Gallop into the Year of the Horse with Chinese New Year 2026 events and things to do in Singapore! These include cultural festive events and other fun activities being held in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
It’s time to fire up more love and reunion with a plethora of festivity this Chinese New Year. Right after Valentine’s Day, this year’s Chinese New Year 2026 celebrations falls on 17 February, Tuesday and 18 February, Wednesday (public holidays) – the perfect plan for a long weekend ahead.
Gearing up in this zodiac year of the Horse are vibrant festive activities, mane-ficient craft activities, awe-inspiring dragon and lion dances, and many culturally rich performances, celebrating our diverse communities and promoting unity across all generations.
Sprint to the line up of programmes below and mark your calendars!
Chinese New Year 2026 Events & Activities in Singapore
Here are some Chinese New Year 2025 events in Singapore that you should be know about.
1. Chinatown Festival Light ups and Multicultural Activities
Get into the heartbeat of Chinese New Year festival celebrations at Chinatown with horse-inspired dazzling street light ups, cultural arts workshop and performances.
Look out for the artistically crafted 8.8m golden horse centrepiece anchoring the expansive streetscape festival decor across key entrances including South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street. Dance to the vibrant beats inspired by horse dances from different cultures and take home traditional Chinese paper-cuttings.
Key Programme Highlights:
18 January – 16 February: Festive Fair at People Park’s Square
27 January – 17 February: Festive Fair at Chinatown (Sago Street, Smith Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street, Pagoda Street)
24 January 6-7.30pm: Chinese Paper Cutting Workshop by Temenggong Artists-In-Residence at Kreta Ayer Square
30 January 6pm onwards: Official Street Light up & Opening Ceremony at Kreta Ayer Square (Live Broadcast: FB, YT)
30 January to 18 March: Street Light-Up
1 February: Voices of Spring Chinese New Year Dialect Songwriting Grand Finale at Kreta Ayer Square
7, 8 February: Chinese New Year International Lion Dance Competition at Kreta Ayer Theatre
8 February: Mandarin Orange Carrier Paper Craft at Kreta Ayer Community Club
16, 17 February: Countdown Party at Kreta Ayer Square
11 to 18 March: Lantern Adoption Programme
When: 18 January to 18 March 2026
Where: Chinatown Singapore
Website: Chinatown Festivals
2. 40th Anniversary of River Hongbao 2026 @Gardens by the Bay
Relive your memories at River Hongbao 2026, an iconic festival for all generations. This year River Hongbao lights up The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay with fireworks and lantern displays showcasing our nation’s multicultural heritage. Visit River Hongbao’s 40th Anniversary Special Interactive Exhibition to reminisce Singapore’s most iconic Chinese New Year Festival since 1987.
Be entertained with nightly live performances by well-known artistes, Kowloon Club, Gansu Provincial Opera House, and special themed evenings including Movie, Getai, Xinyao. Families with young children can expense much needed energy at the amusement rides and indulge in local treats at the bustling Food Street.
When: 15 to 16 February (6.30pm onwards) 17 to 24 February (2.30pm onwards)
Where: Gardens by the Bay, SG50 Lattice, Supertree Grove
Website: Riverhongbao 2026
3. Gardens by the Bay: Spring Blossoms and Journey Through Asia
Pop into the flower dome for a dynamic family portrait with eight handcrafted majestic life-sized horse lanterns galloping dynamically across a sea of plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo.
Stay till evening for River Hongbao 2026 or the musical Garden Rhapsody light show at the Supertree Grove featuring a “Journey through Asia” soundscape of 《夜来香》，《甜蜜蜜》，’Bengawan Solo’, ‘Dayung Sampan’, ‘Singapura, Oh Singapura’ and much more loved tunes.
When: 1 January to 28 February 2025, 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm (Garden Rhapsody)
Where: Flower Dome, Supertree Grove @Gardens by the Bay
Website: Gardens by the Bay
4. Petals of Friendship at Floral Fantasy
Get a glimpse of Equestria at Gardens by the Bay at Floral Fantasy. The adorable characters from My Little Pony are taking centrestage at Petals Of Friendship At Floral Fantasy. Floral Fantasy has become the backdrop from fan favourite characters from My Little Pony from 11 December 2025 to 12 April 2026.
You can view Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle, standing against scenes inspired by the colours, florals and traditional iconography from Chinese culture at Floral Fantasy. They are joined by the courageous and loyal Rainbow Dash while pastels and gentle textures are the settings for kind and compassionate Fluttershy.
When: Thursday, 11 December 2025 to Sunday, 12 April 2026, 10 am to 9 pm
Where: Floral Fantasy, Gardens by the Bay
Website: Petals of Friendship
5. Chinatown Heritage Centre
If you haven’t used your SG Culture Pass, its time to make a family trip to Chinatown Heritage Centre at Pagoda Street. Be transported back in time as you experience life as an early immigrant arriving in Singapore. Join character-led or insider heritage tours where stories of history and tradition come to life.
