SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
January 2019
Fun CNY 2019 Activities for the Whole Family
Not sure how to spend your Chinese New Year break? Fret not. Here’s our pick of the best CNY 2019 activities for the entire family!
The Chinese New Year break doesn’t just have to be for visiting. Why not spend some time exploring Singapore as a family? With lots of CNY-themed activities to choose from, there are options for everyone. Take a break from stuffing yourself with goodies, and head down to one of these events to join in the festivities. Here’s our pick of the 10 best CNY 2019 activities!
1. Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2019 Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony
There’s no better place in Singapore to ring in the Lunar New Year than in Chinatown! Mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations 2019 with other partygoers at the official light-up and opening ceremony. With exciting performances by both local and overseas troupes, you’ll be entertained for hours. The best part? The spectacular firecracker and fireworks display will be sure to delight the whole family as you usher in the Year of the Pig!
Date 20 January 2019
Time 6pm – 10pm
Venue New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
2. Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party
Want to be at the heart of it all as the nation ushers in the Year of the Pig? Then head back to Chinatown for the Countdown Party on Chinese New Year’s Eve. Enjoy live performances and a rousing countdown celebration with your favourite Mediacorp artistes. From a medley of festive songs to skits and interactive games, it’ll be an unforgettable experience for everyone. Be sure to stay till the end to catch the spectacular firecracker and fireworks display!
Date 4 February 2019
Time 9.30pm – 12.30am
Venue New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
3. Chinatown Festive Street Bazaar
Not done with your Chinese New Year shopping? Then the Chinatown Festive Street Bazaar is the perfect place for you. With tons of stalls lining the streets, families can enjoy mouth-watering delicacies and lovely decorations while shopping for all your Lunar New Year needs. You’ll also be able to admire the beautiful light-up and get lots of pictures for the ‘Gram! Not forgetting, there are also nightly shows at Kreta Ayer Square to keep you entertained. This street bazaar promises to be a wonderful night out in Chinatown!
Date 18 January – 4 February 2019
Time 6pm – 10.30pm (Daily), 6pm – 1am (Chinese New Year’s Eve)
Venue Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street, and Trengganu Street
4. 12th International Lion Dance Competition
Are the kids big fans of the lion dance? Then don’t miss out on the 12th International Lion Dance Competition! This annual event will see numerous top lion dance troupes vying for the grand prize and the honour of being dubbed “best of the best”. Watch as they pit themselves against one another, and witness their skilful stunts and manoeuvres. It’s sure to be a jaw-dropping fight to the top!
Tickets are $10 each, and are available for sale at Kreta Ayer Community Club and the Chinatown Visitor Centre at Kreta Ayer Square.
Date 26 January 2019
Time 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Venue Kreta Ayer Square
5. Chinatown Wishing Tree
Does your family have any wishes for the New Year? Take a trip together to the Chinatown Wishing Tree, where you’ll be able to hang your wishes on the banyan tree. At the same time, you’ll be taking part in a meaningful charity event for the elderly! Each wishing card costs $2, with all proceeds going towards Kreta Ayer Seniors’ Activity Centre. Bring festive cheer to our seniors while spending quality time with the family. Win-win!
Date 15 January – 3 February 2019
Time 11am – 9pm
Venue Chinatown Point
(See also: 10 Places to Buy Adorable Kids Traditional CNY Qipao this 2019!)
6. Chingay 2019: Dreams Funtasia
The annual Chingay parade has become a ubiquitous part of our nation’s Chinese New Year celebrations. For its Bicentennial Edition, be sure to catch the largest street performance and float parade in Asia once more! Not to be missed is the first-of-its-kind 270m by 7m long painting depicting the ‘Past, Present, and Future’ of Singapore. You’ll also get to enjoy a vibrant night of special performances by local and overseas performers, while admiring the 10 beautifully decorated floats. It’s the perfect night out for the whole family.
Purchase your tickets here.
