How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

Here's how to experience one of the biggest global celebrations on your vacation!
By Dom Bewley

Lantern displays, fireworks and cultural performances – there are plenty of ways to soak up the festival spirit in Singapore.

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is one of the biggest celebrations on the planet. Understandably celebrated by multiple countries throughout Asia, it has a strong focus on family, food, gift-giving! So, if you happen to be visiting Singapore over the Chinese new year, you might be wondering how to celebrate? Well, wonder no more. In this handy article, we'll tell all, including more info about the new year itself, what animal is represented in 2024, and what you can get up to on your vacation! The information ship is about to sail - all aboard!

When is the Chinese - or Lunar - New Year?

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

Chinese - or Lunar - New Year falls on a different date each year. Why? Well, because it follows the lunar calendar. The moon is a fickle beast, after all, and you simply can't trust it to walk the same path. Spacewalk the same path? Nailed it.

It usually occurs between January 21st and February 20th. In 2024 the Chinese New Year falls on February 10th, marking the beginning of the Year of the Wood Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. So, what's up with the Wood Dragon?

 

What does the Year of the Wood Dragon signify?

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

In the Lunar Zodiac Calendar, the dragon is considered a symbol of power, strength, and good fortune. People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be confident, ambitious, charismatic, and have a strong sense of responsibility. Not just that, but they're also rumored to be creative, intelligent, and energetic. That's a lot of plaudits!

But why wood? Well, wood as an element represents growth, flexibility, and abundance, as well as kindness, generosity, and strong morals. So, if it's your year - good for you. Keep up the good work. Even if you're not, it's said that the year of the dragon is a good time to start a new venture or take a risk.

 

How to celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore?

Enough flirting; let's talk about Chinese - or Lunar - New Year in Singapore, and how you can celebrate it!

 

Check out Chinatown

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

Shockingly, one of the best places to revel in the new year celebrations is in Singapore's own Chinatown. Every year, vibrant red lanterns, banners, and other colorful ornaments adorn the neighborhood, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.

More specifically, you'll also find the Chinese New Year Light-Up. This annual festival features over 80,000 LED lights that illuminate the district. An accompanying market is also ripe for exploration, where you'll find authentic street food, amazing souvenirs to take home, and even gifts for the locals if you want to get in on the festive fun. Oh, and did we mention the carnival full of rides? Ideal for the little ones.

 

Attend the Chingay Parade

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

Chinese - or Lunar - New Year is such a big deal in Singapore that you can even celebrate it outside Chinatown. How? Well, by attending the Chingay Parade, of course! And it's not just big; it's the biggest street performance and float parade in the whole of Asia!

The parade features a spectacular display of costumes, floats, and performances from different ethnic communities. You'll see a traditional lion dance, dragon dance, and other cultural performances that showcase the rich diversity of Singapore. The parade takes place on the first weekend of Chinese New Year and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.

If neither of these takes your fancy, don't worry; we're just getting started. There are tons more activities and events to enjoy, so if you're wondering how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore and these don't take your fancy, read on.

 

Reunion dinner

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

Reunion dinners are commonplace over the new year, with families who live apart coming together to feast on a tableful of delicious traditional food. This tends to happen on New Year's Eve, so think of it like every inevitably disappointing NYE you've had, but much, much better.

And don't worry - if you don't have family in the city, Singapore's got you covered. Tons of restaurants offer Reunion dinner deals and special menu items to celebrate. Just book ahead, as places get snapped up quick.

Another reason to book ahead is that, given the familial nature of the holiday, many restaurants and even shops will be shut at points over the new year. Make sure you book ahead!

 

Gifts and greetings

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

If you want to get in on the gift-giving and are happy approaching complete strangers, then you're in luck! Grab yourself a red packet, stuff some money inside, and get to it. These tend to be given to kids, adults yet to be wedded, and elders as symbols of good luck. Whether handing one of these to married adults by accident is an insult, you'll need to discover for yourself. Also, maybe don't hand them to random children? Just a thought.

You can also learn some auspicious greetings and trot them out to all and sundry. That might be the safer option.

Temple time

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

The new year is also a time to get in touch with your spiritual side. Many say prayers to their ancestors, or relatives that have passed, so temples are a hotspot over the period.

Thankfully, visitors are also welcome, so why not check out the likes of Thian Hock Keng Temple, the oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore, or the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, which houses a sacred relic of the Buddha.

Spiritualized.

 

River Hongbao

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

And finally, you simply mustn't miss the River Hongbao, an annual event held at the Marina Bay Floating Platform. Featuring traditional lantern displays, fireworks, cultural performances, and food stalls, it's a great way to experience the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year!

