Things to do during Chinese New Year 2023
Still planning where to go during Chinese New Year 2023? This CNY 2023 things-to-do guide is perfect for families, friends, and couples, with activities available from CNY eve right up to the 15th day of the CNY.
| Things to do for CNY 2023 | CNY Eve | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3-15 |
| Visit Wan Qing Yuan’s Festival of Spring (29 Dec – 19 Feb) – Free | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Take a walk in Chinatown area (1 Jan – 19 Feb) – Free | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Eat hotpot with family and friends (2 Jan – 5 Feb) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Bring your kids to Bay Spring Carnival (13 Jan – 29 Jan) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ |
| Visit RWS’s S.E.A Aquarium with the kids (13 Jan – 5 Feb) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Visit Dahlia Dreams floral exhibition (13 Jan – 26 Feb) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Visit River Hongbao (20 Jan – 28 Jan) – Free | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ⚠️ |
| Visit Haw Par Villa (21 Jan – 5 Feb) | ⚠️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Watch a CNY movie at the cinema (21 Jan – 5 Feb) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Participate in the HUAT Run to burn off calories (22 Jan – 5 Feb) – Free | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Visit Istana Open House (23 Jan) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Attend cultural events at Huayi Chinese Festival of the Arts (27 Jan – 5 Feb) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ |
| Watch Chingay Parade with family (3 Feb – 4 Feb) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ |
Visit Wan Qing Yuan's Festival of Spring
Photos via Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall / Facebook
In conjunction with the Chinese New Year, Wan Qing Yuan 晚晴园, the memorial hall & museum commemorating Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-Sen is offering free admission to the public.
Other than learning about the history and role of the 2-storey colonial house used as Southeast Asia’s headquarter for the Xinhai Revolution, a series of festive activities including God of Fortune appearances, lion & dragon dance, workshops, guided tours have been lined up until 19 February 2023.
There are also life-sized cute bunny sculptures that visitors can take photos with on the lawn of the museum.
Take a walk in Chinatown area
Chinese New Year celebration in Singapore is never complete without taking a stroll in the Chinatown district.
This year, streets along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, South Bridge Road, and Upper Cross Street are decorated with lanterns, lighting, and rabbit sculptures. The street light-up will be up from 3 January 2023 until 19 February 2023 and will be lit from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am daily during this period.
Nothing beats going for a walk with your friends and family after the reunion dinner on CNY eve or after visiting relatives on Day 1 and Day 2 of CNY.
Apart from taking a walk and taking photos at the iconic area this season, a host of activities from CNY bazaars, Getai and cultural shows, workshops, and a countdown event on CNY Eve have been lined-up two weeks before CNY right up till the actual day in the first full-scale celebratory event in the touristy area since the pandemic.
Eat hotpot with family and friends
The Chinese tradition of hotpot dates back to more than 2000 years ago during the “Three Kingdoms period” (200–280 AD). The tradition has stayed rooted in most Chinese communities and having hotpot is almost a must for all occasions, including Chinese New Year.
You can easily create your own hotpot at home by buying HaiDiLao Hotpot Seasoning (as the broth), vegetables, meats, seafood, and sauces from Fairprice.
Alternatively, you can also refer to this list of hotpot and steamboat buffet restaurants that are open during CNY 2023 to dine, spend time and catch up with your family and friends.
Bring your kids to Bay Spring Carnival
An extension of the 2022 year-end carnival, the fun fair organised by Uncle Ringo is located just beside Marina Bay Sands.
Your kids will get to play with over 30 amusement rides, carnival game stalls, and the popular ICE MAGIC snow playground. There is also a food fair offering delectable snacks and food.
If you are going to the Marina Bay area this CNY, consider dropping by River Hong Bao and Dahlia Dreams floral exhibition to soak in the festive atmosphere.
Visit RWS's S.E.A Aquarium with the kids
If there are kids in the family, bring them to the S.E.A Aquarium at Resort World Sentosa for an exploratory and educational trip this Chinese New Year!
On top of marine life and creatures that the young ones can see at the aquarium, special showcase of foxface rabbitfish, storytelling sessions, Manta mascot appearances and an underwater dragon dance await all visitors this festive season.
This is also a perfect backup plan if it rains or it gets too hot in Singapore during the CNY.
