the arts through 33 outreach activities, including backstage tours, pre-show talks, and interactive workshops. 

These experiences offer audiences a rare glimpse behind the curtain, deepening their appreciation for the craft and storytelling that define the festival.

Tickets are coming out soon through Enjoy Macao’s ticketing outlets and website, starting from MOP120. For more information on the full program, visit Enjoy Macao's website.

After a hiatus of almost five years, the legendary House of Dancing Water is finally making its grand return to the City of Dreams Macau in May! 

The original production was halted in November 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is set to wow audiences once again with its breathtaking aquatic stunts, gravity-defying acrobatics, and stunning choreography.

Staged in the purpose-built Dancing Water Theater, the show takes place in a one-of-a-kind setting, featuring a massive pool that holds an astonishing 3.7 million gallons of water (equivalent to five Olympic-sized swimming pools!). 

With a production budget surpassing RMB2 billion and a cast and crew of nearly 300 members from over 30 countries, "House of Dancing Water" promises a theatrical experience unlike any other.

A recent press conference gave fans a sneak peek at what’s to come, with the cast appearing in full costume for a mesmerizing parade curated by Giuliano Peparini, Artistic Director of the show. 

This fearless new chapter of the reimagined show will tell the story of a brave stranger who stumbles into a mystical kingdom, embarking on a daring mission to rescue Princess Aani from the clutches of the Dark Queen.  

Meanwhile, an exciting new feature is a pre-show interaction, where performers will engage directly with the audience — blurring the lines between stage and spectator.

Having already captivated audiences in nearly 4,000 performances worldwide, House of Dancing Water is ready to reclaim its place as one of the most spectacular live shows globally. 

Tickets go on sale starting Mar. 10, 2025. Stay tuned on their official website and visit City of Dreams on Instagram and Facebook for more updates. 

Fans who missed the Hong Kong leg of the AAA Tour can rejoice, because Hyukoh and Sunset Rollercoaster haven’t hit the brakes yet! In fact, they will be bringing their sensational collaboration to Macau! 

The two acclaimed indie bands will perform at the Broadway Theatre on March 29, 2025, promising an unforgettable night of captivating music. 

Hyukoh, the South Korean indie quartet, consists of Oh Hyuk (vocalist and guitarist), Im Dong-geon (bassist), Lim Hyun-jae (guitarist), and Lee In-woo (drummer). Known for their introspective lyrics and genre-blending sound, the band has garnered a massive following across Asia and beyond. 

Joining them is Taiwan’s Sunset Rollercoaster, a five-piece ensemble featuring Kuo-Hung Tseng, who is the vocalist and guitarist, Hung Li-chen, Shao-Hsuan Wang, Tsun-Lung Lo, and Hao-Ting Huang, playing an eclectic range of instruments that make up their unique sound. The group’s dreamy, retro-inspired sound has made them a standout act in the indie music scene.

The collaboration between Hyukoh and Sunset Rollercoaster began in 2020 when the Taiwanese band released a remake of Hyukoh’s track “Help.” 

Their musical synergy deepened over the years, with Hyukoh’s lead vocalist featuring on Sunset Rollercoaster’s song “Candlelight," and culminating in the release of their joint album AAA in 2023. The eight-track record, their first full-length project in four years, is a testament to their creative partnership.  

Tickets for the Macau show are priced at MOP1288, MOP1088, MOP888, and MOP688. The public sale began on Feb. 18, 2025 via Galaxy Ticketing here.

For more information, follow Hyukoh on Instagram and Facebook, and Sunset Rollercoaster on Instagram and Facebook. 

Art enthusiasts and creatives, stay tuned! This Spring Festival, Galaxy Macau is bringing the season to life with the vibrant Boom and Bloom exhibition at GalaxyArt, running until Mar. 9, 2025.

Curated by renowned Hong Kong art advocate Gary Mok, this display showcases celebrated artistic talents from the Greater Bay Area, headlined by the creative collaboration between Ray Chan, a Shenzhen-based artist, and Sanchia Lau, a Macau-based artist.

Transforming GalaxyArt’s 6500-square-foot space into a lush traditional Chinese garden, the exhibition merges cultural heritage with contemporary creativity. Vibrant blooms, architectural details, and the debut of the artists’ iconic IPs — Ray Chan’s Shake Money Tree and Sanchia Lau’s Wishing Doll — create an enchanting blend of pop art and traditional Chinese New Year blessings.

Visitors can explore three specially commissioned pieces making their debut in Macau, and highlights from the interactive Shake Money Tree series, which invites guests to shake the golden tree to release symbolic gold ingots.

This experience extends to an art boutique featuring limited-edition collectibles and merchandise inspired by the artists’ work, making it the perfect spot for unique festival keepsakes. The exhibition also includes fun photo zones and engaging workshops, offering something for all ages.

