River Hongbao 2024 is at Gardens by the Bay for the fourth consecutive year, taking place from 8 to 17 February, ushering in the Year of the Dragon with magnificent lantern sets, carnival games, and an exhibition that revives the nostalgia of local Chinese New Year markets from the past.
This year, River Hongbao 2024, Singapore’s largest Lunar New Year event, also sees the full scale return of festive performances this year. Together with favourite activities such as lantern riddles, it is also introducing new interactive features like a digital avatar and a digital hunt through the metaverse.
Running for 10 days, River Hongbao 2024 is one of the must-visit Chinese New Year events in Singapore.
River Hongbao 2024 Highlights
Here are some of the highlights of River Hongbao 2024.
Magnificent Lanterns across Gardens by the Bay
Prosperous Year of the Dragon (& Firecracker Performance)
There are numerous lanterns on display at this year’s River Hongbao.
However, one that you have to see is the Prosperous Year of the Dragon lantern display at the Supertree Grove.
A 140-metre-long dragon with shimmering scales flies in mid-air amongst the towering Supertrees.
Standing in front of the dragon, under the Supertrees, is the towering God of Fortune.
The Supertree Grove and the Prosperous Year of the Dragon lanterns will also be the site of a firecracker performance.
The firecracker show will take place on three nights. Strands of firecrackers, each 18 metres in length, will be set off to create a rousing, festive atmosphere.
The firecrackers show time will take place as follows:
8 February: 8 pm
9 February (Chinese New Year’s Eve): 12 am
10 February (First day of Chinese New Year): 8 pm
There are plenty of other lanterns to gawk at while at River Hongbao 2024.
The lanterns can be found from the Golden Garden to The Meadow and also at the Dragonfly Lake.
Here are three highlights that you may want to take note of.
Welcome Arch @ Golden Garden
The Welcome Arch at the Golden Garden offers a magnificent welcome to visitors arriving at Gardens by the Bay. Step through and get into the festive mood.
The Golden Garden is one of three welcome arches to River Hongbao 2024.
It also leads to to what we think it is the busiest entrance to River Hongbao in front of the Floral Clock. If you are planning to enter in that way, be prepared to queue and wait.
The other entrances are at The Meadow and Bayfront Plaza. Each entrance has an illuminated arch that is perfect for photo-taking.
Bountiful Returns
Set over the water, Bountiful Returns is based on the Singapore River and features the godowns, bumboats and a mock up of the Elgin Bridge. You will be able to find it on Dragonfly Lake, next to Bayfront Plaza.
Wishing Heart
Stop by Wishing Heart, located at The Meadow to make a wish by tossing coins at the Bells of Blessings.
All proceeds collected at this Wishing Heart lantern will go to Lions Home for the Elders.
New Digital Experiences
River Hongbao 2024 will also see the introduction of two new digital experiences.
Xiao He, River Hongbao’s AI Character
Come and meet Xiao He, River Hongbao’s digital avatar. Visitors can step up to a booth and interact with her while on site.
Head to Booth 16 to meet her and stand a chance to bring home a special edition collectable by answering a few simple questions. Xiao He will be making her appearances on 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 Feb at 7.30 pm.
Metaverse Dragon Pearl Hunt
Then step into the metaverse to take part in a Dragon Pearl Hunt. From 6 February, join Xiao He to hunt for dragon pearls in River Hongbao’s metaverse with prizes to be won.
Other Experiences
In addition, there will be an AI Image Generator contest.
POSB will also be launching its POSB Social Media Filter. The bank will donate $8 to the POSB PAssion Kids fund for every story or post that uses the filter from 1 to 24 February 2024.
In addition, from 8 to 17 February, take a picture with the POSB mascot Smiley with the filter while at River Hongbao 2024 between 8 pm to 8.30 pm and 9 pm to 9.30 pm daily for a chance to win $88.
There are also activity booths such as the all-time favourite lantern riddles.
Performances (including the Return of Overseas Performers)
River Hongbao 2024 will also have nightly performances and shows throughout its duration.
The Opening Ceremony will held on 8 February, followed by Chinese New Year’s Eve celebrations on 9 February.
10 and 11 February are for the Dance Galore and Fun in Diversity Nights respectively and these will be followed by themed nights 12 to 17 February 2024.
This year will also see the return of overseas performers participating in the River Hongbao Stage Shows. This year’s overseas performers include Guizhou Huadeng Theatre and the National Taiwan University of Sport, Dance Department.
River Hongbao Exhibition
2024’s River Hongbao Exhibition is From Push Carts to Online Carts: Chinese New Year Markets Through Time.
This exhibition, curated by the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, showcases the development of Chinese New Year markets in Singapore since the 1950s.
Inside the exhibition, you will find some cute photo spots.
One of these photo opportunities include the chance to pose as a bakkwa seller.
Kids can also try folding a red packet.
Food Street & Amusement Rides
Visitors can also look forward to enjoying food and carnival rides while at River Hongbao.
The rides are by carnival expert Uncle Ringo. You can expect carnival games along with rides such as bumper cars.
When you have worked up an appetite, head over to the neighbouring Food Street and pick up some food from one of the many stalls located within the tent.
Dahlia Dreams
Dahlia Dreams at Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome also running during the River Hongbao 2024 period.
Dahlia Dreams at Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome also running during the River Hongbao 2024 period.
The floral display features more than a thousand dahlias of varied shapes, sizes and colours. Amongst the more than 40 varieties are dinnerplate dahlias with huge flowers of up to 25 cm in diametres.
The centrepiece of Dahlia Dreams is a 7-metre tall and 15-long dragon. The dragon’s scales are partially made from red and yellow blooms, a joint effort by Gardens by the Bay’s horticulturalists and beneficiaries of Dementia Singapore.
There is also a floral display based on the Chinese saying “carps leap over the dragon gate”, which stands for courage and the pursuit of greatness.
So, if you are planning to pay a visit to River Hongbao, you can also pay a visit to Dahlia Dreams at the same time.
Find out more about Dahlia Dreams.
River Hongbao 2024: Celebrate the Year of the Dragon
Get ready to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at River Hongbao 2024. Here are the event details and opening times:
When:
Thursday, 8 February, 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm
Friday, 9 February, 6.30 pm to 12.15 am
10 to 17 February, 2.30 pm to 10.30 pm
Where: Gardens by the Bay
River Hongbao 2024 website
