Celebrate the year of the snake in splendour! As Singapore gears up for the festivities, the city will come alive with dazzling street decorations, cultural performances, and festive markets. Be it the stunning light displays, amazing food, cultural performances or family visits, the season has looks to forward to. We’ve curated a list of some of the best activities you should partake in with your loved ones.
One of the best parts of Chinese New Year has got to be the many stunning decorations and lighting in the famous Chinatown area! The lighting in Chinatown offers many opportunities to get the snaps of a lifetime and is a visual treat. Apart from the street decorations, there's also the famous Light-Up Ceremony to look forward to. It will most likely take place at at Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road. Be sure to look for the snake motifs and installations.
Where: Chinatown, https://chinatown.sg/
Chingay Parade is quite the event and something so many of us look forward to! This year's theme is centred around joy and we think it's an apt theme. Apart from celebrating the lunar new year, this year's celebration also ties in with Singapore's 60th birthday and there'll be special performances by 60 lion dancers. The event promises over 4000 performers from 150 organizations, new parade layouts and gorgeous installations. Wondering if there'll be any food options to look out for? This year's festivities also promises not just food-inspired special floats but also numerous food stalls. Tickets are on sale now so get them right away!
Where: F1 Pit, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975, https://www.chingay.gov.sg/chingay-2025-tickets/
Immerse yourself in the magic of the River Hongbao Festival! A beloved annual tradition, this spectacular event promises larger-than-life lantern displays, dazzling fireworks, and captivating cultural performances that celebrate the richness of Chinese heritage. Held at Gardens by the Bay, River Hongbao 2025 will feature intricate lantern installations depicting mythical creatures and iconic symbols of good fortune. Stroll through the vibrant festival grounds, enjoy carnival games, and indulge in mouthwatering local delicacies at the bustling food stalls!
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953, https://riverhongbao.sg/
Rhapsodies of Spring is an annual concert that celebrates the lunar new year through music, particularly Chinese orchestral classics. This year it's back again with a lineup of songs that will usher in the year of the snake! Apart from that, one of the concert's highlights will be the final instalment of the CAPITAL 958 radio play Reunion. You can tune in on-air to follow the story, and attend the concert for its grand finale! Tickets start from SGD$20. They're really affordable so why not treat yourself and the family to a lovely concert to mark the new year?
Where: Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert Hall, 7 Shenton Way, Singapore 068810, https://www.sco.com.sg/en/events/past-concerts/event/551.html
From 17 to 19 January 2025, bring your family and friends to Shenton Way to ussssssher in the Year of the Snake! Co-organised by Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Singapore Chinese Orchestra, this year’s CNY Family FUN will feature local Chinese music performances, a snake-themed ssssurprise rooftop art installation, a life-sized Snakes & Ladders Game, a zodiac predictions exhibition, a spring bazaar, a lion dance, a LED snake dance, free arts and crafts activities, programmes by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, and more! The event will also feature a “Huat & Crafts” CNY Decoration Competition that will surely captivate your little ones. Tickets are free except for select activities so get yours immediately!
Where: Multiple Locations, https://singaporen.sg/festivals/chinese-new-year/familyfun
This year, why not do something different for CNY? While many of us partake in the festivities, we tend to forget that there are so many far less fortunate than us. Together with Blossom Seeds Limited, you can give out mandarin oranges to seniors who are abandoned or who don't have family members to celebrate CNY with. The act of gifting, along with well-wishes and small celebrations, will surely uplifts their spirits, spreading happiness and festive cheer in their lives! For more information, do visit the official webpage!
Where: 105 Canberra Street #02-01/06, Singapore 750105, https://www.giving.sg/volunteer/opportunity/cny-mandarin-orange-distribution
Many of us know Chinese New Year to be a time that we spend with our family and loved ones, creating memories over sumptuous feasts as we look forward to a prosperous year ahead. However, while many of us eagerly anticipate this festive occasion, less-fortunate families still struggle to meet their daily needs. Start 2025 by giving, and help raise food to help families in need celebrate a meaningful and nourishing Chinese New Year! Contribute towards this CNY Food Donation Drive where you'll brighten the day for 650 lower-income families!
