Chinatown Chinese New Year 2017 celebrations welcome the Lunar year of the Fire Rooster with the theme of “Rise to Good Fortune & Prosperity” (金鸡报喜迎新春, 狮城欢腾庆丰年). Located in the heart of Chinatown, visitors will be able to witness the spectacular street light displays features about 5,500 handcrafted lanterns from 7 January to 25 February 2017.
Without further ado, let’s check out the 10 highlight activities which will offers you and your family a truly immersive Lunar New Year experience in Chinatown.
1. Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony
The Official Light Up and Opening Ceremony marks the opening of the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2017. The event continues to awe visitors with entertaining performances by both local and China leading performing troupes. Together with spectacular firecrackers and fireworks display, it will bring the opening ceremony to a greater height as we usher in the Year of the Rooster.
2. Festive Street Bazaar
With a variety of stalls lining up the streets of Chinatown, visitors can feast on mouth-watering New Year delicacies, enjoy the brilliant lights and decorations of the stalls and shop for the many New Year traditional goodies from cookies, decorative items, waxed duck and preserved fruits to potted plants and clothing.
3. YouthEATS @ Temple Street
For the first time, cooked food will be available for sale at the Festive Street Bazaar at a specially allocated area called YouthEATS @ Temple Street. 12 enterprising entrepreneurs, including youths, will set up shop offering a variety of popular and unique festive eats that will tantalise the taste buds, complementing the popular traditional food offerings at the Festive Street Bazaar.
4. Nightly Stage Shows
Catch nightly performances at Kreta Ayer Square during the Chinatown Chinese New Year celebrations. The popular gathering point for local Chinese communities during this time lives up to its deeply rooted affinity to Chinese culture and it is also the place where you can find the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and take a pit-stop from your festive shopping. Be entertained by lively and vibrant Chinese cultural performances, festive songs, songs, music and dance performances by local entertainers and troupes from China.
5. 10th International Lion Dance Competition
The annual International Lion Dance Competition is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. Prepared to be wowed as top international troupes pit their skills on the meihuazhang as they perform jaw-dropping stunts in a fight for the ultimate title of ‘King of the Lions’! This event will be held at Banda Street on 14 and 15 January 2017, 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
6. YHFlea: Come Lepark edition
Located at Lepark (Rooftop of People’s Park Complex) ‘Come Lepark Edition’ is a unique collective flea market that brings on board over 100 curated local brands and independent designers. The largest CNY flea market will be held on 14 and 15 January 2017, from 12pm to 8pm.
7. Chinatown Walking Trail
Dive into Chinatown’s rich heritage and culture on this guided tour along the story-filled streets of Kreta Ayer Road, Sago Street, Pagoda Street and new bridge road. Experience the liveliness of the Chinese enclave and learn about its colorful past while taking in the many sights and sounds of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Pre-registration is required at www.chinatownfestivals.sg
8. Chinatown Heritage Centre CNY Festivities
A series of family bonding activities will be held at the Chinatown Heritage Centre (CHC) starting from 6 January to 28 February 2017. There are “Happy Rooster Family Album”, “Capteh Challenge”, “CHC CNY Exhibition” and “Trishaw Tours”.
9. Chinatown Wishing Tree
Bring festive cheer to the less fortunate and the elderly while making New Year wishes for you and your loved ones at the Chinatown Wishing Tree. Each “Make a Wish” card costs $2 each, and in addition, “Rooster” five stones (set of five) specially handmade by Chinatown Social Enterprise for this year’s Chinatown Chinese New Year celebrations can be purchased at $10 each. All proceeds will be donated to the Kreta Ayer Seniors’ Activity Centre.
10. Chingay 2017 @ Chinatown
Marking the end to the Chinese New Year celebration, the Chingay Parade Singapore will make an appearance in Chinatown on 12 Feb 2017 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in between New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Street. Join us for a vibrant night on the streets of Chinatown, coupled with special performances by local and overseas performers.
For more information, do visit: http://chinatownfestivals.sg
