This year, Chinese New Year festivities are in full swing as we usher in the Year of Snake. From 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.
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 2025 in Singapore, there isn’t any countdown fireworks on CNY Eve this year.
Instead, on CNY Eve itself, there is a countdown event and firecrackers at Chinatown. And there will also be firecrackers at River Hongbao 2025.
Anyway, 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 8 January 2025 and ending on 27 February 2025.
On the CNY Eve, 28 Jan 2025, 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.
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Chinatown Countdown Party
The countdown party will be held on 28 January 2025, from 10pm at Kreta Ayer Square. There will be firecrackers during the Countdown Party.
Chinatown Festive Fair
Chinatown Festive Fair will be held from 8 January 2028 to 28 January 2025, 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.
Chinatown Weekly Stage Show
The weekly stage show will be held on 11 Jan, 12 Jan, 18 Jan, 19 Jan 2025, from 7pm to 9pm, 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 Snake, the Flower Dome conservatory features a 4.5m-tall snake sculpture made of intricately crafted flowers, rising amidst more than a thousand auspicious and vibrant dahlias.
Spring Blossoms take place from 17 January 2025 to 23 March 2025. Read my past article on Dahlia Dreams 2024 at Flower Dome.
3. River Hongbao at Gardens by the Bay
River Hongbao is an annual festival that has been around since 1987. This year is the 39th 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 27 January to 5 February 2025. Here are the opening hours:
| Date | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Jan 2025 | 6.30pm | 10.30pm |
| 28 Jan 2025 (CNY Eve) | 6.30pm | 12.15am |
| 29-5 Feb (CNY Day 1-8) | 2.30pm | 10.30pm |
Read my guide on River Hongbao 2024.
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 2025 returns to the F1 Pit Building on 7 & 8 February 2025. 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 SAFRA Punggol.
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 SAFRA Punggol.
This year’s event will take place from 8 Feb to 9 Feb 2025, and includes a huge line up of programmes and activities.
6. Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2025 at Esplanade
Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts is an annual cultural festival at Esplanade to celebrate Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Taking place from 7 – 16 Feb 2025, Huayi Festival has a huge lineup of art programs, including music performances, dance performances and theatre performances.
Some of the festival highlights are:
- Rickshaw Boy (7 & 8 Feb 2025, 7.30pm, tickets from S$30)
- Human Condition VIII (15 & 16 Feb 2025, 2pm, 7.30pm, tickets from S$30)
- ANPU “Awake – from Somnolence” (11 Feb 2025, 7.30pm, tickets from S$46)
- Dance with Me (7 & 8 Feb 2025, 3pm, 8pm, tickets from S$32)
7. Universal Studios Singapore
From 22 January to 12 February 2025, Universal Studios Singapore welcomes the Year of the Snake 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 2025 is 2 February 2025, 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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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 =)