Your Ultimate Guide To Chinese New Year 2026 In Singapore

Singapore turns electric during Chinese New Year and 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the most colourful years yet. Lantern-lined streets, lion dances at every corner, feasting galore, and two glorious public holidays mean you’re in for a full-on festive takeover. Whether you’re celebrating for the first time or you just want the low-down on what’s happening and when, here’s your complete guide to CNY 2026 in Singapore.

When Is Chinese New Year 2026?

CNY falls slightly later in 2026:

Day 1: Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (Public Holiday)

Day 2: Wednesday, 18 February 2026 (Public Holiday)

Top Tip: Want to turn it into a mini-vacation? Take Thursday 19 and Friday 20 February off work for a sweet six-day break.

What Is Chinese New Year All About?

Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival) marks the start of the lunar calendar and is one of Singapore’s biggest cultural celebrations. Expect:

• Reunion dinners on the eve
• Lo hei (yu sheng) tosses for prosperity
• Lion and dragon dances islandwide
• Temple visits for blessings
• Ang baos (red packets) symbolising luck
• Feasting that might actually qualify as a competitive sport

The Year Of The Horse

The Year of the Horse officially kicks off with Chinese New Year 2026 and is part of the Chinese zodiac, a repeating 12-year cycle that assigns an animal to each year, based on the lunar calendar. The zodiac is rooted in ancient Chinese astrology and folklore, and each animal is believed to influence the personality traits of people born in that year, as well as the overall "vibe" of the year itself. The 12 animals run in a set order (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig) and are also paired with one of five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) as part of a larger 60-year cycle that adds extra personality layers to each year. In simple terms: it’s part horoscope, part cultural tradition, part cosmic calendar.

2026 is the Fire Horse, which turns the volume way up on the usual Horse energy. Think confidence, independence, speed and a strong "do it now" attitude, with extra spice from the Fire element (aka passion, leadership and a tiny bit of chaos). Traditionally, Horse years are linked to career leaps, travel, increased social energy and a bigger appetite for risk (great for bold moves, not so great for playing it safe). It’s a year that thrives on action over overthinking, encouraging you to chase momentum, trust your instincts and go all-in on experiences that feel exciting and alive. Basically, if the Chinese zodiac is the cosmic mood ring, 2026’s is glowing hot, bright and ready to run.

Image credit: Lion Dance | Singapore Tourism Board

What To Expect In Singapore During CNY

Chinatown In Full Festive Mode
Chinatown transforms into a glowing display of lantern installations, street markets, traditional snacks, and nightly performances. It’s high energy, unapologetically chaotic, and totally iconic.

Lion Dances Everywhere
From shopping malls to office lobbies, you’ll hear the drums before you see the lions. Performances typically kick off in the weeks leading up to CNY.

Massive Reunion Feasts
Families gather for symbolic dishes—fish for abundance, dumplings for wealth, and yu sheng for good fortune. The higher you toss, the luckier the year (allegedly).

Temple Visits
Many head to temples at midnight before Day 1. Expect crowds, incense, and a beautifully charged atmosphere.

Red, Red, And More Red
The colour of luck takes over the city—from decorations to outfits to packaging.

Chinese New Year 2026 Events

Resorts World Sentosa: 16 January to 15 March, 2026

Resorts World Sentosa is going all-out for Chinese New Year 2026, turning the entire resort into a pop-charged playground from 16 January to 15 March. Expect bold, candy-coloured installations and reimagined festive décor splashed across WEAVE, Lake of Dreams and the Grand Steps, where traditional Lunar motifs get a modern glow-up. Wander through larger-than-life zodiac displays, snap photos with playful POP MART character installations (think DIMOO, LABUBU and friends), and soak up the festive buzz as live bands and roving performers keep the energy dialled all the way up.