Visit Dahlia Dreams floral exhibition
Photos via Gardens by the Bay / Website
The annual CNY floral display, Dahlia Dreams, is back again at Gardens by the Bay!
The exhibition this year will feature 100 adorable rabbit figurines and 40 variants of central America Dahlias flowers in festive dressing and decorations. Visit the Flower Dome this CNY with everyone in your family, young and old, for a relaxing and chilled family day.
The Meteorological Services Singapore has predicted that the second half of January will be wetter than the first. This exhibition is just perfect for your family-bonding activity, regardless of the weather.
Visit River Hongbao
River Hongbao 2023 (春到河畔 2023), the annual CNY celebrations along the Singapore River since 1987, will be held at Gardens by the Bay for a third consecutive year from 20 to 28 January 2023.
Other than the usual God of Fortune and zodiac-themed lanterns that will offer visitors lots of photo opportunities, performances and activities have been lined up in the evenings through the 9-day event. A food fair and carnival with amusement rides will also be available at the venue.
And for the first time since the pandemic, there are no visitor limits nor registrations required to attend the event this year!
Visit Haw Par Villa
Photos via Haw Par Villa / Website
Yes, Haw Par Villa is open during Chinese New Year! The park is open all year round including public holidays.
The younger generation may not know that Haw Par Villa was once a must-go destination for foreign tourists to Singapore in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The park contains statues and dioramas, depicting Chinese mythology, legends, folktales, and novels, such as Journey to the West, Legend of the White Snake, Chinese Zodiac, etc.
Haw Par Villa is open from 9:00am – 8:00pm (the last entry is at 7:30pm). Admission is free for Haw Par Villa but you will need to buy a ticket to visit the Hells’ Museum at S$18 for adults and S$10 for children (7-12 years old). According to its website, Hell’s Museum is not recommended for children below the age of 9.
Though the ticketed Hell’s Museum is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, it will remain open this CNY Day 2 & 3. The museum will operate on CNY Eve, 21 January 2023 from 10:00am to 1:00pm, and from 10:00am to 6:00pm from 22 to 24 January 2023.
Watch a CNY movie at the cinema
From comedy such as The King of Musang King starring local comedians Jack Neo and Mark Lee, kids-friendly animation Mummies, to action and thriller blockbusters like Sakra and Plane, there are movies suitable for everyone this CNY:
- Śakra 天龙八部之乔峰传
- Rating / Genre: NC16 / Action
- Duration: 130 minutes
- Opening Date: 16 January 2023
- Cast: Donnie Yen 甄子丹, Chen Yuqi 陈钰琪, Cya Liu 刘雅瑟, Kara Wai 惠英红, Wu Yue 吴樾
- Mummies 木乃伊历险记
- Rating / Genre: PG / Animation & Family
- Duration: 89 minutes
- Opening Date: 19 January 2023
- Cast: Sean Bean, Hugh Bonneville, Eleanor Tomlinson, Celia Imrie, Joe Thomas, Dan Starkey
- Plane 航班陷落
- Rating / Genre: NC16 / Thriller
- Duration: 108 minutes
- Opening Date: 19 January 2023
- Cast: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Yoson An, Daniella Pineda, Paul Ben-Victor
- Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre 福星行动
- Rating / Genre: PG13 / Action
- Duration: 114 minutes
- Opening Date: 19 January 2023
- Cast: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Harnett, Cary Elwes, Hugh Grant
- What! The Heist 发财联盟
- Rating / Genre: PG13 / Comedy
- Duration: 106 minutes
- Opening Date: 19 January 2023
- Cast: Mark Lee 李国煌, Jack Lim 林德榮, Patricia Mok 莫小玲, Henry Thia 程旭辉, Jaspers Lai 赖宇涵, Grace Teo 张嘉轩, Gan Mei Yan 颜薇恩, Hao Ren 朱浩仁, Yuan Teng 原腾
- The King Of Musang King 猫山王中王
- Rating / Genre: PG13 / Comedy
- Duration: 149 minutes
- Opening Date: 21 January 2023
- Cast: Jack Neo 梁志强, Mark Lee 李国煌, Henry Thia 程旭辉, Glenn Yong, Angeline Teoh, Yeo Yann Yann
- Someday Or One Day 想见你
- Rating / Genre: PG / Romance
- Duration: 107 minutes
- Opening Date: 26 January 2023
- Cast: Alice Ko 柯佳嬿, Greg Hsu 许光汉, Patrick Shih 施柏宇
Participate in the HUAT Run to burn off calories
Overeat from all the CNY gatherings and pineapple tarts since the eve of the new year?