 

That's how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore! And, now that your brain overflows with sweet new year knowledge, you may wonder what else to do on your vacation? Never fear; Go City is here! Thanks to our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits and make huge savings while you're at it. So grab a Singapore pass and save while you sightsee!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Free Things to do in Singapore

Singapore is an expensive, luxurious city, but there’s still plenty to see and do on a budget. You don’t need to break the bank to have an unforgettable Garden City experience. So, put your purse away and check out our favorite free things to do in Singapore! Wander through Gardens by the Bay Gardens by the Bay offers a magical experience with its lush greenery and mesmerizing nature. This multi-award winning construction is one of the most visited gardens in the world, housing the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and the largest greenhouse. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are both cooled by a climate-controlled mountain mist system, meaning it’s a breath of fresh air during the hot, sticky Singapore days. There are paid sections, however it’s free to explore a good portion of the gardens. Plus, if you time it right, you can treat yourself to a free light show in the evenings too. Snap a selfie with the Merlion statue The Merlion statue is Singapore’s most iconic landmark and a go-to attraction for both locals and foreigners. A mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, it’s by the waterfront and a great place for a selfie. Its fishlike body represents Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, while its head represents the city’s original name, Singapura (lion city) in Sanskrit. It’s a popular spot for photographers, so try to get there early when it’s nice and quiet. You can find the statue in Merlion Park, just behind the Fullerton Hotel. Take the MRT subway to Raffles Place station or hop on bus 131. Go green at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore’s Botanic Gardens is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Singapore and for good reason - the Gardens are blissfully serene, and many people visit the Gardens for their daily stroll through nature. The Gardens house hundreds of species of native and exotic plants, as well as a beautiful orchid garden, and serve as a home for animals such as snakes and turtles. Established in 1859 as a tranquil place to rest and recuperate for workers in the bustling port city, Singapore’s Botanic Gardens are accessible for all in the heart of the city. With a restaurant, cafe, as well as a playground for children, it’s the ideal spot for families, couples or just solo wanderers looking for some quiet time. Watch the light show at Marina Bay One thing you won’t be short of in Singapore is a light show. There are shows in the various gardens, Sentosa island, Faber Peak, and more. Our advice: time your evening stroll so you’re around The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands just before sunset, and keep your camera handy. It only lasts 15 minutes, but the Spectra light show will stay with you forever. The waterworks combined with the lighting, combined with the backdrop of the Singapore skyline - perfection! Another free light show well worth visiting is Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay. Lay beneath the Supertree Grove and soak in the heady mix of dazzling lights and orchestral soundtrack. Believe us, you’ll wish it lasted longer than just 15 minutes. Have a day at the beach Whatever your dream beach vacation - relaxing under a palm tree, cocktails and live music, or adrenaline-fueled watersports, you’ll find them all in Singapore. Sentosa houses several of the most popular beaches - Silosa, Tanjong, and Palawan being the most famous. They may be artificial, having the sand imported from Malaysia and Indonesia, but that doesn’t make them any less dreamy. If you want to head a little further out, away from the immediate crowds, consider a trip to St. John’s Island. You can’t stay on the island, so take a ferry for a day trip from Singapore’s main Marina South Pier. With lagoons, caves, and mangroves to explore, be sure to pack a waterproof camera. Stargaze at Seletar Rocket Tower Dreaming of strange new worlds? Head to Seletar Rocket Tower for a spot of stargazing. Seletar Rocket Tower is a rocket launch pad in Singapore. Built in 1961 by the Royal Air Force, the tower is now used as an observation tower for stargazers. Built on a hill, the tower is 120 meters tall (about 400 feet) and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. It’s accessible by stairs or by lift; however, the stairs are steep. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, try the spiral staircase that leads to the topmost platform of the tower. On clear nights, you can see the moon, stars, and even constellations. The best time to go is during the summer months, from April to September, when the sky is clearest but, even if it’s cloudy, you’ll still get a spectacular view of the city. Take a hike For the more active travelers out there, Singapore is full of various hikes and walking routes, catering to a gentle stroll with kids up to a 39km, 12-hour coast-to-coast hike. While the 39km route might be a little extreme, the shorter routes are a nature lover’s dream. The MacRitchie Reservoir has the perfect mix of shorter, more accessible boardwalk trails and longer, more advanced hikes. Whichever you choose, you’ll be wandering through the rainforest with the chance to spot monkeys, lemurs, and rare exotic birds. There’s even a treetop walk across a suspension bridge 25 meters high. It’s free to enter, opening daily from 6AM until 7PM. Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we’ll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers and events to help you make the most of your travels.
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View looking up at skyscrapers in Singapore's CBD on a sunny day.
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Singapore in June

