Why you Should Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year as it is also known, is the pinnacle of all celebrations in the Chinese calendar. In major cities around the world with a large Chinese ethnic population, you can find a host of celebrations and events to see in the “Year of the Rooster,” which falls on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.

One of the best places to experience the colourful and explosive New Year celebrations outside of China has to be Singapore! This city-state has an ethnic Chinese population which counts for around 75 percent of the total, and hosts some of the biggest events seen anywhere in January and February each year.

For the three weeks leading up to the start of Chinese New Year you’ll be able to experience colourful processions, riotous lion dances, seasonal food markets and so much more when visiting Singapore. You’ll also often see the locals exchanging mandarin oranges as a symbol of good luck and feasting on unique celebratory dishes around this special time of year.

Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights of Chinese New Year in Singapore that you shouldn’t miss!

Feasting with the family

The very heart of Chinese New Year is traditionally a celebration of home and family. The tradition of Reunion Dinner is the main focus, which is a time when family members come back home to enjoy a feast together on the eve of the Chinese New Year. If you have any local friends, this is the time to ask them if you can join them for dinner!

Symbols of luck and prosperity

Singapore is quite literally turned red around this time of year as locals thoroughly spring clean their homes and decorate with many shades of crimson, including the beautiful lanterns you’ll see hanging in many doorways. Kumquat plants often feature heavily outside people's houses too as the yellow of their fruit is said to symbolize “gold” and also prosperity which people wish for.

Scarlet packets made of paper and filled with money are traditionally given to children and younger relatives at this time of year for good luck. People also tend to buy new clothes for themselves to represent the Chinese New Year although shopping is a national pastime in Singapore all year round!

Amazing food for all

You won't be able to resist many of the special festive foods that appear in the restaurants and street stalls at this time of year in Singapore. Head to the Chinatown area to sample some of the best versions of the following unique dishes.

Make sure you try some delicious buttery pineapple tarts, tasty rich prune “lapis” or spiced cakes, scrumptious “kueh bangkit” or coconut cookies and wonderful crispy love letters or rolled egg biscuits. There’s always some yummy spicy shrimp rolls and 'bak kwa' or sweet pork jerky to indulge in too, so make sure you try a bit of everything for Chinese New Year.

Chingay Parade

The Chingay Parade is a raucous and colourful display of Singapore’s multicultural heritage at its most brilliant. It really does sum up the multicultural personality of Singapore and its culture in one fantastic event which is celebrated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians alike.

It has grown over the years to become the largest street performance and float parade in Asia today. The Chingay Parade is a dazzling spectacle of brightly decorated floats, stilt walkers and fantastic dancing dragons taking over the streets of Singapore.

Centered around the Chinatown area the parade takes place on February 12th with a vibrant night that includes special performances by local and overseas performers. The floats pass through the area lighting up the streets with their beautiful decorations and sparkling illuminations.

River Hongbao Festival

The River Hongbao takes place on a giant floating platform on the northern edge of the iconic Marina Bay between the Jan. 26 and Feb. 4 It’s now a firm fixture on Singapore’s festive calendar having taken place every year since 1987.

One of the main highlights are the enormous lanterns depicting figures of Chinese myth and legend, handcrafted onsite by craftsmen from China. The figures appear to tower over the bay and create an amazing site as they are lit with thousands of lights each evening.

If you have a love of fireworks, pyrotechnics and lasers then you are in for a treat on both Hongbao opening night and Chinese New Year's Eve. The whole bay is illuminated in a breathtaking light and sound display on both dates so be sure to catch at least one of these shows.

Follow @GoatsOnTheRoad