The Drunken Dragon Festival in Macao originated from a tradition in Xiangshan District (known as Zhongshan today), Guangdong Province, where a celestial dragon was believed to have descended to save the people from plagues. The festival, celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, involves a dragon dance and offerings of ‘longevity rice’ to pray for good weather, fishing and health.

In the Ming dynasty, the “Drunken Dragon” celebration was already noted in the Chronicles of Xiangshan District. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, Xiangshan fish merchants collaborated with those in Macao to develop the Drunken Dragon Dance tradition in the territory, making it a symbolic celebration of unity among all fresh fish distributors.

After periods of suspension, the festival was revived in 1946 and has since been celebrated annually, with the fish trade sector establishing the 8th day of the 4th lunar month as the Fish Merchants’ Union Day. While the fishing industry has declined over the decades, the festival has only grown. Today, it serves as a token of unity for union members and reminds residents of this important piece of Macao’s history.

In 2011 and 2017, the Macao Drunken Dragon Festival was recognised as an item of national and local intangible cultural heritage in China.