Welcome the Year of the Dragon with a host of exciting activities across Singapore now until the end of February 2024. Chinese New Year 2024 will be celebrated on February 10, and you can expect to enjoy a range of exhibitions, illuminating light-ups, food fairs, a countdown party on February 9, and plenty more entertainment. Here’s 20 of the best things to do in honour of Chinese New Year in Singapore.
1. Attend a free festival at Gardens By The Bay
River Hongbao 2024 is happening from February 8 to 17. 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 like a 140-metre long Dragon and a tall God of Fortune, 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.
📍Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
2. Catch mesmerising dragon-themed shows at MBS
Visitors to Marina Bay can catch an exclusive 10-minute drone show featuring dragon-themed illuminations lighting up the sky, as part of CNY celebrations, between February 6 and 18. Although, the February 6 show was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, people can expect to see the other shows including the February 10 and 11 which uses 1,500 drones from 8pm each evening. Learn more. Otherwise, head into The Shoppes to discover a spellbinding The Dragon Awakens light-up.
📍Marina Bay, Singapore
3. Unleash your inner dragon at a electrifying party
On February 10, Golden Village and The Projector will team up at Cineleisure in Somerset to offer a free-to-enter CNY Wood Dragon Party. Dragon Beatz encourages guests to come dressed in earthly, wood, and red tones to unleash their inner dragon with pulsating beats. Fifty percent of donations received will go to the Singapore Red Cross peace efforts in Palestine and Israel.
📍8 Grange Road Singapore, 239695 Singapore
4. Get festive in Chinatown
Immerse yourself in a range of epic festive activities at the Chinatown New Year Celebrations 2024. 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 official Chinatown light-up kicks off at 6pm on January 19 at Kreta Ayer Square.
📍Chinatown, Singapore
5. Discover Chinese Singaporean culture
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre is honouring the Year of the Dragon with spectacular dragon-themed activities. For instance, there’s an iconic interactive art installation – BeLONG’s Art Playground – on the rooftop welcoming parents and children to play and admire artworks. Meanwhile, a CNY Family FUN weekend takes place from January 26 to 28 featuring Chinese music, opera, markets, lion dancing, busking sessions, exhibitions, and much more at the centre.
📍1 Straits Blvd, Singapore 018906
6. Be entertained at Chinese Festival of the Arts
Huayi – Chinese Festival of the Arts 2024 is on until February 26 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. Learn more at Esplanade.
📍1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981
7. Revel at Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024
Until February 25, a variety of family-friendly activities, cultural workshops like Dragon Making, adorable exhibitions, and more are happening at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. On February 10 and 11, there will be Lunar New Year Celebrations with lion and dragon dances, a God of Fortune visit, and free workshops, as well as free storytelling sessions, tours, and crafts all month.
Particularly, you can’t miss the two larger-than-life Mononoke Dinos outside the building on the law. Prosperity All Year LONG is on until February 25, in collaboration with local toy artist Ziqi. The two mythical dragons symbolise strength, good luck, nobility, and abundance.
📍12 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore 327874
8. Take the children to Chaos Lab
Looking for a way to entertain children over the Chinese New Year long weekend? Well, Chaos Lab is the ultimate science-themed playground for children to go wild and be free. Enter a mad world at Chaos Lab featuring slime, a ball pit, neon graffiti, meet-and-greets with mad scientists, and more activities, among the chaos. After huge success in Australia, the playground opened at the new T2 in Changi Airport. Get tickets.
📍Terminal 2, Changi Airport, Singapore
9. Parade through Dahlia Dreams
Dahlia Dreams at Flower Dome in Gardens By The Bay boasts more than 2000 colourful unique flowers and decorations until February 25. Visitors can admire breathtaking dragon-themed displays from lanterns to larger-than-life sculptures, hidden among the blooms, with CNY flowers symbolising greatness. Think the likes of a 7-m tall dragon and zodiac characters. Find tickets.
📍18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
10. Blossom into 2024 at Chingay Parade
The Chingay Parade 2024 takes place on February 23 and 24 with a new theme of Blossom. Watch the colourful parade floats, enjoy diverse talent 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 2024.
📍F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Blvd, Singapore 038975
11. Hop into CNY 2024 at Resorts World
Chinese New Year celebrations are happening to Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios until February 25 in honor of Lunar New Year 2024. Visitors can enjoy 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. Find tickets.
📍8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
12. See Singapore’s only underwater dragon dance
Another excellent event to pop on your agenda at Resorts World Sentosa. S.E.A Aquarium is hosting Spring In The Sea until February 25. It features Singapore’s only underwater dragon dance, in the incredible Open Ocean Habitat, storytelling from mermaids, unique sea creatures, and plenty of ig-worthy moments.
📍8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
13. Soar into Dragon year with magnetic melodies
Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) welcomes the Year of the Dragon with a series of enchanting concerts. These concerts take place on a number of dates in February. For instance, a Chinese New Year concert called Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 takes place on February 10 in collaboration with Mediacorp Radio CAPITAL 958 DJs. These renditions with captivate audiences at SCO Concert Hall.
📍7 Shenton Wy, Singapore 068810
14. Strike a raw-some pose at the airport
Be enchanted by dragon-themed horticultural displays and offerings at Changi Airport and Jewel. Indulge on delicious festive dishes, pose at all the photo installations such as majestic dragons at the T2 and T3 Departure Halls and dazzling colourful Lunar New Year displays at Jewel. Additionally, there’ll be lion and dragon dance performances and a themed Light & Sound Shows from February 9 to 12.
📍60 Airport Blvd, Singapore 819643
15. Dive into dragon activities at Marina Square
Soak up Chinese New Year celebrations under one roof at Marina Square. Visitors can enjoy a joyful blush-pink Spring Garden with 12 zodiac characters, festive workshops such as Dragon’s Beard Candy Making from $38 per person, award-winning lion dance shows on selected dates, the God of Fortune making surprise visits, and much more.
📍6 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039594
16. Usher in CNY 2024 at City Square Mall
City Square Mall is another shopping centre hosting a number of exciting CNY 2024 events. From the largest pop-up swap event, to epic Lion & Dragon Dance of Prosperity, Zodiac Fortunes Displays, and plenty of rewards for shoppers until February 25.
📍180 Kitchener Rd, Singapore 208539
17. 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
18. Collect dragon-themed red packets
Until February 25, families can come together to take part in the Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Campaign for 2024. The 10th edition invites patrons to come together to find unique themed red packets from 43 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. Learn more about the event.
📍Various Locations
19. Gaze at CNY blooms
Until February 24, Capitol Singapore is hosting a Lunar New Year festivity with Spring in Full Bloom. Gaze at dozens of blooms at Planters Market, see epic live performances, find out your zodiac fortune forecast, try win prizes, indulge on delicious food, and much more. Get the full details via Capitol.
📍13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905
20. Be captivated by CapitaLand’s installations
Sixteen CapitaLand Malls are celebrating with a Tales of Joyful Reunion campaign featuring POP MART installations, Disney-themed toys, beautiful pink blooms, interactive dragon art installations such as Dance of the Dragon presented in collaboration with Tell Your Children, and more until February 24. Definitely, one of the best places to be excited by Lunar New Year feels in Singapore.
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