Chinese New Year 2025: What to do

The lanterns and lights have gone up in Chinatown. Yes, it’s that time of year again! Chinese New Year 2025 is in full force in Singapore, so we’ve listed some great Chinese New Year events in Singapore, plus handy tips for you to experience an authentic, fun and prosperous start to the Lunar New Year of the Snake.

Where to buy CNY décor, snacks & more!

With a new zodiac comes a whole new set of decorations, snacks and CNY merchandise to bring good luck! One of the best places to find absolutely everything you could need is Shopee. For decorations, there’s a pack of Year of the Snake-themed couplets and some lovely red cushion covers that you could reuse each year. Plus, check out this foldable Mahjong table that you can bring out for a few games and then tuck away. If the family is around and you need some new red packets, these cute butter bear ones kids are sure to love and you can use them next year too.

Another wonderful aspect of Chinese New Year is all the food! Gift sets on offer include Kinohimitsu’s abalone in braised sauce, or braised with scallop or brine. The Kinohimitsu Bird’s Nest gift set is another great gift idea. Or, for snacks, try the 24-piece set including salted egg fish skin, seaweed, crabsticks, prawn and pineapple. Alternatively, the Cornell 2-in-1 Steamboat and BBQ Grill with a detachable non-stick grill pan and hot pot would be perfect for a family dinner. There are loads more ideas -just head to Shopee and have a look!

Places to get a holiday deal and meal

Stay in Orchard

Welcome the Year of the Wood Snake with this deal at the COMO Metropolitan Singapore. The five-star accommodation option is located in Orchard and has 156 rooms to choose from. There’s a heap of dining options, too, along with fashion pop-ups and a range of wellness offerings. If you upgrade from the Cairnhill to Emerald room before 12 February, you’ll also receive some Lunar New Year Stay extras. These include a welcome amenity  from gourmet patisserie Cédric Grolet, and $50 credit to use at the hotel bar, restaurants or spa. There are other discounts available too, including a round of drinks at the rooftop Sky Bar. Find out about all the extras here.

30 Bideford Road
6233 3888 | res.metsin@comohotels.com 

Balinese escape

With a public holiday for celebrations and Singapore getting busy, now is the perfect excuse to book a tropical getaway, right? If you do, one top spot for a relaxing escape during CNY is The Legan Seminyak, Bali and The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali. Make your booking from now until 8 February for a stay from 20 January to 10 February and you can enjoy some fab celebratory benefits, including resort credit up to IDR 2,000,000 per stay, depending on your room type.

If you book one of the suites at The Legan Seminyak, Bali, you’ll also get a refreshing welcome mocktail, enjoy breakfast served in your suite or in The Restaurant, and get daily afternoon tea, full access to the wellness facilities, a chance to read your favourite publications with PressReader and daily fresh fruits. On top of these benefits, if you book a One Bedroom Pool Villa at The Club, you’ll also receive return airport transfers in a private hotel limousine, private butler service, daily laundry, evening cocktails and canapés and limousine pick-up and drop-off within Seminyak area.

+62 361 730622 | reservation@lhm-hotels.com
lhm-hotels.com/en/elsg2025

Tasty Chinese New Year Buffet

Welcome the Year of the Snake with an unlimited steamboat buffet at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens, available until 12 February. Not only do you get to load up on CNY flavours, the dining experience is also a 1-for-1 offer. Bring a loved one along and only pay for one buffet experience between you both!

What does the spread look like? Expect a bubbling pot of over 100 ingredients including fresh seafood, meats and vegetables, plus plenty of condiments so you can mix and match your favourite dipping sauces. There’s also a Yu Sheng counter for creating a prosperous combination to toss and bring good fortune for all in the year ahead. Visit the website to make a booking.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to celebrate at home, you can order a takeaway Yu Sheng instead. There are two options: the Abundance Yusheng ($88) comes with a tangy-sweet tamarind sauce or a tropical pandan and coconut twist, while the Prosperity Yusheng ($68) includes premium Atlantic smoked salmon, pomelo and pomegranate dressing and a fragrant yuzu and sesame dressing. Bookings are available up until 8 February, with collection until 12 February. Order your Yu Sheng here!

Novotel Singapore On Stevens

Things to do in Singapore this Lunar New Year 2025

Chinatown street light-up

Celebrations for Chinese New Year 2025 kick off in Chinatown with the Official Street Light-Up. Street light installations will illuminate New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, Upper Cross Street and South Bridge Road from 8 January to 27 February 2025, daily, from 7pm to midnight.

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC)

SCCC has a few Chinese New Year 2025 events planned around the theme of “CNY Family FUN”. There will be Chinese music performances, lion dances, life-sized Snakes & Ladders game, a spring bazaar, zodiac predictions exhibition, a snake-themed art installation and arts and crafts. Most of them will occur on the weekend of 18 and 19 January. Admission is free, with a fee for some specific events. For the full schedule and details of this Chinese New Year event in Singapore, head to singaporeccc.org.sg.

River Hongbao

Returning to Gardens by the Bay for the fifth year, River Hongbao 2025 is one of the first events celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday. There’s a line-up of over 20 lantern displays including a towering God of Fortune at The Meadow. The highlight of this Chinese New Year 2025 event is a special exhibition that explores the history of Chinese migration and the sending of remittance letters to stay connected to family at home.

Visitors can also look forward to vibrant music, dance and cultural performances, amusement rides and family-oriented carnival games, and a diverse array of snacks and Chinese New Year food at the Food Street. The event runs from 27 January until 5 February. Visit gardensbythebay.com.sg/riverhongbao for more details.

