Things to Do in Chinatown Singapore This Chinese New Year 2022

As we all know, Chinese New Year is one of the most important festivals for the Chinese community around the world. In Singapore, there are about 74% of Chinese residents, according to the Department of Statistics Singapore’s Census of Population in 2020.

This year, the Chinatown Chinese New Year celebrations were launched last Jan. 7 and will brighten up the Lion City until March 2. In case you didn’t know yet, Chinatown Festivals is an exciting event packed with different activities organised by Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens' Consultative Committee.

Aside from celebrating the year of the water tiger, this exclusive celebration aims to promote unity among various communities including new citizens, ethnic groups, and even tourists. Each activity is aligned with Chinese traditions, heritage, and culture, as well as to help businesses in Chinatown thrive by offering something new and unique to everyone.

Considering everyone’s health and safety, Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2022 will be held virtually through live stream on Facebook and YouTube. Here’s a lineup of events that you shouldn’t miss!

Street Light-Up

The official opening ceremony and street light-up happened last Jan. 7 along the New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, and South Bridge Road. The street light-up will continue to illuminate the city until March 2.

Chinatown is filled with sculptured lanterns of cubs and tigers designed by students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design. These lanterns symbolise the public's growing strength and unity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, while the centerpiece located between the New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street features a family of tigers representing good relationships, abundance, and reunion.

Tigers Sculpture Display 

Aside from tiger lanterns, Chinatown collaborated with the World Wild Fund for Nature (Singapore) and Temenggong Artists in Residence to exhibit 40 life-sized tiger art sculptures created and designed by international and local artists.

These artists came from Singapore, China, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Australia, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Syria, and the United States. The public can enjoy the exhibit display until Feb. 15.

Wishing Tree

With a minimum donation of S$2, you can write in a card your wishes this Lunar New Year and hang them on the Chinatown Wishing Tree.

All proceeds will benefit the elderly and low-income families under the community programmes organised by the Kreta Ayer – Kim Seng Community Development Welfare Fund.

Walking Trail

As part of the Chinese New Year 2022 celebration in Chinatown, the Everyday Tour Company organised a 2-hour walking tour. The activity commenced last Jan. 22 and tickets will be on sale until Jan. 30. Those interested to join can buy their tickets for only S$35 per person. 

Participants can enjoy food and drink tasting samples (vegan options included) while having a fun learning experience and snapping unlimited photos. Just don’t forget to download the "DisVoize" app and bring your own pair of earphones for the walk.

Adopt A Lantern

Starting Feb. 15-22, anyone can apply to adopt or recycle lanterns after the Chinese New Year celebration free of charge. This event aims to lessen the waste from the street light-up activity. If interested, you may send an email to [email protected].