2025 Sands Shopping Carnival Attracts Nearly 110,000 Visitors to Support Macao Businesses

Sands China held its sixth annual Sands Shopping Carnival July 19-21 at The Venetian® Macao Cotai Expo. The free sales platform for Macao businesses featured more than 580 booths spanning eight exhibition zones and drew nearly 110,000 visitors, bringing total attendance to more than 640,000 since the carnival debuted in 2020.

The carnival is Macao’s largest sales event and showcased goods from Sands China retailers and local businesses spanning household products, food and wine, cultural and creative offerings, and a visitor-centric Macao specialties and souvenirs zone. Attractions also included a play and leisure area, a coffee zone and a food court, along with entertainment, performances and activities for visitors of all ages.

“We are encouraged to see that the carnival was well-received by local residents and tourists, reaching nearly 110,000 visits,” Dr. Wilfred Wong, Sands China executive vice chairman, said.

“This remarkable result demonstrates the effectiveness of the unique model of housing local SMEs and Sands retailers under one roof.”

He added, “The Sands Shopping Carnival has become a tourism and leisure extravaganza, and what began as an attraction primarily for visitors from Macao, Hong Kong and Zhuhai has now expanded to draw crowds from across the Greater Bay Area.”

New elements for the 2025 Sands Shopping Carnival included integration of Sands China’s Community Revitalization Program with booth space provided to retailers that operate at the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory and businesses from Sands China’s Entrepreneurship Recruitment Program for Rua das Estalagens.

Both the factory and Rua das Estalagens are areas identified for revitalization as part of Sands China’s initiative to support the Macao government in preserving important historic districts, promoting businesses in these areas and attracting visitors to identified landmarks.

The coffee zone also was new this year, and Sands China added this attraction in response to Macao’s growing café scene. The area featured an open-mic busking space where local talent could perform.

In addition to the expansive shopping opportunities, an integral part of the 2025 Sands Shopping Carnival was support for local community organizations. As is customary, Sands China invited 19 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to participate in the carnival – the most to date. Their presence provided visibility for their services as well as vocational training opportunities for their clients.

Sands Cares Ambassadors supported community organizations in various ways, including accompanying members of the Salvation Army Joy Family Integrated Service Centre to enjoy a fun karting experience and play at some of the carnival’s game booths.

Sands Cares Ambassadors also worked with members of the Macau Catholic Family Advisory Council at the carnival’s BOC Smart Kids Presents: Little Master Chef Workshop. Led by Sands China’s food and beverage team, the popular workshop gave parents and children a fun culinary experience in which they prepared sushi together.

Another hallmark of the 2025 Sands Shopping Carnival was its focus on environmental stewardship, highlighting the work of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program. Local NGO and Sands Cares Accelerator graduate Green Future Macao demonstrated effective methods for recycling cardboard, plastic and metal to exhibitors at the carnival.

In addition, Sands China hosted the Sands Plastic Free July Workshop, which highlighted the global observance aimed at reducing plastic use and waste. Activities guided carnival visitors in turning waste into crafted treasures to encourage a plastic-free lifestyle.

Rounding out the carnival’s family attractions and festive atmosphere was a robust slate of entertainment, including the ICBC ePay Presents: Greater Bay Area Karaoke King Singing Competition, which attracted more than 100 contestants.

Sands China launched the Sands Shopping Carnival in 2020 to help spur business recovery during the pandemic, and the event has become one of the company’s primary local business and tourism initiatives. Sands China hosts the event in partnership with the Macao Chamber of Commerce, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau, the Macao Government Tourism Office, and the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

To learn more about Sands’ commitment to creating growth opportunities for businesses through initiatives such as the 2025 Sands Shopping Carnival, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.