Get the new year off to a roaring start as the Year of the Snake 2025 makes its way into Chinatown with various festive activities and events to get everyone into the celebratory spirit. The Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebration 2025 festivities include the Official Street Light-Up and other festive activities.
For the Year of the Snake, the first day of Chinese New Year is on Wednesday, 29 January and the second day is on Thursday, 30 January 2025. Both of these are public holidays in Singapore.
Since it is so early this year, the festivities in Chinatown for the Year of the Snake begin as soon as 30 December 2024 and will run all the way up to the Lunar New Year. You can soak in the festivities and enjoy the streets that have been beautifully adorned with colourful lanterns and dazzling decorations around Singapore’s historic district in town. If you’re looking to be in the thick of Chinese New Year festivities, Chinatown is the place to be.
Here are some of the programme highlights, things to see and do at Chinatown this Chinese New Year.
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What To See & Do Chinatown Chinese New Year Light Up & Celebrations 2025
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Chinatown Chinese New Year Light Up (8 January to 27 February)
One of the highlights of Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebration 2025 is the Street Light-Up.
The lights in Chinatown will illuminate the streets of the historic from 8 January 2025 to 27 February 2025.
If you want to immerse yourself into the festivities, there will be a Street Light-up and Opening Ceremony on 8 January 2025, 6 pm. You can join in an be amongst the first to experience the Chinatown light up for the Year of the Snake.
The centrepiece of the Chinatown Chinese New Year light up 2025 is the lantern display along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street. And since it is the Year of the Snake, of course it is a snake-themed display.
This year’s display features a snake in front of a large tree filled with gold coins, planted in a bed of ingots. Personally, we found that the snake seemed to be dwarfed by the tree behind it. At least the snake has a cute face (but with some unusual looking eyes).
You can view the lights and lanterns along along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, Upper Cross Street and South Bridge Road from 7 pm till midnight during the light up period of 8 January 2025 to 27 February 2025.
You will also find some SG60 lanterns along the centre median between Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road. There are also other lanterns in the form of auspicious symbols as part of the lantern sets. You can find pineapples along with golden ingots and lucky sayings as part of the lantern displays.
On the eve of Chinese New Year 2025, the lights will come on from 7 pm till 6 am the first day on Chinese New Year.
When: 8 January 2025 to 27 February 2025, 7 pm to 12 am (till 6 am on Chinese New Year Day 1)
Chinese New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (28 January)
If you want to join in fun and countdown to Chinese New Year 2025, there will be a Countdown Party at Kreta Ayer Square. Soak in the festive atmosphere in anticipation of Chinese New Year. You can look forward to plenty of festive fun as the everyone counts down to the star of the new lunar year!
When: 28 January, 10 pm
Where: Kreta Ayer Square
Festive Fair along Sago Street, Smith Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Temple Street (8 January to 28 January)
The festive stalls are back for the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebration 2025.
The streets of Chinatown along Sago Street, Smith Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Temple Street come alive with vendors hawking their goods in a lively and bustling atmosphere! Perfect for picking up some cute angbaos or for stocking up some Chinese New Year goodies.
Stock up on some festive treats or pick up unique decorations to dress up the home. The Chinatown Festive Fair at Sago Street, Smith Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Temple Street takes place from 8 January 2025 to 28 January 2025.
This year’s market seems especially lively along Pagoda Street. It is quite nice to simply pay the street market visit, take a slow stroll and view the various wares and goodies that are on sale. It makes for a good after-dinner activity. Just be prepared for there to be crowds while you are there in Chinatown, especially it gets closer to Chinese New Year.
When: 8 January to 28 January, 11 am to 10.30 pm (Mon to Thu), 11 am to 11.30 pm (Fri to Sun), 11 am to 1 am (Eve of Chinese New Year)
Where: Sago Street, Smith Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Temple Street
Festive Fair at People’s Park (30 December 2024 to 28 January 2025)
For more shopping, you can pay a visit to the Festive Fair in the open space in front of OG People’s Park Complex. This is a smaller market that sells festive goods.
When: 30 December 2024 to 28 January 2025, 10 am to 10 pm
Weekend Stage Show (11, 12, 18 and 19 January)
Head over to Kreta Ayer Square at Banda Street to enjoy stage performances over two weekends in January. Be entertained by lively and vibrant activities and Lunar New Year songs by various artistes and performing groups in the evenings in Chinatown.
When:
11 to 12 January 2025, 7 pm to 9 pm
18 to 19 January 2025, 7 pm to 9 pm
Bonus 1: LEGO Zodiac Models
Explore the entrances of Chinatown Complex and Smith Street from 15 January to 2 February to discover 12 3D LEGO Zodiac models – perfect for a photo opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
When: 15 January to 2 February
Where: Chinatown Complex and Smith Street
Bonus 2: Chinatown Heritage Centre Reopened
Step inside a shophouse and learn more about the past of Singapore’s historic Chinatown district. There is a special free entry promotion for Singapore residents too. Find out more about Chinatown Heritage Centre.
Where: 48 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207
Opening Hours: 10 am to 7 pm, daily
Di you are planning to make your way to Singapore’s Chinatown to enjoy the festive atmosphere and you are planning to share photos on your social media, you can use the hashtag #ChinatownCNY2025 and tag the Chinatown Festivals social handle. This may get you featured on their platforms and win some prizes.
For more details and information on the upcoming events, visit the Chinatown Festivals Social Media.
You can also discover more exciting Chinese New Year 2025 events and activities taking place in Singapore or where to watch lion dances in Singapore.
