Macau SAR Establishment Day 2024, 2025 and 2026 in Macau

Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region) Establishment Day is observed every 20 December. The day celebrates the change of status of Macau from a Portuguese dependency to a Chinese special administrative region. Thus, it marks the end of Macau’s colonial past.

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2024	20 Dec	Fri	Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day
2025	20 Dec	Sat	Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day
2026	20 Dec	Sun	Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day
2027	20 Dec	Mon	Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Macau’s geography as an peninsula with two main islands nearby has always given it a degree of distinctiveness, but it was still a normal part of mainland China until the Portuguese colonised it in 1550.

During its time as a colony, Macau experienced great economic benefits and became a cultural melting pot. Yet, many were not satisfied with Portuguese rule. After World War II, many of the world’s colonies were fast becoming independent, but Portugal held to its colonies with a tight fist until a revolution in 1974 overthrew the Portuguese dictator.

From 1974 on, Macau gradually moved toward independence. In 1987, Portugal signed an agreement to turn over Macau to China in 1999, which it fulfilled on 20 December of that year. Macau remained, however, as a specially governed district rather than a regular province of China.

Macau SAR Establishment Day is a great time to get out and explore the plethora of tourist attractions in the city. It is especially an appropriate time to visit the city’s historic centre, where you can see old colonial houses, temples, little shops, and narrow cobblestone streets.

Previous Years

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2023	20 Dec	Wed	Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day
2022	20 Dec	Tue	Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day