2023 Chinese New Year Activities in Singapore: Light Shows, Lion Dances & Chingay Parade

Let’s hop into the Year of the Rabbit with these kid-friendly Chinese New Year events and activities for the whole family

The Year of the Rabbit is already peeking out from around the corner, and some of us mamas are already planning our family reunion dinners and shopping for new CNY outfits! But if you’re wondering what else there is for the family to do during Lunar New Year 2023, then sneak a peek into our 2023 Chinese New Year activities for news on where to see lion dances, the annual Chingay 2023 parade, the Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2023 and much more!

Check back regularly for more updates on CNY events & Chinese New Year activities!

2023 Chinese New Year activities to look forward to:

River Hongbao 2023

Suntec City LEGO® Prosperity Burrows

Head to Suntec City this CNY for LEGO® Prosperity Burrows, a mega play space featuring a rotating giant 3D bunny sculpture, festive activity zones, limited-edition merchandise, and the chance to redeem LEGO sets! Look forward to fun experiences such as interactive family activities at multiple game booths and plenty of photo opportunities. There will be LEGO mascot appearances (28, 29 January 2023, 2pm to 6pm), plus don’t miss the LEGO red packets that will be distributed! Read all about it here!

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Chinatown CNY Street Lantern Light Up

The 2023 Chinese New Year street light-up in Chinatown is a highlight with plenty of beautiful rabbit-shaped lanterns and other Year of the Rabbit-themed decorative display and street lights along New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street and Eu Tong Sen Street. Don’t miss the massive 10-metre centrepiece of a multi-generational family of bunnies!

Chinatown Street Light-Up
When: 3 January – 19 February 2023, 7pm – 12am
Where: Along the New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road
How much: Free!

CNY Countdown Party
When: 21 January 2023 | 10:30pm
Where: Kreta Ayer Square, 21 Banda Street, Singapore 050005
How much: Free!

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Chingay 2023 returns to the F1 Pit

The 2023 Chingay Parade promises to be a Chinese New Year activity to remember! This year’s parade calls on Singaporeans to treasure the present and embrace tomorrow as a united community and will feature all the colour and vibrance from past CNY parades. Staged by diverse talents from Singapore’s multi-ethnic community, the 2023 Chingay parade will be performed in front of a street-style art container backdrop co-created by local youths – you can swing by and visit it too! Told in six parts, and featuring actors such as Hossan Leong, Siti Khalijah and Dwayne Lau, the parade will narrate the history of Chingay, and also marks the return of the iconic floats we’ve all come to expect and love. There will be an additional 17 community co-created mini floats too, which symbolise Singapore’s strong community spirit. Other highlights include the Rabbits ART-Venture Installation, which features creative artwork from community artists and more than 2,000 students from eight schools and institutions. There will also be plenty of heartland activities, workshops and other fringe activities – all of which can be found on the official website. Prefer to watch the Chingay parade from home? It will air live on 3 February 2023 on the Chingay website and Facebook page from 8pm to 9:30pm. There will also be a delayed telecast on Channel 5 and Channel 8 on 19 February 2023, Sunday at 7.30 pm.

When: 3 & 4 February 2023 | 8pm
Where: F1 Pit, Marina Bay Street Circuit, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975
How much: Chingay Parade tickets from $20 to $60. PAssion Card Members enjoy a 20% discount. Purchase tickets here!

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Chinatown’s Festive Fair & Weekly Shows

There’s no better way to get into the festive Lunar New Year spirit than feasting on delicious food while enjoying exciting performances! Hop into the Year of the Rabbit at Chinatown to usher in the Lunar New Year with lion dances, scrumptious Chinese food at the festive fair and more!

CNY Trade Fair
When: 23 December 2022 – 21 January 2023, 10am – 10pm
Where: Open space in front of OG People’s Park Complex, 100 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058360
How much: Free!

CNY Festive Fair and Food Fair
When: 1 – 21 January 2023, 6pm – 10pm
Where: Sago Street, Smith Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Temple Street
How much: Free! (except for the food and goodies you purchase, of course!)

Weekly Stage CNY Shows
When: 7, 8, 14 & 15 January 2023, 7pm – 9pm
Where: Kreta Ayer Square, 21 Banda Street, Singapore 050005
How much: Free!

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(Tu)gether Exhibition & CNY Light Show

To usher in the Year of the Rabbit, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre has transformed its rooftop garden into a spectacular rabbit-themed art installation created and designed by local art and design studio Whisky and Foxtrot LLP. These adorable rabbit sculptures showcase the traditional Chinese New Year practices of reuniting with family and friends. If you are there in the evening, you can look forward to a special light show that shares the story of Tu Zai’s journey home to celebrate Chinese New Year with loved ones. While you’re here, pick up a set of limited-edition red packets at the reception of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre while stocks last.

Art Installation
When: 18 December 2022 – 31 March 2023
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Boulevard, Singapore 018906
How much: Free!

