Chinese New Year is a joyous occasion, more so in 2024 with an influx of exciting activities that really hype up the holidays. Here are the best Chinese New Year 2024 events in Singapore to make a stop at to immerse in the prosperous festivities.
Following tradition, visiting relatives’ homes during Chinese New Year is a must. But the occasion is also a great excuse for friends and loved ones to gather to catch up during the holidays. Plan a fun-filled day and visit these events that only happen annually during Chinese New Year season in Singapore. (By - DERRICK TAN)
These are the best 2024 Chinese New Year Singapore events to soak in the festivities:
River Hongbao 2024
One of the best attractions for Singapore’s Lunar New Year season is River Hongbao. This vibrant event has been an annual mainstay since its inception in 1987. Visitors here can immerse in cultural performances, giant lantern installations, a food street filled with festive dishes, and an exhibition of Chinese New Year markets from the past to the present. Being the Year of the Dragon, there’ll also be a majestic 140m-long centrepiece of the mythical creature. You’ll even get to witness a series of rare firecracker shows, a practice that is traditionally banned in Singapore.
River Hongbao 2024 happens from February 8 to 17 at various locations within Gardens By the Bay.
Chingay at F1 Pit Building
What’s Chingay, you ask? Think Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but with Singaporean influences through and through. Famous for the roving floats decked out in lights with performers on board, this carnival spectacular has always been a crowd favourite. The theme for this year’s edition is ‘Blossom’, so an abundance of flowers can be expected from the participating floats. Other highlights include a 230m interactive floor projection and colourful art installations.
Chingay Parade 2024 happens on February 23 and 24, 8pm at 1 Republic Boulevard, F1 Pit Building, Singapore 038975. Ticket prices start from $20.
Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebration 2024
The centre of attraction during Chinese New Year will unsurprisingly be in Chinatown. This year, expect exciting activities like a festive fair, Lion Dance competition, and weekend stage shows featuring cultural performances. Revellers can also look forward to the annual countdown party on 9 February 2024, where they can usher in the year of the dragon with local TV celebrities.
Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebration 2024 happens at various locations within the Chinatown precinct till February 9.
Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024
Spend a fruitful weekend at the heritage Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH) with dedicated activities tailored for Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024. Visitors can take part in hands-on workshops like dragon lantern making, dragon’s beard candy making, mythical creatures bag making, and more. By sundown, chill to melodious Chinese music performances by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Chinese wind and percussion ensemble, Reverberance. On the grounds is also a massive inflatable installation of Dino, a character created by local artist Ziqi with designs from Japanese artist Yasu (EBINEKOYA).
Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024 happens from now to February 25 at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
The Legend of the Dragon Gate 2024 – The Dragon Awakens
Marina Bay Sands is set to usher in the Year of the Dragon via The Dragon Awakens: 2024 Light Up. Situated at the heart of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands’ Grand Colonnade are two majestic 40-metre-long dragons in front of the grand 15-metre-tall Dragon’s Gate. Visitors can also marvel at a striking display of 1,500 synchronised drones along the Marina Bay waterfront promenade at night, the largest drone show in Singapore to date. The drone show will take place on selected nights (February 6, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18).
The Dragon Awakens 2024 happens at Marina Bay Sands on 6 February 2024 at 7pm.
Spring in the Sea
The majestic dragon reins S.E.A. Aquarium the Chinese New Year with the Spring in the Sea event. Watch it come alive through an underwater dragon dance presentation at the Open Ocean Habitat among aqua-themed Lunar New Year decorations. S.E.A. Aquarium has also engaged homegrown Chinese chamber music company Ding Yi Music Company to curate a playlist to usher in the new year to captivate visitors in a soundscape blending tradition with modern sensibilities.
Spring in the Sea happens at S.E.A. Aquarium from now to 25 February 2024. Admission fees apply.
Dahlia Dreams at Gardens by the Bay
For its Chinese New Year showcase this year, Gardens By the Bay’s Flower Dome will feature over more than 1,000 dahlias of 40 varieties. If that alone still isn’t festive enough for you, there’s a majestic dragon centrepiece that stands at almost 7m in height and more than 15m in length. The mythical creature’s scales are decorated by hand with yellow and red flowers. The Flower Dome will also feature a floral display of eight dragons by over 30 beneficiaries from Dementia Singapore. They include four dragon lantern sets that symbolise water, fire, earth and metal elements, alongside a dragon sculpture made of hardwood and recycled steel.
Dahlia Dreams happens from now to March 17 at 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore 018953. Admission fees apply.
Source from Lifestyle Asia