How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

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

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
How to Celebrate Chinese New Year 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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Things to do Alone in Singapore

Sometimes, you just need some time away from people. Interaction is great and all, but getting some space to be alone and clear your head is necessary once in a while. It's the same with vacations. Some may be fun to spend with friends and family, while others might be better off alone. So, if you're visiting Singapore this year by yourself and want to know what's good, we've got you covered. In this list of the best things to do alone in Singapore, we'll cover all of the city's best bits while riding solo. And who knows, you might even meet a special someone along the way. Including: City tours by bus, boat, or bike Gardens by the Bay Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience Singapore Zoo and more! Image courtesy of Towfiqu ahamed barbhuiya/Shutterstock Big Bus Singapore If you're traveling alone, the thought of solo sightseeing probably fills you with giddy glee. 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Things to do on a Weekend in Singapore

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The Central Urban Loop provides a (literal) breath of fresh air as you pedal your way out from beneath the skyscrapers and into a network of paths that traverse the city’s many excellent parks, gardens, waterways and woodlands. Or, if you’re feeling particularly sprightly one Sunday morning, you could even consider taking on a section of the epic Round Island Route, a 150-kilometer coastal trail that takes in some of the best ocean and bay views in the country. Take a Sightseeing Stroll A weekend wander from Chinatown to Little India (or vice versa) rewards even the most jaded traveler. Chinatown’s labyrinth of narrow streets is an Instagrammer’s dream, packed with ornate temples, bustling markets and, of course, steaming grills and pots heady with the aromas of Peking duck and kung pao chicken. Wander east to Kampong Glam, Singapore’s vibrant Muslim district, where the mosque’s huge golden dome and countless colorful Peranakan shopfronts in cactus greens, turmeric yellows and chili reds make for more great photo opportunities. Then make for Little India where a well-earned lunch of spicy fish-head curry awaits. Get Back to Nature Weekends are made for communing with nature, right? And where better to do so than on an island that’s made up of more than 50 per cent green space. Head over to the MacRitchie Reservoir nature reserve where you can spot abundant native wildlife including monitor lizards and macaques, and get a birds’ eye view from the dizzying 250-meter suspension bridge that forms the Treetop Walks. You can easily while away a lazy Sunday here, whether kayaking on the reservoir, or lacing up your running shoes for a gentle jog along one of the scenic cross-country trails. 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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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