Looking for vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations in 2024? Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of traditions, fireworks, and festivities at Chinese New Year events and activities that will be taking place in Singapore in 2024.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a widely celebrated holiday that brings people together across the globe. This year, the first day of Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, February 10.
It is also the zodiac Year of the Dragon and you can expect plenty of the Chinese New Year events in Singapore to feature the Chinese dragon.
Expect a rich tapestry of events and customs that showcase the vibrant spirit of Chinese culture. From mesmerising parades and captivating performances to awe-inspiring dragon and lion dances, the celebrations are sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.
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Chinese New Year 2024 Events & Activities in Singapore
Here are some Chinese New Year 2024 events in Singapore that you should be know about.
1. Chinatown Chinese New Year 2024 Street Light-Up and Celebrations
Chinatown during Chinese New Year is a visual delight. You will find the historic district adorned with vibrant decorations that set the festive mood. Hanging lanterns create a dazzling sight, infusing the atmosphere with a sense of celebration.
This year, the Chinatown Chinese New Year 2024 Street Light-Up will take place from 19 January, 7 pm till 12 am. They will remain lit up till 6 am on the first day of Chinese New Year.
Find the lanterns along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, South Bridge Road and Upper Cross Street.
Other festive activities that will be taking place for Chinese New Year in Chinatown include:
- Festive Fair at Sago Street, Smith Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street and Pagoda Street (19 Jan till 9 Feb)
- Festive Fair at People’s Park at the open space in front of People’s Park Complex (11 Jan to 9 Feb)
- Weekend Stage Shows at Kreta Ayer Square (27 and 28 Jan, 3 to 4 Feb, 6 pm to 9 pm)
- Lion Dance Competition at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre (27 to 28 Jan, 6 pm)
2. Dahlia Dreams 2024: Legend of the Dragon Gate
For 2024, Gardens by the Bay’s annual Chinese New Year floral display features a close to 7m-tall dragon that stretches over 15m in length. Set amongst thousand dahlias of varied shapes, sizes and colours, the dragon will have scales that are adorned with hand-arranged cut and preserved flowers in striking yellow and red colours.
Along with this are four colourful dragon lantern sets, each symbolising the elements of metal, water, fire, and earth. The floral display at Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome will also feature a scene that interprets the Chinese saying 鱼跃龙门, which translates into “carps leap over the dragon gate”, a metaphor for courage and the pursuit of greatness.
Dahlia Dreams 2024 at the Flower Dome takes place from 19 January till 25 February 2024. The usual admission charges to the Flower Dome apply.
Get more details about Dahlia Dreams 2024.
3. Garden Rhapsody Spring Blossoms
From 8 to 17 February, enjoy a five-minute light and sound show entitled 《春暖花开》or Spring Blossoms that has been specially curated for the Chinese New Year. If you are looking for a free Chinese New Year activity in Singapore, head down to the Supertree Grove to enjoy this special visual and aural treat.
Garden Rhapsody takes place daily at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm.
4. River Hongbao 2024
Look forward to dazzling lantern sets, festive programmes, carnival activities and new digital experieces at the annual favourite Chinese New Year event, River Hongbao. The Year of the Dragon is sure to bring with it some amazing photo spots at this beloved event, and there is going to a firecracker performance too! It is no wonder that River Hongbao one of Singapore’s largest Chinese New Year festive events.
Find out more about what to expect at River Hongbao 2024.
5. Lunar New Year Drone Light Show
Watch the skies come alive in a drone light show at Marina Bay in February as The Legend of the Dragon Gate takes flight at the waterfront. The show will feature themes of family reunion and perseverance, as well as symbols of luck and prosperity.
Get more details about the Marina Bay drone light show.
6. Dragon-themed Displays at Changi Airport
Strike a pose at the dragon-themed horticultural displays peppered across all of Changi’s four terminals from 17 January.
Marvel at the grand dragon topiary set up at T1’s public arrival hall. Look out for the driftwood dragons at the departure hall of T2’s public and T3’s transit areas that are a nod to the Year of the Wood Dragon.
These are just some of the activities ongoing at Changi Airport and Jewel for Chinese New Year.
