Chinese New Year is in full swing and we have got 15 things for you to do this festive season (if you're not celebrating or if you have some time on your hands)!
Usher in the bountiful Year of the Rabbit, known as the luckiest of the Chinese zodiac creatures! Look out for prolific rabbits frolicking in a verdant landscape populated by auspicious and vibrant dahlias, springtime blooms, as well as a majestic magnolia tree.
Location: Flower Dome
Date: Fri 13 Jan 2023 - Sun, 26 Feb 2023
Time: 9.00am - 9.00pm
Price: Admission charge to Flower Dome applies
River Hongbao brings out an awe-inspiring display of Chinese cultures and traditions. The word ‘Hongbao’ means Red Pocket, a New Year monetary gift believed to bring good luck to children and unmarried adults.
River Hongbao is the leading Lunar Chinese New Year event that draws people from all over the country seeking to experience fun-filled activities.
This year’s lantern displays feature iconic scenes of celebration each with its theme related to Prosperity, Love, Fortune, and Harmony among others. Tap on each lantern to learn more about the concept and ideas behind each lantern design.
River Hongbao will also feature kids-friendly rides and carnival games from the Double-Story Horse Carousel to a giant Inflatable Playground, Robotic Rides, Pirate Ship and Trackless Train rides.
Location: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive Downtown Core, Singapore
Date: 20 January 2023 to 28 January 2023
Time: TBA
Price: Free
SCCC’s Roof Garden comes alive with a spectacular rabbit-themed art installation exhibition to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. Entitled 兔gether, the art installations created by local art and design studio Whisky and Foxtrot LLP, the mixed-media artwork presents a cast of characters from Chinese New Year mythology. These characters will showcase local Chinese New Year practices enjoyed together with family and friends.
– Tu Zai – In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is one of the luckiest Zodiac animals. The Rabbit is closely associated with the moon and is a known close companion for the moon goddess. They are also considered a symbol of longevity.
– Nian Mei – In traditional Chinese mythology, the monster Nian is one of the key characters related to the Chinese New Year and many of its customs.
– Ong Lai – Derived from the Hokkien term for Pineapple, which is a commonly seen fruit during Chinese New Year symbolising good fortune.
Light Shows:
7 Jan, 14 Jan, 28 Jan, 25 Feb and 25 Mar [7.30pm to 8.30pm] Join us for a light show at 兔gether and find out how Tu Zai celebrates Chinese New Year with his family and friends.
Location: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Roof Garden
Date: 18 December 2022 to 31 March 2023
Time: 10am to 10pm daily
Price: Free
How did Chinese Singaporeans develop the habit of having kaya toast for breakfast, and what is kopi siudai? Why do Chinese Singaporeans lohei during Chinese New Year and observe Zhongyuan in the seventh lunar month? How did these habits and practices develop, and what are some other Chinese Singaporean customs? Join a tour specially curated for new citizens and non-Singaporeans to better appreciate the distinctiveness of Chinese Singaporean culture. Each session includes a guided tour and short discussion segment.
Tour is free. Suitable for those aged 15 and above. Each participant will also receive a complimentary bottle of Cooling Water from Three Legs brand.
Location: SINGAPO人：Discovering Singapore Chinese Culture, Singapore Chinese Culture Centre, Level 2
Date: Jan 07, 2023 - Dec 02, 2023
Tour dates:
7 Jan – 2 Dec 2023
Time: 10am — 11.30am (registration from 9.45am)
Price: Free
Learn the beautiful and tradition-rich art of Chinese ink painting and express various subjects! Symbolising prosperity, harmony and good fortune, Chinese ink painting subjects such as Koi fishes, Goldfishes, Bamboo, Mandarins and Plum blossoms are common subjects painted during the Chinese New Year season!
Location: Macpherson Art Studio (MRT Exit A Left turn), 140 Paya Lebar Road, #03-04 AZ@ Paya Lebar Building, Singapore 409015
Date: 28 January 2023, Saturday
Time: 2pm – 4.30pm (2h 30mins)
Suitable age group: Adults & Children ages 7 years old* and above. (Children ages 7 – 11 years old to be accompanied by an adult)
Price: $65
Arm yourself with Chinese New Year greetings for this special festive class! Not only do these blondies look like nobunny else’s, they will also encourage your little ones to roll in some dough! The fun and excitement of baking will keep this experience golden - a perfect way to kickstart the year. Look no further as we envelope you with this unique baking experience only at Baker’s Brew Junior!
In this class, your child will learn:
How to make funfetti blondies
How to dip pastries in chocolate
How to decorate blondies with fondant and sprinkles
Location: Paragon, Baker's Brew #05-46
Date/Time: Jan 5 (Thurs) 1.00PM – 2.15PM
Jan 7 (Sat) 4.30PM – 5.45PM
Jan 8 (Sun) 9.45AM – 11.00PM
Jan 12 (Thurs) 1.00PM – 2.15PM
Jan 14 (Sat) 9.45AM – 11.00AM
Jan 15 (Sun) 4.30PM – 5.45PM
Jan 19 (Thurs) 1.00PM – 2.15PM
Suitable age group: For children aged 4 to 12 years old
For children below the age of 7, it is highly recommended that a parent/guardian be on stand-by outside the studio or at our cafe at all times during the class
Price: $58
T-Play at HomeTeam NS Khatib boasts a climbing slide tower, a sport pitch, a foam ball shooting arena, an interactive trampoline, a ball pit and ninja course
Inspired by South East Asia's unique Peranakan culture, we partnered with The Intan - Singapore's award winning Peranakan Home Museum to transform the playground into a Peranakan adventureland
T-Play signifies the exuberance of celebrating Singapore. The playground also incorporates a dash of local flavour to its Peranakan-infused theme.
