What do Bruno Mars, Blackpink, and Jacky Cheung have in common? They are part of a growing list of A-list artists who have performed in Macao in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why.

Top-notch arenas, world-class accommodation, and excellent connectivity certainly attract top-tier celebrities, but Macao’s east-meets-west heritage are what keep a steady roster of global megastars – plus their fans – coming back to the city. In 2023 alone, the city hosted more than 180 pop concerts, averaging about 15 a month, including Jackson Wang, Westlife, and Aaron Kwok.

This year, Macao is set to welcome even more star-studded live acts, drawing attendees from far and wide. Travel agents and industry players should take note of Macao's prominence in this trend, offering unparalleled experiences for travellers.

Macao’s year of concerts kicked off with Bruno Mars’ “The One & Only Night” concert at MGM COTAI. Photo Credit: MGM Macau

Why performers choose Macao

In the international events and concerts scene, Macao stands as a choice destination for performers seeking a stage that offers accessibility, top-tier infrastructure, and an unparalleled audience experience. And where these artists go, their fans will follow.

Macao’s geographic location effortlessly connects artists with a diverse fan base from across the region and beyond, with direct flights to 17 cities around Asia and 24 cities in China.

Of course, a successful concert needs an audience — and this is another reason why Macao appeals to performers. The city boasts over 48,325 hotel rooms across 147 hotels, including five-star luxury accommodations like The Raffles at Galaxy Macau and The Karl Lagerfeld Macau. In short, there’s plenty of room for even the biggest concerts and their audiences.

The Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau boasts jaw-dropping outdoor concert venue at its Jardim Secreto, and also offers ample accommodation for concertgoers with its three luxury hotel towers. Photo Credit: Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau

The right stage for jaw-dropping performances

Macao’s modern infrastructure makes concerts and festivals a seamless experience for both performers and their entourage. Macao’s integrated resorts have emerged as prime venues for concerts and performances: most of their event spaces boast state-of-the-art facilities, from flexible stages and seating arrangements to cutting-edge lighting, acoustics, and special effects.

The 16,000-seat Galaxy Arena, which opened in April 2023, is among the newest venues in Macao; its 2,000sqm dual-stage design, flexible seating arrangements, and 400 digital screens bring even the wildest audio-visual productions to life. To date, the Galaxy Arena has welcomed live performances by Blackpink, Jackson Wang, OneRepublic, and K-pop idol group ENHYPHEN.

Blackpink held the Macao stop of their Born Pink world tour at the 16,000 seat Galaxy Arena. Photo Credit: YG Entertainment and iME

May 2023 then saw the opening of The Londoner Arena, a 6,000-seat amphitheatre-style space featuring premium sightlines for every guest. The venue has already hosted an array of artistes, with a sold-out residency by Cantopop star Hins Cheung and concerts by Chinese music legend Eric Moo and K-pop boyband TVXQ.

Looking ahead, the 15,000-seat Cotai Arena, which has hosted the likes of Super Junior, Celine Dion, Jay Chou, and more, closed for renovations in January and is expected to reopen by the end of the year with state-of-the-art facilities.

Hacken Lee performed at The Londoner Arena during his residency, alongside the Macao Orchestra. Photo Credit: Sands Resorts Macao

From star-studded concerts to Michelin stars

In Macao, the integrated resorts also offer exceptional value for fans and visitors by elevating the concert experience: during the Blackpink Born Pink World Tour held at Galaxy Arena in 2023, Galaxy Macau launched a series of dining and shopping promotions for fans. These include a 'Pink Ink' menu at Cha Bei restaurant with dishes coloured black and pink, a cherry blossom afternoon tea set at Nagomi café, and discounted dining at the Broadway Food Street for concert attendees.

In addition to international acts, Wynn Macau features artists evoking nostalgia for global Chinese audiences. When Taiwanese singer Richie Jen graced Wynn Macau's stages in 2023, concert-goers were offered exclusive hotel packages at both Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, including breakfast buffet, concert tickets, and late checkout. Jen also engaged visitors with an interactive flash mob near the SkyCab entrance and distributed concert-themed macarons, drawing massive crowds.

Similarly, the Melco Style Residency Concert Series at Studio City — currently with Cantopop legends Aaron Kwok and Leon Lai in the line-up — features concert packages that include hotel stays, dining vouchers, or even an exclusive photo opportunity with Aaron Kwok.

Studio City Macau is offering concert packages that include accommodation, dining, and access to the resort’s entertainment facilities. Photo Credit: Studio City Macau

Beyond the concerts, Macao’s walkability and safety make it perfect for independent exploration, and there’s plenty to explore. In addition to the UNESCO-inscribed Historic Centre of Macao, which includes over 20 heritage buildings, Macao is also a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It boasts a vibrant culinary scene with 16 Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as a wide array of humble home-grown family-run eateries serving up authentic and iconic local dishes such as Portuguese egg tarts, pork chop buns, Portuguese chicken, and crab congee.

Visitors with limited time can embark on the new Macau Cruise, a 30-45 minute sightseeing tour around Macau Peninsula, Taipa, and Coloane that includes close-up views of iconic landmarks like A-Ma Temple, Guia Fortress, and Penha Hill, and more. The tour includes guided commentary revealing Macao’s fascinating multicultural heritage.

Visitors can admire Macao’s best sights in comfort on the new Macau Cruise. Photo Credit: Macao Government Tourism Office

For travel agents, the abundance of concerts, live acts and rich heritage means more opportunities to market Macao to international concertgoers. Popular concerts tend to drive up hotel occupancies and rates, so travel agents can leverage their networks and destination understanding to recommend accommodations, ground transport, and activities to help fans make the most of their time in Macao.

Experience the vibrant pulse of Macao with a dazzling array of world-class concerts and live performances happening year-round. Discover the latest offerings that await in Macao. 

Major acts on the horizon

This article is brought to you by Macao Government Tourism Office.