8 CNY 2025 Activities & Plans For The Entire Family

From Chinatown light-ups to lion dances, festive markets and -- of course -- River Hong Bao, there’s plenty to do for CNY 2025. Here’s our pick of the best eight activities for the season.  

Chinese New Year 2025 is just round the corner. While its customary to make home visits during this time, why not switch things up a little by throwing in some festive activities you and your relatives can enjoy together?   

That way, you can avoid the awkward questions that keep getting asked year after year, and instead, actually get to spend some meaningful time together with your folks.

To get you started, we’ve picked out the following eight CNY 2025 activities.

8 fun and wholesome activities to keep the whole family entertained during the Chinese New Year festive period

Chinatown Chinese New Year 2025 Street Lantern Light-up and Festive Fair 

Date & time: Till 28 February 
Cost: Free, selected activities may require ticket purchases

In celebration of the Year of the Snake, the buzzing Chinatown district will be decked out in a dazzling light-up during the festive period. Besides whole streets festooned with twinkling lights, you can also expect to see gigantic lanterns and other surreal displays. Keep an eye out for the gigantic Tree of Fortune with a majestic snake coiled around its base for a powerful symbol of hope, prosperity and renewal. 

But that's not all. This year, there will also be festive fairs and assorted performances to enjoy, featuring delicious snacks and entertaining acts sure to make for an immersive experience. More information here.

Here's the lineup of key events.

Chinatown Light-Up
Date & time: 8 January – 27 February 2025, 6pm – 12am; 7pm – 6am on the first day of Chinese New Year 2025
Location: Kreta Ayer Square

Festive Fair @ People’s Park
Date & time: 30 December – 28 January 2025, 10am – 10pm
Location: Open space in front of People’s Park Complex

Festive Fair
Date & time: 8 – 28 January 2025

• 11am – 10:30pm (Monday – Thursday)
• 11am – 11:30pm (Friday – Sunday)
• 11am – 1am (eve of Chinese New Year 2025)

Location: Sago Street, Smith Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street and Pagoda Street

Weekend Stage Shows
Date & time: 11 – 12 January & 18 – 19 January 2025, 7pm – 9pm
Location: Kreta Ayer Square

Countdown Party
Date & time: 28 January 2025, 10pm
Location: Kreta Ayer Square

Spring Blossoms at Gardens by the Bay (Flower Dome)

Date & time: Till 23 February, 9am to 9pm 
Cost:

• Mon to Thu: Adult - S$12, Child/Senior - S$8
• Fri to Sun: Adult - S$27, Child/Senior - S$23

For Spring Blossoms this year, the Flower Dome is looking to ancient Chinese folktales for inspiration. The themed floral display will feature Legend of Lady White Snake, bringing the enchanting tale of romance, sacrifice and filial piety to life with floral dioramas and life-sized displays.

Expect to encounter breathtaking recreations of famous scenes, including Jixian Pavilion, Chinese Gardens, and the iconic Longevity Pagoda and Thunder Peak Pagoda, on loan from Ancient Civilisations Museum just for the season. More information here.

LEGO God of Fortune and CNY Fun at Suntec City

Date & time: Till 9 February, 10.30am to 9pm
Location: Suntec City Atrium (Towers 1 and 2)
Cost: Free  

Here’s a CNY activity people of all ages can enjoy, thanks to the universal appeal of LEGO. Pay a visit to Suntec City where you’ll find three fun festive activity stations to conquer with the kids. Together with your relatives, build a LEGO koi fish, find and deliver permissions to the village for good luck, and share your CNY wishes on a 6m-tall e-lantern.  

Once you’ve completed all three lucky tasks, you can redeem an exclusive LEGO firecracker or choose a special voucher for instant discounts onsite. There will also be more deals and promos on sale throughout the event. 

For extra huat, come during 1 & 2 February, or 8 & 9 February to see if you can spot the LEGO God of Fortune of Mascot, rumoured to be wandering Suntec City between 2pm to 5.30pm. More information here.

CNY market and live performances at Capitol Singapore

Date: Till 2 February

Cost: Free

Enjoy the Springtime festivities at Capitol Singapore, where you can browse for festive snacks and goodies at its CNY Festive Market, treat yourself to some  great shopping deals, and pose for family photos at colourful floral displays. 

