Chinatown will usher in the Year of the Horse with the highly anticipated Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations from 18 January to 18 March 2026. The precinct will be transformed by a vibrant festive light-up inspired by the Year of the Horse, complemented by a rich lineup of cultural performances, engaging weekend workshops and the much-anticipated return of the Lion Dance Competition
Beyond the iconic Official Street Light-Up & Opening Ceremony, this year’s programme also features the annual Countdown Party (新春倒数派对) from 16 to 17 February 2026 at Kreta Ayer Square, bringing communities of all ages together in celebration. This year’s festivities include a refreshed collaboration with the Temenggong Artists-in-Residence, the festive art partners behind the street light designs, whose creative interpretations add depth and cultural resonance to the celebrations.
Street Light-Up: Galloping into the Prosperous Year
The 2026 Street Light-Up (新春亮灯) themed “Galloping into the Prosperous Year” (万马奔腾, 喜迎新春), draws inspiration from traditional Chinese paper-cutting, reimagined through a contemporary lens.
The installation is anchored by a magnificent 8.8-metre golden horse centrepiece, symbolizing momentum, aspiration, and collective progress. Its dynamic form and intricate detailing showcase both artistic craftsmanship and a sense of forward motion, reflecting shared hopes and determination for the year ahead. Accented with orchids and peonies in woven baskets, this installation weaves together symbols of prosperity, harmony, and abundance, creating a festive landscape that speaks to unity and renewal across Singapore’s diverse communities. Radiating outward from the golden horse, three surrounding sections unfold as a visual narrative, featuring a total of 60 horses and 48 fruits. The galloping horses surge dynamically toward the centrepiece, symbolizing unity, aspiration, and collective progress to welcome all communities into the new year.
Official Street Light-Up & Opening Ceremony
The Official Street Light-Up & Opening Ceremony (新春亮灯仪式与开幕典礼) will take place on 30 January 2026 at 6.00 PM at Kreta Ayer Square (牛车水广场), marking the formal launch of the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations. The event will be broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.
Chinatown will be illuminated with vibrant horse-inspired lanterns and auspicious motifs, creating an enchanting atmosphere for the festivities. The light-up will span key entrances across the precinct, including South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road, and Eu Tong Seng Street. Decorative elements such as eight lanterns adorned with the sacred treasures of the Eight Immortals, and six auspicious fruit motifs symbolizing abundance, will be complemented by accents of Singapore orchids, paper-cut-inspired designs, and layered red drapes. This cohesive streetscape conveys wishes of unity, prosperity, and renewal for the Chinese New Year.
Cultural performances at the opening ceremony will celebrate Singapore’s multicultural identity, bringing together Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western artistic traditions. Key performances include a horse-inspired dance that blends Chinese dance with Malay Kuda Kepang, Indian Rajasthani horse dance, and Western styles. Additional highlights include Melodies of Spring, which pairs Chinese vocals with dances from Malay, Indian, and Western traditions, and Galloping into Spring, an erhu performance inspired by the imagery of galloping horses and the arrival of spring.
The ceremony will be officiated by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation Group and Adviser to Jalan Besar GRC Grassroots Organisations (GROs) (Kreta Ayer—Kim Seng), alongside Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education.
Mrs Josephine Teo shared: “Chinese New Year is a time to renew and strengthen the bonds that unite our families and communities. As Singapore celebrates its 61st year of nationhood, the imagery of 61 horses galloping forward in unison symbolizes our collective spirit, shared purpose, and resilience as one people striving towards a common future. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, the horse’s qualities of strength, endurance, and determination remind us that our greatest strength lies in drawing support from one another and standing together to build a stronger and more caring Singapore.”
Ms Guo Teyi, Director, Leisure Events Division, Singapore Tourism Board, added: “The Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations exemplify Singapore’s position as a vibrant multicultural destination, bringing together locals and visitors in joyful celebration. These festivities are part of Singapore’s rich tapestry of cultural celebrations throughout the year, representing our nation’s unique multicultural identity and the harmonious spirit that defines us. We invite everyone to experience the festive spirit of Chinese New Year at Chinatown – a time of renewal, prosperity, and shared celebrations as we welcome the Year of the Horse.”
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