SINGAPORE, 13 January 2026 – River Hongbao, Singapore’s iconic Chinese New Year event, commemorates its 40th anniversary with a milestone edition at Gardens by the Bay. From 15 to 24 February 2026, visitors can look forward to spectacular lanterns, cultural showcases, thrilling rides, vibrant performances, and a wide range of festive treats as the festival ushers in a year of strength, vitality, and good fortune.
Festivities begin at 6.30 pm on 15 and 16 February, and at 2.30 pm daily from 17 to 24 February. Visitors can enjoy a full day of entertainment and community celebration throughout the 10-day festival. Admission is free.
40 Years of Tradition and Community
First launched in 1987, River Hongbao has grown from a modest riverside celebration into one of Singapore’s most iconic Chinese New Year festivals, paralleling the nation’s evolution into a vibrant, multicultural metropolis. Over the past four decades, it has preserved Chinese cultural heritage, strengthened community bonds, and inspired new generations through blending tradition with modern creativity.
A highlight of this edition is the fireworks at The Meadow, showcasing multiple styles of choreographed bursts and returning to the grandeur last seen in 2020. Visitors will be treated to vibrant colours, rhythmic crackles, and an electrifying spectacle lighting up the night sky to welcome the Chinese New Year.
The festival also features majestic Year of the Horse lanterns and River Hongbao 40th anniversary special installations. Some of the lantern displays will also showcase Singapore’s multicultural heritage. The highly popular God of Fortune lantern display (如意生财, ru yi sheng cai) returns to bless visitors with prosperity while the Wishing Heart (感恩的心 gan en de xin) lantern invites visitors to toss coins, with all proceeds supporting Diabetes Singapore, the nation’s only society dedicated to the care and well-being of individuals with diabetes.
40 Years of River Hongbao Highlighted in Special Anniversary Exhibition
The specially curated River Hongbao 40th Anniversary Special Exhibition traces the rich heritage of Singapore’s iconic Chinese New Year festival, from its beginnings along the Singapore River in 1987 to its evolution into a nationwide celebration at Gardens by the Bay. Through interactive displays, archival photographs, videos, and artefacts, the exhibition highlights key moments, cultural practices, and the festival’s continual adaptation to modern technology.
Performances, Rides and Festive Experiences
Visitors can enjoy nightly live performances by well-known local artistes such as Charlie Lim, Jocie Guo , Boon Hui Lu and Tosh Rock. Special themed evenings including Movie, Getai, and Xinyao nights promise a diverse array of entertainment tailored for all ages, offering a festive experience for the whole family, promising a diverse lineup of entertainment for all ages. It will also be the first time that Kowloon Club (founded by Hong Kong residents living or working in Singapore) and Gansu Provincial Opera House will be taking part in the celebration, bringing their captivating performances to the event.
Families can enjoy a variety of amusement rides, including the Double-Storey Horse Carousel, the only one of its kind in Singapore, as well as popular attractions such as the Flying Dumbo, and London train. The bustling Food Street offers an inviting selection of local favourites and international treats. From sizzling street snacks to traditional delights, visitors can enjoy a satisfying variety of flavours. It is an ideal stop to take a break and recharge between the various event attractions.
The festival extends online with digital games, contests, and a 2026 sticker collection featuring horse-themed designs and playful Singlish greetings available on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Complementing the festivities, Gardens by the Bay presents its Chinese New Year floral display, Spring Blossoms: Gallop into Prosperity (春花盛开之骏马奔腾). In celebration of the Year of the Horse, eight majestic, life-sized horse lanterns take centre stage at the Flower Dome. Handcrafted by Chinese artisans using techniques dating back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty, these striking lanterns symbolise strength, vitality and success.
Inspired by Ba Jun Tu (八骏图), the classic Chinese ink painting of galloping horses, the lanterns appear in dynamic motion amid plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo — collectively known as the “Four Gentlemen” in Chinese art and philosophy.
Marking Gardens by the Bay’s inaugural collaboration with Shanghai Gardens Group, Spring Blossoms is inspired by Jiangnan Gardens, celebrated for their tranquil harmony with nature and regarded as masterpieces of garden design. Beyond admiring the seasonal blooms, visitors can also wander through moon gates and pause at a pavilion. Before they leave, strike the Blooming Drum of Spring to herald spring and usher in good fortune for the year ahead!
Highlights at River Hongbao 2026
Festival-goers can experience a range of exciting attractions, such as:
- Fireworks at The Meadow
- Majestic horse-themed lanterns and commemorative 40th anniversary installations
- River Hongbao 40th Special Anniversary Exhibition showcasing its history and evolution
- “Hui Chun” by Life Art Society featuring traditional calligraphy, paintings and New Year greetings
- Nightly performances by local artistes, Kowloon Club Singapore,and the internationally acclaimed Gansu Provincial Performance Troupe
- Thematic nights including Movie Night, Getai Night, and Xinyao Night
- Gardens by the Bay’s Chinese New Year floral display “Spring Blossoms: Gallop into Prosperity”, showcasing eight magnificent horse lanterns, seasonal blooms and iconic elements of the timeless beauty of Jiangnan Gardens.
(From left) Ms Loh Woon Yen, Member of the River Hongbao Organising Committee 2026; Mr Perng Peck Seng, Programme Chairman of River Hongbao; Mr Thomas Chua, Chairman of River Hongbao Organising Committee 2026; Mr Felix Loh, Chief Executive Officer of Gardens by the Bay; and Mr Pok Cheng Chong, Member of River Hongbao Organising Committee 2026 at the River Hongbao 2026 media conference
