7 CNY 2024 Events To Usher In The Year Of The Dragon
Get into the heart of all the festive action with these events.
The Year of the Dragon is right around the corner. Besides indulging in delectable reunion dinners, home-visiting, and dressing up in limited-edition CNY drops, what better way to get into the heart of all the festive action than bask in gorgeous sights and sounds, beautiful installations, colourful parades, and upbeat lion dances?
Ahead, the best Chinese New Year events you wouldn't want to miss.
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Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Celebrations
Where better to celebrate Chinese New Year than Chinatown? If you haven't already checked out the festive displays and decorations (on display till 9 March), you'll want to head down and soak up the CNY spirit, pronto. While you're there, shop to your heart's content at two Festive Fairs—one at the open space in front of People’s Park Complex and another at China Street Stalls (from now till 9 February)—or enjoy performances during weekend stage shows (January 27 to 28 and February 3 to 4) and even a lion dance competition (January 27 to 28, $10) at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre. Witness the spectacular fireworks at the countdown party at Kreta Ayer Square on the eve of Chinese New Year.
When: 7 January – 9 March 2024, at various timings
Where: Various parts of Chinatown
Chingay Parade
The annual Chingay Parade is back with the theme of 'Blossom', signifying growth, transformation and flourishing of both individuals and communities. Look forward to the longest floor projection ever for a street parade lighting up the Chingay Garden, explore festive art installations and take part in craft activities along PAssionArts Street, and stop by the F1 Pit Building, which houses blossom-themed installations made from recycled materials by talented students from seven primary and secondary schools in Singapore.
When: 23 and 24 February, 8pm
Where: F1 Pit Building at 1 Republic Blvd, Singapore 038975
Price: $60 / $50 / $40 / $28.50 / $20 (excludes booking fee)
Dahlia Dreams at Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay’s annual Chinese New Year floral display never fail to captivate, and this year's Dahlia Dreams is no exception. Look out for the majestic dragon centrepiece—handcrafted and embellished with cut and preserved flowers—rising out from a bed of more than 1,000 dahlias. Complementing this showstopper are four colourful dragon lantern sets, each symbolising the elements of metal, water, fire, and earth. Don't miss British-born sculptor James Doran-Webb's towering dragon sculpture made out of hardwood and recycled steel.
When: 19 January – 17 March 2024, 9am – 9pm
Where: Flower Dome at 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Price: $8 for children aged 3–12. $12 for adults and $8 for seniors
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Lunar New Year at Universal Studios Singapore
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Universal Studios Singapore with your favourite characters! Find the next Dragon Warrior and save the Lunar New Year celebrations in the exhilarating live show, Po’s Dojo: The Dragon of Dreams; admire the lantern display inspired by films like the upcoming Kung Fu Panda 4 and How to Train Your Dragon; and enjoy the Dragon of Destiny with a vibrant dragon dance and an action-packed night show. Grab some fun photos with characters from Madagascar, Minions and Shrek.
When: 27 January – 25 February 2024, 10am – 8pm
Where: Universal Studios Singapore at 8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
Price: From $78 for children, from $98 for adults
River Hongbao 2024
River Hongbao is back with larger-than-life lantern installations, nightly stage performances, a cultural exhibition about CNY markets through the times, a food street, amusement rides and more. Don't miss the Prosperous Year of the Dragon centrepiece, which features a 140m-long dragon and an 18m-tall God of Fortune alongside a firecracker show from 8 to 10 February, as well as Bountiful Returns, a 20-metre long lantern set inspired by the Singapore River.
When: 8 – 17 February 2024
Where: Gardens by the Bay at 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Price: Free admission
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Spring in the Sea
Witness a very special underwater dragon dance amidst the company of 100,000 marine animals at the S.E.A. Aquarium this Chinese New Year. Then, experience an interactive journey where the wisdom of Chinese idioms intertwine with marine animals and their behaviours in auspicious ways, alluding to the esteemed dragon symbol in Chinese culture. There's also the opportunity to receive Chinese New Year greetings from the aquarium’s manta ray mascot and snap commemorative photos.
When: 26 January – 25 February 2024, 10am – 5pm
Where: Resorts World Sentosa at 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Price: From $33 for a one-day ticket
Wan Qing Festival of Spring
For some family-friendly fun, swing by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH) and take part in the annual Festival of Spring celebrations. From temple tours and dragon lantern making to lion dance and festive drumming workshops, there's something for everyone. Enjoy melodious Chinese music performances and snap some photos of its impressive lawn installation featuring a pair of 4m-tall dragons, a collaboration between SYSNMH and local toy designer and artist Ziqi.
When: 16 January – 25 February 2024, 10am – 7pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall at 12 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore 327874
Price: Free admission with some ticketed activities