In Singapore, the Chinese New Year is celebrated primarily by Chinese Singaporeans, or members of the Chinese diaspora located there, who make up over 75% of Singapore's population. [1] The holiday is the start of a new year based on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Come Chinese New Year, But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that this custom stems from the legend of the Eight Immortals. Singapore Chinese Cultural Chinese New Year is celebrated by most Chinese in Singapore. The first day of the lunar new year usually falls between the winter solstice (dongzhi) and spring’s beginning (lichun). This typically falls between 21 January and 20 February each year. 1 One month before Chinese New Year With Chinese New Year (CNY) just around the corner, preparations to celebrate one of Singapore’s most vibrant festivals are in full-swing! Amid the exuberance and fanfare, there are also interesting customs that many Singaporeans follow. 4. No Sweeping On New Year’s Day. Ft. Pristine Broom & Dustpan Set. Before the new year, many Chinese households typically spring clean to prepare for the festivities. On the first day of Chinese New Year, it is considered bad luck to sweep, mop, scrub or wash the home. It’s also associated with sweeping wealth away. This air-dried meat delicacy is a super popular Chinese New Year tradition here in Singapore and for deliciously good reason! Order online before Chinese New Year to bag yourself this treat. It’s also a popular gift during the festive season for friends and family for its reputation as a luxury food and its deep red colour, symbolising good Chinese New Year (CNY) in Singapore is a vibrant celebration that blends traditional practices with local flavors, reflecting the city-state’s multicultural heritage. While many customs are familiar across Chinese communities worldwide, Singapore offers unique twists and traditions you might not find elsewhere. The beginner’s guide to Chinese New Year traditions, etiquette and superstitions Usher in the Year of the Snake this 2025 by brushing up on all the etiquette and lore surrounding it Tuesday 28 An essential dish enjoyed only during Chinese New Year is yusheng (鱼生), a raw fish salad which means “abundant life” and custom of tossing and reciting auspicious phrases (lo hei, 捞起), and is popular to Singapore and Malaysia. The dish is elaborate and colourful, and has a wide variety of vegetables, raw fish or sliced abalone. See more about the Chinese New Year date.. 2. Customs and Traditions. Chinese New Year traditions are very rich in Singapore.. Before the Festival: Spring Cleaning Tradition: In the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, Singaporean households engage in a thorough cleaning and decluttering process known as “spring cleaning.” Chinese New Year in Singapore is a vibrant and colourful celebration, with various events and activities happening across the city to mark the beginning of a new lunar year. As a multicultural society with a significant Chinese population, Singapore offers a unique and memorable experience for locals and tourists during this festive period. Using them on New Year's Day is believed to bring bad luck. However, many housewives still quietly use the knives for cutting food. Also, no one would think of serving food in chipped crockery. Eating Right The first meal on Chinese New Year for most traditional Chinese families is vegetarian food. During Chinese New Year, people have a long list of things to do. From one week preceding the festival to the 15th day after, many Chinese New Year customs are widely observed for thousands of years. The family reunion dinner, eating dumplings, and setting off firework are the must-dos that you might know. What else interesting do the Chinese do? When Is Chinese New Year in Singapore? Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is an annual event based on the lunar calendar. In 2025, Chinese New Year falls on the 29th – 30th of January (Wednesday and Thursday). If the deceased was from the maternal side: Your mother's mourning period is 1 year. Your father will follow the same mourning duration. Your mouring period is also 100 days. For your grandfather, his mourning period is 3 years (the max is 3 years). Any special ritual would have already been done within 49 days after the deceased passed away. Singapore: Singapore’s multicultural society contributes to a diverse Chinese New Year celebration. Along with traditional Chinese customs, Singaporean festivities feature unique elements like Chingay parades with vibrant floats and performances. Chinese New Year CNY 2023 Singapore Customs traffic Traffic Congestion. Share this article. This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers. CNY Goodies in Singapore to Celebrate Chinese New Year. Discover the best CNY goodies in Singapore to celebrate the Chinese New Year with delicious treats. From traditional pineapple tarts to modern CNY goodies, make your celebrations sweeter and more joyful with our selection of festive snacks. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. Chinatown before Chinese New Year. Photograph taken in 2021. Courtesy of Lee Kok Leong. Fifteen days of Chinese New Year. On the first day of Chinese New Year, people dress in auspicious colour and visit family members’ homes — where they exchange festive greetings and pairs of mandarin oranges. An essential dish enjoyed only during Chinese New Year is yusheng (鱼生), a raw fish salad which means “abundant life” and custom of tossing and reciting auspicious phrases (lo hei, 捞起), and is popular to Singapore and Malaysia. The dish is elaborate and colourful, and has a wide variety of vegetables, raw fish or sliced abalone.
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