CNY Light Show
When: 7, 14 & 28 January, 25 February & 25 March 2023 | 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Boulevard, Singapore 018906
How much: Free!

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#HUATRUN & LED Lion & Dragon Dance at Singapore Sports Hub

What better way to start off the lunar new year than a fun run? Singapore Sports Hub’s annual #HUATRUN is back with an 888-metre track, photo booths, and a chance to win a pair of tickets to a concert or event of your choice! If you’re up for some competition, head over on 5 February to challenge yourself with the Prosperity Race or solve missions at selected landmarks with fun rewards for sweating it out. Those who want a relaxing start to the lunar new year can grab a drink and stroll along the Stadium Waterfront and enjoy live performances including the first-ever LED Lion and Dragon Dance performance!

#HUATRUN
When: 22 January – 5 February 2023
Where: 100PLUS Promenade, Singapore Sports Hub, 1 Stadium Drive, Singapore 397629
How much: FREE!

LED Lion & Dragon Dance Performance
When: 28 & 29 January 2023, 8pm – 10:30pm
Where: Stadium Waterfront, Singapore Sports Hub, 1 Stadium Drive, Singapore 397629
How much: FREE!

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Lion Dance & kids’ crafts at i12 Katong

Lion dances are a regular sight during the Lunar New Year, as it is believed to usher in good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Make your way down to i12 Katong for a spectacular lion dance performance plus poem recitals, kids crafting workshops (7, 8, 14, 15, 28 & 29 January 2023) and an eco-friendly exhibition of 12 Chinese zodiac sculptures made from upcycled flip-flop waste (plus get exclusive promos, discounts and redemptions when you get your CNY shopping done). Find out more about their Chinese New Year festivities here!

Lion Dance
When: 27 January 2023, 12pm
Where: Main Entrance and Level 1 Atrium, i12 Katong, 112 East Coast Road, Singapore 428802
How much: Free!

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Lion and Dragon Dance at Jurong Point

To usher in even more prosperity and good luck for the lunar new year, check out the lion and dragon dance at Jurong Point! Be awed by the Wenyang Lion Dance troupe’s exhilarating performance as they welcome the new year and all of the blessings that it will bring.

Lion and Dragon Dance
When: 27 January 2023, 2pm
Where: Centre Stage, Jurong Point, 1 Jurong West Central 2 Singapore 648886
How much: Free!

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‘Bunny-ful Blessings’

Hop into the Year of the Rabbit with ‘Bunny-ful Blessings’ at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Featuring two rabbits in the form of daruma dolls measuring 2.5 meters in height, this art installation is perfect for an Insta-worthy photo op to usher in the Lunar New Year and all of its blessings! As part of the Wang Qing Festival of Spring 2023, you can also enjoy an exciting line-up of programme highlights, events, and activities to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!

“Bunny-ful Blessings” Art Installation
When: 29 December 2022 – 19 February 2023, 10am – 7pm (closed on Mondays)
Where: Front Lawn, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874
How much: Free!

Lunar New Year Hongbao Giveaway
When: 6 – 22 January 2023, 10am – 5pm (closed on Mondays)
Where: Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
How much: Free! (limited to first 50 visitors per day while stocks last!)

Auspicious Lion & Dragon Dance Performance
When: 22 January 2023, 10am – 11am
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free!

God of Fortune Visit
When: 22 January 2023
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free!

Lunar New Year Free Admission
When: 22 & 24 January 2023 (LNY Day 1 & 3)
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free!

Wan Qing Festival of Spring Weekend Open House
When: 4 & 5 February 2023, 10am – 7pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free admission with paid activities

Workshop: Children Lion Dance
When: 4 February 2023, 1:30pm – 2:30pm, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: $10 per pax. Click here to purchase tickets.
Age: 6 years and above. The workshop will be conducted in English and Mandarin.

Workshop: Children Festive Chinese Drums
When: 5 February 2023, 1:30pm – 2:30pm, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: $10 per pax. Click here to purchase tickets.
Age: 6 years and above. The workshop will be conducted in English and Mandarin.

Workshop: Parent-Child Festive Cute Tanyuang
When: 5 February 2023, 10am – 12:30pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: $38 per parent-child pair. Click here to purchase tickets.
Age: 6 years and above. Workshop will be conducted in Mandarin.

Storytelling Sessions: Tales of Spring
When: 4 February 2023 (Chinese) & 5 February 2023 (English), 11:30am – 12:30pm, 2pm – 3pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free

Drop-In Craft Station: Lunar New Year Inspired Crafts
When: 4 & 5 February 2023, 11am – 6pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free!

Let’s Celebrate with Uncle Ting: Lunar New Year Activity Kit
When: 4 & 5 February 2023, 10am – 7pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free!

Touring Temples: Lunar New Year and Temple Traditions
When: 28 & 29 January 2023, 4 & 5 February 2023, 10am – 1pm
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: $20 per pax. Click here to purchase tickets.

Balestier Heritage Food Trail
When: 4 February 2023, 10:30am – 11:30am (English), 11:30am – 12:30pm (Mandarin)
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: $12 per pax. Click here to purchase tickets.

