Chinese New Year Celebration in Singapore

Chinese New Year or sometimes we called as Lunar New Year is celebrated on starts of the Lunar calendar, which usually falls between late January until late Februari . The celebration last for about two weeks. It is celebrated in China and all around the world especially in area inhibited by Chinese people. No exception in Singapore. Chinese tradition says that in Lunar New Year celebration all debts from the past should be cleared, with homes spring-cleaned and new clothing to wear, a brand new start. Chinese New Year is also become a moment for a family to reaffirm ties with a good dinner that traditionally takes place on the eve of the New Year.

Chinese New Year celebration in Singapore is also known as the ‘Chun Jie’ festival. The major events of this grand festival include Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations, Chingay Parade of Dreams and Singapore River Hong Bao. The event of ‘Cap Goh Mei’ is conducted on the last day of the final day of this magnificent celebration.

After dinner people usually go to Chinatown area to soak in the heart of the festivities.The area usually has been crowded by many people (local and tourist), adorned with decorative red lantern light, banner and dominated with red and gold colour, symbolizing prosperity, health, wealth and good fortune in the new year ahead. Singapore’s Chingay Parade is the major of the festival. The parade helds a party that lasts for two nights, Chingay Parade is often considered the climax of the celebration of the Spring Festival in Singapore. The parade is participated by salsa artists, circus acrobats and traditional dancers and acrobats performer. There is also a nightmarket along the streets which sells festive goodies, toys, ornament, snack, fruit, clothes at the cheap prices.

 Singapore is also famous for its delicate cuisine, especially in the Chinese New Year festival. Bak kwa (thinly sliced fragrant barbecued pork), prawn rolls (a paste of dried prawns rolled in thin wraps and deep fried till very crisp), yusheng (literally means raw fish) symbolize abundance and prosperity). There is also interesting trend for tossing yusheng, It has become popular at dinner troughout the festival. Kueh baulu (small sponge cakes that are slightly crisp on the outside and spongy soft on the inside), groundnuts to symbolize good health and longevity, sweet candy to symbolize a sweet year ahead and chocolates wrapped to look like gold coins to symbolize wealth and prosperity. All food is great, you should try on that.

 Besides Chingay Parade, you might like to the other of Chinese Festival of Arts - Huayi, at the Esplanade Singapore. This event is specially organized for those who appreciate traditional and contemporary Chinese arts and culture. Be intrigued by the stellar line- up of song and dance.

While, The carnival at the River Hong Bao also draws the high tourist visit during the celebration. This festival is usually held for a seventeen days period with large-scale displays of Chinese mythical character including Chinese god of fortune and 12 chinese zodiac animal. The fair also feature traditional arts, traditional food and folklore of the ancient China. The entire area of the fair remains adorned with floats, legendary Chinese heroes, cherry blossoms and pagodas.