7. Lion Dance and Dragon Dance Performances
What is Chinese New Year without watching a lion dance? Some of the best places to catch a lion dance performance in Singapore include the malls. The attractions may also have special lion dance and dragon dance performances.
If you are wondering where to catch these energetic performances, be sure to refer to our list of lion dance 2024 performances in Singapore.
8. Istana Lunar New Year Open House
The Lunar New Year Istana Open House is one of several times during the year when the public is able to pay a visit to the grounds of the official residence of the President of Singapore.
This year, the Istana Chinese New Year Open House will be held on Monday, 12 February, 8.30 am to 6 pm. Get more details about the Istana Chinese New Year Open House.
9. Collect Hongbaos from the Museums Around Singapore
From 12 January to 9 February 2024, visitors will be able to collect a set of unique red packet designs at 43 participating museums, heritage institutions and galleries, while stocks last. This is a great reason to make a stop at one of the museums and heritage institutions part of your plan for Chinese New Year.
Find out more about the Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Hongbao Campaign.
10. Take CNY Pictures at the Dragon Playgrounds
How about take some memorable family photos at the dragon playgrounds of Singapore? There are iconic playgrounds like the dragons at Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio that serve up a good dose of nostalgia.
Or head over the more contemporary Woodlands dragon playground for some fun and photos.
Find out more about the dragon playgrounds of Singapore.
11. Wan Qing Festival of Spring
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall at its Wan Qing Festival of Spring! On 10 and 11 February 2024, you can expect a line-up of programmes and activities, suitable for all ages, that celebrate the spring festival. These include hands-on workshops such as dragon lantern making, mythical creatures bag making and more on the Memorial Hall grounds.
Find out more about the Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024.
12. Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2024
Esplanade’s Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2024 from 16 to 25 February 2024 is timed to coincide with the Chinese New Year. Watch Woman Warrior: Mu Gui Ying and The Sassy Princess (starring veteran Hong Kong actress and actor, Liza Wang and Law Ka-ying) or an Esplanade commission In Everything For You. Kids may enjoy the interactive production The Dog Who Wasn’t Useful, a heartwarming production on how we are all unique and “useful” in our own ways.
There are also free programmes taking place around Esplanade as part of the Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts.
Get more details about Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts.
13. Chingay Parade Singapore 2024: Blossom
At the Chingay Parade 2024, audiences will be busked in the captivating theme of “Blossom.” The theme signifies the growth, transformation and flourishing of both individuals and communities and Chingay’s aspiration for like-minded people and partners to come together to blossom as one community.
Enjoy the spectacle of colourful and vibrant costumes, special effects, with flowers taking centre stage as an exquisite motif throughout the six mesmerising acts. Other highlights include Singapore’s longest floor projection ever for a street parade as well as PAssionArts Street installations.
Chingay Parade Singapore 2024 will be held on 23 and 24 February at the F1 Pit Building. It is a ticketed event. Find out more details about Chingay Parade Singapore 2024.
14. Lunar New Year at Universal Studios Singapore
From 27 January to 25 February 2024, visitors to Universal Studios Singapore can forward to a series of exciting experiences, including all-new live shows featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Po and Master Tigress from Kung Fu Panda, a captivating lantern display and meet and greets with beloved characters. One of the new highlights is the Dragon of Destiny show at the New York Public Library.
The Lunar New Year event is included with regular admission to Universal Studios Singapore. Tickets retail at $98/Adult and $78/Child and come with a $5 shopping voucher as well as a Chinese New Year Combo Meal (Adult Package) or Kid’s Combo Meal with a souvenir (Child Package).
15. Prosperity Run
Want to burn off all the weight that you have put on from the Chinese New Year feasting? How about signing up for the Prosperity Run. This takes place on 24th February, the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, at 8 am from Singapore Sports Hub’s Arena Park.
Each participant will receive a Prosperity Bag, which includes an event tee, a run bib, Singapore Sports Hub-themed angbaos and an exclusive God of Fortune headpiece.
Find out more about the Prosperity Run.
Bonus Idea: Wild CNY
If you want to spend Chinese New Year with some real dragons, how about paying a visit to the Singapore Zoo to view the Komodo dragon or River Wonders to see the Chinese water dragon. There are special talks and presentations at the wildlife parks for Chinese New Year. Get more details about Wild CNY.
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