Fireworks on all 9 days of River Hongbao

More than one million visitors are expected at this year's River Hongbao. PHOTO: RIVER HONGBAO 2016

Visitors to this year's River Hongbao at the Marina Bay floating platform will be treated to nine consecutive nights of close-up fireworks, with accompanying music and lights.

This is unlike previous years, when fireworks were set off only on the opening and final night, said Mr David Ong, vice-chairman for the event and MP for Bukit Batok SMC, at a media conference yesterday.

At this year's event, a fireworks display of three minutes will be held at 9pm every night from Feb 6 to 14, except on Chinese New Year Eve on Feb 7, when fireworks will be set off during a countdown, he said.

"They (the fireworks) are multi- layered, so people will feel like they are part of the entire fireworks display. That's special this year," he said.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be guest of honour at the event's opening on Feb 6.

River Hongbao 2016 chairman Liang Eng Hwa, also MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, said the event was started in 1987 in the hope of attracting Singaporeans who were increasingly travelling overseas during Chinese New Year.

More than one million visitors are expected at this year's event.

In line with the Year of the Monkey, the decorations and performances will include elements of Journey To The West, a classic Chinese story featuring the Monkey God.

The Song and Dance Theatre from Nanjing City, China, will also perform a dance titled The Monkey King. It is one of the overseas performances to be held at River Hongbao from Feb 6 to 10.

From Feb 11 to 14, there will be performances put up by local groups, including getai shows and a getai contest between two groups of artists led by popular getai artists Hao Hao and Lee Pei Fen.

Fringe activities include a photo exhibition, 30 Years Through River Hongbao, curated by the Lianhe Zaobao editorial team from Singapore Press Holdings.

As with other years, there will be handicraft stalls, and food stalls selling items such as satay, fried Oreo and takoyaki.

There will also be more than 30 games stalls and amusement rides, including a new walking dinosaur ride.

•River Hongbao is on from Feb 6 to Feb 14, 2pm to 11pm

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 09, 2016, with the headline Fireworks on all 9 days of River Hongbao. Subscribe