Date 15 February – 16 February 2019
Time 8pm – 9.30pm
Venue F1 Pit Building
7. Spring Surprise
Gardens by the Bay presents an exciting line-up of activities this Chinese New Year. Celebrate the arrival of Spring with exciting festive performances and activities, aptly titled Spring Surprise. Stroll through a Chinese garden blooming with colourful dahlias as the popular “Dahlia Dreams” floral display returns once again. Don’t miss “Carps Leaping Over the Dragon’s Gate”, a special LED performance of the auspicious tale! With other activities such as the Lion Dance on Poles and two Chinese Orchestra performances, there’s definitely something for everyone.
Date 2 February – 10 February 2019
Time Refer here for the various timings
Venue Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive
8. River HongBao 2019
This year’s River HongBao is a special Bicentennial Edition of the annual festival. Head down with family and friends to experience the myriad of activities they have lined up. The 2019 Fireworks Spectacular features works of award-winning artists that’ll light up the sky in four distinct and amazing ways. It’s not to be missed! There’ll also be a carnival with over 20 thrilling rides and games that are sure to be a hit with the kids. Not forgetting the over 40 different snacks on offer, so don’t worry about filling up your tummy.
History buffs can also visit this year’s exhibition, titled “A Harbour and Home: The Singapore River Through Time”. Take a ride into our past, and explore factors that’ve led to our nation’s success today. The kids will be fascinated with up-close and personal looks into the lives of our forefathers in the early days. With so many activities to choose from, River HongBao 2019 promises to be an exciting night out.
Date 3 February – 10 February 2019
Time 2pm – 11pm
Venue The Float at Marina Bay
9. Chinese New Year Celebrations at Universal Studios Singapore
Have you been putting off a trip to USS with the kids? Well, there’s no better time than this to pay the island’s premier theme park a visit! Usher in Chinese New Year with a mystical dragon dance through an exciting park-wide trail. Kids will also get to join their favourite characters, all dressed in their Lunar New Year best! You can also ring in good fortune with friends from Sesame Street as they celebrate with a Monster Lo Hei. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the park’s thrilling rides together as a family!
Date 25 January – 15 February 2019
Time 10am – 7pm
Venue Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island
10. Dive into a Sea of Abundance
If you’re already planning a trip to USS, why not visit the S.E.A. Aquarium as well? This Lunar New Year, dive into a sea of abundance at the aquarium. Watch in awe as you witness an underwater dragon dance, but remember to snap pictures for the ‘Gram, too! With other fun and fortune-filled activities to enjoy, it’ll be an unforgettable day out for the entire family.
Date 25 January – 19 February 2019
Time 10am – 7pm
Venue S.E.A. Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island
11. Badanamu Arrives at HarbourFront Centre
For the first time in Singapore, Badanamu characters will come to life at Harbourfront Centre! Catch Bada and Jess as they make their debut appearance on our sunny island. Sing along to all-time favourite hits such as “Ponytail” and “Badanamu Time”. Even better, each performance will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the characters! Don’t miss out on the special “Badanamu Cadets” screenings on weekends either. The kids can look forward to an adventure with Bada and his fellow brave cadets as they battle against the forces of darkness!
Date 18 January – 3 February 2019
Time Performances: 1pm & 7pm (Saturdays & Sundays), Screenings: 5pm (Saturdays & Sundays)
Venue Harbourfront Centre, 2 Maritime Square
12. Chingay 2019 @ Heartlands
This year’s Chingay parade will be making an appearance in Chinatown to celebrate the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. If you didn’t manage to score tickets to the main parade, be sure to head down to Chinatown to catch a glimpse of it! You and the kids can enjoy special performances by local and overseas performers, akin to the main Chingay parade. The beautifully decorated floats will be also making an appearance, so don’t miss out!
Date 17 February 2019
Time 6pm – 10pm
Venue New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
13. Immerse in a Stream of Abundance at ION Orchard
Want to go shopping during the CNY break? Then head down to ION Orchard! Open on all days of the Lunar New Year, the mall will be decked out in vibrant colours and patterns inspired by the Koi. There’ll be lion dance performances, calligraphy skills on display, and an array of Chinese New Year goodies you can sink your teeth into. Not to mention, you can even stroll through a festive Chinese garden on Level 3! Learn more about your zodiac predictions for the year, and then gather the family for a group picture for the ‘Gram.
