Chinese New Year in Singapore

Dates

History & significance

Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year, is Singapore’s largest and most widely celebrated festival, and the first two days are gazetted public holidays. The date follows the lunisolar calendar and usually falls in late January or February, opening a new zodiac animal year. Reunion dinners, red packets (hongbao), spring cleaning and visiting relatives are at the heart of the celebration.

How it’s observed in Singapore

The eve is for the family reunion dinner; the first two days are for visiting elders and relatives. Chinatown is lit up for weeks with a street light-up, a festive bazaar and a countdown, while the River Hongbao carnival and the Chingay street parade fall around this period. Mandarin oranges, bak kwa and pineapple tarts are exchanged, and lion-dance troupes perform at malls and businesses.

What's open and what's closed

Many small businesses, provision shops and hawker stalls close for two to several days, so meals can be harder to find in the heartlands — check ahead or head to malls, which stay open. Banks, offices and schools are closed on both public-holiday days; if the second day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed in lieu. MRT and buses run, often extended on the eve.

Common questions