Chinese New Year Events in Singapore 2023

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After 2 years of muted celebrations, Chinese New Year festivities will make a roaring comeback this year. From countdown party, large scale parade, street light up, stage shows and food bazaar, this year’s CNY will be huge.

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.

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 2023 in Singapore, there isn’t any official announcement regarding countdown fireworks on CNY Eve.

But, there is a fireworks at River Hongbao this year for one night only, on 20 January 2023. Fireworks will be happening during River Hongbao 2023 Opening Ceremony, starting at 8pm.

On CNY Eve itself, there will be firecrackers during countdown at Chinatown.

Anyway, here are the most popular events and activities that you can visit and join to celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore this year.

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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.

This year’s CNY theme is “Leaping into the Prosperous Year of Rabbit”, which signifies a year of rebirth, resurrection and vitality.

Read my article on Chinese New Year at Chinatown 2023.

Chinatown Street Light Up

The street light up will start from 7pm to 12 midnight, starting from 3 January 2023 and ending on 19 February 2023.

The light up will take place along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen, South Bridge Road and Upper Cross Street.

Chinatown Countdown Party

The countdown party will be held on 21 January 2023, from 10.30pm to 1am at Kreta Ayer Square.

Chinatown Weekly Stage Show

The weekly stage show will be held on 7, 8, 14, 15 January 2023, from 7pm to 9pm, at Kreta Ayer Square, which is the square between Buddha Tooth Relic and Chinatown Complex.

Chinatown Festive Fair

Chinatown Festive Fair will be held from 1 January 2023 to 21 January 2023, along Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street, from 6pm to 10pm.

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2. Wisma Atria at Orchard Road

In front of Wisma Atria is a pop-up featuring larger-than-life Yusheng and seafood steamboat. There’s also a stage and a tree of wishes photo opportunities.

Scan the QR code at Tree of Wishes and you can redeem a can of Coca Cola at the vending machine.

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3. Dahlia Dreams at Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay

To usher in the Spring Festival and the bountiful Year of Rabbit, the Flower Dome conservatory features 100 rabbit figurines, auspicious and vibrant dahlias, springtime blooms, as well as a majestic magnolia tree from 13 January 2023 to 26 February 2022. Read my article on Dahlia Dreams at Flower Dome 2023.

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4. River Hongbao at Gardens by the Bay

River Hongbao is an annual festival that has been around since 1987. This year’s River Hongbao features giant glowing lanterns scattered all around Gardens by the Bay, carnival rides and games, as well as performances by getai singers and local artistes.

River Hongbao event will take place from 20 January 2023 to 28 January 2023. Doors will open at 6.30pm on 20 & 21 Jan, and at 2.30pm on the other days. Read my article on River Hongbao 2023.

Unlike last year where getting a ticket was quite a struggle, this year’s event requires no ticket. Everyone can visit the event during the event’s opening hours.

River Hongbao 2023 will feature more than 18 enchanting lanterns sets, nightly stage performance, street food and amusement rides.

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.

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5. Chingay

After 2 years of virtual parade, Chingay Parade 2023 comes back with a live edition at the F1 Pit Building on 3 & 4 February 2023. 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.

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6. Hop into Fun at Universal Studios Singapore

From 13 January to 5 February 2023, Universal Studios Singapore welcomes the Year of the Rabbit with fun-filled and auspicious activities, such as festive meet and greets, an exciting night Lo Hei event during extended weekend opening hours, beautiful cherry blossom trees and the chance to collect attractive gifts. Read my guide to maximise your visit to USS and the list of USS rides.

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7. Spring in the Sea at S.E.A. Aquarium

S.E.A. Aquarium at Resort World Sentosa will be donned with aqua-themed Lunar New Year decorations, from 13 January to 5 February 2023. Currently there’s a Chinese New Year Promotion where you can get one-day admission + $8 F&B voucher + $8 voucher (worth $57) for just S$46/adut and S$36/child. Get the Chinese New Year Promotion here.

8. Wan Qing Festival of Spring at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

Wan Qing Festival of Spring is an annual Chinese New Year festival at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. This year’s event includes a huge line up of programmes and activities. Some of the major ones are:

• “Bunny-ful” Blessings. Take selfie with the huge bunnies installation at the lawn of the Memorial Hall from 29 December 2022 – 19 February 2023.
• Hongbao Giveaway. From 6 to 22 January 2023, first 50 visitors of each day will get Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall hongbao for free, simply follow SYSNMH Facebook page and verify at the visitor services counter.
• Lion & Dragon Dance Performance. On CNY Day 1 (22 Jan 2023), 10am to 11am, there will be Lion & Dragon Dance Performance at the Memorial Hall. Admission is free.
• God of Fortune Visit. Also on CNY Day 1, 10am to 12pm, God of Fortune will be at the Memorial Hall and giving away sweet treats for a bountiful year.
• Free Admission to Memorial Hall on 22 & 24 Jan 2023. Usually priced at $8 for non-citizens/PRs, on CNY Day 1 & 3, admission will be free for everyone.

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9. 兔gether art installations at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

From 18 December 2022 to 31 March 2023, 10am to 10pm daily, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre displays 兔gether (read: tù-gether) art installations at its Roof Garden. Admission is free.

You can also redeem a pair of limited-edition hongbao specially designed by the artists of 兔gether. Simply head to the reception at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Level 1 from 18 December 2022 till 5 February 2023 (while stock lasts).

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10. Bay Spring Carnival at Bayfront

The Bay Spring Carnival takes place from 13 to 29 January 2023 at Bayfront Event Space, which is the outdoor space next to The Shoppes of Marina Bay Sands. Admission is free, however, tickets are required to take the rides and play the games.

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11. Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2023 at Esplanade

Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts is an annual cultural festival at Esplanade to celebrate Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Taking place from 27 Jan – 5 Feb 2023, Huayi Festival has a huge lineup of art programs, both ticketed and non-ticketed.

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12. 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. This year, Istana Open House will take place on Monday, 23 January 2023, from 8.30am to 6pm.

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can enter Istana grounds for free, and pay $2 for entrance to Istana Main Building. Meanwhile, all other visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $2 per person to Istana grounds, and $4 to enter Istana Main Building.

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13. FunVee Chinese New Year Light Up Tour

What better way to see Chinese New Year Light-Up than from the ground? Obviously, from an open-top bus! FunVee CNY Light Up Tour is an 1-hour tour that brings you around various places to see the CNY light-up as well as Singapore’s iconic landmarks.

FunVee CNY Light Up Tour runs everyday at 6.45pm, until 19 February 2023. They’re even running on CNY Eve, CNY Day 1 and Day 2.

Ticket costs S$29 (Adult) and S$19 (Child). However, you can get a 20% discount when you make your booking here and use promo code EVA20 (case sensitive).

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14. Hop for Joy at Lau Pa Sat

Taking place from 5 Jan to 5 Feb 2023, Hop for Joy is an event at Lau Pa Sat that features 5.5m tall iconic White Rabbit inflatable, zodiac reading boards for 2023, sure-win claw machine (free play when you order or pay via the FairPrice App), and free White Rabbit merchandises (if you spend min. $10 at Lau Pa Sat).

If you are not familiar with White Rabbit, it is a popular candy in Southeast Asia loved by most children. I particularly loved to eat the edible rice paper that wraps the candy.

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