International Cities of Gastronomy Fest returns with expanded programme (with video)

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The main venue remains at Roman Amphitheatre Square and Legend Boulevard at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, located in the ZAPE district, where the core activities of the programme will take place, including food booths, culinary demonstrations and stage performances.

Organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the event runs from 20 to 29 March, expanding both its programme and scale while reinforcing Macao’s role as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and an international platform for gastronomic exchange.

This year’s edition brings together close to 40 Creative Cities of Gastronomy from six continents, surpassing the level of participation recorded in the previous two editions. Among them are 8 cities designated as Creative Cities of Gastronomy in 2025, alongside 10 Creative Cities from other fields, further strengthening interdisciplinary dialogue within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Five programme highlights

The 2026 edition presents five major highlights, combining gastronomic experiences, professional exchange and cultural activities.

International Gastronomy Promenade: Around 100 food booths will be set up along Legend Boulevard and Roman Amphitheatre Square at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, offering visitors the opportunity to sample dishes prepared by Creative Cities of Gastronomy and local operators. The lineup includes 28 booths from cities in Chinese mainland, 32 booths from cities in South America, North America, Africa and Asia, and 40 booths from Macao. The venue will also feature approximately 800 seats, stage performances and a game zone.

City of Gastronomy Showcase: Chefs from 25 Creative Cities of Gastronomy will take part in 53 live culinary demonstrations, sharing techniques, traditions and culinary experiences from their respective cities, on the main stage at Legend Boulevard. Among the participants are two young chefs working in Macao and one chef from South Africa, selected for the Young Chefs Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, highlighting the creativity of the new generation of culinary professionals.

International Gastronomy Forum, Macao: Under the theme “Creative Fusion: Reimagining Gastronomy Beyond the Plate”, the forum will explore ways to foster collaboration between gastronomy and other creative sectors, linking storytelling, experiences and innovation with sustainable development. The programme includes three keynote sessions and three breakout sessions, bringing together representatives from the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the FAO, international content creators, hospitality professionals and academics. The forum will take place on March 23 at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre.

World Wines Lounge: Among the new features this year is the World Wines Lounge, located at the main venue. Companies from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Australia and France will present products such as wine, beer, whisky and other spirits. The lounge will connect with nearby food booths, encouraging visitors to explore pairings between beverages and international cuisine.

Global Goodies Market: Another debut will take place outside Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, along the pedestrian zone on Rua de Cantão and Rua de Xangai in the ZAPE district. For the first time, the festival extends into a community area. Featuring 40 booths, the market will bring together products from 16 Creative Cities of Gastronomy, including Macao, as well as 5 Creative Cities from other fields. Products include packaged foods, traditional sauces, kitchenware and culinary souvenirs. The venue will also include themed areas dedicated to “Macao Classic Brands” and “Coffee”, as well as “beverage art demonstrations” and interactive activities.

Parallel promotions

During the event, several promotional activities will also be launched, including instant-discount red packets for electronic payments, lucky draws and themed games at the main venue. Businesses in the ZAPE district will also offer limited-time discounts.

Schedule 

The International Gastronomy Promenade and the World Wines Lounge will run from March 20 to 29, operating from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. Over the same period, the City of Gastronomy Showcase will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on weekdays and from 3:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on weekends.

Meanwhile, the International Gastronomy Forum, Macao is scheduled for March 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Global Goodies Market will also be open throughout the festival, welcoming visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends.

Transport and access

To facilitate access to the event, a free shuttle bus service will operate on four main routes:

• Route 1: Border Gate ↔ Macau Fisherman’s Wharf (every 30 minutes)
• Route 2: Taipa Central Park (Rua de Seng Tou) ↔ Macau Fisherman’s Wharf (every 30 minutes)
• Route 3: Integrated Resorts ↔ Rua de Xangai, ZAPE (New Orient Landmark Hotel) (every 60 minutes)
• Route 4: Macau Fisherman’s Wharf ↔ Rua de Xangai, ZAPE (New Orient Landmark Hotel) (every 10–15 minutes)

The service operates Monday to Friday from 17:00 to 22:30, while on Saturdays and Sundays it begins at 12:00 on routes 1 and 2, and at 15:00 on routes 3 and 4.

Also see the 2025 edition.