Galloping into the Year of the Horse with fun CNY festivities in Singapore
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Tourists walking in front of life-size horse lanterns as part of the CNY floral display, Spring Blossoms: Gallop into Prosperity, at the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay on Jan 12, 2026.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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- Singapore celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse with island-wide festivities featuring fireworks, light-ups and cultural shows.
- Chinatown showcases an 8.8-metre golden horse, with 60 galloping horses symbolising unity, at the street light-up launched on January 30.
- Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Singapore Chinese Orchestra will showcase Singapore's diverse lion dances.
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SINGAPORE – From fireworks and street light-ups to lantern displays, Singapore is set to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, which begins on Feb 17, with a vibrant array of festivities across the island.
In Chinese culture, the horse symbolises dynamism and courage, and is associated with optimism, progress and opportunity.
Chinatown’s Chinese New Year celebrations will be held from Jan 18 to March 18.
A majestic 8.8m-tall golden horse will take centre stage in Chinatown, accompanied by 60 galloping horses that symbolise unity, aspiration and collective progress.
The 2026 street light-up, themed Galloping into the Prosperous Year, will be officially launched at Kreta Ayer Square on Jan 30 at 6pm, featuring multicultural performances that reflect Singapore’s diverse cultural identity.
Chinatown's 2026 Street Light-Up is centred around a majestic golden horse, symbolising momentum, aspiration and collective progress.
PHOTO: CHINATOWN FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
The ceremony will be officiated by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information and MP for Jalan Besar GRC, alongside Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education.
“As Singapore celebrates its 61st year of nationhood, the imagery of 61 horses galloping forward in unison symbolises our collective spirit, shared purpose and resilience as one people striving towards a common future,” said Mrs Teo.
The illuminated streets of South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street will be adorned with horse-inspired lanterns, orchids and auspicious motifs.
Other highlights include the Countdown Party from Feb 16 to 17 at Kreta Ayer Square, and the Chinese New Year International Lion Dance Competition on Feb 7 and 8 at the Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre, featuring top troupes from Singapore and across the region.
Visitors can also shop at the festive fairs at People’s Park Square (Jan 18 to Feb 16) and at Chinatown’s Sago Street, Smith Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street and Pagoda Street (Jan 27 to Feb 17).
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre: Leaping lions and galloping horses
A key highlight of CNY Family FUN 2026 by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Singapore Chinese Orchestra will be the free performances by five different local lion dance troupes showcasing the diversity of various lion dance styles.
PHOTO: CNY FAMILY FUN
Five local lion dance troupes will leap and prance across the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s (SCCC) Level 1 concourse on Jan 31 and Feb 1, from 1pm to 7pm.
The free performances will showcase the diversity of lion dance styles, namely Fujian green lions, Hainanese lions, Hakka Qilin, Golden lions and Fo He lions.
SCCC chief executive Alvin Tan said the showcase aims to present lion dance as an enduring art form and cultural heritage that Singaporeans can be proud of.
Free lion dance performances and an art installation featuring colourful horse sculptures will be highlights of the CNY Family FUN 2026 at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
PHOTO: CNY FAMILY FUN 2026
The CNY Family FUN 2026, organised by SCCC and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, will feature 25 free and ticketed cultural programmes at the centre and the Singapore Conference Hall from Jan 30 to Feb 1. These include children’s theatre performances, storytelling sessions and children’s lion dance and dragon dance workshops.
An art installation featuring colourful horse sculptures grazing and galloping across SCCC’s roof garden will be on display until May 20, from 10am to 10pm daily.
River Hongbao: Fireworks and the ever-popular God of Fortune
Galloping into the Year of the Horse, a lantern display, celebrates the 40th anniversary of River Hongbao, depicting unstoppable power and collective strength for continued prosperity and success.
PHOTO: RIVER HONGBAO 2026
River Hongbao
Visitors can enjoy fireworks at The Meadow from Feb 15 to 18, live performances, lantern displays, including the perennially popular God of Fortune, amusement rides and a food street.
An exhibition tracing River Hongbao’s evolution since 1987 will also be featured. Admission is free.
Gardens by the Bay: Life-size horse lanterns
Eight magnificent, life-size horse lanterns, crafted using techniques dating back more than 1,000 years, gallop amidst the “Four Gentlemen” of Chinese culture — the plum blossom, bamboo, orchid and chrysanthemum — at Gardens by the Bay.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Eight life-size horse lanterns will frolic among plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo – plants collectively known as the “Four Gentlemen” of Chinese art – at the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay.
They are part of the CNY floral display, Spring Blossoms: Gallop into Prosperity, running from Jan 16 to March 1.
The horses, handcrafted by Chinese artisans using techniques that date back to the Tang Dynasty over 1,000 years ago, symbolise strength, vitality and success.
Visitors can also strike the Blooming Drum of Spring to herald the season and invite good fortune in the new year.
Driftwood horse sculptures by British artist James Doran-Webb frolic amidst seasonal blooms at Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome on Jan 12, 2026.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Jurong Lake Gardens: Lights, lanterns and live music
The Chinese Garden in Jurong Lake Gardens will present nightly light shows and artistic displays from Feb 7 to March 3.
Organised by the National Parks Board, highlights include a Grand Arch light projection show every 30 minutes from 7.30pm to 10pm, lantern displays at the Twin Pagoda, Teahouse and Stoneboat from 7pm to 10pm, and a performance by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra at Ficus Lawn on Feb 7 from 6pm to 7pm.
Visitors can sign up for Chinese New Year-themed guided tours, organised every Saturday in February, at /
Pop Mart characters get festive makeover
Twelve Pop Mart characters, each reimagined through a festive lens inspired by the Year of the Horse, can be seen across Resorts World Sentosa.
PHOTO: RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA
Familiar Pop Mart characters like Labubu, Hacipupu and Pucky can be spotted across Resorts World Sentosa from Jan 16 to March 15 to welcome the new year.
The Golden Gallop Series showcases the 12 figures, which have been given festive makeovers, at locations including the biophilic mall Weave and Singapore Oceanarium.
These installations will be accompanied by a pop-up store.
Sentosa: Disney magic and Chinese mythology
Disney favourites meet Chinese mythology at Sentosa Sensoryscape
The free celebration lets families experience CNY traditions through immersive displays, Disney magic and interactive activities.
