This year, Chinese New Year festivities are in full swing as we usher in the Year of Horse. From fireworks, countdown party, large scale parade, street light up, stage shows and food bazaar, there is something for everyone.
Chinatown is extremely crowded on weekends, between 8pm to 10pm. If the crowd level exceed the safe level, the crowded area will be closed and people will not be allowed to enter. The Crowd@Chinatown portal provides real-time updates on crowd levels and area closures, and will be accessible from 6pm to 1am from Feb 13 to 16.
Also Read: How to Survive Traveling to Singapore during Chinese New Year Period
If you’ve been wondering whether there will be fireworks during Chinese New Year 2026 in Singapore, yes there will be a countdown fireworks on CNY Eve this year. It will happen at River Hong Bao, at midnight of CNY Eve.
Meanwhile, at Chinatown, there is a countdown event and firecrackers on the Eve of CNY.
Here are the most popular events and activities that you can visit and join to celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore this year.
1. Chinatown: Light Up, Bazaar, Stage Show, Countdown
No Chinese New Year celebration in Singapore is complete without a visit to Chinatown, in my opinion. That’s because Chinatown is the epicenter of CNY in Singapore and it’s where you can see the street light-up and decorations, buy bak kwa, pomelo and other CNY necessities.
Read my article on Chinese New Year at Chinatown.
Chinatown Street Light Up
Chinatown street light up will start from 7pm to 12 midnight, starting from 30 January 2026 and ending on 18 March 2026.
On the CNY Eve, 16 Feb 2026, the light up will continue until 6am the next day (CNY Day 1).
The light up will take place along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen, South Bridge Road and Upper Cross Street.
Have any questions about traveling in Singapore? Join All About Singapore Travel FB group, I'll be there to answer your questions!
Chinatown Countdown Party
The countdown party will be held on 16 February 2026, from 10pm at Kreta Ayer Square. There will be live performances during the Countdown Party. Usually, there will be firecrackers as well, however, this year there isn’t any info about it yet.
Chinatown Festive Fair
Chinatown Festive Fair will be held from 27 January 2026 to 17 February 2026, along Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street.
The opening hours of the Festive Fair are as follow:
- Monday to Thursday: 11.00am – 10.30pm
- Friday to Sunday: 11.00am – 11.30pm
- Eve of Chinese New Year: 11.00am – 1.00am
During the festive fair, you can buy CNY snacks, fruits, decorations, and all other CNY-related stuffs.
Chinese New Year International Lion Dance Competition
The Lion Dance Competition will be held on 7 and 8 Feb 2026, from 6pm, at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre. And there will be live screening at Kreta Ayer Square, which is the square between Buddha Tooth Relic and Chinatown Complex.
2. Spring Blossoms at Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
To usher in the Spring Festival and the Year of Horse, the Flower Dome conservatory features eight majestic, life-sized horse lanterns handcrafted by Chinese artisans using techniques that originated in the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago, amid plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo — plants collectively known as the “Four Gentlemen” of Chinese art and philosophy.
Spring Blossoms take place from 16 January 2026 to 1 March 2026.
3. River Hongbao at Gardens by the Bay
River Hongbao is an annual festival that has been around since 1987. This year is the 40th edition of River Hongbao.
The main highlights are giant glowing lanterns scattered all around Gardens by the Bay, nightly stage performances, food street, interactive exhibition that showcases the historical development of Chinese New Year markets in Singapore, as well as carnival rides and games.
River Hongbao event will take place from 15 to 24 February 2026. Here are the opening hours:
| Date | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Feb 2026 | 6.30pm | 10.30pm |
| 16 Feb 2026 (CNY Eve) | 6.30pm | 12.15am |
| 17-24 Feb (CNY Day 1-8) | 2.30pm | 10.30pm |
Read my guide on River Hongbao 2025.
River Hongbao is one of my favorite CNY events in Singapore and I highly recommend that you visit it if you love to soak in the CNY festive vibes.
4. Chingay
Chingay Parade 2026 returns to the F1 Pit Building on 27 & 28 February 2026. It is one of the biggest events in Singapore featuring thousands of performers and plenty of enormous parade floats. The ticket starts from $20 and Passion Card members can get 20% discount.
5. Wan Qing Festival of Spring at Lot One.
Wan Qing Festival of Spring is an annual Chinese New Year festival. This year, because the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is currently closed, the Festival will take place at Lot One.
This year’s event will take place from 28 Feb to 1 Mar 2026, and includes a huge line up of programmes and activities.
6. Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2026 at Esplanade
Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts is an annual cultural festival at Esplanade to celebrate Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Taking place from 27 Feb – 8 Mar 2026, Huayi Festival has a huge lineup of art programs, including music performances, dance performances and theatre performances.
7. Universal Studios Singapore
From 7 February to 3 March 2026, Universal Studios Singapore welcomes the Year of the Horne with fun-filled and auspicious activities, such as festive meet and greets, an exciting new live shows featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Po and Master Tigress from Kung Fu Panda, beautiful lantern display.
Read my guide to maximise your visit to USS and the list of USS rides.
The Lunar New Year event is included with regular admission to Universal Studios Singapore. Get your tickets here.
8. Istana Open House
Istana is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Singapore. Each year, Istana Open House will be held on 5 selected Public Holidays, and Chinese New Year is one of them.
The exact date for Istana Open House during Chinese New Year 2026 is 22 February 2026.
Here are the admission fees:
- Istana Grounds:
- Citizens, PRs: Free
- Others: $20/adult, $10/child (4-12yo), free for child below 4yo
- Istana Villa
- Citizens, PRs: $2/adult, $2/child (4-12yo), free for child below 4yo
- Others: $10/adult, $5/child (4-12yo), free for child below 4yo
If you like my work, you can buy me a coffee! Your support will help me to keep going!
Jim Tso
Monday 28th of November 2022
Hi Eva. We are coming to SING from 1/19-2/3/2023. We have a few questions;(1) What time is the CNY/eve/1/21 fireworks ?, (2) When will you blog more about 2023 Chinese New Year happenings?,(3) Are the restaurant menu prices quoted in Singapore dollars or US $?
Thank you- I love your blog and am a subscriber. Keep up the good work.
Eva
Tuesday 29th of November 2022
Hi Jim, (1) At the moment, there's no information about 2023 CNY fireworks yet, I sure hope the fireworks will make a comeback, (2) Yes I blog more about 2023 Chinese New Year happenings when there are official information. The decorations will likely be up on 1 Jan 2023. (3) The prices in restaurants are all quoted in SGD, they usually don't accept foreign notes, but they do accept international credit cards. Hope you have a great trip in Jan! And check back this blog in late Dec or early Jan =)