The monthly newsletter by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will provide updates and showcase Singapore’s unexpected, diverse and unique experiences. These range from well-known, iconic experiences to hidden gems that showcase varied facets of Singapore. In this newsletter, you will also receive the latest news, events, and statistics, offering an overview of the Singapore tourism landscape.
News in highlight:
1. This Lunar New Year, Singapore offers an exciting lineup of vibrant festivities across iconic locations:
a) Chinatown Chinese New Year Light-Up & Celebrations 2025 will illuminate historic streets with dazzling lantern displays, bustling festive fairs, cultural performances, and a lively Countdown Party, setting the stage for the Year of the Snake.
b) River Hongbao 2025 at Gardens by the Bay returns with larger-than-life lantern displays, captivating cultural performances, carnival rides, and thematic nights.
c) Chingay Parade 2025, themed ‘Joy’ features vibrant floats, cultural showcases, PassionArts installations, and over 4,000 performers celebrating Singapore’s rich diversity and achievements.
2. This January, Singapore’s Civic District transforms into a vibrant canvas with Light to Night Festival 2025, featuring over 70 artworks and programs exploring themes of diversity, self-identity, and belonging.
3. Singapore’s tourism scene welcomes exciting new developments and upcoming projects, including COTU, a sky-high nightlife destination featuring five distinct concepts. In April 2025, the Mandai Rainforest Resort will open, offering eco-luxury stays within Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Looking ahead to 2026, Live Nation’s first purpose-built music venue in Asia will debut at Orchard Road.
I. CALENDAR OF EVENTS & EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN SINGAPORE
1.Things to do in Singapore this season
- Celebrating Lunar New Year 2025 in Singapore
Chinatown Chinese New Year Light-Up & Celebrations 2025: The Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2025 promise a vibrant and immersive experience, marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake. The festivities officially begin with an Opening Ceremony and Street Light-Up on 8 January 2025, during which Chinatown’s historic district will be adorned with dazzling lantern displays and vibrant decorations. Visitors can explore beautifully lit streets along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, Upper Cross Street, and South Bridge Road, with the centerpiece display located at New Bridge Road. Each evening, the lights will illuminate the district from 7 PM until midnight, with extended hours on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Beyond the light displays, visitors can explore the bustling Festive Fair along Sago Street, Smith Street, Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, and Temple Street. Additional attractions include the Chinese New Year Eve Countdown Party at Kreta Ayer Square and weekend stage performances showcasing cultural acts and Lunar New Year songs.
WHEN:
- Street Light-Up: 8 January – 27 February 2025
- Festive Fair: 8 January – 28 January 2025
- Countdown Party: 28 January 2025
- Weekend Stage Shows: 11–12 January & 18–19 January 2025
WHERE: Chinatown
PHOTO: Chinatown Festival Committee
SOURCE: https://www.littledayout.com/chinatown-chinese-new-year-light-up-celebrations/
River Hongbao 2025: First launched in 1987 by the Singapore Tourism Board, River Hongbao has become one of Singapore’s most cherished annual traditions. The name ‘River’ reflects its origins at Marina Bay by the Singapore River, while ‘Hongbao’ refers to red packets given during Chinese New Year as symbols of good luck and prosperity. Over the years, this event has evolved into an inclusive celebration, inviting people from all walks of life to experience the richness of Chinese culture.
This year’s event at Gardens by the Bay will mark its 39th edition and pay tribute to SG60, Singapore’s 60th year of independence with larger-than-life lantern displays, including the iconic God of Fortune lantern, and captivating firecracker showcases during the first three evenings. Visitors can immerse themselves in cultural performances with thematic nights like Getai Night, Xinyao Night, Movie Night, and Singapore Talent Night, featuring acts by local and international performers.
Families can enjoy a bustling carnival at Supertree Grove, featuring rides like the Double-Storey Horse Carousel and Mini Viking, as well as classic carnival games. Food enthusiasts can explore the bustling Food Street, offering a diverse spread of local and international cuisines. Additionally, the event will showcase an art exhibition, including Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and the ‘Greetings from Afar: Chinese Remittance Letters’ exhibition, highlighting stories of early Chinese migrants.
WHEN:
- 27 Jan 2025: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
- 28 Jan 2025: 6.30pm – 12.15am
- 29 Jan – 5 Feb 2025: 2.30pm – 10.30pm
WHERE: Gardens by the Bay
PHOTO: RIVER HONGBAO 2025 ORGANISING COMMITTEE
SOURCE: https://www.sassymamasg.com/whats-on-river-hongbao-singapore-dates-tickets-lanterns/
Chingay Parade 2025: Chingay Parade, one of Singapore’s most iconic and vibrant cultural events, returns in 2025 with a spectacular celebration of diversity, creativity, and unity. Originating in 1973 as a street parade along Jalan Besar, the event has since evolved into a multicultural extravaganza featuring local and international performers from various ethnic groups.
