Mandai Wildlife Reserve is celebrating Chinese New Year from 17 February to 3 March 2026 with a festive line-up of activities across Mandai Wildlife East and Mandai Wildlife West, including the wildlife parks like Singapore Zoo and attractions such as Curiosity Cove.
A Wild Chinese New Year 2026: Welcome in the Year of the Horse at Singapore Zoo and Other Wildlife Parks
Visitors to Mandai Wildlife Reserve during the Chinese New Year period will be welcomed by vibrant displays and interactive photo-worthy installations, including calligraphy topiaries spelling “马” (horse).
Gallop into the Year of the Horse with auspicious gold coins, specially themed animal enrichment, engaging digital trails and other activities to bring joy, luck and blessings for the year ahead.
Be the First 188 Visitors at the Attractions to Receive a Special Keepsake
Be among the first 188 visitors each day at Curiosity Cove, the newly opened indoor playscape, or any of the five wildlife parks – Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild Asia – to receive a limited-edition gold coin embossed with the horse, this year’s zodiac animal.
This exclusive collectible makes a special keepsake for the festive season.
Lunar New Year-themed exclusive merchandise available at retail stores across the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Special Chinese New Year Animal Presentations
Across the precinct’s five wildlife parks, visitors can also observe animals participating in festive-themed enrichment activities.
At Singapore Zoo’s Wild Africa, watch the Grevy’s zebras, the largest and most threatened species of zebras in the wild, as they explore themed enrichment activities designed to engage their senses while encouraging natural foraging behaviours.
Be sure to look out for our newest zebra foal at Wild Africa. For an up-close encounter with our zebras, join the feeding sessions at $8 per food portion from 17 February to 3 March 2026, 10.15 am & 2.15 pm, daily. Proceeds go towards supporting the care of our animals and conservation efforts in the region.
Other festive animal presentations at Singapore Zoo will take place at the following places and times:
- Splash Safari Time: 10.30 am & 5 pm, daily, Venue: Shaw Amphitheatre, Singapore Zoo
- Into the Wild Time: 12pm & 2.30pm, daily Venue: Shaw Amphitheatre, Singapore Zoo
Over at River Wonders, meet the African grey parrot as it reveals lucky numbers for the year at the Once Upon a River presentation at 11.30 am, 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
When you sail on the Amazon River Quest, look out for the Brazilian tapir with festive-themed enrichment such as large red packets, lanterns and firecracker-inspired devices at 2 pm.
Other festive animal enrichments for Chinese New Year 2026 at the wildlife parks include the wattled cranes at Bird Paradise that will be retrieve food hidden inside ‘firecracker’ tubes and large wooden Chinese characters at Rwanda Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa.
Then spot the striking Malayan tapir with its distinctive black and white coloured pattern at Rainforest Wild Asia’s Watering Hole at 10.30 am and 3.30 pm, as it enjoys Lunar New Year goodies shaped like a horse.
There will also be lion dance performances at the following dates, times and locations:
- Dates: 17, 18, 21, 22, 28 Feb & 1 Mar 2026
- Time: 9.30 am
Where: Entrance of Bird Paradise, Mandai Wildlife West - Time: 11 am
Where: Open area outside multi-story car park, Mandai Wildlife East
Horsey Encounters for Chinese New Year 2026
To mark the Year of the Horse, Singapore Zoo is launching a brand-new experience, Hello from the Wild: Horse. Guided by animal keepers, participants can enjoy an up-close interactive encounter with a pony and falabellas at KidzWorld, learning about these gentle and curious animals.
Hello from the Wild: Horse takes place from 15 February 2026 onwards, on Tuesdays and Sundays from 10.30 am to 10.50 am (20 mins).
Participants are advised to wear covered shoes for this programme and must be at least 1.2 metres in height.
This a ticketed activity with capacity for up to 8 pax. This price is $43/pax. WildPass prices are $38.70/pax (10% off) while Friends of Mandai can get tickets for $34.40/pax (20% off).
You can also wrap up your day at KidzWorld with a festive Pack Walk, where more adorable falabellas join in the fun in celebration of the Lunar New Year. This takes place from 17 February to 3 March, at 4.15 pm. The venue is at the Animal Buddies stage at KidzWorld, Singapore Zoo.
This Chinese New Year New Year, the experience at Breakfast in the Wild, Singapore Zoo’s iconic animal dining encounter, also gets a festive twist with special appearances from the loveable falabellas – the world’s smallest breed of horses – captivating guests with their gentle charm.
Digital Trails
Continue the fun and embark on the Horse-picious digital trails on the Mandai App to unlock clues, discover fun facts and unlock clues as you explore. Solve all five clues on the Mandai App to reveal the park’s star animal.
Completing the trail earns a limited-edition keychain as a memento of the visit to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, limited to the first 150 redemptions per day.
Young visitors can also join Ranger Buddies characters Al and Min for a “Huat’s Up Ranger Buddies” celebration, featuring craft workshops at Curiosity Cove and discounts when they purchase mission kits at Singapore Zoo!
WildPass Perks
Local residents with WildPass enjoy all-year-round discounted access to the five parks and Curiosity Cove, from S$31.50.
WildPass holders receive free entry for themselves when accompanied by one paying adult during their birthday month, providing a memorable way to celebrate a special day surrounded by wildlife and family fun.
Have a Horse-picious New Year with Mandai Wildlife Parks
For more information on what is taking place at wildlife parks in Singapore, visit www.wildcny.sg.
