The Chinese New Year vibe in Singapore isn’t just about massive sales, shiny decorations in Chinatown, or red lanterns hanging across the city. The celebration goes way beyond that, as it truly comes alive with the Chingay Festival Singapore. Oh yes, you’d honestly regret it if you missed this parade!

Chingay (Chinese: 妆艺) is a symbol of Singapore’s multicultural harmony, showcasing how people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate as one. The word Chingay comes from the Hokkien dialect and corresponds to the Mandarin term 妆艺 (zhuāng yì) meaning “the art of costume and masquerade.” 

When referring to Chingay in Chinese, it quite literally captures the festival’s spirit: a dazzling expression of colour, creativity and cultural unity. It’s this very spirit of creativity and togetherness that has shaped Chingay into so much more than a parade.

The Chingay Festival Singapore is one of the most colourful and iconic annual celebrations in the country. This festival is filled with lively music, dazzling floats and expressive performances. No wonder, many recommend this festival to add to your list of things to do in Singapore!

If there’s one event that captures Singapore’s multicultural heartbeat, it’s the Chingay Festival. What began as a simple street parade has blossomed into one of the island’s biggest annual celebrations. Here’s how it all began and how it grew into the spectacular Chingay Parade Singapore we know now.

Before Chingay became a Singapore icon, similar parades were already held in Malaysia, especially in Penang. These processions were part of Chinese temple festivals — lively, noisy and filled with floats, dancers and performances honouring local deities.

When firecrackers were banned in 1972 for safety reasons, Chinese New Year lost a big part of its excitement. To bring back the festive spirit, the People’s Association (PA) and the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation launched the first Chingay Parade on 4 February 1973. It featured dragon dances, floats and music, drawing thousands to North Bridge Road and Outram Park — and just like that, a new tradition was born.

By the late ’70s, Chingay had grown beyond its Chinese roots. Performers from Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities joined in, transforming it into a true reflection of Singapore’s multicultural identity. The parade later moved to Orchard Road, bringing even more energy, colour and massive crowds of locals and tourists.

In the ’90s, Chingay took things international. Performers from around the world joined the line-up, adding global flair to Singapore’s homegrown creativity. Giant floats, acrobatics and themed performances turned it into one of Asia’s most anticipated parades — a visual celebration of imagination and diversity.

With Singapore’s growth came innovation. Chingay moved to bigger venues like Marina Bay and the F1 Pit Building. Even during the pandemic, Chingay adapted by going hybrid and digital while keeping its message of unity and community alive.

Today, the Chingay Festival Singapore is far more than a weekend parade. It has grown into a month-long celebration with roadshows, art projects and creative workshops held across the island.

It’s a space where traditional culture meets digital innovation. And above all, it’s where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate Singapore’s unity in diversity.

Chingay Parade 2025 was a spectacular celebration of colour, creativity and community spirit. The event featured grand floats, mesmerising cultural performances, energetic street dancers and dazzling pyrotechnics that lit up the night sky.

The theme for the year, “Joy”, captured the essence of food, fun and togetherness. It was a heartfelt reflection of Singapore’s shared love for culture and cuisine. 

The highlight of the parade was a stunning fleet of food-inspired floats, featuring imaginative takes on local favourites such as chilli crab and durian. After the parade, these floats travelled to the heartlands, allowing more residents to experience their artistry up close.

True to Chingay’s signature flair, the parade dazzled with elaborate costumes, LED-lit floats, a towering four-storey main stage, and more than 60 lion dancers performing in unison.

Adding to the celebrations, PAssionArts Street (held on 7–8 February 2025) brought the community together through interactive art activities, exhibitions and installations inspired by Singapore’s mixed food culture. 

Supported by 18 Community Arts & Culture Clubs and 8 schools, the 2025 edition showcased a record 23 floats, including 14 community floats and a first-ever 12-metre District-level float — a brilliant display of creativity, unity and local pride.

