Quick answer
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on 6 February, and Singapore celebrates for weeks around it: the Chinatown light-up and festive bazaar from about a month before, the River Hongbao carnival over the New Year period and the Chingay parade soon after. Go in the week before New Year's Day for the full atmosphere, as many small shops close on the first two days.
Highlights
- The Chinatown street light-up and festive bazaar
- New Year's Eve countdown with lion dances and fireworks in Chinatown
- The River Hongbao carnival with giant lanterns
- The Chingay street parade
- Lo hei, the prosperity toss salad, at restaurants
What actually happens
Singapore celebrates the Lunar New Year for weeks. The Chinatown street light-up along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street usually starts about a month before New Year's Day, and a festive street bazaar fills the lanes with stalls selling bak kwa (sweet barbecued pork), pineapple tarts, mandarin oranges and red decorations. On New Year's Eve there is a countdown party in Chinatown with performances and fireworks. The River Hongbao carnival, held around Marina Bay in recent years, brings giant lanterns, stage shows and food stalls, and the Chingay street parade follows within a couple of weeks of New Year. Lion dances visit malls, offices and hotels throughout.
The best days to go
New Year's Day in 2027 is Saturday 6 February, and the first two days are public holidays. Go in the week before, when the bazaar is in full swing and shops are open. Many family-run shops and some hawker stalls close for the first two or three days of the new year, though malls, attractions and hotels stay open.
Where to stay and what it costs
A four-night Singapore trip starts around ₹38,000 per person, land only, twin sharing. Chinatown and Clarke Quay hotels cost ₹10,000–18,000 a night over the holiday, and return flights from Indian metros cost ₹20,000–35,000. Book six to eight weeks ahead.
Visa and arrival
Indian passport holders need a Singapore visa, applied for through an authorised agent; it usually takes a few working days. See our Singapore visa guide. Submit the SG Arrival Card online within three days before you land.
Food, crowds and etiquette
Try lo hei at a restaurant; it traditionally includes raw fish, but vegetarian versions are easy to find, and Singapore is easy for vegetarian and Jain travellers in general. Chinatown is very crowded on the weekend evenings before New Year, so use the MRT. If you are invited to a home, wear something bright, avoid all-black or all-white outfits, and bring mandarins in pairs as a gift.
Weather and what to wear
February is one of Singapore's drier months, at 24–31°C. Light cotton, comfortable shoes and a small umbrella cover it.
Combining it
Add Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay, where the Flower Dome usually has a New Year floral display, or a short trip to Bintan or Malaysia. See where to stay in Singapore, things to do in Singapore and our February ideas.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year 2027 in Singapore?
Are shops and restaurants closed during Chinese New Year in Singapore?
Is Chinese New Year a good time for a family trip to Singapore?
What is lo hei?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
