The Lunar New Year is one of the most beloved festivals in Chinese culture, with roots that date back over 3500 years. This ancient tradition is celebrated in a variety of ways on our island, with the River Hongbao being one of the most iconic.

The River Hongbao has been on Singapore’s festive calendar every year since 1987. Held at Gardens by the Bay for the second consecutive year, the iconic event remains an integral tradition of Singapore’s Lunar New Year celebrations for locals and tourists alike. The 2022 edition will see the return of live stage performances and amusement rides.

Epic experiences
Wide shot of caishen which is a mythological figure worshipped in the Chinese folk religion and Taoism.

In Chinese custom, The New Year is closely tied to the Lunar New Year, and the myth of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. This year’s celebration marks the start of the year of the Tiger, 2022’s event will span 8 days from 30th January to 6th February. To prevent over-crowding, you may pre-register by booking slots online at the official website. 

Visitors to the celebration will be astounded by 30 giant lanterns. These include the crowd-pleasing God of Fortune at the Supertree Grove, a 12 Zodiac lantern set, and an interactive music-themed lantern. These lanterns will be scattered throughout Gardens by the Bay outdoor gardens.

Lion dance exhibition

Cultural elements can also be found at River Hongbao whereby visitors can boost their knowledge of Chinese culture at the River Hongbao exhibition curated by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, which will highlight the Nian Hua, also known as new year prints. These woodblock prints are traditionally used to decorate Chinese homes during the Lunar New Year and feature images ranging from mythical deities and creatures, to scenes from traditional folklore and opera.

You can enjoy live stage performances featuring local talents on different themed nights including Getai Night, Xinyao Night and Singapore Talent Night.

There will also be amusement rides offering a thrilling and entertaining experience for families and friends.

Many different elements of River Hongbao will be posted online at the official website for everyone to enjoy from home. This includes the Nian Hua exhibition, contests and quizzes, and videos of the stage performances.