Story Print Friendly

Dec 29, 2008

Chinatown light-up

By Ang Yiying

WITH an early Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 26 in 2009, light-up at Chinatown will commence this Saturday.

Amid the economic downturn, the organiser of the Chinatown Chinese New Year celebrations, the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens' Consultative Committee, had chosen 'Hope and Happiness' as the theme to 'instill optimism and positivism' and to boost business for Chinatown retailers.

The main streets of Chinatown - Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road - will be decked out with Ox characters to usher in the Year of the Ox.

Highlights of the festivities at Chinatown will include:

The 2nd Chinatown International Lion Dance Competition on Friday at Central.

Official light-up and opening ceremony on Saturday graced by Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister .

The biggest festive street bazaar, with 588 festive stalls, from this Saturday to Jan 25. The bazaar will span Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street, People's Park Complex, Banda Street third field and Tanjong Pagar.

Nightly stage shows at Kreta Ayer Square, including cultural performances by troupes from Sze Chuan and Shanghai from this Saturday to Jan 25.

Countdown to Chinese New Year on Jan 25, from 9.30pm to 12.30am, at Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road.

Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie on Feb 7, the 15th day of the Chinese New Year. Other than local and overseas performances, floats and performers of the Chingay Parade Singapore will also make an appearance.

Throughout the festivities, there will be activities to reach out and to help the underprivileged, including: festive bags distribution to low income families, Lo Hei dinner for about 500 elderly and a mass reunion dinner for about 1,000 underprivileged, elderly and new citizens at the F1 race track near the Singapore Flyer.

$breakCalendarHTML