Chinese New Year in Singapore

Question 1

When is Chinese New Year 2027 in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Chinese New Year 2027 falls on 6 and 7 February, a Saturday and a Sunday, and both days are public holidays in Singapore. Because the second day is a Sunday, the Monday after is a day off too for anyone whose rest day is that Sunday. We'd plan a long weekend, with the eve in Chinatown.

Question 2

How long does Chinese New Year last in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Chinese New Year celebrations last 15 days, though only the first two days are public holidays. The seventh day is known as the birthday of mankind, when employers often host a lunch or dinner for staff. We'd save the second weekend for the Chingay Parade, which is usually held then, and keep the first days for the light-up.

Question 3

What happens on Chinese New Year's eve in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Families hold the reunion dinner on the eve, and tradition has them staying up together until after midnight. The catch for a visitor is that restaurants fill with those dinners, so book a table well ahead or eat at a hawker centre. We'd spend the afternoon in Chinatown, where the street lights are up, and keep the evening loose.

Question 4

Where is the Chinese New Year light-up in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

The light-up is in Chinatown, where festive lights and decorations line the streets for the Lunar New Year, with weekly stage shows alongside. The Chinatown Festivals site posts the programme and dates for each year. We'd walk Pagoda Street after dark and eat first at Maxwell Food Centre.

Question 5

Is River Hongbao free, and where is it held?

Accepted Answer

River Hongbao is usually free. In 2026 it needed no ticket or registration and was held at Gardens by the Bay, but the 2027 venue isn't posted yet. It usually runs for about ten days around the new year, and the organisers post each year's dates on the River Hongbao site. If it is at the gardens again, we'd go on a weekday evening and see the lanterns before the Supertree Grove show.

Question 6

When is the Chingay Parade held each year?

Accepted Answer

The Chingay Parade is usually held on the second weekend of Chinese New Year, and the People's Association runs it. It began in 1973 as a parade of dragon and lion dances and features performers from every community. We'd check the Chingay site for that year's dates and seating before booking a flight for it. See Chingay Parade.

Question 7

What is Spring Blossoms at Gardens by the Bay?

Accepted Answer

Spring Blossoms is a Lunar New Year flower display in the Flower Dome, with golden kumquats, dahlias and peach blossoms, running from 15 January to 28 February. It needs Flower Dome admission, so the outdoor gardens stay free. We'd go on a weekday morning, before the holiday crowds. Details are on Spring Blossoms.

Question 8

Can I visit the Istana at Chinese New Year?

Accepted Answer

The Istana opens its grounds only on Open House days, held up to five times a year, and it posts each date on its site. Grounds entry is S$20 for adult visitors and S$10 for children aged 4 to 12, free for Singaporeans and PRs. We'd check the Open House page for a date near the holiday. See Istana Open House.

Question 9

Should a visitor give red packets at Chinese New Year?

Accepted Answer

A visitor usually has no red packets to give, because they are given by married people, whatever their age. If a family invites you home, bring a pair of oranges, which is what the younger generation offers when greeting. Say gong xi fa cai at the door. The greetings answer has the other festivals too.

Question 10

What do people eat at Chinese New Year in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Yusheng, a raw fish salad tossed while everyone calls out good wishes, and bak kwa, barbecued meat slices, are the foods most tied to the festival. The toss needs a group, so we'd eat yusheng with friends and buy bak kwa to take home. The food answers cover the rest of the year.

Question 11

Are hawker stalls open over Chinese New Year?

Accepted Answer

Open stalls vary around Chinese New Year, because each stallholder runs their own stall and sets their own days. Whole centres can close too for spring cleaning, and NEA lists those dates on its hawker pages. We'd keep a second stall in mind and start at Maxwell Food Centre, or see the hawker centre answers.