Welcome the Year of the Horse with a host of exciting activities across Singapore now until early March 2026. Chinese New Year 2026 will be celebrated on February 17, 2026. Therefore, you can expect a range of exhibitions, illuminating light-ups, food fairs, countdown parties, and plenty more entertainment. Here’s a few of the best things to do for Chinese New Year in Singapore.
The best Chinese New Year 2026 events in Singapore
1. Attend a free festival at Gardens By The Bay
River Hongbao was founded in 1986, so in 2026, the annual free-to-enter Chinese New Year holiday tradition in Singapore will celebrate 40 years of revelry. It’s one of the largest CNY celebrations in town, with larger-than-life lanterns taking over Gardens By The Bay. The specifics of the 2026 celebrations are soon to be confirmed, but whatever they have in store is sure to be spectacular, so stay tuned!
📍Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
2. Get a delicious, wholesome Chinese New Year feast from Grain delivered to your door
Bring the family together for Chinese New Year, with this indulgent and comforting feast from Grain. For CNY 2026, they’ve collaborated with celebrated Teochew chef, Eric Low, to create feasts for as few as four people, or buffets for 30 guests or more. Dive into Ginseng Braised Whole Chicken, XO Chai Po Bee Tai Mak, and Rolled Oats Lobster and Prawn, a playful take on cereal prawn that riffs on the Singaporean classic by adding rock lobster and toasted rolled oats for a satisfying crunch.
Your family and friends will also love Grain’s cheeky fortune cookies, which are filled with witty predictions of the future. Meanwhile, their Lo Hei Like a Pro Deck brings the group together, turning Yu Sheng into a collab as everyone gets a chance to add an ingredient and read the auspicious phrase. This is the kind of food that creates connections and memories, as you and your loved ones share laughter and hearty dishes this new year.
Oh, and for 2026, fortune favours the early; if you get your orders in by Wednesday, January 28, you can benefit from early bird prices, and get the Cured Salmon Yu Sheng for $18.88, instead of the usual $88. What are you waiting for? Find the full range of Grain’s Chinese New Year offerings here.
3. Get festive in Chinatown
Immerse yourself in a range of epic festive activities at the Chinatown New Year Celebrations 2026. 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 and shop for festive goodies. This year’s theme is ‘Galloping into the Prosperous New Year’, and the full festival details will be revealed soon.
📍Chinatown, Singapore
4. Parade amongst life-sized lanterns at Spring Blossoms
This year, Gardens by the Bay invites you to ‘Gallop into Prosperity’ for the Year of the Horse, in collaboration with Shanghai Gardens Group. The display will see eight life-sized horse lanterns, handcrafted by Chinese artisans, appear in the Flower Dome amongst the ‘Four Gentlemen’ of Chinese philosophy: orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, and plum blossoms. It runs from January 16 to March 1, and is included in the admission price for the Flower Dome.
📍18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
5. Wander a festive fair
There are a number of CNY festive fairs happening across Singapore, including the popular Takashimaya Lunar New Year Fair, which runs from January 15 until February 15, 2026. Head to Basement Two of Takashimaya Square, 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.
📍Takashimaya Square, B2, Singapore
6. Blossom into 2026 at Chingay Parade
The Chingay Parade 2026 takes place on February 27 and 28 with a new theme of ‘Wish’, which celebrates the power of imagination. Watch the colourful parade floats, enjoy diverse talent from over 4,000 performers, and explore artworks as this vibrant affair bursts into life. Tickets begin at $20.
📍F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Blvd, Singapore 038975
7. Be entertained at Huayi – Chinese Festival of the Arts
Huayi – Chinese Festival of the Arts 2026 is on from February 27 to March 8 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 festival showcases the works of the most outstanding Chinese artists – such as music from Mandopop due The Freshman, who celebrate 15 years of music and performing this year – as well as unique voices, and Singapore artists. Most events are free to attend, and you can see more here.
📍1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981
8. Stop by Light to Night Festival 2026
Light to Night Festival is back for a tenth year, and to celebrate, the ever-popular festival will take over the Civic District for an extended run of four weekends, lasting from January 9-31. Visitors can look forward to more than 70 art programmes and late-night museum openings, based around this year’s theme of ‘The Power in Us’. Definitely, a fun free thing to do for families over CNY 2026 in Singapore.
📍Civic District, Singapore
9. 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.