Spirits are high in the western part of Singapore as party-goers throng Boon Lay Place for one of the largest heartland countdown parties held tonight.

Crowds have started already started packing the area, to watch street performances and to interact with the six robot dinosaurs that can turn their heads and even "roar".

About 20,000 party-goers are expected to turn up throughout the evening.

Joining in the festivities is MP for West Coast GRC (Boon Lay Division) Lawrence Wong, who is also Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information. He arrived at about 7.30pm and will stay to welcome the new year.

Sales manager Vincent Lai was one of many who took a photo with Mr Wong.

The 42-year-old welcomed the large-scale countdown party in the heartland as it is easier for him to bring his two-year-old son Junior around.

"It"s something different and we don't have to travel far," said Mr Lai, who lives a five-minute walk away from where the party is held.