When: Now till 31 March 2026 (Character-led Tour) Every Sat/Sun (Insider tour in English) Every Sun (Insider tour in Chinese)
Where: Chinatown Heritage Centre
Website: Chinatown Heritage Centre
6. Pop Mart Gallops into Resorts World Sentosa
Journey and IG with the lovable cult Pop Mart Characters Labubu, Dimoo, Skull Pandan, Hacipipi and Pucky throughout Resorts World Sentosa at spots like Weave, Oceanarium and near Universal Studios.
Families can go on a passport trail (redemption booths at Weave L1), collecting stamps to redeem an exclusive CNY sticker sheet. Don’t forget to get your hands on all 12 limited-edition Golden Gallop character merch.
When: 16 January to 15 March 2026
Where: Resorts World Sentosa (Near Weave, Grand steps, Oceanarium, Universal Studios)
Website: Pop Mart RWS
7. CNY Meet & Greet at Universal Studios Singapore
Join in the festive spirit and parade of prosperity as your favourite characters celebrate Chinese new year and meet and greet with you – all decked out in their CNY best!
When: TBC
Where: Resorts World Sentosa
Website: Universal Studios Singapore
8. LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
Immerse into a blooming cherry blossom Garden of Prosperity at LEGOLAND Malaysia and IG with a 2.4m Lego Horse centrepiece. Go on an interactive adventure with your family to complete creative bricky activities such as Build-A-Hourse, Lego orange tree making, Lego Chinese calligraphy mural, minifigure trading.
Don’t miss the Spring Festival Spectacular, with Lion and Dragon Dance Performances, Stilts Walker Acrobatic Acts, Chinese Face-changing Acts – all Lego-styled. Check out exclusive CNY offers for Singaporeans.
When: 22 January to 22 February 2026
Where: Legoland Malaysia Resort
For more details visit: Legoland LNY
9. Istana Lunar New Year Open House
Keen to visit the official residence of our President of Singapore? The Lunar New Year Istana Open House is one of several times during the year when the public is able to pay a visit to the majestic Istana garden grounds of our President.
Join a guided tour of the Istana grounds to explore its rich history, architectural heritage, and unique landscape of flora and fauna. The one-hour walking tour begins at the Main Gate and features highlights such as the Villa, Japanese Garden, and Ceremonial Plaza. Enjoy musical performances and multicultural activities.
When: February 2026 (TBC)
Where: Istana
Website: Istana Open House
10. Collect Hongbaos from NHB’s Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign
Here’s your chance to collect 49 unique red packet designs featuring a horse mascot, inspired by each of the 49 participating museums, heritage institutions and galleries. Visit the participating museums, heritage institutions and galleries, and collect a set of 6 red packets of that particular museum’s design.
Hongbao Hunt, a gamified experience, will make its debut in 2026! Collectors visiting six participating NHB museums will have to find relevant artefacts from our National Collection and log information about them in an online portal to redeem the red packets for the respective museums. Read more about the Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign.
When: 23 January to 15 February 2026
Where: 49 Museums, Heritage Institutions and Galleries
Website: Museum Roundtable Hongbao
11. Once Upon A Time 2026
Once Upon a Time 2026 invites families and children into a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration where music and storytelling bring the legendary Nian monster to life. Performed by The TENG Ensemble and joined by the Mapletree-TENG Scholars, this delightful production follows Ah Gong and his spirited granddaughter Sharon as they uncover the origins of beloved festive traditions through humour, colour, and an orchestra of instruments. This is a ticketed event.
12. Rhapsodies of Spring 2026 by SCO
Inspired by the year of the Fire Horse, SCO’s Principal Conductor, Quek Ling Kiong, will lead the orchestra to present a series of equine-inspired works. Joining them on stage will be DJs from Mediacorp CAPITAL 958 – look forward to be serenaded by familiar voices and be entertained the whole night through!
When: 30 and 31 January 2026, 7.30 pm, 3pm (31 Jan only)
Where: SCO concert hall.
Website: Rhapsodies of Spring 2026
13. Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2026
Soak in Esplanade’s Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2026 featuring traditional to contemporary performances by pioneering and award winning musicians, artists and playwrights. Families and visitors of all ages can enjoy multi-disciplinary performances, and soak in the festivity by the bay with illuminating and intimate Huayi Dialogues.
When: 27 February to 8 March 2026
Where: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Website: Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2026
14. Make your Wish with Chingay Parade Singapore 2026
Look out for Chingay’s first-ever circular parade route and be awed by another kaleidoscopic parade of illuminated costumes inspired by our multicultural heritage and SG60. Energetic dance moves, creative larger than life parade floats and the first ever transformable multi-tier will explode your senses for the night.
When: 27 and 28 February 2026, 8-9.30pm
Where: F1 Pit Building
Website: Chingay 2026
15. A Hotpot, Mala-mazing CNY at Wild Wild Wet
Wild Wild Wet is going wild for hotpot this Chinese New Year. Hop atop hotpot ingredient inflatables and lounges like shrimp, crabsticks, lotus slices and more scattered around the pool. Jump into a mala-inspired ball and discover life-sized food installations around the water park.