Permanent Galleries Guided Tour
When: 4 & 5 February 2023, 2:30pm – 3:30pm (Chinese), 3pm – 4pm (English)
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
How much: Free! Limited spaces available.

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Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign 2023

In keeping with tradition, the Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Hongbao Campaign is back with adorable red packet designs featuring the year of the Rabbit! Drop by any of the participating museums to collect these beautiful red packets for your loved ones while stocks last! Each visitor is entitled to one set, which contains 8 pieces of red packets. If you enjoy collecting red packets, you can also purchase a limited edition Collector’s Album with all of the red packet designs. And if you’re feeling really lucky, head over to I Love Museums Facebook page and stand a chance to win a full set of red packets through their online giveaways!

When: 6 January – 3 February 2023
How much: The red packets are free of charge, but visitors may have to pay for admission to the museums.

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Rhapsodies of Spring 2023 Concert

This year, the Singapore Chinese Orchestra will be collaborating with the famous local vocal band MICapella to welcome the new year with festive tunes! Presented by Mediacorp CAPITAL958 hosts, this concert will feature popular and evergreen lunar new year tunes and some classics with a twist! All musical pieces are specially arranged by local composers and performed by exceptionally talented artists and musicians who will fill your afternoon with lots of peace and prosperity as you enjoy this spectacular soundscape of tunes. They will also be making a couple of special appearances in outreach concerts to bring festive tunes closer to the community.

Rhapsodies of Spring 2023
When: 13 & 14 January 2023, 7:30pm
Where: Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert Hall, 7 Shenton Way, Singapore 068810
How much: from $40. Click here to purchase tickets.

Deutsche Bank – SCO Lunchtime Concert
When: 18 January 2023, 12pm
Where: 1 Raffles Quay South Tower, 1 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048583
How much: FREE!

SCO Goes to Heartbeat@Bedok
When: 4 February 2023, 6pm
Where: Atrium, Heartbeat@Bedok, 11 Bedok North Street 1, Singapore 469662
How much: FREE!

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Spring Festivities at Universal Studios Singapore

Hop into the Year of the Rabbit with your favourite characters at Universal Studios Singapore and be sure to snap an Insta-worthy photo to ring in the prosperous Lunar New Year! From festive meet & greets with DreamWork Animations’ characters like Po, Shrek, Elmo and more, a special yusheng experience with Sesame Street friends, and even an auspicious cherry blossom street, this is a CNY event that you won’t want to miss! Minion fans are also in for a treat as Kevin will be making a special appearance in a bunny outfit for some selfies! If you plan to visit from 22 to 30 January 2023, you will receive a lucky red packet with exciting goodies like Universal Express passes, retail or food vouchers, plushies and more! All of these exciting Chinese New Year festivities are included with regular admission to Universal Studios Singapore.

When: 13 January – 5 February 2023
Where: Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
How much: from $58. Purchase a regular one-day ticket here to take part in the festivities!

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Spring in the Sea at S.E.A Aquarium

Dive into the lunar new year with 100,000 marine animals at S.E.A. Aquarium! Explore the Trail of Fortune with eight auspicious animals like the foxface rabbitfish or listen to Underwater Tales by Ru Yi the Mermaid about her marine friends. After a three-year break, Singapore’s only underwater dragon dance returns with “The Sea Dragon Rises”. Be awed as the underwater dragon dances through the ocean to usher in the new year! The little ones will also enjoy a festive meet-and-greet with adorable Manta mascots for a fun photo op.

When: 13 January – 5 February 2023
Where: S.E.A Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
How much: from $28. Purchase a regular one-day ticket here or purchase the “Bountiful Wonders” promo ticket here to enjoy CNY retail and dining vouchers!

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Dahlia Dreams: Year of the Rabbit

Usher in the Year of the Rabbit with 100 rabbits in Flower Dome, at Gardens by the Bay’s annual Chinese New Year floral display Dahlia Dreams. Can you find all the 100 incarnations of bunnies – including cute figurines, rabbit-shaped lanterns and a 1.5m artistic sculpture made of driftwood? The highlight of course are the 40 unique varieties of vibrant dahlias from Europe complemented by popular Chinese New Year blooms such as azaleas, chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, and pussy willows.

When: 13 January 2023 – 26 February 2023
Where: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
How much: Admission charges to the Flower Dome apply. Get tickets here.

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Garden of Abundance at Marina Bay Sands

Embrace the Year of the Rabbit with CNY celebrations at Marina Bay Sands’ Garden of Abundance! The display will feature stunning peach blossoms that descend from The Shoppes’ high ceilings, lit-up golden bunnies, giant pink petals and peace blossom trees set around the integrated resort. There will also be a lion dance performance set to the rhythm of an ensemble of 18 drummers at the opening launch on 18 January 2023 at the Grand Colonnade.

When: From 18 January 2023, 7:30pm
Where: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
How much: FREE!

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