• The sixth edition of the Sands Shopping Carnival attracted almost 110,000 attendees despite typhoon cutting the event short.
• Since debuting in 2020 the tourism and leisure extravaganza has attracted more than 640,000 visitors.

Last week, The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo was once again bustling with activity. Although the 2025 Sands Shopping Carnival closed a day early due to the typhoon, it still attracted nearly 110,000 visitors, close to last year’s level, demonstrating the influence of the annual event.

A city-wide celebration of commerce and community
Organized by Sands China Ltd. in partnership with the Macao Chamber of Commerce, the Sands Shopping Carnival has become a cornerstone of the city’s economic and social calendar, championing cross-sector collaboration and community engagement. The 2025 edition brought together more than 580 booths and spanned eight exhibition zones, from gourmet food and wine to creative arts, household goods, play and fun and – for the first time – a dedicated coffee zone, reflecting Macau’s blossoming café scene.

Responding to growing local and tourist demand for unique experiences, the organizers also set up an open mic busking area where visitors could showcase their musical talents and add a vibrant soundtrack to the bustling shopping floors.

A platform for local businesses and social inclusion
Dr Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China, said the remarkable results of this year’s carnival demonstrate the effectiveness of the unique model of housing local SMEs and Sands retailers under one roof. The model continues to create synergy, resilience and a sense of community—no matter rain or shine.

Dr Wong expressed gratitude to government agencies, commercial sponsors, co-organiser, local partners, exhibitors and the thousands of residents and visitors who helped make the event a success.

The carnival provides a vital stage for Macau’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as local NGOs and community groups. This year saw a record 19 community organizations join, up from three in the inaugural edition, reflecting a citywide commitment to inclusion. By participating in the carnival, these groups were able to raise awareness of their support services among both residents and visitors, while also providing valuable vocational training opportunities for their members.

Entertainment, empowerment and environmental action
For shoppers, the carnival was a bonanza of bargains, with over 5,000 products offered at just MOP 1 daily and discounts of up to 90% on international brands. Free parking and shuttle buses made attending the event a breeze.

One of the main highlights was the “ICBC ePay Presents: Greater Bay Area Karaoke King Singing Competition”, which drew more than 100 contestants from across the region. The lively performances captivated audiences and spotlighted the cultural diversity of Macau and its neighbors.

Children and families flocked to the “BOC Smart Kids Presents: Little Master Chef Workshop”, where Sands China’s F&B experts guided parents and children in preparing sushi – fostering fun, family ties and culinary curiosity. Meanwhile, members of the Macau Special Olympics took on the roles of reporters and editors, capturing stories and images to share their perspective on the event.

The Sands Cares Ambassadors – a group of staff volunteers – played a hands-on role throughout the festivities, providing on-site support and guiding members of local organizations like the Salvation Army’s Joy Family Integrated Service Centre.

Championing sustainability and women’s empowerment
The carnival operated with environmental awareness in mind. Local NGO Green Future, along with a group of Sands ECO360 Ambassadors, demonstrated effective methods for recycling cardboard, plastic and metal to exhibitors, teaching them practical knowledge and techniques for recycling. In addition, the Sands Plastic-Free July Workshop helped shoppers turn waste into treasure to encourage a plastic-free lifestyle.

The Sands EmpowHER team member resource group also joined the carnival with a booth that gave participating female employees a platform to showcase their entrepreneurial talents, promoting experiential learning and supporting professional development.

In line with entrepreneurial and community support, Sands China invited some of the outstanding businesses from the company’s Community Revitalisation Series – Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens and local retailers from the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory to run booths at the carnival.

A united effort for Macau’s economic future
The carnival’s successful execution was the result of coordinated support from major stakeholders including the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), alongside key sponsors like BOC Macau, ICBC (Macau), Bank of Communications Macau Branch and BNU.

Dr Wong confirmed that Sands China plans to keep updating future editions, in line with Macau’s ongoing “tourism+” development strategy.

“Looking ahead, in line with the cross-sector integration of ‘tourism +’, we will continue infusing new elements into the carnival, injecting robust momentum to the sustainable and high-quality development of the Macau tourism industry,” he said.

As the doors closed on another successful Sands Shopping Carnival, the event’s message was clear: Macau’s spirit of resilience, creativity and community engagement is stronger than ever, promising more to come for residents, businesses and visitors alike.