It is the time of the year again to whip out your cheongsams and dish out the red packets as Chinese New Year is just around the corner! Whether you are looking for exciting CNY activities to take part in or a nice restaurant for dinner with friends and family, we have gathered the top Chinese New Year events and activities in Singapore 2024.
eVENTS
Chingay 2024
With its vibrant costumes, elaborate float displays and dazzling lights, Chingay definitely tops the list as one of the most extravagant street festivals in Singapore. Known as a uniquely Singaporean tradition celebrating the multi-ethnic culture of our country, this parade is usually held on the second weekend of the Chinese New Year.
This year, the theme of “Blossom” will see a variety of flowers scattered across the stage and will act as the motif throughout the six acts. Highlights of the festival include a 230m Interactive Floor Projection with creative graphics and special visuals, PAssionArts Street where visitors can interact with the various art installations and activities, and Blossoming Art Installation, where art-pieces made from recycled materials by primary and secondary schools are showcased.
Date & Time: 8pm, 23 – 24 Feb 2024
Address: F1 Pit Building
Directions: 30 min by bus from Naumi Hotel Singapore
Link: https://www.chingay.gov.sg/
River Hongbao
As one of Singapore’s largest CNY festivals, River Hongbao is definitely an event that should not be missed! Consisting of a series of larger-than-life lantern sets including the 12 zodiac animals and the giant God of Fortune, nightly stage performances, amusement rides and international food stalls, visitors can look forward to a fun-filled night of entertainment and activities.
This year’s lantern centerpiece is the “Prosperous Year of the Dragon”, a dragon and God of Fortune set measuring 20 metres long and 18 metres tall. A dazzling firecrackers show will also be happening on selected nights, and visitors can participate in their range of AI contests to redeem prizes. If you’re feeling peckish, head over to their food street selling mouthwatering street snacks including takoyaki, mango sticky rice and delicious satay.
Naumi’s Pro Tip: Large crowds are expected at this event during the CNY holidays, so make your way to the event earlier if you can, and don’t forget to bring along a poncho or umbrella as there is limited shelter available!
Date & Time: 8 – 17 Feb 2024, please check their official website for opening hours
Address: Gardens by the Bay
Directions: 25 min bus ride from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://riverhongbao.sg/
Discover cNY activities in chinatown
If you’re looking for a one-stop destination for all your Chinese New Year shopping, dining and entertainment desires, head right over to Chinatown. Chinatown—being the country’s representative Chinese community and the centre of the nation’s CNY celebrations—welcomes a slew of activities each year to celebrate the festive season and this year, visitors can expect its streets to be lit up with dragons to complement the Year of the Dragon.
Wind down the vibrant streets of Chinatown and grab some pork or lamb skewers from the local shophouses as you admire the street light decorations, haggle for a cheaper price with the shopkeepers at the festive fairs or catch the Lion Dance Competition at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre. A Countdown Party and fireworks will also be held at Kreta Ayer Square, so bring your friends and family along to celebrate this festive season!
Street Light-Up: 6pm, 19 Jan – 9 Mar 2024
Lion Dance Competition: 6pm, 27 – 28 Jan 2024, Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre
Countdown Party: 10 pm, 9 Feb 2024, Kreta Ayer Square
Directions: 15 min bus ride from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://chinatownfestivals.sg/
activities
feast with friends and family
There’s nothing like spending time with your family and friends over the festive season and bonding over a meal during Chinese New Year. In Chinese culture, family bonding time is regarded to be a highly important aspect and family reunion is an integral part of the CNY celebrations.
Typically, families would have hotpot for dinner and “lou yu sheng”, a communal activity where groups of people come together to toss a dish containing slices of fish, vegetables and other condiments to symbolise the spirit of togetherness and the hope for better fortune in the new year. If you’re looking for a good place for a reunion dinner, head over to Fortune Court, a family-friendly restaurant serving classic Cantonese cuisine, Wu Wang Guo for their hotpot, or Yam Cha for their delectable dim sum.
Address:
Fortune Court: 31 Pagoda St, Singapore 059190
Wu Wang Guo: 133 New Bridge Rd, #03-09/10/11/12/13/14 above main atrium, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Yam Cha: 20 Trengganu St, #02-01, Singapore 058479
Directions:
Fortune Court: 15 min bus ride from Naumi Singapore
Wu Wang Guo: 15 min bus ride from Naumi Singapore
Yam Cha: 15 min by bus from Naumi Singapore
Link:
Fortune Court: https://www.fortunecourtsg.com/
Wu Wang Guo: https://wuwangguo.com/
Yam Cha: http://www.yumcha.com.sg/
Indulge in cNY goodies
Chinese New Year is your excuse to turn a blind eye to the calories and fully indulge in the wide array of CNY pastries available. From bak kwa (barbequed pork jerky) to pineapple tarts, almond cookies and love letters, the list of delectable goodies is endless. If you’re looking for the best CNY pastries in town, head over to Chop Tai Chong Kok for their traditional Cantonese pastries, Mdm Ling for their selection of mouthwatering cookies and HarriAnns Nonya Table for their nonya snacks and pastries.
Naumi’s Pro Tip: While you shop for your favourite CNY goodies, don’t forget to stock up on mandarin oranges as well, as they tend to run out quickly! Mandarin oranges can easily be found in the local grocery stores such as FairPrice or Cold Storage.
Address:
Chop Tai Chong Kok: 38 Sago St, Singapore 059028
Mdm Ling: 10 Ang Mo Kio Street 65, #03-15, Techpoint 569059
HarriAnns Nonya Table: 230 Victoria St, #01-01A Bugis Junction Towers, Singapore 188024
Directions:
Chop Tai Chong Kok: 16 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Mdm Ling: 1 hr bus ride from Naumi Singapore
HarriAnns Nonya Table: 10 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link:
Chop Tai Chong Kok: https://www.taichongkok.com/
Mdm Ling: https://www.mdmlingbakery.com/
HarriAnns Nonya Table: order.harrianns.com
put up CNY decorations
If your house is lacking in the colour red, it is time to spruce it up with some festive CNY decorations. As red is considered an auspicious colour in Chinese culture, most of the CNY decorations are made up of red and gold to symbolise good luck and fortune.
Some of the most common decorations include door couplets (a pair of red paper with well-wishes written on it), Chinese lanterns and the iconic upside-down ‘Fu’ character. Kumquat trees and red pussy willows are also typically decorated with CNY ornaments during this season as a sign of prosperity and to bring wealth and good luck to the family. If you’re looking for the best CNY decorations in town, head over to the Festive Fair outside People’s Park Complex that opens every year during the CNY period.
Naumi’s Pro Tip: Consider shopping for CNY decorations that are specific to the zodiac animal of the year, such as dragon-themed decorations for the Year of the Dragon for extra good luck!
Enjoy a relaxing cNY staycation at naumi singapore
Fancy a quiet celebration away from the bustling crowds? This new year, treat yourself to a soothing staycation at Naumi Hotels Singapore and enjoy stunning views of the city skyline at our rooftop infinity pool Cloud 9 while sipping on our selection of signature cocktails available from the pool bar.
Address: 41 Seah St, Singapore 188396
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