Also spelled Macao, this high-density city sitting on the other side of the Pearl Estuary across Hong Kong is one of the two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China (the other being Hong Kong). Famous as the last Portuguese colony in Asia, Macau earned its independence only recently, in 1999. Equally famous is Macau’s gambling and tourism industry, reported to be earning more revenue than Las Vegas.
The following is the list of Macau public holiday schedule 2013.
New Year’s Day, Tuesday 1 January 2013
Well-entrenched Portuguese influence means Macau observes the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar.
Lunar New Year’s Day, Sunday to Tuesday 10-12 February 2013
The Chinese New Year is one of Macau’s major festivals, and usually lasts for 15 days, although only three days are observed as legal holidays. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year is based on a lunar calendar.
Easter Holidays, Friday to Saturday 29 to 30 March 2013
Because of the Catholicism brought about by the Portuguese, the first two days of the Paschal Triduum, namely Good Friday and Holy Saturday, are observed in Macau. Good Friday commemorates the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, while Holy Saturday is the day before the resurrection of Christ.
Qing Ming Jie or Ching Ming Festival, Thursday 4 April 2013
The Qing Ming Festival has strong roots in ancestor worship. On this day, families troop to their ancestors’ burial grounds, sweep their tombs, offer them food and prayers, and burn paper monies or paper goods (that resemble luxuries, cars and even iPads, given today’s technology) in the belief that these are transported to the world of the ancestors so they could have a better life.
Labor Day, Wednesday 1 May 2013
Macau takes part in the international recognition of the economic and social contributions of the labor sector.
Feast of the Bathing of Lord Buddha/Feast of the Drunken Dragon, Friday 17 May 2013
This day celebrates the birthday of Buddha. On a more secular note, this day also celebrates the legend of the slaying of the sea dragon by a Buddhist monk who saved the village from a plague. This is a riotous celebration in Macau, where wooden dragons are taken to the streets for a procession, with various stops along the route so participants could drink wine.
Tun Ng Festival, Wednesday 12 June 2013
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is a traditional custom that dramatizes the attempt to rescue the poet Chu Yuan from drowning. To dissuade the fish from eating Chu Yuan, the people threw cooked rice wrapped in bamboo leaves to the water. This practice evolved to eating rice dumplings and drinking concoctions, and of course, racing dragon boats.
The Day Following Mid-Autumn Festival, 20 September 2013
Also known as the Moon Cake Festival, the mid-autumn festival falls on the day when the moon is believed to be at its brightest for the entire year. The following day is public holiday in Macau.
National Day of the People Republic of China, Tuesday 1 October 2013
The National Day of the People’s Republic of China celebrates the founding of China as a republic on October 1, 1949.
The Day After National Day of the People Republic of China, Wednesday 2 October 2013
The day following the National Day is designated a public holiday.
Chung Yeung Festival, Sunday October 13 2013
The Festival of Ancestors is an opportunity for the households to pay tribute to their departed. Families also celebrate this day by going to high places in keeping with the Han dynasty tradition of a man fleeing to high ground to escape slaughter.
All Souls’ Day, Saturday 2 November 2013
This is the Christian equivalent of Ching Ming and Chung Yeung. Families go to the graves of their departed, clean their tombs, light candles, and offer food and prayers.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Sunday 8 December 2013
Macau Catholics celebrate the purity of the Virgin Mary from sins.
Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day, Thursday 20 December 2013
On December 20, 1999, Macau ceased to be a Portuguese overseas territory and became a Special Administrative Region of China.
Winter Solstice, Sunday 22 December 2013
The day when the sun is at its weakest and the day shortest is celebrated among the Chinese as a cosmological expression of yin and yang.
Christmas Holidays, Tuesday to Wednesday 24 to 25 December 2013
Macau Catholics and Christians celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ, on this day.
Photo by Flag of Macau
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Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.
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