Macao International Queer Film Festival Returns for Third Edition in 2025

Macau’s about to get its first taste of a global festival phenomenon — one that marries electronic music with the restorative splash of water. 

The S2O Songkran Music Festival, the world’s wettest party, is making its debut in the city, bringing two days of non-stop energy, water-fights and world-class DJs, and an experience that will leave you drenched in more than just water.

Set against the backdrop of the Macao Outdoor Performance Venue on Sept. 6 to 7, 2025, this festival will cover a massive 94,000 square meters, turning the space into a massive water-filled playground for party-goers. 

With a synchronized 360-degree water splashing system, water guns, and beats that’ll have you moving before you even realize it, the S2O Songkran Music Festival promises a completely immersive experience.

This isn’t the only place S2O is making waves in — it will also stop by audiences in cities like Seoul and Taipei on July 12 to July 13, 2025.  

While the full lineup and ticketing details are still to come, the countdown has already begun. Stay tuned to S2O Festival’s social media for all the latest updates! For more information, visit S2O Festival on their website, Instagram and Facebook. 

Location: Macao Outdoor Performance Venue, R. de Tenis, Macau

Date: Sept. 6, 2025 to 7, 2025, Time TBA

Get ready to indulge in the finest seafood while making a difference at the Sustainable SEAFood Festival, happening across Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore throughout June 2025.  

Organized by the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC), this four-week festival is a celebration of ocean-friendly cuisine, held in honor of World Oceans Day.

From June 1 to 30, 2025, over 45 restaurants from hotels and meal delivery services in the three global culinary hubs will feature specially crafted dishes made with certified sustainable seafood, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy flavors that are as responsible as they are delicious. 

Hotels such as Grand Hyatt, The Murray, Sands Macau and more from the participating cities will be serving up sustainable seafood options on their à la carte and regular set menus. 

Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore are known for their vibrant seafood scenes, but the demand for ocean delicacies often outpaces responsible sourcing. 

This festival changes that by making sustainable seafood options easy to find and even easier to enjoy. Highlights include Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, serving up MEL-certified oysters paired with fresh ingredients like Tomatillo, Granny Smith Apple, Jalapeño, and Thai Basil. 

“Sustainable seafood is fresher, more flavorful, and speaks to the values of transparency and care that discerning diners increasingly seek. Sustainability is not a trend — it is a necessity,” says Richard Ekkebus, Culinary Director of Amber. 

Over in Singapore, 5 ON 25 at Andaz will offer MSC-certified Crispy-Fried Black Cod. In Macau, Brasserie at The Parisian will unveil a five-course World Oceans Day Seafood Festival Menu, including BAP-certified Butter Sauteed Prawns flambéed with Pernod on Tomato, Bell Pepper and Saffron sauce.

Make sure to check out the full list of participating restaurants and sustainable dishes featured in the festival on HKSSC’s website.

Calling all globetrotting gourmands — the much-anticipated MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau is back for its third edition from June 7 to 8, 2025, taking place across the glittering halls of MGM COTAI and MGM MACAU. 

After two successful editions in partnership with Robb Report Hong Kong, this two-day culinary fête will run under this year’s theme, “Flavors of Harmony: A Culinary Journey Through East Asia.”

At the heart of the event is an eight-hands gala dinner on June 7, which will see four MICHELIN-starred chefs unveil their interpretation of harmony through an extraordinary blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean gastronomy.

Cheung Yat Fung is the master of refined Chaozhou cuisine from Beijing’s three-star Chao Shang Chao. He will be joined by Kang Mingoo (the trailblazer behind Seoul’s Mingles), Hiroki Nakanoue (the dynamic chef of Sushiyoshi), and Pan Sihui, the rising star behind Aji, known for his bold take on Asian bistronomy with a French twist.

To further elevate the journey, special guests Chef Yang Dengquan of the MICHELIN-starred Five Foot Road and Macanese culinary icon Chef Antonieta Manhão will craft bespoke cultural tasting experiences, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Greater China and beyond.

Guests can also enjoy a Sichuan-style luncheon by Chef Yang and explore Chengdu Mansion-style cuisine. There will be the chance to take part in MICHELIN-starred, interactive cooking classes and masterclasses on maotai, Champagne, sake, and caviar. 

Indulge in a luxurious Two-Day and One-Night Experience Package, available as a Package for Two at HK$30,000, or a Single Package at HK$30,000, or a Single Package at HK$20,000. Additionally, savor an exquisite 9-MICHELIN-Star Gala Dinner on June 7, priced at HK$10,000 per person.

What are you waiting for? Book MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters here. 

For more information, visit MGM Resorts International on their website, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Formerly Twitter). 

Location: MGM COTAI, Avenida da Nave Desportiva, Cotai | MGM MACAU Macau Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, Macau

Get ready to see dynamic landscapes of China’s Bronze Age unfold in front of your eyes as MGM presents a new digital art experience titled Brilliant Stars: The Civilization of Ancient Shu Immersive Digital Art Experience. 

Featuring the Sanxingdui and Jinsha archaeological sites as its theme, this exhibition brings the fascinating culture of ancient Shu to life, hosted at MGM’s multi-purpose new venue, Fantasy Box.

Get ready to be transported thousands of years into the past, showcasing the Bronze Age civilization’s ecosystems, daily life, and exquisite artifacts. 

The exhibition seamlessly blends historical storytelling with state-of-the-art visuals, displayed across three ultra-HD LED screens spanning 500 square meters. Meanwhile, microscopic views of relics reveal the fine details of this brilliant heritage.

Jointly organized by the Macao Foundation, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and China Poly Group, this free exhibition allows visitors to dive deeper into the world of Shu. 

This exhibition promises a range of interactive elements that allow you to engage directly with the history, whether it's digitally navigating artifacts or discovering the fascinating stories behind each piece. 

For more information, visit MGM Macau on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Location: Fantasy Box, L2, MGM MACAU, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, NAPE

Date: Apr. 24 to June 24, 2025

Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays from 10 AM to 8 PM 

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.