As the sun sets, the celebrations level up. Lake of Dreams transforms nightly with Lunar Lights: A POP-SPERITY Show—a high-impact mix of lanterns, lighting, music, lion dance theatrics and a dramatic dragon finale that’s pure wow-factor. Over at WEAVE, interactive pop-ups like the towering Prosperity Tree, cycling-powered light installations and oversized Tiles of Blessings turn good fortune into a hands-on experience, making it one of the most Instagrammable spots on Sentosa this season.

Elsewhere across the island, the festivities keep rolling. Universal Studios Singapore joins the party with festive decor, character encounters and the all-new Paws of Prosperity procession, while Singapore Oceanarium dives into the season with underwater dragon dance performances, mascot meet-and-greets and cultural music showcases set beneath the waves. Rounding things out, RWS also plays host to the world-class Singapore Smash 2026 from 19 February to 1 March, bringing elite table tennis action, fan experiences and star-spotting moments to an already stacked Lunar New Year line-up.

Image credit: Universal Studios Singapore | Resorts World Sentosa

One Punggol Chinese New Year Light-Up Celebration: 17 January, 2026 from 6.00pm

One Punggol is kicking off Chinese New Year 2026 with a feel-good, community-first light-up celebration that’s less about spectacle and more about togetherness. Happening on Saturday, 17 January from 6pm, the Level 1 space will glow up as a festive gathering spot for residents, families and visitors—setting the tone for a Lunar New Year rooted in shared moments, neighbourhood vibes and collective cheer.

The centrepiece is the Chinese New Year Light-Up itself, a symbolic moment that marks the start of the festive season at One Punggol. Activated with the help of community members and invited guests, the light-up is all about welcoming fresh beginnings, good fortune and the joy of celebrating together. Expect the atmosphere to buzz with cultural performances that honour tradition while keeping things lively and accessible for all ages.

Rounding out the programme is a packed line-up of lion and dragon dances (yes, complete with cai qing and gravity-defying pole stunts), face-changing performances, acrobatics, live music and hands-on activities for kids (including bouncy castles and rides. With everything free to attend, it’s designed as a full evening out where families can wander, watch, play and soak up the festive spirit—exactly the kind of communal energy Chinese New Year is all about.

Chinatown Street Light-Up And Festive Bazaar: January 18 to March 18, 2026

Chinatown is going all out for the Year of the Horse, with its annual Chinese New Year celebrations returning bigger, brighter and bolder from 18 January to 18 March 2026. Expect the historic precinct to light up with galloping horse–themed installations, festive street décor and a packed calendar of performances, workshops and community events that turn every visit into a full-blown Lunar New Year experience.

This year’s celebrations will be anchored by the Official Street Light-Up & Opening Ceremony on 30 January 2026 at 6.00pm  at Kreta Ayer Square, marking the formal launch of the season’s festivities. Themed Galloping into the Prosperous Year  it is led by a show-stopping 8.8-metre golden horse centrepiece inspired by traditional Chinese paper-cutting—reimagined through a contemporary lens. Designed in collaboration with the Temenggong Artists-in-Residence, the glowing displays stretch across key Chinatown streets, weaving together symbols of momentum, unity and abundance, and transforming evening strolls into something seriously magical. 

Beyond the lights, the festivities bring back crowd favourites and introduce new highlights, including the much-loved International Lion Dance Competition in February, multicultural performances that blend Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western art forms, and hands-on workshops from paper cutting to festive crafts. Add countdown parties, bustling festive fairs and sustainable initiatives like lantern adoption, and you’ve got a celebration that’s not just about ushering in the new year—but doing it together, Chinatown-style.

Chingay Parade 2026: 27 And 28 February, 2026

Get ready to “Make Your Wish with Chingay” because Singapore’s iconic Chingay Parade is rolling back into town on 27 and 28 February at the F1 Pit Building (and it’s turning up the spectacle like never before). This year’s theme WISH is all about collective dreams, big aspirations and that universal vibe of “here’s to good things ahead,” with more than 3,000 performers bringing it to life across breathtaking acts packed with colour, rhythm and movement. Expect illuminated costumes, show-stopping floats, and a 360-degree circular stage and ring-shaped arena that literally puts you inside the parade instead of just watching from the sidelines.