Head down to National Stadium and run on the 24/7 sheltered 100PLUS Promenade to burn off the extra calories! Singapore Sports Hub is running a HUAT Run campaign from 22 January 2023 to 5 February 2023 where 3 winners will stand a chance to win a pair of concert tickets each.
Go for a jog and post your run on Instagram to participate in a healthy CNY this year.
Visit Istana Open House
One of the 5 open houses each year, the Istana will be open to the public on the Day 2 of the Chinese New Year on 23 January 2023 from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.
In addition to getting a glimpse into the official residence and office of Singapore’s President, Chinese dance and musical performances, Chinese calligraphy demonstration, candle-making workshops, and guided tours are on the schedule to celebrate the joyous occasion.
Registration is not required. Read more for information on the opening hours, walk-in details, and entrance fees.
Attend cultural events at Huayi Chinese Festival of the Arts
Arts & Culture fanatics will be in for a treat at The Esplanade from 27 January 2023 to 5 February 2023. Seventeen events from workshops, theatre, dances, films, to orchestra performances, have been lined up for this 10-day Chinese arts festival.
Highlights of the event include performances by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, a comedy play by prominent Taiwanese celebrities, and a Mandarin hip-hop concert by Singaporean and Malaysian artists.
Watch Chingay Parade with family
Photos via Chingay / Website
The annual street parade celebrating the Chinese New Year since 1973 is back in full force, and more, this year! Over 10,000 performers will be participating in Chingay Parade 2023, making it the largest showcase since its inception.
The event will be held in person at the F1 Pit Building on the 3 & 4 February 2023, with tickets going from S$20 per person. For those who are unable to make it on the two days, partial display of the floats used in the parade will be on display in the neighbourhoods until early March.
Where to pray during Chinese New Year 2023
If you want to experience CNY the local and traditional Singaporean way, visit a temple to pray or watch how others pray!
Many Singaporeans tend to visit the temple during Chinese New Year’s eve or Day 1 of CNY to pray for wealth, career, health, or marriage for the whole year.
We have included key information on praying at the popular Si Beh Lor Guan Yin Temple 四马路观音庙 and praying to Tai Sui at various shrines and temples in Singapore during CNY 2023:
| Shrines and temples to pray at during CNY 2023 | CNY Eve | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3-15 |
| Pray at Waterloo Street’s Guanyin Temple (7 Jan – 5 Feb) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Pray to Tai Sui for good luck in the new year (22 Jan – 19 Feb) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Pray at Waterloo Street's Guanyin Temple
It is a tradition for devotees of Kwan Im Thng Hood Cho Temple 四马路观音堂 (also colloquially known as Waterloo Guanyin Temple or Si Beh Lor Guanyin Temple) to queue outside its premise on CNY Eve to offer the first incense of the year as the clock strikes midnight. It is believed that the act of being the first to place your incense stick on the urn would usher in prosperity in the new year.
This activity has been called off for the past 2 years due to the pandemic and will remain cancelled for the third year in CNY 2023. However, the temple will still operate on CNY Eve, CNY Day 1 & 2 over its usual opening hours from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm (closed from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm for cleaning).
Pray to Tai Sui for good luck in the new year
According to Taoism tradition, those whose zodiac signs clashes with the Tai Sui of the year will face disturbances for the whole year.
As such, from the first day of the Chinese New Year, it is a custom for worshippers with zodiac signs that clash with Tai Sui to perform a ritual known as An Tai Sui (安太岁) at the shrines and temples to seek protection from Tai Sui. In 2023, these zodiac signs are rabbit, rooster, dragon, horse, and rat.
Many Taoist shrines across Singapore offer this service during this period and some even started before the CNY. If you are born in the year of rabbit, rooster, dragon, horse, and rat, you will need to pray to Tai Sui in 2023. If you are not, you can also pray to Tai Sui for a peaceful and healthy year.
