Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009

Chinese New Year is a major highlight on Singapore’s cultural calendar. In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is represented by one of twelve animals from the Chinese zodiac. To usher in the Year of the Ox in 2009, Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee (KA-KS CCC) has put together an exciting, colourful and vibrant Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 programme in Chinatown from 3 January to 15 February 2009.

A not-to-be-missed highlight event in Singapore, the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 is themed “Hope and Happiness” (牛转乾坤、幸福万岁). Besides enlivening Chinatown, engaging the Chinese community, other ethnic groups and tourists in preserving traditional Chinese customs and heritage, as well as enriching and enthralling both the young and old alike, the festive celebrations aim to spread hope and happiness through its various celebratory events.

The “Hope and Happiness” campaign is initiated by KA-KS CCC to instill optimism in the New Year amidst concerns over a looming economic climate. It hopes to boost business for the retailers and businesses in Chinatown during the festive season and to spread festive cheer to the needy and underprivileged in the community.

As part of the campaign to spread festive hope and happiness, there will be festive gift bags distributed to low income families, a Lo Hei dinner for about 500 elderly guests on 1 February and a Mass Reunion Dinner for about 1,000 underprivileged, elderly and new citizens at the F1 race track near the Singapore Flyer. For the first time, KA-KS CCC has collaborated with Neo Studios in its soon-to-be released new movie “Love Matters” co-directed by Jack Neo and Gilbert Chan with a cast from both Singapore and Malaysia including Henry Thia and Yeo Yann Yann. Members of the public can also write their wishes and hopes for the New Year on 2,000 Kung Ming lanterns which will be released at the Chinese New Year Eve Countdown event.

Key events of the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 include the Chinatown International Lion Dance Competition, Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony, Street Light-Up, Festive Street Bazaar, Nightly Stage Shows, Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Countdown event and Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie.

Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 Street Light-Up (牛车水农历新年亮灯) Saturday, 3 January to Sunday, 15 February 2009 7pm – 12midnight (Sunday – Thursday) 7pm – 2am (Friday and Saturday) 7pm – 6am (25 and 26 January) Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Street and Garden Bridge

Expect to see a dazzling display of lights, decorations and spectacular arches, themed to welcome the Year of the Ox. Look out for the interactive displays at focal points such as the Garden Bridge. There are endless photo opportunities as you walk through Chinatown. The arches at the junctions of Upper Cross Street and Teo Hong Road will feature Ox characters and a mesmerising mix of mandarin oranges, festive greeting banners and lights.

Festive Street Bazaar (牛车水年货市场) Saturday, 3 January to Sunday, 25 January 2009 11am – 11pm (Sunday – Thursday) 11am – 1am (Friday, Saturday and Public Holidays) Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street, People’s Park Complex, Banda Street third field and Tanjong Pagar

The biggest Festive Street Bazaar ever with about 588 festive stalls offering a dazzling array of festive goodies such as waxed duck, barbecued sweet meats, cookies, fresh flowers, handicrafts and myriad of Chinese New Year decorative items.

Nightly Stage Shows (综艺晚会) Saturday, 3 January to Sunday, 25 January 2009 8pm – 10.30pm Kreta Ayer Square

For some festive entertainment, head down to Kreta Ayer Square for the nightly stage shows. Catch invigorating local and overseas cultural performances at this popular gathering point, next to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum and Trishaw Park.

On weekends, catch cultural performances by troupes from Sze Chuan and Shanghai as they enthrall visitors with the exhilarating ancient art of China, from amazing magic performances and face change acts to tea ceremony demonstrations and astounding acrobatic feats.

Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 Countdown (牛车水农历新年2009倒数庆典活动 ) Sunday, 25 January 2009 9.30pm – 12.30am Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road

Mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year with the Countdown Party! Catch local celebrities as they entertain with songs and dances via a live telecast programme on MediaCorp’s Channel 8. Adding to the excitement of the evening are firecrackers and spectacular fireworks.

Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie (牛车水庆元宵) Saturday, 7 February 2009 7pm – 10pm Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road

Festivities culminate on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. As the full moon rises, it is time to celebrate family reunions and the bond between friends. This is also the Chinese Valentine’s Day for couples. Among the celebrations, enjoy local and overseas performances and highlights of the Chingay Parade Singapore as the floats and performers make an appearance at Chinatown.

The Chun Jie festivities also take centrestage at Marina Bay. Chinese cultural performances, large-scale displays of Chinese mythical characters, and a mega reunion dinner with the biggest lo hei in town will be at the River HongBao (春到河畔), held from 24 January to 1 February at the Marina Bay floating platform. At the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, the Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts (华艺节) takes place from 30 January to 8 February, showcasing theatre, music and visual arts performances by locally and internationally renowned Chinese artists. The Chingay Parade Singapore (妆艺大游行) on 30 and 31 January will offer a colourful line-up of magnificent floats and energetic performances by celebrated talents, set against a backdrop of Singapore’s iconic landmarks such as the colonial architecture of the former City Hall and Supreme Court, the Padang and the Singapore Flyer.

In lieu of the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony on 3 January 2009, Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 Countdown on 25 January 2009 and Yuan Xiao Jie on 7 February 2009, there will be road and lane closures of some roads in Chinatown.

The Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2009 is organised by Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, People’s Association, Central Singapore Community Development Council, Trust Central Committee, Tote Board and Chinatown Business Association. The Festival Partners are Tiger Beer, Coca Cola, Neo Studios, Singapore Flyer and Select Group.

Text Edited by Eugene Tang and Photography by Eugene Tang. All Rights Reserved.