When: 8 January to 2 March 2026
Where: Wild Wild Wet
Website: Wild Wild Wet
16. Lion Dance and Dragon Dance Performances
What is Chinese New Year without watching a lion dance? Some of the best places to catch a lion dance performance in Singapore include the malls. The attractions may also have special lion dance and dragon dance performances. If you are wondering where to catch these energetic performances, be sure to refer to our list of Lion Dance 2026 performances in Singapore.
17. Ma-vellous treats at IKEA
Gather for a family reunion over IKEA’s CNY festive menu with 8 treasure lotus leaf rice, wings and curly fries with salted egg sauce. Join in Ma-vellous puppet making, learn how to make Ma-vellous Yusheng and usher in the lunar new year with IKEA’s traditional lion dance performance. No more horsing around!
Now Spring Cleaning calls for even more reason to makeover your home for the lunar new year! Check out IKEA’s FOSSTA range of products, tastefully and delightfully designed with the motif of the horse, to add a festive, yet elegant flair to your home. Re-curate your living room with CNY themed cutlery and cookware to elevate festive feasting and gatherings. Grab affordable green little potties to lush up your home for new energy.
When: 17 January to 28 Feb (Click here for Workshop Dates & Timings)
Where: IKEA outlets
Website: CNY at IKEA
18. Ma-vellous Feast at Singapore Flyer
Have an unforgettable and indulgent reunion dinner at Sky View Pavilion against the iconic Singapore Flyer Skyline. Festive menu features specially curated dishes such as prosperity smoked salmon, black truffle fried glutinous rice and sky view’s triple combination meat platter.
When: 1 February to 3 March 2026
Where: Sky View Pavilion, L1 of Singapore Flyer
Website: Singapore Flyer
19. Celebrate Traditions, Build Connections @ SAFRA
Join in the heartbeat of festivities across all SAFRA Clubs with breathtaking high-pole lion dance performances and feasting of yummy traditional snacks with Food Live Stations! Create your own CNY decor or try your hand at rainbow or chopstick calligraphy. Make your own fortune pineapple tarts, opera mask or zodiac dough figurine. There’s something different and unique for everyone at each SAFRA Club!
When: 6 February to 3 March 2026
Where: SAFRA Clubs
Website: SAFRA CNY (Check respective SAFRA Clubs for their detailed programme)
20. Spring Blossoms at Jewel Changi Airport Canopy Park
Gallop into Spring at Jewel’s Canopy Park’s Petal Garden. Catch spring blossoms of Celosia, Azalea, Begonia, Roses, Pussy Willow and much more – the perfect family photo moment!
When: 12 January to 3 March 2026 (Full Bloom expected from 19 February)
Where: Jewel Changi Airport
Website: Jewel Canopy Park
21. Chinese Garden Lunar New Year Light Up
Looking for a serene and tranquil place where you can enjoy a light up for Chinese New Year? Experience timeless melodies at Fiscus Lawn by SCO at dusk, then explore beautifully inspired lantern displays at Twin Pagoda, Teahouse and Stoneboat.
Discover your zodiac forecast at the Grand Arch – Edible Garden Lawn and watch the Grand Arch come to life in a magnificent light projection show every 30mins from 7.30 to 10pm.
When: 7 February to 3 March 2026 (Light up from 7pm)
Where: Jurong Lake Gardens (Chinese Garden)
Website: Jurong Lake Gardens LNY
22. Tradition in Motion Lion Dance Exhibition at SCCC
Learn interesting facts about lion dance at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s exhibition Tradition in Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage. The special exhibition for the upcoming Chinese New Year showcases the rich history, customs and even contemporary expressions of lion dance in Singapore.
The stars of the Tradition In Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage exhibition are the eight lion heads that are on display in glass cabinets. Amongst these are familiar looking Southern lions that we often see when we watch lion dance performances in Singapore.
When: 11 December 2025 to 30 April 2026, 9 am to 10 pm
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Concourse, Level 1
Website: Tradition in Motion
23. CNY Family FUN (CNYFF) 2026 at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
Gallop down to Shenton Way to discover the #SINGAPO人 way of celebrating CNY! This Chinese New Year 2026 event is co-organised by Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Singapore Chinese Orchestra.
Reminisce Roaring Good Times with different types of lion dances at “Tradition in Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage” Special Exhibition. Little ones can “Join in Cubs on the Move” to have a hands-on experience learning Lion and Dragon Dance Moves. Soak in the roving storytelling adventures of “Nian” and “Gong Xi, Gone Where?” and indulge in festive craft activities at The “MA”rake Place and festive treats!
When: 30 January to 1 February 2026; Now till 30 April (“Tradition in Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage” Exhibition)
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Boulevard, Singapore 018906
Website: CNY Family FUN (CNYFF) 2026
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