Singaporeans ushered in the Year of the Dog, with a long weekend of family gatherings, feasting and revelry starting last Friday, the first day of this year's Chinese New Year.
Following a reunion dinner on the eve of the festival, many Chinese families continued the tradition of visiting relatives on the first day, with the younger generation paying respects to elders. In return, the young ones received blessings with gifts of hongbao, or red packets with money, as a symbol of luck.
Many Singaporeans were decked out in new clothes with red hues - an auspicious Chinese New Year tradition - as they made their rounds, or thronged the festive events around town. At the annual River Hongbao, held at the Marina Bay floating platform, visitors snapped pictures beside larger-than-life lantern displays of animals of the Chinese zodiac and were treated to fireworks displays. The event runs until Saturday.
Amid the celebrations, many in the public service industries, such as bus captains and taxi drivers, continued working. As a show of appreciation, ministers and MPs visited their workplaces, including bus depots and Changi Airport, giving out mandarin oranges and having lo hei - the tossing of raw fish salad for good fortune - with the workers.
Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days and many families gather for a meal on the last day as well.