The ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Singapore
Everything you need to know about what to see, eat and do this Chinese New Year
Every year, Singapore throws a massive bash to celebrate Chinese New Year. As the start of the new traditional Chinese calendar year is one of the most major events in Singapore, it's no surprise that the city paints the town red to usher in the Year of the Ox this 2021. The festive period runs from the last day of the final month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th day of the first month. This year, it falls on February 12.
Don't blink an eye as the city amps up the annual celebration with all your favourite festive tunes, family reunion dinners, colourful parades, and plenty of lion dances, with some programmes available to enjoy from home. Read on to find out the best Chinese New Year activities happening around town, which performances to catch and the top restaurants to book for your family get-togethers.
However, it's advised by the government that each household is allowed to receive up to only eight visitors a day, and that individuals should also limit themselves to visiting at most two other households a day, as far as possible, during Phase 3. And when tossing yusheng and during lohei, masks should still be worn and shouting auspicious phrases should be avoided.
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What you need to know about celebrating Chinese New Year in 2021
Chinese New Year celebrations are shaping up to be rather different amid ongoing safe distancing measures. The government announced on January 22, a further tightening on restrictions due to rising community cases, and to mitigate the possible transmission during this festive season. And while you are still able to see your loved ones (but with some restrictions), the usual merrymaking and loud gatherings, synonymous with the celebration, will have to tone down. While ushering the Year of the Ox, here are some of the things you need to take note of this year. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Singapore
The beginner’s guide to Chinese New Year traditions, etiquette and superstitions
Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival), with its bright colours, is considered to be the most important event in the Chinese calendar. It is marked by the arrival of spring, and celebrates the end of one Chinese zodiac and the beginning of the next. It's also the time where you gather with your family and friends, and stuff yourself silly with snacks and goodies. There's a lot to Chinese New Year to know and learn about. From the legends to the traditions and etiquette, here's your comprehensive guide before we usher in the Year of the Pig. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate ang pao guide for Chinese New Year and where to donate clothes, books, furniture and toys in Singapore
The most Instagrammable Chinese New Year decorations in Singapore
The Chinese New Year festivities truly begin when the streets of Singapore are dressed to the nines with attention-grabbing lanterns and life-sized installations. Leading the zodiac pack this year is the metal ox. The zodiac star is marching its way around the city via striking horticultural and lantern displays at Gardens by the Bay, brightly lit installations at Chinatown, cool art pieces at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, and more. And unlike IRL oxen, these Instagram-worthy ones are selfie-ready for the 'gram. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Singapore and the best Chinese New Year events in Singapore
The best Chinese New Year events in Singapore
Besides filling your bellies with delectable Chinese dishes from all those reunion dinners and visiting your relatives from every part of Singapore, fill your Chinese New Year calendar with more gorgeous sights and sounds, illuminated lanterns, colourful parades, and lion dances to revel in all the glorious celebrations – all of which can be enjoyed online and offline this year. There's nothing like ringing in the Year of the Ox with the best Chinese New Year events in town – besides gleefully receiving red packets, of course. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Chinese New Year and the beginner's guide to Chinese New Year traditions, etiquette and superstitions
The best Chinese New Year takeaways in Singapore
It’s time to start getting ready for Lunar New Year and welcome the year of the rat – there are rooms to clean, wardrobes to Marie Kondo, and reunion dinners to put together. If you aren’t planning on working up a sweat in the kitchen, we’ve rounded up some of the best, and auspicious dishes that are available for takeaway. Just place an order in advance and get ready to feast. RECOMMENDED: For more CNY goodies, here's where to get the best pineapple tarts, bak kwa, and salted egg yolk fish skin
The best restaurants to have reunion dinner and celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore
Keep the turkeys and bring out the pineapple tarts – it’s time to usher in another Chinese New Year. This year’s festivities might look slightly different from the past, but at least we can all still dine in groups of eight. This year, lay the dinner table with an abundance of festive treats: from unique yusheng creations to luxurious variants of pen cai stuffed with auspicious ingredients. If you aren’t planning (or too lazy) to prepare a feast for reunion dinner, we’ve got you covered with these special Lunar New Year meals. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Singapore and the best Chinese New Year events in Singapore
The best places to get Chinese New Year snacks in Singapore
Let’s face it, the best part of Lunar New Year celebrations isn’t about the steamboat meals or reunion feasts. It’s about the snacks and goodies that make an appearance once every year. This festive season, indulge in these irresistible Chinese New Year snacks that range from classic flavours to modern creations. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants to have reunion dinner and celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore
10 pretty and unique red packets we want this Chinese New Year
It's that time of the year again, when all the calorific snacks come out, red is splashed on every surface, and money falls from the sky. Well, for the unmarried that is. For the rest of us, it's time to spread some of our hard-earned wealth and goodwill around. To make things slightly more interesting, we've rounded up a bunch of red packet designs ranging from pretty to unique that your relatives and friends will remember you for. From spinning red packets to ones that talk, we've got them all down. RECOMMENDED The best Chinese New Year events in Singapore and The beginner's guide to Chinese New Year traditions, etiquette and superstitions
