This year, Chinese New Year festivities will make a roaring comeback as we leave the past behind and welcome the auspicious Year of Dragon. 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.
You can check the Crowd@Chinatown map to check the crowd level before visiting Chinatown.
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 2024 in Singapore, there isn’t any countdown fireworks on CNY Eve this year.
On CNY Eve itself, there is a countdown event and firecrackers at Chinatown. And there will be firecrackers at River Hongbao 2024.
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 19 January 2024 and ending on 9 March 2024.
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 9 February 2024, from 10pm at Kreta Ayer Square. There will be firecrackers during the Countdown Party.
Lion Dance Competition
Lion Dance Competition will be held on 27 and 28 January 2024, from 6pm, at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre. Ticket costs S$10 and can be purchased from Kreta Ayer Community Club.
Chinatown Festive Fair
Chinatown Festive Fair will be held from 19 January 2024 to 9 February 2024, along Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street, from 10am to 10pm.
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 27 Jan, 28 Jan, 3 Feb, 4 Feb 2024, from 6pm to 9pm, at Kreta Ayer Square, which is the square between Buddha Tooth Relic and Chinatown Complex.
2. Marina Bay Sands – Light Up & Drone Show
This year, there will be a Light Up Event at Marina Bay Sands, as well as a special light show featuring 1,500 drones in the shape of a dragon, taking place at Marina Bay Waterfront.
THE DRAGON AWAKENS: 2024 LIGHT UP
- Date: 6 Feb (Tue)
- Time: 7.15pm
- Venue: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The Legend of the Dragon Gate – Drone Show by the Bay
- Dates & time (updated):
- 10 Feb (Sat) – 8pm
- 11 Feb (Sun) – 8pm
- 12 Feb (Mon) – 8pm
- 15 Feb (Thu) – 9pm
- 16 Feb (Fri) – 9pm
- 18 Feb (Sun) – 9pm
- Venue: Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade
- Duration: 10 minutes
- Admission: Free
After the drone show, do stay on to watch Spectra, a light & water show which takes place at the same location at 8.30pm and 9.30pm.
3. Dahlia Dreams at Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
To usher in the Spring Festival and the Year of Dragon, the Flower Dome conservatory features a 7m-tall dragon that stretches over 15m in length rising amidst more than a thousand auspicious and vibrant dahlias, as well as four colorful dragon lantern sets, each symbolizing the elements of metal, water, fire, and earth
Dahlia Dreams take place from 19 January 2024 to 17 March 2024. Read my article on Dahlia Dreams at Flower Dome.
4. River Hongbao at Gardens by the Bay
River Hongbao is an annual festival that has been around since 1987. This year is the 28th 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 8 to 17 February 2024. Here are the opening hours:
| Date | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Feb 2024 | 6.30pm | 10.30pm |
| 9 Feb 2024 (CNY Eve) | 6.30pm | 12.15am |
| 10-17 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.
5. Chingay
Chingay Parade 2024 returns to the F1 Pit Building on 23 & 24 February 2024. 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.
6. 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 will take place from 16 Jan to 25 Feb 2024, and includes a huge line up of programmes and activities. More details will be announced soon.
7. Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2024 at Esplanade
Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts is an annual cultural festival at Esplanade to celebrate Singapore’s multicultural heritage. Taking place from 16 – 25 Feb 2024, Huayi Festival has a huge lineup of art programs, including music performances, dance performances and theatre performances.
Some of the festival highlights are:
- Everything For You (16&17 Feb 2024, 8pm, Esplanade Theatre, tickets from S$30)
- The Sassy Princess (24 Feb 2024, 7pm, Esplanade Theatre, tickets from S$30)
- Woman Warrior: Mu Gui Ying (25 Feb 2024, 7pm, Esplanade Theatre, tickets from S$30)
- WUTIAOREN “I Have A Dream” (17 Feb 2024, 7.30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall, tickets from S$55)
- waa wei “LITTLE NICE :DAY” (18 Feb 2024, 7.30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall, tickets from S$55)
8. Universal Studios Singapore
From 27 January to 25 February 2024, Universal Studios Singapore welcomes the Year of the Dragon 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. Tickets come with a S$5 shopping voucher as well as a Chinese New Year Combo Meal (Adult Package) or Kid’s Combo Meal with a souvenir (Child Package). Get your tickets here.
9. 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 26 January to 25 February 2024.
The highlight would be the Underwater Dragon Dance Presentation (龙腾四海) at the Open
Ocean Habitat in S.E.A. Aquarium, which take place daily from 26 January till 25 February 2024 at 3.30pm.
At the end of your journey at S.E.A. Aquarium, you may meet, receive a hug and take memorable photos at the specially designed photo-taking corner with the S.E.A. Aquarium’s manta ray mascot . The meet-and-greet sessions will take place at 1.30pm and 4pm on weekdays and 1.30pm, 3pm, 4pm on the weekends and public holidays. Get your tickets here.
9. 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 2024 is 12 February 2024, 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.
10. 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, from 19 Jan until 9 March 2024. 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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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 =)