Soaring Into The Auspicious Year Of The Dragon – Events And Highlights In Chinatown

2024 ushers in the year of the Dragon on 10th Feb 2024. The dragon is one of the most prosperous zodiac signs. The dragon symbolises power, nobleness, honour, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture.

Like Orchard Road during Christmas, Chinatown comes to life in the lead up to the Lunar New Year where streets would be bustling with people all ready to usher in the new year. Last year’s festive celebrations saw 280 stalls set up along Smith Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street and Temple Street selling all sorts of festive goods.

If you’re planning to revel in the festive atmosphere this year, here are some events and highlights that you can expect in the leadup to the new year!

Events

Nian Gao Making Masterclass

Source: Chinatown Singapore website

For S$28.80 per pax, enjoy this 2 hour masterclass which teaches you how to make Nian Gao! Nian Gao is a Chinese sweet rice cake often used to symbolise unity and prosperity during the Lunar New Year. Nian Gao literally means “going higher year on year”, and this is used to bless one with a more prosperous year and to scale new heights. 

This is a great way for seniors and caregivers to create new bonds and memories this Lunar New Year and bask in the festivities. The 2 hour long hands on workshop would definitely be a fun and memorable one that will go down memory lane. After making your own Nian Gao, head down to the streets of Chinatown and soak up the Lunar New Year vibes!

Register here

Pom Pom Mandarin Orange Keychain Making Workshop

Source: Chinatown Singapore website

In this 1.5 hours workshop, get ready for some crafting fun as textile artist Autumn Brown teaches participants how to create their own keychains. This festive period, try your hand at making mandarin oranges using soft and fluffy wool. This can be used as a keychain or even doubling up as home decorations for the Lunar New Year!

For seniors, dabbling in arts and crafts can stimulate the senses, boost mood and trigger positive memories. Additionally, jio (ask a friend/your caregiver along) to create beautiful memories together!

Register here

Highlights

• Early celebrations @ the Festive fair at People Park Complex. From 11 Jan to 9th Feb 10 am to 10pm, enjoy the festive fair at the open space in front of People Park Complex.
• The week after on the 19th Jan to 9th Feb, that is when the main celebrations kick off on the bustling stretch on Sago Street, Smith Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street and Pagoda Street. This celebration will see the district’s streets lined with beautifully designed lanterns and luminous decorations. Expect weekly stage shows, bustling fairs and vendors selling an assortment of snacks and traditional goodies.
• The most exciting one you get to witness live would be the official street light up and opening ceremony happening on the 19th Jan, 6pm at Kreta Ayer Square. Expect dragon sculptures and decorations to usher in the year of the dragon to line New Bridge Road all the way to Upper Cross Street. The street lights last all the way to 3rd Mar, so plenty of time to catch it even if you miss the opening ceremony.
• When we celebrate the Lunar New Year, how can one forget about lion dance? Catch the lion dance competition on 27th and 28th Jan at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre.
• Weekend stage shows at Kreta Ayer Square in the evenings from 6pm – 9pm on the weekends of 27th/28th Jan and 3rd/4th Feb.
• Countdown party on 9th Feb 10pm at Kreta Ayer Square.