The whole thing kicks off at 8pm on both nights, so book your tickets early (they went on sale 10 December 2025), with prices from around $20–$60 depending on your seat, and sweet perks like PAssion Member early-bird discounts or even SG Culture Pass credits to redeem for free entry. Beyond the main parade, there’s that infectious Chingay energy of multicultural performances, community-designed floats (this year co-created by 5,000 residents across Singapore’s five districts), pulsating music and a joie de vivre that’s very Singapore. Whether you’re after arts, culture, or simply a wow-that-was-epic weekend moment, Chingay 2026 is where your February memories begin.

Image credit: Chingay Parade | Singapore Tourism Board

River Hongbao 2026: 15 February to 24 February, 2026

Get ready to gallop into good fortune because River Hongbao 2026 is back, bigger and more dazzling than ever. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Singapore’s favourite Chinese New Year festival, running from 15–24 February 2026 at Gardens by the Bay (and yup, it’s free to enter). Festivities kick off at 6.30pm on 15–16 Feb, then from 2.30pm daily from 17–24 Feb, meaning you can drop by for a breezy afternoon wander or stay late into the evening. Think massive lantern displays, family rides, cultural showcases, live performances from local faves (Charlie Lim, Boon Hui Lu, Jocie Guo, Tosh Rock) and international troupes, plus amazing festival eats at Food Street (all wrapped in that Lunar New Year buzz of strength, vitality and good vibes). There’s even a River Hongbao 40th Anniversary Exhibition tracing four decades of celebration and a fireworks comeback at The Meadow that’s bound to light up the night sky with choreographed bursts of colour.

What makes this year extra playful? Giant Year of the Horse lanterns and special anniversary installations everywhere you look, perfect for photos and strolls with your crew. Don’t miss fan-favourites like the God of Fortune lantern (for prosperity), the interactive Wishing Heart (toss some coins and make a wish—proceeds go to charity), and quirky ride-on fun like the Double-Storey Horse Carousel and classic family rides. The event spills across Supertree Grove, The Meadow and Flower Dome (where Gardens by the Bay’s “Spring Blossoms: Gallop into Prosperity” floral display pairs blooming orchids and life-sized horse lanterns with moon gates and pavilions for insta-worthy moments).

Gardens By The Bay Spring Blossoms Gallop Into Prosperity: 16 January to 1 March, 2026

From 16 January to 1 March, Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay transforms into a serene Lunar New Year wonderland with Spring Blossoms: Gallop Into Prosperity. Celebrating the Year of the Horse, this annual floral showcase features life-sized horse lanterns handcrafted by Chinese artisans, set among blooming orchids, plum blossoms, chrysanthemums and bamboo all inspired by classic Chinese art and symbolism. Expect elegant moon gates, tranquil pavilions and a soft, dreamy colour palette that feels festive without the frenzy.

It’s the perfect slower-paced counterpoint to Singapore’s louder CNY celebrations, ideal for a relaxed wander, family outing or low-key photo mission. Don’t miss interactive touches like the Blooming Drum of Spring, said to bring good fortune with every tap. The display runs daily 9am–9pm, with Flower Dome admission required, and pairs beautifully with nearby River Hongbao if you’re planning a full Gardens by the Bay day out.

Tips If You’re Visiting Or Staying In Singapore During CNY

• Expect closures: Some shops and restaurants close on the first two days.
• Book restaurants early: Especially reunion dinners as they fill up fast.
• Plan travel smart: Roads near Chinatown may be partially closed for events.
• Catch lion dances early: They become harder to find after Day 3.
• Bring your camera: Singapore is ridiculously photogenic this time of year.

So, whether you’re feasting, exploring, or chasing lion-dance performances, CNY 2026 is set to be a big one.

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Main image credit: Resorts World Sentosa | Supplied