Location: HomeTeamNS Khatib, 2 Yishun Walk, Singapore 767944
Look for the reception in HomeTeamNS Khatib Clubhouse Level 1
Date: Friday, Eve of PH: 1pm to 9pm
Saturday, Sunday, School Holiday & PH: 10am to 9pm
Time: Slots: 10:00am - 12:00pm, 12:15pm - 2:15pm, 2:30pm - 4:30pm, 4:45pm - 6:45pm, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Price: $23.75 Per child (1 Accompanying Adult Free)
Watercolor art dates from Stone Age cave painting when early Paleolithic man first painted pictures of animals and humans on their caves using charcoal, ochre, and other natural pigments. It was later popularized in Egyptian art after the discovery of papyrus (paper).
About the Session
In this session, you are going to paint along watercolour Flowers and leaves. You will learn the basic technique so you can make different kind of flowers.
This is a 'beginner-friendly' session (Age 10+).
All Materials will provided for the workshop
Location: 34 Upper Weld Rd, #02-01 34 Upper Weld Road Singapore, 207391
Date: 27 Dec, 3,10,17,24,31 Jan
Time: 11.30am - 1.30pm
Price: $72.30
Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony
Street Light-Up: Along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road
Location: Multiple locations that include: Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road, Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street, Chinatown Point, Kreta Ayer Square & Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre
Date: Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony: TBA
Street Light-Up: TBA
Price: Free
Learn to transform 红包 (Ang Baos) into lanterns this festive Chinese New Year!
Red packets is a monetary gift given during auspicious occasions and the customary colour red symbolises good luck. Try ang bao foldings where you can turn them into hanging lanterns for decorations at your living space and celebrate the upcoming 元宵节 (Yuan Xiao Jie) lantern festival, also known as the Chap Goh Mei, that is celebrated every 15th day of the Lunar New Year right at Chinatown streets this CNY.
Location: Sago Street/ Smith Street, Chinatown Street Market
Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street)
Date: Sat Jan 7, 2023
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM SGT
Price: $5
Hand-held fans were widely used in ancient times made of bamboo slats and paper - circular fans signifies union and happiness. Decorate your own Chinese fans with dried flowers at this workshop.
Location: Sago Street/ Smith Street, Chinatown Street Market
Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street)
Date: Sat Jan 14, 2023
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM SGT
Price: $15
Travel back in time to the yesteryears of Chinatown through our theatrical walking tour! Learn more about Chinatown's history with our tour guide turns into the fictional character "Feng Jie", a majie. Majie refers to women who worked as domestic helpers in Singapore between the 1930s and 1970s. Come join Feng Jie, where she will tell you all about the history of Bukit Pasoh and share fascinating tales from Singapore's past. “Feng Jie in Bukit Pasoh" is brought to you by the same creators of the popular Mysterious Tan Ah Huat Theatrical Tour - Let's Go Tour Singapore.
Location: Sago Street/ Smith Street, Chinatown Street Market
Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street)
Date: Sun Jan 15, 2023
10am - 11.30am
Price: $18
The Urban Wetlands Tour brings visitors around Kingfisher Wetlands, one of the most popular sites for bird-watching within Bay South Gardens. Through this outdoor nature walk, expose yourself to the sights and sounds of this urban wetlands and discover the native flora and fauna within, the sustainable concept behind its design and the role of urban wetlands in the face of climate change.
Location: Meeting point: Satay by the Bay bridge
Date: Every Saturday and Sunday, 8.30am – 9.30am
Price: $18
It’s our first Lunar New Year Market at Crane Joo Chiat!
It’s just a one-day pop up, so come on by to get new clothes for yourself and the kids, snacks, goodies, and things to spruce up your home!
There will be more than 20 local brands to shop from - Food, Clothes, Kids, Crafts, Beauty, Home Goods, so there’s something for everyone!
Location: Crane Joo Chiat, 285 Joo Chiat Road
Second floor (enter via Sottoscala)
Date: Jan 8, Sunday, 10am to 7pm
Price: Free
Hop into Fun this Lunar New Year
Jumpstart the Year of the Rabbit with a bountiful variety of fun-filled activities! Snap spring-inspired selfies along our cherry blossom street, exchange auspicious greetings with your favourite characters, grab a lucky Ang Bao and more. Plus, on select nights, you’re invited to join our special evening festivities including an exciting Lo Hei show
Location: Universal Studio Singapore
Date: 13 Jan - 5 Feb
Price: from $58 (child), from $78 (adult)
So there you have it! All 15 events and activities to do this Chinese New Year!
If you'd like to dress up for the occasion, how about renting some Chinese New Year Outfits for your little one? Instead of buying for one time use, rent it and save the environment!