Where: Community Shop @ Punggol, Block 224A Sumang Lane, #01-02, Singapore 821224, https://www.foodfromtheheart.sg/highlights/CNY-Food-Donation-Drive-2025-214
Do you happen to live at Serangoon Gardens or around the region? Head down with your fam and catch this free lion dance performance that promises to entertain all. Watch the dancers usher in the year of the snake through their amazing moves! The event is totally free and all you've got to do is make it in time. For more information, do visit their official webpage.
Where: Serangoon Gardens Country Club, 22 Kensington Park Road, Singapore 557271, https://sgcc.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CNY-Lion-Dance.pdf
Unleash your creativity and delve into the timeless art of Chinese Calligraphy with an exclusive Lunar New Year-themed course at the German Association. Together with the Visual Arts Center, the association is offering a "trial-workshop" in Chinese calligraphy and ink painting where you get to decorate your New Year's wishes on traditional "couplet papers". These consist of two vertical strips of paper on which calligraphy is written. The writing consists of poetic or beneficial expressions wishing happiness, prosperity, health or harmony for the coming year. If you're new to Chinese culture, we think this is a great workshop to learn more!
Where: Visual Arts Centre, 10 Penang Road, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green, Singapore 238469, https://www.german-association.org.sg/event-5978772
Haven't got much to do during your lunch break? Why not check out this CNY Pop Up? Discover unique ideas for the CNY season. Explore a mix of affordable options and exclusive handmade items. You'll find homewares for the homebody, accessories and jewellery for the stylish, and fun options for kids and families.The Crane Living pop-up at Millenia Walk features local homegrown brands in home decor, accessories, furnishings, dinnerware, crafts, and more. Whether you're looking to jazz up your home, your kitchen, your wardrobe, or simply get in the mood, they've got you covered!
Where: Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard Singapore, 039596, https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/cny-pop-up-at-millenia-walk-tickets-1106051392489?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Leap into prosperity this Lunar New Year as Suntec City partners with The LEGO Group to welcome the auspicious Year of the Snake! From January 9 to February 9, this exhibition allows shoppers to enjoy a vibrant array of exciting deals, lively performances, and interactive activities designed for the whole family. Embark on an unforgettable journey at The Realm of Possibilities and stand a chance to redeem exclusive LEGO builds and vouchers while soaking in the festive atmosphere! For more information, do visit Suntec City's website!
Where: Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983, https://sunteccity.com.sg/
How about celebrating CNY at Sentosa this year? Exchange lucky greetings with the God of Fortune and his companions, and snap joyful photos surrounded by the larger-than-life festive scenes present. Come marvel at the spectacular light and sound show featuring the zodiac animals and in the evening, let the vibrant 88-meter-long dragon dazzle you with a dance of prosperity. The celebration promises many highlights to look forward to like carnival games, meet and greet sessions and more! For more information, do visit the main webpage.
Where: Sentosa Island, https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/events/a-big-big-world-of-excitement-cny
The new lunar year is a great time to revisit and learn more about the Chinese heritage. This enriching festival hosted by Esplanade during the month of February allows all to enjoy many programs like a variety of music, dance, and theatre performances, as well as hands-on workshops for children and adults. Not only are these activities guaranteed to be educational for the kiddos, but they also promise lots of fun!
Where: Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981, https://www.esplanade.com/en/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2025/huayi-chinese-festival-of-arts
Soar into the skies and embark on a multi-sensory journey through Singapore’s rich heritage this Chinese New Year with the Singapore Residents' Double Fortune Family Bundle! For a family of 4, you can get flyer and time capsule tickets at just
SGD 88 (tickets typically cost around SGD 160). Available for purchase only from 10 January to 16 February 2025, exclusively for Singapore residents, we think this is a good opportunity to head down to the Singapore Flyer especially if you've never been!
Where: Singapore Flyer, 30 Raffles Ave., Singapore 039803, https://www.singaporeflyer.com/en/what-s-on?srsltid=AfmBOorQeBW46IIEV3L-ItbsYqkmFq0ZaopkBOWZLAuN8x82OMJ9bHJJ
Ikea stores in Singapore are celebrating the lunar new year with lots of splendour and family fun! During this festive season, all stores will be hosting paper snake craft sessions, selling Chinese goodies at the food markets, floral arrangement workshops, and baking sessions. These activities are catered for different age groups and there's just something for everyone in the family to participate in. For further details on the timings and venues, please do refer to the website.
Where: Various Locations, https://www.ikea.com/sg/en/stores/whats-happening-at-ikea-store-pub396226a0/
Main Image Credit: Kaizenaire
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