Chingay Parade

The annual Chingay Parade is one of the key Chinese New Year 2025 events in Singapore. This is the largest street performance and float parade in Asia, so it’s one you’ll definitely want to catch this Year of the Snake!

Chingay Parade in 2025 happens on 7 and 8 February at the F1 Pit Building, embodying the theme of “Joy”. The organisers say that the parade “is set to be a spectacular celebration of our nation’s unity and shared journey” as Singapore commemorates 60 years of independence this year.

Over 4,000 performers from 150 organisations are participating to showcase the vibrant and colourful energy that Chingay is known for. One of the highlights is a showcase of 60 lion dancers who will bring a “roaring” performance.

The floats this year revolve around something that’s close to the hearts of Singaporeans – food! The food-themed floats, costumes and artistic installations at the F1 Pit Building will all honour the joy of shared meals and cherished memories.

More details of this Chinese New Year 2025 event in Singapore are available at chingay.gov.sg.

The Istana

The Istana is open every Lunar New Year. This year, the Chinese New Year 2025 open house event is on 2 February, from 8.30am to 6pm. This is a great chance to explore the grounds. Plus, there is an hour-long Istana Heritage Tour that explores its rich history, architectural heritage and unique flora and fauna landscape. Each walking tour begins on the hour from the Main Gate and brings you to the Villa, Japanese Garden and Ceremonial Plaza. For more details and to sign up, visit istana.gov.sg.

Chinese New Year Light Up at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) will be decorated in Singapore Red, which is a unique accent hue of MBS. At the Grand Colonnade between Gucci and Chanel, a chandelier of blessings cascades down from the ceiling. Comprising Chinese couplets, this piece is a symbolic nod to the Year of the Snake. There will also be decorations inspired by classic Chinese paintings. They depict a tale of snakes gliding through mountainous landscapes to form different Chinese characters such as ‘福’ (fortune), ‘春’ (spring), ‘吉’ (luck) and ‘發’ (prosperity). Flanking this installation are zodiac boards carrying fortunes for the year ahead. These make good photo spots as they’re designed as scrolls. The decorations will be up from 27 January to 12 February. Visit marinabaysands.com for more details.

The origins of the Lunar New Year festival

Marking the beginning of the new year on the Chinese lunar calendar, Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year) is celebrated by communities all over the world. The events for Chinese New Year  traditionally last for a total of 15 days. The evening before the first day is typically spent having a sumptuous dinner with family (this is called the reunion dinner).

There are many legends surrounding the origins of the festival. The story of Nian is among the popular ones. According to Chinese myth, a monster called Nian lived in the mountains surrounding a village. On the first day of every year, he would torment the villagers, feasting on grain, cattle … and children! They eventually discovered that the beast was afraid of loud noises and the colour red. So, to get rid of Nian, they spread red across the village, banged on drums and set off fireworks. And Nian never returned. These actions became part of the New Year tradition – hanging up red decorations and lanterns, and playing loud drums. In Mandarin, the word for New Year is guo nian, which literally translates to “overcoming Nian”.

Red packets

Red packets or “hongbao” are given during the Lunar New Year as a tokens of good wishes. This practice dates back to China’s Han dynasty (206 BC to AD 220) and was originally meant to ward off evil spirits. As people exchange the money-filled packets, they exchange good wishes.

The SCCC is giving out a set of limited-edition SCCC Chinese New Year 2025 red packets that features the snake. Visitors can redeem one set upon completing a survey at the centre’s art installation, while stocks last.

Dos and don’ts during the Lunar New Year

Tips from Feng Shui Master Clarice Chan!

General:

• Make sure you say “Gong Xi Fa Cai” to wish friends and colleagues a prosperous New Year.
• Prepare food before New Year’s Day so that all sharp instruments such as knives and scissors can be put away. This avoids cutting the luck out of the New Year or severing any ties with family and friends.
• Refrain from using negative expressions or talking ill of others; it’s a time to promote joy and abundance.
• Don’t wash your hair on the first day of the Lunar New Year as hair has the same sound as the word fatt or fa, which means prosperity. Therefore, washing your hair will encourage any wealth and prosperity to be washed away. Avoid washing clothes on this day for the same reason.
• Colours are very important to the Chinese. Typically, only bright colours are considered auspicious, especially red and gold. White and black are generally associated with sad occasions such as funerals or illness, and are therefore considered unlucky or inauspicious.
• Gifts are not common except for Mandarin oranges, which are mandatory to offer to hosts when visiting during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year.
• Unmarried adults and children receive “hong baos” or “ang pows” from married family members and friends. These red envelopes are filled with crisp new bills totalling an even amount of money. Odd numbers are not given during the celebrations.

Chinese New Year food and other preparations:

• Always use new red packets.
• Always fill your red packets with new banknotes.
• Have plenty of Mandarin oranges available.
• Use a circular candy tray.
• Keep some flowers, especially plum blossoms, peach blossoms and pussy willows. These symbolise happiness and good fortune.
• Wear new clothes and shoes.

Common Chinese New Year events in Singapore and activities:

• Clean your entire home and get rid of all clutter.
• Put away old brooms and brushes as they’re considered to bring bad luck; new brooms and brushes are very important.
• Pay off as many of your debts as possible, if you have any.
• Resolve differences with family members, friends, neighbours and business associates.

Liked this article on the Chinese New Year 2025 events in Singapore? Read more about Chinese New Year snacks and where to get Chinese New Year food for at home or dining out.