Welcome the Year of the Snake with a host of exciting activities across Singapore now until mid February 2025. Chinese New Year 2025 will be celebrated on January 29, 2025. Therefore, you can expect a range of exhibitions, illuminating light-ups, food fairs, a countdown party on January 28, and plenty more entertainment. Here’s 18 of the best things to do in honour of Chinese New Year in Singapore.
Top CNY 2025 events
1. Attend a free festival at Gardens By The Bay
River Hongbao 2025 is happening from January 27 to February 5, 2025. Founded in 1986, the annual free-to-enter Chinese New Year holiday tradition in Singapore is one of the largest CNY celebrations with larger-than-life lanterns taking over Gardens By The Bay. This year, expect more than 18 magical lantern sets at River Hongbao encompassing modern themes and pop culture ideas such as a nostalgic Retro Snake Game, dazzling firecracker shows, and much more. Plus, there’ll be plenty of live performances, festive activities, a photobooth, and easy access to on-site exhibitions. Meanwhile, the festival will honour Singapore’s 60 years of independence with SG60-themed celebrations too.
📍Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
2. Discover Singaporean Chinese culture
The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) is hosting a vibrant lineup of events for Chinese New Year 2025. The snake-themed celebrations, known as CNY Family Fun 2025, takes place from January 17 to 19. Visitors can look forward to lion dance shows, a LED snake dance on the Concourse, a Spring Concert, calligraphy and craft workshops, a bazaar, and much more. Additionally, the (Shé)prise CNY Art Installation on SCCC’s rooftop garden runs until April 30, 2025. It features a giant snake lawn sculpture. Certainly, these CNY events are perfect for families.
📍1 Straits Blvd, Singapore 018906
3. Get festive in Chinatown
Immerse yourself in a range of epic festive activities at the Chinatown New Year Celebrations 2025. Admire gorgeous nightly light-ups and street sculptures along South Bridge Road, New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and Upper Cross Street. Plus, tuck into delicious cheap meals from more than 280 hawker stalls, snap ig-worthy pictures, and shop for festive goodies. The Chinatown light-up is running from now until February 27, 2025. Additionally, there’ll be a countdown party on January 28 at Kreta Ayer Square.
📍Chinatown, Singapore
4. Parade through Spring Blossoms
Flower Dome’s Spring Blossoms: Legend of Lady White Snake ushers in the Year of the Snake with a vibrant colourful unique floral display from January 17 to February 23, 2025. Visitors can admire snake-themed displays from lanterns to larger-than-life sculptures, hidden among blooms, based on one of China’s four great folklores. From a 4-5m-tall floral rendition of the Madam White Snake to a range of plants and more than 1,000 dahlias…you’ll be truly fascinated. Get tickets.
📍18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
5. Enjoy Sesame Street-themed celebrations
HarbourFront Centre Celebrations, take place from February 3 to February 9, offerings a range of Sesame Street-themed events. Soak in the festive atmosphere with a magical floral display, a striking 4-metre tall inflatable flower dome called Abbey’s Fairy Garden, live shows, a puppet show, creative workshops like Flower Dome and Wooden Boat Making, appearances by the God of Fortune, and more.
📍1 Maritime Square, Singapore
6. Wander a festive fair
There are a number of CNY festive fairs happening across Singapore right now. Particularly, Takashimaya Lunar New Year Fair is on until January 27. Head to Basement Two of Takashimaya Square, featuring more than 70 local and international brands, where you can find a range of festive snacks, baked goods, gift sets, exclusive collections, and more. Prices range from $3 to $400 so the fair caters to different budgets. Definitely, one of the best things to do for Chinese New Year 2025.
📍Takashimaya Square, B2, Singapore
7. Blossom into 2025 at Chingay Parade
The Chingay Parade 2025 takes place on February 7 and 8 with a new theme of Joy. Watch the colourful parade floats, enjoy diverse talent from over 4,000 performers and explore artworks including a huge art container, made up of 28 containers created with help from more than 480 young Singaporeans. Tickets begin at $20. Find tickets here. Plus, there’ll be a couple of other exciting events around the island for Chingay 2025.
