MACAO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, dazzling stages lit up locations across Macao, drawing crowds to bid farewell to the old year and welcome 2026.
Seven-year-old Macao resident Bevis came with his father to Sai Van Lake Square on the Macao Peninsula, marking his second time attending a New Year's countdown event. "I hope everyone stays healthy in the new year," he told Xinhua.
As night deepened, a countdown concert got underway at the Square on Wednesday. Singers from Hong Kong and Macao took turns performing. Large screens set up at various locations across the city broadcast the concert live, allowing residents and visitors to welcome the new year together.
"We decided on the spur of the moment to spend New Year's Eve in Macao. It feels quite different," said Ms. Wang, a visitor from Zhongshan, south China's Guangdong Province. She arrived at the venue two hours early to secure a good spot.
Across the sea in Taipa, another show at Taipa Houses was equally lively. In addition to performers from Hong Kong and Macao, cultural groups from the Philippines, Myanmar, and others, all based in Macao, presented distinctive activities.
"The two events each have their own character, with Taipa being more family-oriented and Sai Van Lake attracting more young people and tourists," said Leong Wai Man, head of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region government.
In Macao, the overture to the New Year celebrations had begun well before the countdown, with major tourist landmarks packed with bustling crowds.
Near the landmark Ruins of St. Paul's, traditional gift shops entered a peak shopping season. Mr. Lei, the owner of one such shop, said customers mainly bought customary New Year gifts such as egg rolls and almond biscuits for family and friends. "Young people also like to come for ice cream and drinks," he added.
"The more people are on holiday, the busier we become," Lei said.
Looking ahead to the new year, he said: "I hope the economy will be better next year, and that consumption will pick up even more." ■