Hot, steamy and sticky, June sees Singapore’s peak season get into full, glorious swing. The streets teem with sightseeing vacationers, the summer shopping season peaks during the Great Singapore Sale and hotel prices rise more sharply than the midday mercury. In short, it’s an expensive but fun time to visit, assuming you can stand the heat. Here’s our expert guide to what to expect when vacationing in Singapore in June. Visiting Singapore in June Temperature: 75–88°F • Average Rainfall: 19 days/month • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day If you remember to pack just one thing for your June break in Singapore, make sure it’s sunscreen. The sun is hot and relentless at this time of year, even when there’s cloud cover. So do yourself a favor and slap on the factor 50 to avoid the shame (and discomfort) of a ‘Singapore tan’. The heat and humidity also encourage the wearing of light, loose-fitting cotton or linen clothes and broad-brimmed hats. Heck, maybe even stuff a parasol in your backpack along with the water bottle and city map, just to be on the safe side. You’ll also want a proper umbrella: June sees the start of the southwest monsoon season, with regular afternoon downpours that increase in intensity, frequency and duration as the month progresses. Nicknamed the ‘Sumatra squalls’ these sudden, heavy downpours are usually heralded by strong gusty winds and peals of thunder. If you spot the signs in time, we’d advise ducking into the nearest café or mall until the rain passes because, frankly, no umbrella is going to keep you completely dry when torrents of accumulated water begin gushing around your feet, like a miniature version of The River Wild. Hotel prices do also increase at this time, but not crazily so. As always, we advise booking your accommodation as far in advance as possible to lock in the best deals. Things to do in Singapore in June It’s just too damn hot to do most anything other than meandering gently down a lazy river in a giant donut, right? Right! Good news! Singapore is just a hop and a skip from its tiny island sibling of Sentosa, reachable via road, monorail, pedestrian bridge or (hands down the most fun and scenic option) cable car. Once there, you have access to a veritable playground of sunny day activities including, yep, the biggest and best water park in Singapore. Hit up Adventure Cove for the aforementioned lazy river, with 14 different zones that include a verdant jungle garden, a secluded grotto, and a spectacularly trippy underwater tunnel teeming with tropical marine life. Hop over to the park’s Rainbow Reef, where another 20,000 or so watery critters are waiting to say hello to snorkeling tourists. There are fun wave pools for the kids as well as, inevitably, a handful of heart-pounding high-octane flumes for adults. Ever wanted to know what it feels like to be flushed down the loo? The Riptide Rocket and Spiral Washout rides have your name written all over them! Adventure Cove is part of Sentosa’s enormous Resorts World complex, where there are more drinking and dining options than you can shake a stick at, as well as an aquarium, the awesome Universal Studios Singapore theme park, and more. Want beaches? Sentosa has those, too. Whether a history buff, an adrenaline fiend or, you know, simply in the market for sipping cocktails beneath the shady fronds of a coconut palm, the island’s man-made trio of sandy beaches will have something for you. Stroll the elevated walkway through the treetops to Fort Siloso, soar high over Siloso Beach on a giant swing, or strap on your snorkel and flippers for a spot of marine sightseeing in the emerald-green waters that lap the shore. A free shuttle operates along the southwest coast, linking the three beaches. There are plenty more activities to keep outdoor types occupied in Singapore in June. Take to the waters in a kayak around the coastal waters and mangrove forests of Pulau Ubin, a boomerang-shaped island just off the northeast coast. Slap on the sunscreen and hit the 26 kilometers of lush cycling trails around the Northern Eastern Riverine Loop, pausing for breath in wetlands, woodlands and beach parks along the way. Commune with nature at the MacRitchie Reservoir, or meet the ferociously cute inhabitants of the sprawling Singapore Zoo. And if the June heat doesn’t have you scurrying for the nearest air-conditioned building, the afternoon downpours surely will. In fact, they’re as good an excuse as any to while away a few hours browsing the vast collection of Singaporean and Asian art in the National Gallery or indulging in a traditional tea ceremony in Singapore’s biggest and oldest traditional teahouse, a venue once visited by Queen Elizabeth II, no less. And if it’s good enough for Her Majesty... What’s on in Singapore in June? You’ll also want to spend time in the malls. Regardless of what the weather’s doing outside, June is prime time for picking up a bargain as the annual Great Singapore Sale gets into full swing. You might want to pack an empty suitcase for this one, because it’s a whopper. We’re talking hundreds of participating stores offering unheard-of discounts of up to 70% on designer goods, big-brand electronic gadgets, homeware and more. Head to the famous malls along Orchard Street for some of the most sensational bargains in town and a veritable festival atmosphere amongst feverish shopaholics. You’ll also find some fine bargains in and around the atmospheric lanes of Kampong Glam (pictured above), where even the independent boutiques and souvenir stores are getting in on the action. Easily June’s most enjoyable Singapore spectacle, the Dragon Boat Festival has its roots in a tale about ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan. It’s said that when he threw himself into a river in despair after being banished by the king, locals beat the water with oars and threw in rice dumplings to prevent fish from devouring his body. Weird, right? Anyhoo, this annual festival commemorates that legendary event by way of colorful dragon boat races along the island’s rivers, accompanied by a loud beating of drums and the sound of millions of Singaporean’s tucking into those delectable little dumplings – glutinous, sticky blobs of rice warped around any number of delectable sweet and savory fillings. Yum. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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