On selected weekends, watch special live performances including gu zheng, wushu and jazz by local band Shanghai Swingers. More information here.

All activities will be taking place at the Outdoors Plaza. Here’re the details: 

Bountiful Spring Photo & Zodiac Zone
Date & time: 10 January – 2 February 2025

Lunar New Year Festive Market
Date & time: 13 January – 26 January 2025, 12pm – 9pm

Guzheng performances
Date & time: 17 & 24 January (solo performance), 18 & 25 January (ensemble performance), 12pm – 1pm

Kids wushu performances
Date & time: 18 January 2025, 5pm – 5:10pm

Jazz by Shanghai Swingers
Date & time: 17, 18, 24 & 25 January 2025, 6pm – 6:45pm & 7:30pm – 8:15pm

Museum Roundtable 2025 Lunar New Year Hongbao campaign 

Date & time: Till 12 February 
Cost: Admission fees may apply

After 10 successful runs, the popular Museum Roundtable Hongbao campaign is back again this year with brand new red packet designs. From now till 12 February, make your way round to 48 museums, heritage institutions and galleries in your quest to collect Snake-year themed red packets. More information here.

Each participating venue offers a unique red packet design – with 48 designs to collect, you’ll have your work cut out for you. Coordinate your efforts with your relatives to cover more ground! 

Lion dance and roving mascots at Sentosa

Date: Till 2 February
Cost: Admission fees apply 

Plan for a CNY-themed family weekend getaway at Sentosa, where the island will come alive with lion and dragon dances, magic performances, street shows and appearances by roving mascots – all happening at Sensoryscape.

Look out for CNY-themed floral displays, write your wishes on red packets at the Wishing Tunnel, and redeem Sentosa red packets with a minimum spend of S$128 (S$98 for Islander members or S$108 for Mastercard cardholders). 

Here’s a rundown of some highlighted events. For more information, go here.

Face-changing: 12 Zodiac Animal Race
Date & time: 17 – 24 January 2025, 6.30pm – 7pm; 31 January 2025, 6.30pm – 7pm

Oriental Magic 
Date & time: 17 – 24 January 2025, 7pm – 7:30pm; 31 January 2025, 7pm – 7:30pm

Faces of Legends
Date & time: 18, 25 January 2025, 6.30pm – 7pm

Lion Dance On Pole
Date & time: 29 January – 2 February 2025, 5pm & 6:30pm

Dragon Dance
Date & time: 29 January – 2 February 2025, 8:10pm & 9:10pm

Roving Mascots: God of Fortune & Three Star Gods
Date & time: 29 January – 2 February 2025, 11am – 6:50pm

Istana CNY Open House

Date & time: 2 February, 8.30am to 6pm
Cost: S$20 per adult 

The Istana is, of course, Singapore’s own version of the White House, and while its interiors remain shut to the public, its charming grounds will be open to visitors on 2 February 2025, making for a nice option for a festive family gathering.

For first timers, it’s recommended to book a guided walking tour (9am to 4pm) where you can learn about the historic estate including highlights such as the Villa, Japanese Garden, and Ceremonial Plaza. 

There will also be merchandise kiosks where you can purchase limited-edition Istana and President’s Challenge souvenirs, such as caps, mugs, luggage tags and keychains. All proceeds go to benefitting agencies. More information here.  

River Hongbao 2025 at Gardens by the Bay

Date & time: 27 January – 6.30pm to 10.30pm, 28 January – 6.30pm to 12.15am, 29 January to 5 February – 2.30pm to 10.30pm
Cost: Free
 
And of course, no list of Chinese New Year activities is complete without mentioning River Hongbao. For 2025, the hotly anticipated festive event will be taking place at Gardens by the Bay, and promises to bring cherished traditions and exciting festivities to life. Expect to be dazzled by lantern displays, exciting performances and interactive exhibits designed to capture the CNY spirit. 

Also, look forward to celebrating all things uniquely Singapore as this year’s iteration will honour 60 years of independence. On this special occasion, there will be a spectacular firecrackers show to light up the night skies and ring in the new year. More information here.

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