Let's Welcome an Auspicious New Year Together!

Are you sick and tired of mundane holidays?
Wish you could visit another country to shop till you drop?
To experience it's culture?
To enjoy?

That's right,
Singapore welcomes you to join us in a string of exciting line ups early next year, which is certainly bound to leave you wanting more!

"新年快乐!" ( pronounced as xin nian kuai le ) is a new year's greeting which is used widely among the chinese to welcome in the new year. Chinese new year falls in February, however preparations for this festival starts in January.



This is a picture of Chinatown, an ethnic neighbourhood in Singapore featuring distinctly Chinese cultural elements and a concentrated ethnic chinese population.

During the Chinese New Year period, Chinatown street will be litted up with lanterns and decorated with many Chinese New Year decorations. Since Chinese New year is only celebrated annually, it will be a good experience for those who would like to experience the chinese culture to be present. Time to switch your cameras to night mode for those over-street fairy lights and over-sized lanterns guys.

Chinatown Street Light Up
When: 2-3 weeks leading to 3 Feb 2011, and 2-3 weeks after

The Chinese New Year Street Light Up will be launched about 3 weeks before Chinese New Year's Day. Expect fire crackers and fireworks!



During Chinese New Year, households decorate their houses with Chinese New Year decorations as it is said to be auspicious. Clothes worn are to be new and houses should be stocked up with lots of food items during this period. As such, new year shopping starts at least 3 weeks before the Chinese New Year holidays. Chinatown would be filled with stores selling either decorations, food items or clothings. A definite place to be at especially if you're looking for any of the stuff above as shop keepers usually give hefty discounts to customers to help clear their stocks.

Chinese New Year Shopping @ the Festive Night Market

When: 3 weeks leading to 3 February 2011; late afternoon till night.

Where: 100+ stalls along Pagoda Street, Temple Street, Smith Street, Sago Street and Trengganu Street.

Getting there: Take MRT to Chinatown Station. Take the Pagoda Street exit.

Take a break as you browse the night market and look out for the nightly stage performances at Kreta Ayer Square (beside Chinatown Complex).

In the years past, these have included lion dance competitions, acrobatics, and some enchanting Chinese dances. You can expect the same this year.

Thereafter, join the crowd near the MRT station for the Chinese New Year 2011 Countdown Concert, which is likely to culminate with fireworks at midnight.

This is a picture taken at Clake Quay. In celebration of Chinese New Year 2011, Clarke Quay will be holding performances to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit. Performances at Read Bridge include Stilt-walkers, acrobats and calligraphers will entertain on Friday and Saturday evenings.

In addition, there will be Lion dancers performing on a Chinese New Year boat as it sails down Singapore River. Evenings of Friday and Saturday.

Lastly, Fireworks on Saturday evenings which can be watched from riverside locations at Clarke Quay.

Celebrations at Clarke Quay
When in 2011: TBC

Where: Read Bridge at Clarke Quay; Singapore River.

Getting there: Take MRT to Clarke Quay Station.

**Do check back for updates on this event.

River Hong Bao is one of Singapore's signature event during Lunar New Year festivities. It has festive bazaars, cultural performances and fireworks to celebrate the new year.

The River Hong Bao 2011 Carnival


When: 1-13 Feb 2011.

Where: The Floating Platform @ Marina Bay.

Getting there: Take MRT to Esplanade or Promenade Stations and follow the directions to Esplanade Theatres. Thereafter, just follow the crowd.

Watch a demonstration of Chinese cooking, or Chinese papercraft. Then join in the fun.

Watch the acrobats contort on stage. And the enchanting dancers in their beautiful costumes.

Then walk among the super-sized lanterns: animals of the Chinese zodiac, the god of fortune and other mythical beings.

With all these exciting line ups for all, why not make Singapore your place to visit this season?

References: 1, 2