• House of Dancing Water made its highly anticipated return at City of Dreams Macau with a brand-new chapter.
• The return marked a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing mission of “Tourism+” integration.

After captivating millions since its 2010 debut, the world-renowned House of Dancing Water has returned to City of Dreams Macau with an all-new chapter, dazzling audiences with upgraded technology, revamped storytelling and a bold artistic vision.

Premiering on 7 May, the spectacular comeback marks a major milestone in Macau’s ongoing “Tourism+” strategy, enriching the city’s cultural portfolio while reaffirming its role as a destination for world-class entertainment.

A grand premiere
Government officials, celebrities, cultural influencers and media from across the globe gathered for the highly anticipated unveiling.

A water-themed red carpet set the stage for an evening of elegance, featuring an impressive lineup of celebrities including Alex Fong, Bingbing Li, Carina Lau, Cecilia Cheung, Charlene Choi, Jeffrey Ngai, Karena Lam, Kelly Chen, Myolie Wu, Pakho Chau, Qi Shu, Rain (Jung Ji-Hoon), Shi Yu, Tao Liu, Yitian Hu and Yuanyuan Tan.

Notable guests also included Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Tai Kin Ip, Secretary for Economy and Finance, Macao SAR; Bai Bing, Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Lin Ruhai, Director of the Department of Consular Affairs, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Lawrence Ho, Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment; Evan Winkler, Board Director and President of Melco Resorts & Entertainment; and Giuliano Peparini, Artistic Director of Peparini Studios.

Their presence underscored Macau’s continued support for cultural innovation and highlighted the show’s role in shaping the city’s identity as a World Center of Tourism and Leisure.

Following the performance, Grammy-winning DJ Afrojack delivered a surprise set at the after-party, rounding out a night that blended spectacle with celebration.

“A heartfelt story of love and courage”
The refreshed production introduces a brand-new narrative set in a fantastical realm where love, courage and destiny intertwine. Peparini, Artistic Director of Peparini Studios whose international credits include Cirque du Soleil, leads the creative charge with a vision that seamlessly blends choreography, storytelling and technical innovation.

“This new chapter is not only a visual spectacle,” Peparini said at the premiere ceremony, “but a heartfelt story of love and courage.”

The updated story remains rooted in myth and romance. At its core is the journey of a stranger who ventures into a mystical realm to rescue Princess Aani, imprisoned by her stepmother, the Dark Queen. Yet this time, the princess becomes the rescuer – saving the stranger using her water-based powers.

The production has grown in both scale and complexity, with nearly 300 cast and crew including Olympic athletes, aerialists, divers and engineers from over 30 countries involved in the new version, almost double the original.

Behind the scenes
Staged once again at City of Dreams’ purpose-built Dancing Water Theater, the relaunch of the aquatic spectacle follows nearly a year of intensive redevelopment. While the show retains its signature water-based format and venue, nearly every other element has been transformed, from the plot and characters to costume design, stage effects and choreography.

Set inside a 2,000-seat theater-in-the-round that houses one of the world’s largest commercial pools (requiring 3.7 million gallons of water), the show’s infrastructure is itself a feat of engineering. The stage can seamlessly switch from dry to submerged within seconds, while aerial rigging and water effects are carefully synchronized with complex choreography.

To support the show’s new narrative arc, the creative team introduced several visual motifs, including the “Heart of Water”, which appears in set pieces, costume details and the character of Aani herself.

New scenic environments, including the Magic Garden and the City of the Future, appear and disappear in moments via a high-speed Barco projection system and retractable LED screens. The Human Chandelier – one of the show’s signature aerial acts – has also been redesigned with the addition of flying light installations, increasing the verticality and visual drama of the sequence.

The Golden Boat, another iconic centerpiece, has been reengineered with an advanced hydraulic system for smoother, more cinematic movement. All technical aspects are designed to meet the physical demands of performers who leap from heights of up to 25 meters and re-emerge from the water in quick succession.

The production’s wardrobe team – 27 members strong – manages over 680 costumes, 40% of which are newly designed. Materials like neoprene and synthetic velvet have been carefully selected for water resistance.

Costume designer Valentina Davoli, together with stylist Connie Dyson (whose credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), created 24 new looks that fuse stage glamor with functional engineering. Among the most visually arresting designs are crystal-laden skull masks worn on the backs of dancers’ heads, each adorned with over 3,000 Swarovski crystals.

The show’s musical score has been completely reorchestrated and recorded with a live symphony orchestra, offering a broader emotional range that guides the audience through moments of awe, suspense and tenderness.

A broader vision for Macau
Speaking at the premiere, Melco Chairman Lawrence Ho said, “The new House of Dancing Water is more than a reimagined and recreated show.

“It is part of our ongoing effort to support the Macau SAR’s vision as a world center of tourism and leisure. Through this spectacular experience, we are proud to showcase the creativity and potential of the city’s cultural tourism to the world.”

House of Dancing Water officially resumed public performances on 9 May. Tickets start from MOP698, with tiered seating options including splash zone areas and VVIP boxes offering added privileges such as meet-and-greets and curated refreshments. The theater has also undergone upgrades to improve accessibility, comfort and sightlines.