Chinese New Year is just around the corner.
By now you should have experience the hustle and bustle of the celebrations across the Island. From shopping centres to small neighborhood, celebration preparation have begun to take the hit. Chinese New Year -also known as Lunar New Year is on of the biggest and most celebrated event on the Chinese calendar.
For this year 2018, The Chinese New Year will be on Friday, the 16th of February (16/2/2018). The Chinese calendar comprises of 12-year animal zodiac cycle and for this year i will be the year of dog. Each Chinese zodiac year begins on Chinese New Year’s Day. The Chinese calendar is based on the movements of the moon and is linked to the Chinese zodiac. For those who was born on these years 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, are all share the Dog as their zodiac sign.
Before the Chinese New Year , people from all walks of life will be busy shopping for new clothes, shoes and decoration items for thier homes.
Ladies will be busy baking the famous pineapple tarts in the kitchen.
They will also engage in spring cleaning and getting their house ready for the celebrations. During this time of the year, retail business will soar to greater heights especially for the furniture and housewares products.
On Chinese New Year eve, families get together and enjoy a reunion feast. For some families they will prefer to have an intimate dinner with immediate and close family member. For some families they prefer to book tables in their favorite restaurants and have a fun filled gathering with the family members. They will bury all the hatred and unhappiness of the past and start anew with fellow family members.During the New Year eve feast, dumplings are the most important dish to serve. Because its shape is like the ancient Chinese ingots, so the saying goes that the more dumplings you eat during Chinese New Year, the more money and the bigger fortune you could earn in the coming year. Similar to dumplings many other dishes on the table are all symbolizing wealth, good fortune or lucky, such as fish, Nian Gao. Lion dances, ang pows, Mandarin oranges and auspicious couplets have always been the items commonly seen in Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore.
The next day families will often exchange visits from their relatives and friends. Married couples and the elderly will be giving out red packets containing money to the kids and the younger generations.
It will be a nice sight to see the families wearing red attire that symbolize prosperity and good luck.
This year if you are in Singapore, here are some events that have been lined up for you to experience and to soak in the celebration atmosphere with the locals:
- The Official Light Up and Opening Ceremony: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street. Firecrackers and fireworks display.
- Street Light Up: Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road. Handmade sculptured lanterns.
- Festive Street Bazaar: Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and Trengganu Street. A variety of stalls lining up the streets of Chinatown.
- Chingay 2018 Night Fiesta @ Chinatown: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street. The largest street performance and float parade in Asia.
- Nightly Stage Shows: Kreta Ayer Square. Be entertained by Chinese cultural performances, festive songs, music and dance performances.
- International Lion Dance Competition: Carpark at Banda Street (off Sago Lane). See more than 10 top troupes all vying for the grand prize.
- Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street. Be entertained by live music, firecrackers and a spectacular display of fireworks.
