Bazaar, snake rooftop installation, LED snake dance, free hongbaos & more at CNY celebrations in the CBD from Jan. 17 to 19

If you haven’t noticed, Chinese New Year is fast approaching.

This year, the festivities will be celebrated relatively early, with CNY eve falling on Jan. 28.

To help you get into the mood, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) is once again partnering with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) to bring you the annual CNY Family FUN (CNYFF), the annual festival celebrating CNY in the heart of the city.

This year, the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall will also participate in the festivities for the first time.

From Jan. 17 to 19, 2025, you can look forward to 22 family-friendly activities to usher in the Year of the Snake.

Larger-than-life snakes and ladders, free performances, and your favourite CNY goodies — here’s what you can expect at CNYFF 2025.

Snap some family photos at the giant snake lawn installation

If you’re looking to snap some pictures for Instagram, head to SCCC’s Roof Garden to find “蛇prise”, a CNY art installation. (“蛇”, pronounced as shé, is the Mandarin term for snake.)

Besides being dazzling, the giant snake rooftop installation doubles as a children’s slide.

There’s also a prosperity pavilion you can enter to soak up the good vibes of the Year of the Snake.

Looking for the perfect way to frame your family photos? Step behind the adorable lightboxes and snap away.

At night, the installation takes on a different light.

“蛇prise” CNY Art Installation

Date: Now until Apr. 30, 2025

Time: 10am - 10pm

Location: SCCC Roof Garden

Entry Fee: Free

Try your luck in a game of snakes and ladders

If you can’t remember what taboos to avoid or what the best practices are to boost your fortunes this CNY, refresh your memory through a jumbo-sized snakes and ladders game.

Roll the giant dice, make your way to the end, and learn the dos and don’ts of CNY as you go along.

If you’re wondering how you kept rolling double sixes or why you constantly landed on snakes, confirm your fortunes at the zodiac forecast exhibition.

Snakes and Ladders Game + Zodiac Forecast Exhibition

Date: Now until Feb. 12, 2025

Time: 9am - 10pm

Location: SCCC Concourse, Level 1

Entry Fee: Free

Catch LED Snake Dance and other performances

We know about dragon dance, but have you ever seen a snake dance?

At CNYFF, you’ll be treated to a dazzling performance of the traditional dance, adapted for the Year of the Snake.

Besides the LED snake dance, catch a talk and learn about the history of the Golden Lions to enrich your immersion in CNY culture.

To find the schedule for the LED snake dance and other talks or performances, check out CNYFF’s website.

Do some CNY shopping while you’re at CNYFF

CNY wouldn’t be complete without CNY goodies and pastries.

If you’re hoping to stock up on them while you’re out on a family day, you’ll be happy to know that CNYFF will host various booths offering CNY goodies, decorations, pastries, accessories, and even bubble tea.

Chinese New Year Spring Bazaar

Date: Jan. 18 - 19, 2025

Time: 12pm - 7pm

Location: Singapore Conference Hall Concourse

Entry Fee: Free

Learn to play mahjong and challenge your relatives this CNY

Still struggling to learn mahjong or need to save face by not losing at this year’s CNY gathering?

Sign up for ‘The SINGAPO人 Style Mahjong Classroom’ by mahjonglah! and hone your skills before CNY arrives.

Besides learning how to play mahjong, you’ll also learn about the origins, cultural significance, and different styles of mahjong.

There’ll be two workshop timeslots, each catering to beginners or intermediate players.

After the 120-minute workshop, you’ll be able to confidently accept mahjong invites from your friends or relatives.

The SINGAPO人 Style Mahjong Classroom

Date: Jan. 18 - 19, 2025

Time: Beginners: 1pm - 3.30pm | Intermediate: 4pm - 6.30pm

Location: SCCC Recital Studio, L6

Entry Fee: S$10

Sign up here.

Stock up on red packets before CNY eve

If you’re a married adult, chances are you’ll need to prepare some red packets for the younger relatives.

SCCC is giving out its limited edition Year of the Snake red packet, featuring a design that is classy, cute, and auspicious.

The best part? Instead of throwing away or recycling the red packets right away, each red packet can be transformed into a festive decoration by tearing along the perforated lines.

To redeem the limited edition red packets, visitors only need to complete a survey at the “蛇prise” CNY Art Installation, located on SCCC’s Roof Garden.

Upon completion of the survey, visit the SCCC reception to redeem your red packets.

Redemption is limited to one pack per visitor, while stocks last.

Red Packet Redemption

Date: From now till 12 Feb, while stocks last

Time: 10am to 10pm

Location: Complete survey at SCCC Roof Garden to redeem a pack at the reception

And much more at CNYFF 2025

There’s a whole lot more happening at CNYFF 2025, so start planning your day or night out and get ready to ring in a year of good health and wealth.

To find out more, check out CNYFF 2025 website.

The writer of this SCCC-branded article is looking forward to the CNY reunion dinner hotpot.

Top image via SCCC, Jovian Lim