With over 4,000 performers from 150 organizations, Chingay Parade 2025 promises an immersive experience. The 2025 edition, themed ‘Joy’, will bring the country together in a ‘Food Wonderland’, celebrating Family Joy as families gather over shared meals, Community Joy through cultural exchanges and shared stories, and National Joy in honoring Singapore’s achievements. Highlights include food-inspired floats, vibrant costumes, and PassionArts installations that spotlight Singapore’s favourite pastime: eating great food.
WHEN: 7 & 8 February 2025, 8pm – 9.30pm
WHERE: F1 Pit Building
TICKET: SGD 19.40 – SGD 58.19 (Free for lap-sitting children aged 2 and under). Buy tickets here.
PHOTO: Chingay Parade SG via Facebook
SOURCE: https://www.sassymamasg.com/whats-on-chingay-parade-dates-tickets-floats/
- Discover Art and Light at Light to Night Festival 2025
As part of Singapore Art Week, Light to Night Festival 2025 returns for its ninth edition, illuminating Singapore’s Civic District with over 70 artworks and programs across venues such as the Asian Civilisations Museum, The Esplanade, The Arts House, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, and nearby malls.
Themed ‘Do You See Me?’, this year’s festival explores themes of diversity, self-identity, and belonging through immersive light installations and interactive experiences. Highlights include Travelling Through the Tropical Rainforest by sculptor Han Sai Por, featuring towering inflatable tropical ferns glowing at night, and Arts Skins on Monuments, where vibrant projections bring the facade of the National Gallery Singapore to life. Inside the Gallery, visitors can engage with The Living Room, an interactive communal space. Additionally, the Padang Atrium will host Angin Cloud, an installation inspired by Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
WHEN: 17 January – 6 February 2025
WHERE: Civic District
PHOTO: National Gallery Singapore
II. SUMMARY OF SINGAPORE TOURISM NEWS
1. Exciting New and Upcoming Developments in Singapore
This year promises an exciting chapter for Singapore’s tourism scene, with a series of exciting projects and developments set to enhance visitor experiences.
COTU – A Sky-High Nightlife Destination Singapore’s vibrant nightlife scene welcomes COTU (Centre Of The Universe), a sprawling 18,000-square-foot lifestyle destination located on the 38th and 39th floors of CapitaGreen. Featuring five distinct concepts, visitors can indulge in a cocktail bar, Japanese steakhouse, live jazz lounge, retro hip-hop club, and open-air sky pool within an entertainment venue. With million-dollar city views, COTU offers an unparalleled nightlife experience curated by experts behind renowned establishments like the F1 Amber Lounge and Attica.
Mandai Rainforest Resort (Opening April 2025): Nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the Mandai Rainforest Resort, operated by Banyan Tree, blends luxury with sustainability across its 338 rooms. Designed around mature trees and natural ventilation, the resort prioritizes environmental responsibility with features like rainwater recycling and energy-efficient systems. Guests can enjoy exclusive wildlife experiences, early access to Bird Paradise, and guided tours at Singapore Zoo, alongside modern facilities such as a 300-seater ballroom, Banyan Tree Spa, and a rooftop pool.
Mett Singapore (Reopening October 2025): The iconic Hotel Fort Canning is undergoing a transformation into Mett Singapore, set to reopen in October 2025. This rebranded luxury hotel will feature redesigned modern minimalist-style guestrooms, updated public spaces, and meeting facilities. Guests can also look forward to unique dining concepts, a new beach club transformed from the existing pool, and an exciting speakeasy bar.
Orchard Road Music Venue by Live Nation (Opening 2026): Set to open in 2026 at the junction of Grange Road and Somerset Road, this 3,000-capacity music venue by Live Nation will be the company’s first purpose-built venue in Asia. Known globally for hosting A-list acts like Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Blackpink, Live Nation manages iconic venues such as the 12,000-capacity Spark Arena in New Zealand and The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane. Beyond concerts, it will host MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) events, feature a 350-capacity space for local artists, and include a café, bar, and artists’ lane that serves as an incubator for the local arts scene, food and beverage spaces, and kiosks connected to the Somerset Discovery Walk.
PHOTO: COTU/MAndai Rainforest Resort By Banyan Tree/Sunset Hospitality Group/Live Nation
SOURCE:
III. TOURISM PERFORMANCE AND LATEST MEASUREMENT UPDATES
Latest Visitor Arrivals figures
- As of 30 November 2024, Singapore’s overall international visitor arrivals (IVA) 15.13 million, including approximately 370,530 visitors from Vietnam.
SOURCE: STAN for public
Latest border measures updates
– End –
For media queries, please contact:
| (Ms.) Quan Toai Nhi Singapore Tourism Board Email: QUAN_Toai_Nhi@stb.gov.sg Mobile phone: (+84) 775 031 822 | (Ms.) Bui Lan Huong Edelman Email: lanhuong.bui@edelman.com Mobile phone: (+84) 965 642 514 |
Related
Source: Vietnam Insider