Spring Festival 2023: Where to Celebrate the Lunar New Year With the Kids

The Year of the Rabbit takes a special importance. Two years of restrictions and lockdowns dampened family fun time, especially to those who went into a default state of worry. But now that things are easing up and the world is opening again, it is finally time to set our sights on good things this 2023. And no one would enjoy this return to normalcy more than children, who are still living in a suspended reality.

That is why this upcoming Spring Festival will be a literal coming-out party for kids who have been stuck inside with the “boring adults.” It is the perfect time to wear red and (properly) celebrate the Lunar New Year again. As a major holiday in Singapore, there will be no expenses spared in welcoming the next 365 days.

Here are 10 Spring Festival events that would bring a smile to the little ones.

Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2023

The Wan Qing Festival of Spring, by the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, is looking like the all-in-one Lunar New Year event to visit this festive season. They will welcome the first month of the new year with festivities from beginning until the end. They lined up 14 events that will take on a multitude of themes, with the Children Lion Dance Workshop, Children Festive Chinese Drums Workshop and Storytelling Session: Tales of Spring to keep an eye on if you are bringing your kids. 

When: Jan.-Feb. 2023 

Hop Into Fun 2023

Universal Studios’ Hop Into Fun will transform the theme park into a full-blown cultural paradise for the upcoming festivities. With both day and night programmes, you can plan the perfect Spring Festival party that your family will enjoy. All the kids’ favourite characters will dress in their best Chinese garb, which will make the tots hop into having more fun.

When: Jan. 13-Feb. 5

Spring in the Sea

A marine-themed Lunar New Year event sounds like an experience of a lifetime, something the S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World will bring to life for the Spring Festival with the Spring in the Sea. The festivities will include an underwater dragon dance, storytelling sessions, and other interactive fun with the aquarium’s premier attractions, including Ru Yi the Mermaid and her all-important lessons in conserving life under the sea.

When: Jan. 15-Feb. 5

Dahlia Dreams

Attention, green thumbs and flower enjoyers! Gardens by The Bay has something truly special planned for you this Lunar New Year: Dahlia Dreams. This one-of-a-kind event promises to surround you with the beauty of nature, with a line-up of some of the most beautiful and exotic flowers you will see on this side of the world. The event is a nice change of pace to the usual new year celebrations, where you can take your time strolling the gardens and being enveloped in the loveliest scents nature can concoct.

When: Jan. 13-Feb. 26

Chinatown Festivals

The annual Chinatown Festivals always bring the best of traditional Chinese culture to the streets of Singapore. Several events will run throughout January until February, with the Street Light-Up among the highlights. There will be good food, cultural attractions, and plenty of rabbit mascots that will please the little ones.

When: Jan.-Feb. 2023

2023 Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Hongbao Campaign

The 9th edition of the Museum Roundtable for the Lunar New Year will hold one of the more unique events this season. With 39 participating museums and galleries, this Lunar treasure hunt will have you traversing all of Singapore for unique hong bao packets. In addition, a limited number of collector’s albums will be available at said museums and galleries that should put a pep in your step for this event.

When: Jan. 2023

Light to Night Festival 2023

Music is essential to celebrations, and the Light to Night Festival by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra will surround your Lunar New Year with timeless tunes to welcome 2023. It may not be your typical party, but you must admit that being surrounded by art is one of the best ways you can start the new year. With dazzling light shows and classical music all around, this multisensory event could be the start of a new tradition for you.

When: Jan. 6-26

Chingay Parade 2023

A celebration of Singapore and the Chinese New Year, the Chingay Parade is a come-together, non-denominational event you would not want to miss. Cack in the F1 Pit this time, the Chingay Parade is poised to live up to its “Mardi Gras of the East” reputation. The colours will be vibrant, the music loud, and the fun turned to the max.

When: Feb. 3-4

River Hongbao 2023

The River Hongbao festivities have always put tradition in front of everything. A fixture in the Singaporean calendar since 1987, this iconic welcome to the new year will be at the Gardens by The Bay this time. It can only mean that the lantern shows and cultural performances will have a spectacular backdrop. With all that, the memory of River Hongbao will live long in the memory of your kids, guaranteed.

When: Jan. 20-28

Rhapsodies of Spring 2023

Another classical music event to usher in the Lunar New Year, Rhapsodies of Spring will get you ready to celebrate the Spring Festival in the right mood. A full orchestra and percussion will back local vocal band MICapella as they belt out Chinese tunes to welcome good luck and prosperity into your lives.

When: Jan. 13-14