Where to Go and What to Do for Chinese New Year 2025

Refresh your enjoyment of Chinese New Year by shaking up your routine. Here are seven ideas to spend the CNY holidays with a twist.

Tired of the same ole Chinese New Year routine of visiting your relatives only to dodge their awkward questions? Lost the feeling of that CNY magic? Well then, take a break from your old routine and rediscover the festive holiday on your own terms with these seven suggestions.

Table of contents

• Celebrate CNY overseas
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
  • Yokohama, Japan
  • Taipei, Taiwan 
• Local options
  • Istana Open House
  • Light to Night
  • FUNAN: Snakes and Ladders

Celebrate CNY overseas

With CNY this year falling on Wednesday (29 Jan) and Thursday (30 Jan), you only need to take one day’s leave for a five-day break. That’s just right for a quick overseas trip, so why not take the chance to bask in the CNY atmosphere someplace new, such as these four nearby destinations?

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Bangkok, Thailand

Just like our own Chinatown, Yaowarat undergoes a magical transformation come Chinese New Year, becoming festooned with cultural displays, vibrant performances and endless rows of lanterns overhead. 

Start your day early to catch temple worshippers dressed up in traditional garb on their way to make offerings at temples. Bask in the festive atmosphere as you savour delicious meals and shop for local produce. 

And lest the afternoon heat threatens to overwhelm, seek shelter at any of the gigantic shopping malls dotting the area. This year, the celebrations extend to CentralWorld in Pathumwan, where you can catch giant statues of Chinese deities, dragons and other mythical figures. 

There will also be special activities to try, including Chinese calligraphy and Chinese paper cutting, or the Thai arts of Khon mask painting, and colouring Benjarong ceramics.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

The Vietnamese celebration of Lunar New Year is known as Tet (Tet Nguyen Dan), and it’s probably the two weeks when Ho Chi Minh is at its buzziest. The celebrations kick off with a midnight fireworks show on the eve, which you can catch at several locations throughout the city. 

During Tet week, the city becomes infused with a lively atmosphere, making it the best time to explore on foot. Discover an open air flower market at Tau Hu Cannal, marvel at spectacular floral zodiac displays at Nyugen Hue Street and Tao Dan Park, and browse thousands of books and magazines at a book festival along Mac Thi Buoi, Nguyen Hue and Ngo Duc Ke. 

Don’t forget to drop by Cho Lon for more festive sights and traditional eats found only this time of the year. 

Yokohama, Japan

While not an official holiday, Chinese New Year is still joyously celebrated in regions of Japan with a sizeable Chinese population. Yokohama – Japan’s second-largest city located south of Tokyo – holds the Chinese Spring Festival, a 15-day extravaganza of street performances, lantern displays, lion dances and firecrackers.

As always, the best place to catch the sounds and sights (and bites) of Chinese New Year is Chinatown, renowned for its historic buildings and the headquarters of Japanese-Chinese food. This year, Chinatown will feature two key attractions. One is the Promenade of Light, a 200m light-up connecting Chaoyang Gate to Yamashita Park Central Gate. The other is the Bridge of light, spanning Chinatown Ichiba-dori and Motomachi across the Horikawa River.

Taipei, Taiwan

During the Chinese New Year, Taipei becomes less crowded as many locals travel south home for the holidays. This gives you a better chance to visit some famous attractions such as Da Dao Cheng, Mao Kong and potentially even Jiufen without having to fight large crowds. 

Another plus point is the weather, which is generally cool during the season. There’s a chance of rain though, but nothing a proper jacket can’t handle. 

And while CNY traditionally warrants a longer break in Taiwan (this year, it’ll be a stretch of nine days starting from Saturday, 25 Jan to Sunday, 2 Feb), major attractions and shopping malls remain open throughout the holidays. 

This also goes for convenience stores and eateries such as fast food and chain restaurants. Night markets will be open too, but expect a few stalls to remain closed. 

Local options

In case you’ve decided to stay in Singapore, but still want something new to do over Chinese New Year, check out the following options. 

Istana Heritage Tour

Happening on 3 Feb, Sunday, the next Istana Open House will give you a chance to tour the grounds where the President of Singapore resides. We recommend booking the 1-hour guided tour for a proper introduction of the historic site. This is a walking tour that starts at the majestic Main Gate and covers highlights such as the Villa, Japanese Garden, and Ceremonial Plaza.

3 Feb, Sunday, 9am to 4pm

Light to Night 

For a light-up experience that isn’t Chinatown, head on down to the Civic District for Light to Night 2025. This year’s theme is “Do You See Me” and features over 60 light installations spanning National Gallery Singapore, the Asian Civilizations Museum, Victoria Theater and Concert Hall, The Arts House, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, and Funan. 

Till 6 Feb, after dark

FUNAN: Snakes and Ladders

Enjoy a modern interpretation of the Snake Year with this creative and quirky art and retail trail at FUNAN. Creative Intersections: SNAKES and LADDERS, transforms the vibrant mall into a snake-themed experiential wonderland that invites you to explore, discover and participate in several activities, games and installations. Besides puzzles, exhibits and installations, there will also be retail promotions and rewards.  

Till 16 Feb, 10am to 10pm