Lighting up the Macanese skies for the 21st year running, the Macau Fireworks Festival blasts off once again, featuring pyrotechnics from around the world.

Begun as a way to celebrate the achievements of the traditional Macanese firecracker industry, the fiery festival is now a major tourist attraction. This year, organisers are pushing for bigger and more extravagant displays, with the production subsidy provided by the Macau government upped to $155,000 per team, and cash prize for first place increased to $62,000. As in the past, teams have also been asked to match their bright lights with an explosive soundtrack for a full-sensory spectacular.

Competition will be fierce – returning to the field are last year’s runner-ups, five year veterans Wan Dar Fireworks from Taiwan, and Japan’s Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks, who specialise in perfectly spherical shells that allow for a smooth 360˚ effect.

If you were living in a cave last August, now is the time to recapture some of last summer’s festivities, because also heading to the enclave are the Hunan Jixiu Fireworks Manufacturing & Display Company from Mainland China, who took part in the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, as watched by tens of millions of viewers worldwide. In the spirit of international competition, they’ll be going head to head at the finale on China’s National Day with Austrian team Fireevent Die Feuerwerker.

The best spots to watch the extravaganza are at the waterfront of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza, at the Macau Tower Street waterfront, and at the square in front of Kun Iam Statue on Avenue Dr Sun Yat Sen, where sound systems will be installed to provide the full synchronised music experience.

Various venues, September 5, 12, 19, 26 and October 1

Alethea Dean

See hk.macautourism.gov.mo.