5 ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

This article first appeared on Skyscanner’s 5 ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and Singapore is always abuzz with lively festivals, thrilling parades and larger-than-life lanterns during this multi-day festival.

Still figuring out how to usher in the Year of the Rooster in 2017? Check out Skyscanner's list of things to do this Chinese New Year for inspiration!

1. Visit River Hongbao

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This iconic riverside festival is an annual staple in Singapore's calendar of events, so you can expect an extravaganza of fireworks and performances for 10 consecutive days! Get ready for amusement rides, mouth-watering food, and spectacular lanterns at every turn. This year features exciting performances by Nathan Hartono, as well as the acclaimed Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe.

With a fantastic line up that changes nightly, it's the perfect way to usher in the Lunar New Year for locals and tourists alike. And of course, no River Hongbao experience is complete without catching your lucky numbers from the God of Fortune!

Where: Marina Bay Floating Platform

When: 26 January - 4 February 2017; fireworks at 12 midnight on the eve of Chinese New Year, 9pm on all other days

Website: here

Admission is free

2. Watch the Chingay Parade

Soak up the festive spirit at Singapore's biggest street parade! With over 11,000 performers, eye-popping costumes and exuberantly colourful floats, this joyous multicultural celebration is sure to be a feast for all the senses.

Where else could you find fiery dragon dancers, intrepid acrobats and impossibly graceful wushu masters? This brilliant spectacle of music, dance and pyrotechnics makes for the perfect family outing to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Where: F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard

When: 10 - 11 February 2017

Timing: 8pm (Pre-Parade: 7pm)

Tickets: $28.50 - $60

Get your tickets here

3. Indulge in a Chinese New Year feast

Not in the mood to cook up a storm for your reunion dinner? With so many tantalising Chinese New Year buffets around town, you don't have to! Our top pick? The Prosperity Buffet at Carlton Hotel Singapore's Cafe Mosaic. The buffet includes fresh seafood such as oysters, half shell queen scallops, and barbequed favourites such as suckling pig and roasted crispy belly pork.

Other traditional dishes on the menu include Peking duck, longevity buns, and sweet treats like pineapple tarts and nian gao! If that isn't enough, you'll even be provided with a complimentary platter of Yu Sheng to celebrate the festivities. Let the feasting begin!

Where: Carlton Hotel Singapore, 76 Bras Basah Road

When: 27 - 29 January 2017, lunch buffet from 12pm - 2:30pm and dinner buffet from 6pm - 10pm

Prices: $68 - $88 (adult), $34 - $42 (child)

Early bird special: 4-for-3 promotion for Lunar New Year Day 1 & 2 Buffet Lunch & Dinner with reservations and full payment by 20 January 2017

For reservations: call Cafe Mosaic at 6311 8195 or email cafe.mosaic@carltonhotel.sg

Website: here

4. Explore a bustling Chinatown

Chinatown truly comes alive during the Lunar New Year festivities. Dive into Chinatown's bustling streets for a one-stop shopping experience at the Festive Street Bazaar, the best place to buy all your Chinese New Year goodies - from pineapple tarts and peanut cookies to waxed duck meat. But there're loads more to explore besides food!

Get lost in a sea of handmade lanterns, bright lights and unique decorations as you wander through the hundreds of vibrant, rowdy stalls. Be sure not to miss out on the International Lion Dance Competition, held on 14 & 15 January, as well as the Chinese New Year countdown party on 27 January!

Festive Bazaar:

Where: Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street

When: 6 - 27 January 2017, 6pm - 10:30pm (daily), 6pm - 1am (Chinese New Year's Eve)

International Lion Dance Competition:

Where: Carpark at Banda Street (off Sago Lane)

When: 14 - 15 January 2017, 6:30pm - 10:30pm

Countdown party:

Where: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street

When: 27 January 2017, 9:30pm - 12:30am

Website here

5. Catch a show at Esplanade's Huayi Festival

If you're feeling artsy, grab a ticket to Huayi Festival, which showcases traditional and cutting-edge works by Chinese artists. With dozens of theatre, music and dance performances to choose from, it's every culture buff's dream.

Highlights include A Midsummer's Night Dream by Dionysus Contemporary Theatre, which offers a unique Cantonese twist on this Shakespeare classic. There's even an interactive theatre piece for kids. What better way to usher in the new year?

Where: Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive

When: 3 - 12 February 2017

See the full lineup and get tickets here