Chinese New Year in Singapore
Year of the Dog Celebrations 2018!
Singapore is a riot of colors and lights during the Chinese New Year festivities.
You can soak it all up at the Chinatown Street Light Up where lively performances, lion dances, and bazaars complement fantastic decorations, colorful lanterns and stunning arrangements.
Besides the events held in Chinatown, Lunar New Year highlights in Singapore also include the iconic River Hongbao Carnival, the Chingay Parade and of course the Fireworks!
Celebrations run for several weeks, so if you happen to be in town around January or February, chances are you will catch some exciting event or festival. So take note, there is lots happening, here's what's on this Chinese New Year in Singapore!
Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations 2018
Welcoming The Year Of The Dog
Chinatown Celebrations:
- Chinese New Year Light Up - January 27 - March 16, 2018
- Chinese New Year Countdown Party - February 15, 2018
- Festive Street Bazaar - January 26 - February 15, 2018
- Lion Dance Competition - February 2 - 3, 2018
- Chingay Parade in Chinatown - February 25, 2018
River Hongbao Carnival - February 14 - 24 , 2018
Chingay Parade - February 25, 2018
Chinese New Year Fireworks - Midnight New Year's Eve February 15, 2018 and nightly at 9:00 pm from February 14 - 24, 2018
Singapore Lunar New Year Light-Up Tour - February 1 - 14, 2018
All events are free to the public unless stated otherwise.
Chinatown Celebrations and Chinese New Year Light Up
Thousands of handcrafted lanterns are prepared months in advance for the coming celebration.
The festival light up normally runs along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, South Bridge Road and Garden Bridge and it is a fantastic display of lights and a flurry of colors.
The colorful displays are inspired by the upcoming year's Chinese Zodiac animal...
...The Year of the Horse...
...The Year of the Goat...
...As well as many traditional symbols...
One of the highlights is the official Light-Up Opening Ceremony that launches the Chinatown celebrations which features performances by local and Chinese troupes of acrobats, cultural acts and lots of noisy firecrackers and fireworks.
The theme of 2018's Chinese New Year celebrations is "Blossoms of Happiness and Prosperity".
When: January 27 - March 16, 2018, Opening Ceremony on January 27 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Where: Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road and Garden Bridge
Chinese New Year Countdown Party
When: February 15, 2018 from 9:30 pm onwards
Where: Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road
A Festive Street Bazaar opens a couple of weeks before the New Year so everyone can prepare and buy decorations, small presents, flowers and plants, red envelopes, etc.
When: January 26 to February 15, 2018 - 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm On New Year's Eve open throughout until 1:00 am New Year's Day
Where: Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street
Also prior to the kick-off celebrations is the Lion Dance Championship competition, lots of drumming, dancing, jumping and twirling action.
When: February 2 -3, 2018 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Where: Carpark at Banda Street (off Sago Lane)
And the Chingay Parade (see below) also makes an appearance this year in Chinatown.
When: February 25, 2018 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Where: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
Wait, there's more... wishing trees, nightly stage shows... For this year's full line up of events in Chinatown, check the official site http://chinatownfestivals.sg/
Lunar New Year Light-Up Tour
The fun open-top HiPPO Bus will take you on a breezy spin through Chinatown, one of Singapore's famed ethnic precincts, to enjoy the celebratory Light-up scene.
The tour will last between 45 and 60 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
When: February 1 - 14, 2018 departs 7:30 pm check in at 7:00 pm
Where: Departs from DUCK & HiPPO Hub at Suntec City
Return: Suntec Shopping Mall
How Much: US$15.54
Likely to sell out, hurry!
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River Hongbao Carnival
The River Hongbao Carnival is another tradition during the Lunar New Year celebrations in Singapore. With its stunning setting in the Floating Platform at Marina Bay, this epic festival celebrates with a flood of lights and colorful lanterns...
...live performances, lion dances, acrobats, cultural and folk shows...
...and this being Singapore, of course fantastic street food!
For kids, the rides, crafts and games are a great magnet!
River Hongbao Carnival 2018
Highlights are the God of Fortune towering 18m high and showering the crowds with gold confetti... star-studded music festival... overseas performing groups... and nightly fireworks at 9:00 pm (except New Year's Eve at midnight)
When: February 14 - 24, 2018 - 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm, extended to 1:00 am on New Year's Eve
Where: The Float @ Marina Bay
How Much: FREE
More Info: www.riverhongbao.sg.
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Chingay Parade 2018
Not uniquely a "Chinese" event, the Chingay Parade embraces Singapore's iconic multicultural heritage and soul and has traditionally been held during the Lunar New Year festivities bringing together Chinese, Malays, Hindus... and the many lands that make up the country's identity.
It is a fantastic display of colorful floats, dragons, dancers and performers, clowns, acrobats... It is Asia's largest street performance and float parade.
Chingay 2018: Cultural Funtasy
When: February 23 - 24, 2018 - 8:00 pm (Pre-parade at 7:00 pm)
Where: F1 Pit Building next to the Singapore Flyer
How Much: S$28.50 - S$60.00 Ages 2+, infant-in-arm is discouraged
More Info, Tickets and Parade Route: www.chingay.org.sg.
Chingay 2018 in Chinatown
When: February 25, 2018 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Where: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
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Singapore Chinese New Year Fireworks 2018
Spectacular fireworks displays will lit up the Singapore skies in grand style to welcome the Year of the Dog at midnight on New Year's Eve which this year will be on February 15, 2018. Catch a fantastic show at:
- River Hongbao Carnival at The Float @ Marina Bay
- Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party at Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road
And if you missed it on New Year's Eve, River Hongbao Carnival will stage the fantastic synchronised fireworks and lasers show every night during the carnival at 9:00 pm
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Here are more Chinese New Year Celebrations around the world!
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