Chinese New Year 2025: A Creative’s Guide to the Year of the Wooden Snake

Published on January 14, 2025 | by DSGN arcHive

Spark your creativity this Chinese New Year 2025 with Singapore’s dazzling décor, glowing lanterns, and bustling festive markets!

Ready to slither into 2025 with style? 🐍 The Year of the Wooden Snake is finally here, bringing the magic of Chinese New Year! It’s all happening on 29 and 30 January 2025, and the city is already buzzing with excitement. Over in Chinatown and across the island, streets are glowing with vibrant lanterns, snake-inspired décor, and that unmistakable festive energy. Plus, you’ll find everything from mouthwatering treats like pineapple tarts and love letters to incredible shopping deals. It’s the perfect time to dive right into the celebrations.

For design lovers, this is an absolute dream come true. The streets are bursting with colour, culture, and creativity everywhere you look. Every corner tells a story, and the vibe is completely infectious. So, grab your sketchbooks, cameras, or journals and get ready to capture the magic. From intricate designs to bustling markets, there’s endless inspiration to soak in. With so much happening, it can be overwhelming—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Our ultimate guide will help you explore, celebrate, and experience it all like a total pro. Let’s get started!

Scroll down for the full scoop or jump straight to these highlights:

Chinese New Year Festivities at Chinatown

1. Street Light-Up

One of the biggest highlights of Chinese New Year is the Street Light-Up, and it’s perfect for anyone looking for great photography ops. The best part? The streets of Chinatown are already lit up and will be until 27 February 2025. Since this year’s theme is the Year of the Snake, you can expect to see plenty of slithery decals and lanterns all around town.

The Tree of Fortune

Your first stop at the Street Light-Up should be the Tree of Fortune, the centrepiece of the festive display. Standing tall at 8 metres, it’s a symbol of abundance and unity, adorned with gold coins and red blessing tags. At its base, a snake coils around an ingot, representing prosperity and success.

Land of Festive Greetings, Chinatown

What we love about CNY is how Chinatown transforms into a visual feast! As you wander down the lively streets—New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, and Eu Tong Sen Street—you’ll be greeted by cultural and symbolic displays at every turn. Keep an eye out for auspicious Chinese sayings woven into the lanterns, decals, and decorations. You’ll spot persimmon trees symbolising success and fulfilled aspirations, and gold ingots representing wealth and prosperity. Firecracker decorations, scattered throughout, serve to ward off evil spirits and bring in good luck. And don’t miss the SG 60 lanterns, a tribute to Singapore’s 60th anniversary. The festivities don’t stop there—gold coins, snakes, peonies, oranges, apples, and peaches come together to tell a vibrant story of blessings and good fortune.

Adopt a Lantern

Looking to take home a piece of the festive magic? Be sure to check out the Lantern Adoption Applications and stay updated by following the Chinatown Festivals Facebook page for all the details!

2. Festive Fairs

For a dose of artful urban transformation, why not dive into some retail therapy while sampling the festive flavours of the season? At People’s Park Square and throughout Chinatown, shops are buzzing with energy, making it the perfect spot to grab a souvenir of your experience. You’ll find a treasure trove of Chinese New Year goodies, festive decorations, and unique gifts. From traditional snacks like pineapple tarts, love letters, and bak kwa to festive fashion and decor, there’s something for everyone. The vibrant atmosphere, with enthusiastic vendors showcasing their wares, adds to the excitement and charm of the season.

When: Until 28 January 2025

Where: 1) People’s Park Square: 10am to 10pm;

2) Streets in Chinatown, including Sago Street, Smith Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street, and Pagoda Street: Monday to Thursday: 11am to 10.30pm, Friday to Sunday: 11am to 11.30pm, Eve of Chinese New Year: 11am to 1am

3. Weekend Stage Shows

Why not add a touch of theatre to your CNY celebrations? The festive season is packed with cultural and dance performances, traditional opera, and more to immerse you in the vibrant culture. These shows aren’t just entertaining—they’re perfect for the whole family to enjoy together. So, gather your crew and make it a memorable outing filled with lively performances and festive cheer!

Where: Kreta Ayer Square

When: 7pm – 9pm, 11, 12, 18, 19 January 2025

4. Countdown Party

There’s nothing quite like the excitement leading up to the big moment, and what better way to celebrate than with a countdown party? Get ready to usher in the festivities with live performances, music, and all the vibrant vibes you’ve been waiting for!

Where: Banda Street Open-Space Carpark

When: 28 January 2025, 10pm

CNY Festivities at F1 Pit

5. Chingay Parade

This year’s Chingay Parade is all about Joy! It celebrates the happiness and warmth that food brings to families and communities, creating moments of togetherness, storytelling, and cultural pride. Honouring SG60, the parade also shines a spotlight on Singapore’s shared heritage and unity. Get ready for a sensory feast with food-inspired floats, dazzling costumes, and eye-catching PAssionArts installations. A roaring performance by 60 lion dancers will take centre stage, embodying the energy and spirit of Singapore. This year, an all-new immersive layout puts you right in the heart of the action, bringing the dazzling performances closer than ever. With over 4,000 performers from 150 organisations and larger-than-life inflatables, the grand spectacle promises non-stop excitement and vibrant energy. It’s a celebration you absolutely can’t miss!

When: 7 and 8 Feb 2025

Where: F1 Pit Buidling

Ticket Prices: $60 / $50 / $40 / $28.50 / $20 (excluding booking fee)

Gardens By The Bay

6. River Hongbao

Mark your calendars for River Hongbao 2025, an unmissable celebration returning to the iconic Gardens by the Bay for its 39th edition! Perfect for the design, art, and lifestyle community, this year’s festivities honour SG60 with a captivating blend of heritage and contemporary flair. Wander through stunning lantern displays, admire intricate craftsmanship, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. For creatives, the festival offers endless inspiration with thrilling performances, interactive exhibits, and nostalgic touches like the Retro Snake Game. Whether you’re sketching, photographing, or simply taking it all in, this is a feast for the senses. Gather your crew, celebrate the Year of the Snake, and revel in the magic of tradition reimagined!

Plan your visit ahead by checking out the event map here.

When: 27 January to 5 February 2025, 27 January – 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm, 28 Jan – 6.30 pm to 12.15 am, 29 Jan to 5 Feb 2025 – 2.30 pm to 10.30 pm

We hope these Chinese New Year experiences spark your creativity and inspire fresh ideas this festive season. Whether you’re capturing the vibrant colours, soaking in the cultural richness, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, there’s so much to inspire. Wishing everyone a joyful, prosperous, and creatively fulfilling CNY!

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About DSGN arcHive

DSGN arcHive is your exclusive key to unveiling the enigmatic essence of a city, all filtered through the prism of design. Far from the ordinary tourist paths. We reveal the city’s architectural marvels, urban intricacies, cultural tapestry, and eco-conscious revolutions that mold its distinctive soul. With us, you’re invited to savor the metropolis in an entirely chic and sophisticated light, a city that’s far more than what meets the eye.