Location: GalaxyArt, 1/F Galaxy Promenade, Galaxy Macau

Opening Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM

For more information, visit Galaxy Macau on their website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

2025 is looking bright for Kep1ians because the seven-member K-Pop project girl group just announced a Fancon tour across Asia!

Announced via social media, Kep1er is bringing their fan concert tour, “BEYOND THE STAR,” to Macau and three other Asian cities in the first quarter of 2025. The tour's kick-off weekend will take place in Seoul on Feb. 15 to 16 at the Sungshin Women’s University, Woojung Green Campus Grand Hall.

The band will then make their stops in Yokohama on Mar. 5 to 6 (Pacifico Yokohama National Conventional Hall); Macau on Mar. 15 (VN Theatre); and Taipei on Apr. 6 (Taipei National Convention Center). Ticket sales and other concert details will be announced at a later date for each venue.

The South Korean girl group was formed through the Mnet survival show “Girls Planet 999” in 2021 and consists of members Yujin, Xiaoting, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, and Youngeun. Originally a nine-piece group, Kep1er debuted on Jan. 22, 2022, under WAKEONE Entertainment and Swing Entertainment with the mini album “First Impact.” The group was initially set to promote for two years and six months, but they extended it ahead of their contracts’ expiration. The group signed with KLAP Entertainment last Sept. 30, 2024.

Kep1er has released six mini albums which all received commercial success. Their first EP peaked at number one on the Gaon Album Chart. Its lead single “Wa Da Da” also claimed a spot on the Billboard Global 200 chart. The group dropped their first full album, “Kep1going On,” last June 2024.

Stay tuned for more updates by following Kep1er on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.

If you're still searching for the perfect Christmas presents, Galeries Lafayette Macau has everything you need to make this holiday season extra special! Their “Winter Treasure FunFest,” running now through Jan. 5, 2025, is your ultimate festive shopping destination.

Packed with exclusive deals, limited-edition finds, and renowned international brands, this event turns the stress of holiday shopping into a smooth and magical experience.

Galeries Lafayette Macau has curated a treasure trove of unique gifts perfect for everyone on your list. Discover adorable JELLYCAT plush toys, luxurious DIOR Maison Versailles candles, and eco-friendly FOUR STARLINGS all-natural skincare sets.

Looking for something playful? Check out the BE@RBRICK Audio Christmas series or the quirky EAT MY SOCKS creative gift socks. And don’t miss the charming, handcrafted FELT SO GOOD wool ornaments — perfect stocking stuffers with a personal touch.

Beyond the gifts, Galeries Lafayette Macau sweetens the deal with amazing promotions. Get up to 5% cashback when booking through Ctrip, or enjoy 2.5% cashback with UnionPay (up to RMB5500 per month).

Alipay users can snag discounts of RMB30 off of RMB1000 or RMB80 off of RMB3000. Plus, when you spend MOP1500 or more in a single transaction, you’ll unlock the “Wishing Ring” Interaction — where exciting prizes like luxury items, cash coupons, and artistic gifts are up for grabs!

For more information, visit them on their website, or follow them on Instagram.

Bask in the moxie and beauty of Neo-Expressionism, as integrated entertainment resort City of Dreams Macau and multi-dimensional art space Artelli is hosting the “Crowning Journey” exhibit featuring the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's work.

From today until Nov. 24 at The Showroom at City of Dreams, art lovers in Macau can witness the celebrated icon’s works that embody his bold and innovative spirit, as well as his inspiring journey from being a street artist to a legend in the world of art.

The exhibition features large-scale art installations, immersive and interactive experiences, and multimedia art that will take the spectators into Basquiat’s world. This includes a cluster of art installations that are reminiscent of the 1980s New York cityscapes, where he had his humble beginnings, located at the venue's main portal.

A seven-meter-tall dinosaur-shaped installation also dazzles the venue, which is inspired by one of Basquiat’s most recognizable artworks from 1984, the “Pez Dispenser,” also known as the “Dinosaur with Crown.”

Over at the Southwest Entrance, a ten-meter outdoor installation inspired by the artist’s “Brown Spots (Portraits of Andy Warhol as a Banana)” likewise brightens the exhibition. The Showroom at City of Dreams’ façade is also adorned with a ten-meter-wide canvas with a six-meter-tall crown perched atop, inspired by Basquiat’s “Grillo.”

Visitors can also get their hands on various exclusive merchandise, which includes an art puzzle, a postcard set, and a Mahjong set.

Jean-Michel Basquiat is one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, known for infusing avant-garde style with social commentary on his works.

City of Dreams Macau and Artelli’s “Crowning Journey” exhibit is open to the public from 11 AM to 8 PM, while its outdoor installations will be on display for 24 hours daily. For more information, click here.