📍F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Blvd, Singapore 038975
8. Be entertained at Chinese Festival of the Arts
Huayi – Chinese Festival of the Arts 2024 is on from February 7 to 16 in Singapore. Presented by Esplanade, it will feature wonderful programmes from music performances to masterclasses, culture experiences, and more offering the perfect place for families and loved ones to gather – no matter your age. This prime Chinese festival showcases the works of the most outstanding Chinese artists, as well as unique voices, and Singapore artists. Most events are free to attend.
📍1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981
9. Stop by Light to Night Festival 2025
Light to Night Festival runs from January 17 to February 6 across the Civic District. Visitors can look forward to more than 70 art programmes and late-night museum openings. Definitely, a fun free thing to do for families over CNY 2025 in Singapore. Learn more.
📍Civic District, Singapore
10. Celebrate CNY 2025 with IKEA
Welcome the Year of the Snake with IKEA’s special festive activities, exclusive offers, and cultural experiences in Singapore. Shoppers will receive special discounts and seasonal treats, as well as the chance to see traditional lion dance shows on February 1 and 2 at selected stores, take part in children’s workshops, baking classes, and much more.
11. Watch a high-pole lion dance show
Singapore’s City Square Mall is hosting Leap to Great Fortune on February 4, 2025 at 12pm. This event offers an exhilarating Lion high-pole dance performance, featuring dynamic and vibrant movements of lion dancers, which is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The show-stopping experience sees impressive acrobats doing high-pole movements at Level 1 City Green Park.
📍Level 1 City Green Park, City Square Mall, Singapore
12. Collect snake-themed red packets
Families can come together to take part in the Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Campaign for 2025. The 11th edition invites patrons to come together to find unique snake-themed red packets from 48 participating galleries, museums and heritage institutes such as the new Children’s Museum. Superb for spending some quality time with the family this Chinese New Year 2025.
13. Pose at a Hennessy CNY pop-up
Hennessy is celebrating CNY in Singapore with two open-to-public activations at ION Orchard. The first-ever immersive travelling showcase by Hennessy will be on display from January 13 to 26 at ION Art. Meanwhile, the Hennessy Kinetic Spring Garden at ION Facade will be on from January 20 to February 2, 2025. It features a light-up garden installation with life-size flowers which is the perfect backdrop for CNY photos.
📍ION Orchard, Singapore
14. Immerse yourself in festive fun
On February 8 and 9, Wan Qing Festival of Spring @ SAFRA Punggol offers an exciting line-up of programmes and activities suitable for all ages. From pineapple tart making to festive drumming workshops…there’s something for everyone.
📍 9 Sentul Cres, Singapore 828654
15. Dine at a Chinese restaurant
Usher in the New Year with a trip to one of the best Chinese restaurants in Singapore. Whether it’s date night or a meal with your friends…we’ve located the best Chinese eats for a tradition feast in Singapore. Select a restaurant from our list.
📍Various Locations
Other CNY events that may return for 2025:
16. Catch mesmerising themed shows at MBS
Visitors to Marina Bay were able to see an exclusive 10-minute drone show featuring dragon-themed illuminations lighting up the sky, as part of CNY celebrations, last year. Perhaps, it will return for 2025?
📍Marina Bay, Singapore
17. Hop into CNY 2025 at Resorts World
Chinese New Year celebrations took place for Lunar New Year this time last year. Visitors enjoyed a range of thrilling rides, dragon-themed experiences, meet-and-greet your favourite characters, collect spring-themed selfies against the backdrop of dragon-themed displays, shows like Dragon of Destiny, and plenty more fun. Certainly, one of the best things to do for Chinese New Year with children in Singapore.
📍8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
18. Strike a pose at the airport
Last year visitors were enchanted by dragon-themed displays and other offerings at Changi Airport for Lunar New Year. We can expect some snake-themed events to take place at the airport, as well as lion dance performances, light and sound shows, and more. Details are yet to be announced.
📍60 Airport Blvd, Singapore 819643
SEE MORE: The Best Things To Do In Chinatown Singapore