Date 7 January – 19 February 2019
Time 10am – 10pm
Venue ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
14. Light Up the New Year with Abundance at City Square Mall
This Chinese New Year, get ready to be spoilt for choice at City Square Mall! From 11 January, the mall will unveil an exciting line-up of festive activities for everyone. From a beautiful Tunnel of Spring Blossoms, to an outdoor carnival for the kids and late night shopping at Don Don Donki – there’s something for every member of the family! The Springfest Carnival will feature games and exciting rides, such as a carousel, trackless train, and even an inflatable bouncer. Let the kids have their fun while you shop your heart out at Don Don Donki from 9am till midnight!
Date 11 January – 17 February 2019
Time 9am – 12am
Venue City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208539
15. Revel in the Season of Reunions at AMK Hub
Experience the Chinese New Year spirit in full swing at AMK Hub! With their line-up of exciting CNY activities, including lion dances and Chinese drum performances, the whole family can immerse in the festive atmosphere. Kids can also look forward to the God of Fortune Mascots Meet and Greet, where they can have their picture taken with Cai Shen Ye! Not forgetting, the Lunar Goodies Fair and Lunar Festive Floral Fair are also the perfect opportunities to get any last-minute items you need for CNY 2019.
Date 10 January – 19 February 2019
Time 9am – 10pm
Venue AMK Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, Singapore 569933
16. Jurong Point Presents a Springtime Rhapsody
Usher in a bountiful Lunar New Year at Jurong Point this 2019! With majestic decorations of the Royal Chinese Palace, and a whole host of activities, it’s not to be missed. Bask in the auspicious festivities as a family and enjoy lion dance performances, meet the God of Fortune, and even shake the Fortune Prosperity tree! Fancy some cooking? Learn the art of yusheng platter-making from Little Miss Bento herself. Last but not least, shoppers can redeem festive gifts and try their luck in the Prosperity Lucky Draw!
Date 17 January – 19 February 2019
Time 10am – 10pm
Venue Jurong Point, 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore 648886
17. Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2019
Celebrate the Year of the Pig at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s Lunar New Year festivities! Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2019 presents an exciting line-up of activities for all ages. Enjoy auspicious Lion and Dragon dance performances, heritage tours and trails, and craft activities for the little ones! Don’t forget to also get your zodiac predictions for the New Year. Plus, you can even challenge your kids to old school kampung games! After all the excitement, wind down with an evening of contemporary and traditional performances to end the family’s CNY celebrations.
Date 16 February – 17 February 2019
Time 10.30am – 9.30pm
Venue Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874
18. “Walk” into Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s “Singing” Red Packet
The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) launched its first-ever “singing” red packet this year! Playing tribute to our local Chinese New Year practice, the main feature of this year’s festivities is the tossing of the yusheng, otherwise known as lohei. The collaborative effort by local illustrator Ah Guo (Lee Kow Fong) and pianist-composer Peng Chi Sheng make the red packets come alive with a beautiful yusheng painting a catchy tune titled The Lo Hei Song. Additionally, catch more of Ah Guo’s work at “So Much Fun” – An Ah Guo Special Exhibition, held at the SCCC Gallery from now till 7 February.
Date 21 January – 7 February 2019
Time 10am – 8pm
Venue Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Gallery, Level 2, 1 Straits Boulevard, Singapore 018906
(See also: 24++ Huat-ppening Yusheng Platters for Your CNY 2019 Reunion Dinner)
With so many fun activities for the family to enjoy, we bet your Chinese New Year calendar’s packed after reading through our list! Nothing beats ringing in the New Year with beloved family and friends, so be sure to take time to enjoy the festivities together. By the way, you don’t even have to be Chinese! Just have fun watching lion dances, snacking on goodies, and even going on thrilling rides. Gong xi fa cai, everyone!
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