Ahead of this year's Chingay parade, Mothership.sg contributor Gerald Chan snuck backstage at their first dress rehearsal in late January for a sneak peek. Here's his photo essay from that evening:

Stepping backstage and walking among the performers of Chingay 2016 is almost as electrifying as the main event itself.

With no more than four weeks to go, there’s a heightened sense of excitement as the performers scramble to perfect their items for the People’s Association (PA) main event on 19 and 20 February.

I arrived to catch the performers wolfing down an early dinner. Every group I came across was in high spirits, about to kick off their first combined dress rehearsal at the F1 Pit Building.

After a quick dinner, it's back to rehearsing again for these performers from the People's Association Youth Movement. No moment is wasted to ensure everything runs smoothly on event day.

Over at another section of the massive backstage area, the PA’s Aikido performers enjoyed a more lighthearted atmosphere. Looks like The Force Awakens left several lightsabers around — what better justice to do them than to put them to good use?

There's something magical about these glowing tubes that turn grown men into boys. I think I put up quite a valiant struggle against the urge to join them.

The ladies, however, were much more refined in their approach.

With upbeat music constantly blaring backstage, it's hard to stop yourself from bopping your head to the beat. This guy jumped right to his feet to boogie!

Discipline was the name of the game over at the PA's ballet division. Not a hair could be out of place for these girls.

These suits looked tricky to pull on. Reminiscent of the ones I had to wear in army.

Because it lights up, the students wearing it had to be briefed thoroughly first — guess a couple weren't paying attention, though.

No room for divas in this Chingay contingent — all you need is a mirror and your lap for a makeshift vanity table.

Dusk draws near, but there is always time for these girls from the Japanese Association of Singapore to strike a pose for a group shot!

As the lights flanking the runway hum alive, it's time to get this show on the road.

The atmosphere and locale at Chingay 2016 is not unlike that of Brazil's Carnival. While it can pretty much be seen as "National Day Parade lite", it's heartening to see that no expense has been spared by the folks from the People’s Association to bring a spectacular show this weekend.

Top photo by Gerald Chan.

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