subject: Ringing In The Chinese New Year In Festival Capital Singapore [print this page] Most of the world may have heralded in the New Year at the beginning of the first day of the month but the islanders of Singapore wait till the last week of January to pull out all the stops in a lunar New Year celebration of truly grand proportions. Falling at the end of the years first month and concluding in the final days of February, the Chinese lunar New Year is a sacred festival that is enthusiastically commemorated by the entire spectrum of Singaporean society.
With Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road decked to the nines in festival decorations, Singapores lunar New Year celebrations begin in Chinatown as the area transforms into a hub full of stalls, lanterns and traditional performers.
Quarters such as Sago Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Garden Bridge and South Bridge Road are lit up with lanterns as street lights denoting the designated Chinese zodiac animal of the New Year are also scattered around town. Chinatown hosts its annual Street Bazaar this time of the year with over 500 stalls selling seasonal treats, dcor and handicrafts for the New Year. The district also puts on nightly shows from January 23th to February 13th with lion dances, martial arts and even Chinese opera that usually take place in Kreta Ayer Square.
Another exciting New Year attraction is the Singapore River Hong Bao Carnival which typically takes place between the 12th and 20th of February. Complete with nightly performances of traditional Chinese cultural elements and artworks it is not unusual to see the icons of Chinese folklore also making appearances at the carnivals amusing events. With the riverbed lined with illuminated paper lanterns a variety of street performers such as acrobats and calligraphers also entertain crowds at the carnival. Seasonal delicacies and handicrafts are also on offer at the event which is concentrated along the Esplanade Waterfront Promenade as well as the Floating Platform on Marina Bay.
The highlight of the celebrations is of course the glittering Chingay Parade which sees the city come to a standstill for two nights as a colorful street party for the masses takes hold of the metropolis at the climax of the New Year festivities. As a masquerade parade with vibrant costumes and a whopping 500 acrobats this international scale procession also encompasses salsa dancers as well as traditional Filipino dancers who dance along the streets accompanied by giant floats and music. The Firecracker Dragons Dance is also a must-see event at the parade which sees local and international dance troupes perform amidst a spectacle of bursting light.
Other festival events include the Orchard Road Mini-Parade and Chingay Passion Pasar carnival while shopping venues in the island pull out all the stops with night markets and other special offers for the New Year season.
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