Preparation for the parade begins months in advance. Teams of artists and craftspeople build huge float structures from bamboo frames covered in painted fabric, then add thousands of LED lights so the whole float glows from within. Some floats can be the size of a small house and require a team of hidden workers inside, moving the structure and operating the lighting.
The parade route winds through Macau's historic streets, past the mosaic squares and colourful buildings. Crowds line both sides of the road, and children often sit on parents' shoulders to see above the crowd. The noise is part of the experience: drums, cymbals, firecrackers (set off safely in designated areas) and the cheering of thousands of people all blend together.
Lion dances are a highlight at many points along the route. Two performers inside a colourful lion costume — one operating the head and one as the body — move together to create the illusion of a living lion dancing and jumping. The lion is said to bring good luck, and shopkeepers along the route prepare offerings for the lion to 'eat' as a good-luck gesture.
Macau's Chinese New Year celebration is special because it blends the traditional Chinese festivities with a touch of Portuguese celebration too. Some years, Portuguese folklore performers join the parade, and fireworks light up the sky over the water in a display that mixes both traditions. It is an event that perfectly reflects what Macau is — a meeting place of two great cultures.