In 2025, the Chingay Festival Singapore once again took centre stage at the F1 Pit Building, just across from Marina Bay Sands. This spot that’s been home to the parade since 2012. 

The venue’s wide, open layout and city skyline backdrop made it the perfect place for the spectacular lights, music and colour that filled the night. Crowds gathered early, soaking up the buzz and waterfront breeze as the celebrations came to life.

The main parade route stretched through the Marina Bay precinct, weaving its way along Republic Boulevard and Raffles Avenue, looping past the Singapore Flyer before finishing near NS Square. It was the ideal spot for both locals and tourists to soak in the atmosphere, with plenty of open space for performances and pyrotechnics to light up the night.

Spectators could choose between ticketed grandstand seats that offered clear views of the main stage: 

As for 2026, the exact venue hasn’t been confirmed yet. So best to stay tuned to their social media: Facebook @ChingayParadeSG and Instagram @chingayparadesg.

Getting to the F1 Pit Building in the Marina Bay area where the parade started was a breeze, thanks to Singapore’s excellent public transport. 

The nearest MRT stations were Promenade (CC4/DT15), just an 11-minute walk away, and Esplanade (CC3), around 14 minutes on foot. If you didn’t mind stretching your legs a little, City Hall MRT (NS25/EW13) was another good option, roughly a 20-minute walk from the venue.

As always, driving wasn’t really the best idea — with road closures and limited parking around the bay, most people hopped on the MRT or took a short bus ride instead. The evening stroll from the station to the parade grounds was part of the fun, with the city lights reflecting off the bay and crowds buzzing with anticipation.

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If you’re planning ahead for Chingay Festival Singapore, here’s how things worked for Chingay Parade 2025. It’s a handy reference for what to expect at Chingay 2026.

Tickets for the main parade were available to book online in advance, with grandstand seating offering some of the best views of the action. Ticket prices ranged from SGD 20 to SGD 60, depending on the section.

For those who preferred a more casual experience, free public viewing zones were open around the Marina Bay area. These were on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early was key to grabbing a good spot.

A quick tip for visitors: families are best off securing spots before peak crowd time, while tourists might plan a relaxed evening — enjoy dinner around Marina Bay, then head out to the parade as the city lights come alive.

One of the most endearing parts of the Chingay Festival Singapore is how it unites everyone—from schools and youth groups to cultural associations and professional artists. Together, they bring the nation’s rich diversity to life through music, dance and creativity.

Every year, local schools and youth groups join the parade with energetic performances and colourful costumes. Many also help design floats or take part in community art projects, supported by initiatives from the People’s Association that encourage teamwork and cultural appreciation.

The performances celebrate Singapore’s multicultural heritage, blending traditional and modern styles. Expect to see Chinese lion and dragon dances, Malay silat and traditional music, Indian classical dance, and Eurasian folk performances. These vibrant displays highlight how each community contributes to Singapore’s shared identity.

What truly makes Chingay special is the collaboration between professional artists and everyday residents. Artists mentor community members to co-create floats and installations, while students and local groups bring fresh energy and imagination to the stage. In 2025, for instance, 14 of the 23 parade floats were community-built, showing how creativity thrives when people come together.

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Finding the right place to stay makes all the difference when catching the Chingay Festival Singapore. You’ll want somewhere central, well-connected and close to the buzz of the celebrations. Here are some of the best & cheap hotels in Singapore (30% OFF) during the festival:

For the best convenience, look around Bencoolen or the City Hall area. All with great MRT links and easy access to the parade venue. Here are the recommendations:

If you fancy a bit of luxury, choices of Marina Bay hotels will spoil you with comfort and views right in the heart of the action. Here are the recommendations:

For something more affordable, Bugis and Dhoby Ghaut offer plenty of budget-friendly stays and guesthouses that are perfect for travellers on the go. Here are the recommendations:

If you’re planning a trip to experience it for yourself, make it a smooth and memorable one with Traveloka. Find hotels, activities, and get your Singapore flight deals of your choices easily, and get ready to celebrate Singapore in full festive style.