Looking for something huat and happening to do on Chinese New Year besides feasting? We’ve got you covered. Sure, CNY is a time to get together with family and friends to make merry and of course, eat, eat and eat some more. But in case you don’t feel like being holed up in houses all weekend long, we’ve rounded up some of the best activities happening in Singapore that will suit everyone in your squad, young and old:
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Usher in the Year of the Rooster with live performances and a rousing countdown celebration in the heart of Chinatown. Be entertained by the lively performances from a medley of festive songs, skits to interactive games as the countdown party culminates with rousing firecrackers and a spectacular display of fireworks.
27 January, 9.30pm – 12.30am, New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street 059413.
Ahead of the countdown, head to Chinatown to see the area around New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street get all dolled up with bright lights again. The light-up includes handmade sculptured lanterns of roosters, hens and chicks. Besides that, visitors can look forward to a range of performances from both local and international artists, including acrobats.
Through 31 January, 7.00pm, Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road 059413.
Shop and eat in the streets at the annual Festive Street Bazaar, which features a variety of stalls hawking everything from decorations to delicacies. There are also nightly song and dance shows at Kreta Ayer Square (Jan 7-27; 8pm-10.30pm) and a wishing tree (Jan 7-27; 11am-9pm; Chinatown Point).
Through 27 January, Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street.
(Read more: How To Prepare The Best Chinese New Year Dinner With These 10 Recipes)
Cap off your Chinese New Year celebrations at the 45th Chingay Parade. This edition of the parade boasts a programme that includes pyrotechnics and fireworks, more than ten spectacular floats barrelling down the city, and performances by local and international talents.
10-11 February, 8pm, F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975.
You probably know Sam Lo a.k.a. Sticker Lady for her witty and subversive placements of stickers with text like “Anyhow paste kena fine” and “Press to time travel”, as well as the spray-painted words “My grandfather road” on roads in the CBD. Take a look at some of her past and present works at Greetings from Singapore.
Through 31 January, One East Asia,15 Scotts Road #09-03 Thong Teck Building, Singapore 228218.
Visit the Esplanade to really soak in the buzz of Chinese New Year. For 10 days, the arts hub offers a dazzling variety of activities and performances – from Cantonese adaptations of Shakespeare plays to concerts by Taiwanese popstars Yoga Lin and PiA, and even dance and craft workshops for the family.
3-12 February, The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981.
(Read more: 10 Unusual Chinese New Year Cookies For The Year Of The Rooster)
For five times a year — that’s Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day, National Day, and Deepavali — the Istana opens its gates to the public. This year, aside from touring the Istana Main Building, you can also take guided tours through the gardens.
29 January, 8.30am – 6.00pm, Office of the President of the Republic of Singapore,
Orchard Road, Singapore 238823.
If you fancy a bit of a whimsical escape this CNY, Mulan the Musical is showing at Resorts World Sentosa. Starring Ann Kok and Pierre Png, it tells the legendary tale of Hua Mulan, a spirited woman who disguises herslef as a man to join the army. Expect plenty of laughs, suspense, romance and of course, music.
Through 5 February, 8pm, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269.
With a slew of programmes, visitors can look forward to ring in the Year of the Rooster in style at Gardens By The Bay. Expect meet-and-greet sessions with the God of Fortune, calligraphy booths, an artisanal market and a live aerial contortionist performance. On top of that, the largest LED Phoenix makes its debut appearance in Singapore.
Through 12 February, 9.00am – 8.00pm, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953.
(Read more: 15 Chinese New Year Superstitions And Taboos)
This annual festival always promises an abundance of gigantic, colourful lanterns that light up the Floating Platform at Marina Bay. These colossal structures often portray figures from Chinese folklore, offering an insightful, iridescent look into Chinese culture.
26 January to 4 February, 2pm-11pm, The Float @ Marina Bay, 20 Raffles Avenue Singapore 039805.