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The Chinese New Year
From a reunion dinner with loved ones, to feasting on ‘auspicious’ dishes and making offerings to the Jade Emperor, family and food are a big part of the annual festivities.
Traditional Chinese New Year dishes
The reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve typically consists of poultry, jumbo prawns, steamed fish, and yusheng, in addition to festive dishes unique to one’s dialect group.
Lohei
The practice of tossing raw fish salad on the seventh day of Chinese New Year was popularised in Cantonese restaurants in Singapore in the 1970s.
Chinese New Year markets
Selling festive essentials such as rice cakes, melon seeds and candy, these markets sprang up in places such as Chinatown, Bugis, as well as Ellenborough Street near the Singapore River.
Red packets (Hongbao)
Given out during auspicious occasions such as Chinese New Year and weddings, red packets typically contain cash in an even denomination.
Chinese New Year greeting cards
The evolution of Chinese New Year cards in Singapore reflects local culture and life over the decades.
Firecrackers (Bianpao)
They were a common sight during Chinese New Year and other celebrations before being banned in 1972.
Guangdong lion dance
Brought to Singapore by Cantonese immigrants, the Guangdong or southern lion dance is commonly performed during Chinese festivals and the grand openings of businesses. The art remains very much alive, drawing enthusiasts from schools and people of different races and nationalities.
Chingay Parade
The annual parade has been a feature of Singapore’s Chinese New Year festivities since 1973.
Chinese New Year songs
Renowned festive tunes in Singapore have diverse origins, including Mandarin pop songs and film soundtracks.
Personal recollection: My journey with Chinese New Year songs
Composer Phoon Yew Tien’s arrangements of Chinese New Year songs have been performed by ensembles around the world.