The ultimate ang pao guide for Chinese New Year
There's no rule to how much you should give in a red packet – or ang pao – on Chinese New Year, as long as it is within the means. Or is it? Traditionally the ang pao is handed out by married couples to their parents, single adults and children as a token of good fortune and new year blessings. And it's also a big deal. We're in no authority to be dictating how many notes to stuff in that embossed red packet you selected so carefully for the special day, just remember to keep the amount even. But since you're unfortunately married and the burden of ang pao-giving befalls you, we'll try to keep it real – in this economy and all. RECOMMENDED: The best events in Singapore in 2019 and where to donate clothes, books, furniture and toys in Singapore
The best boutiques and shops in Singapore for modern cheongsams and batik
Trends come and go but style is forever. And where better to turn for inspiration than traditional garb that are timeless, thoughtful and classy? They shouldn’t be saved just for special occasions either – here are the brands making heritage pieces tastefully modern and wearable. RECOMMENDED: Eco-friendly products you can buy in Singapore and the best upcoming pop-up stores and flea markets in Singapore
Your Chinese New Year greetings cheat sheet
So you're visiting a friend's/colleague's/relative's house this Chinese New Year and you just can't find the right words to say? Here are eight essentials you should always have in your back pocket – nestled next to all those red packets. And if all else fails, make a beeline to the snack table and feast because that's what the Year of the Rat is all about. RECOMMENDED The ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Singapore and a beginner's guide to Chinese New Year traditions and etiquette
The best steamboat and hot pot restaurants in Singapore
Perfect for rainy days, reunion dinners or just because, a meal around a bubbling hot pot never fails to deliver on the satisfaction factor. From the frothy and flavourful broth to an extensive range of ingredients and a host of side dishes, the hot pot offers an irreplicable sense of communion and strengthens camaraderie between friends and loved ones. So if it's time for another catch-up session with your makan kakis, here's where to head to. RECOMMENDED: The best supper spots in Singapore and The best healthy restaurants in Singapore
The best pineapple tarts in Singapore
It's a fact. There is no Chinese New Year without pineapple tarts. And with one tart clocking in at 82 calories, we definitely don't want to be stuffing our faces with anything less than the best. We put 10 popular pineapple tart brands to the test and rank them from the best to the worst. You're welcome. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate ang pao guide for Chinese New Year and unique local snacks to try in Singapore
The best mala snacks in Singapore
Mala is all the rage now. From the hotpot soup bases to the fragrant stir-fry dish you can find at most hawker centres these days, the numbing and spicy Chinese sauce that is key to Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine has won the collective hearts and numbed the tongues of Singaporeans everywhere. Want a hit of spice without committing to a full dish? These mala-flavoured snacks taste close enough to the real deal. Prepare to sweat up a storm – it's always good to have a glass of water on hand too – don't say we didn't warn you! RECOMMENDED: Unique local snacks to try in Singapore and the best pineapple tarts in Singapore
7 popular salted egg fish skin brands ranked from best to worst
Typically, trends tend to die down after a while. However, in the case of the salted egg yolk – especially when combined with the crunchy crisp of fish skin – some things become too delicious to stop. Whether you like the treat for its mouth-watering flavors or for its addictive crunch, you’ll be glad we made a list ranking the most popular brands of salted egg yolk fish skins in Singapore for you to try out. Crunch away – just don’t forget to buy some mints too. RECOMMENDED: Unique local snacks to try and old-school childhood snacks for nostalgia
7 popular bak kwa brands ranked from best to worst
Beef jerky? Boring. Try bak kwa instead. This sweet and savoury snack typically made by combining preserved pork and spice gets particular popular around Chinese New Year because of its flaming red colour. Among pineapple tarts and other classic CNY snacks, bak kwa is probably one of the most coveted treats at the table so make sure you choose the best so you don't disappoint. Plus, 2019 is the Year of the Pig so what better way than to celebrate with sweet and salty porky goodness? RECOMMENDED: Unique local snacks to try and old-school childhood snacks for nostalgia
Where to get Chinese New Year decorations in Singapore
What is a festival without any decorations? Now that Christmas is done and dusted, it's time for the little piggies to come out. It is after all, the Year of The Pig. While you'll see the rotund little fella on most of the decor items like paper decals, banner, ang paos and more, it's possible to keep things classy, elegant and understated. Unless bold is what you're looking for... We've rounded up the stores in town for those last-minute decorations in Singapore. Quick stock up on all you can get or else you will never stop hearing that aunty you see once a year complain for hours. Huat are you waiting for – it's shopping time. RECOMMENDED: The best craft stores for all your DIY needs in Singapore and the best home decor and furniture stores in Singapore
Where to get your fortune told in Singapore
Yeah sure, fortune telling all sounds very hocus-pocus. But you’d be lying if you said you aren’t just a little curious about what the future might bring. From feng shui masters to Tarot readers to ‘astro-palmists’, the fortune tellers here come from as many backgrounds as there are cultures in Singapore. Curious, we suspended our disbelief, put our fates on the line and visited some spiritual professionals to find out more about our sordid – or splendid – lives. As they say, don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. Won't lie, we were pleasantly surprised by how it turned out! RECOMMENDED: 10 local myths and superstitions every Singaporean should know and the best supernatural trails in Singapore