Celebrating Singapore’s Chinese New Year at River Hongbao

by John Michael | Mar 13, 2019

Are we going to see the fireworks this year?
Yeah, but at River Hongbao in the Marina…

River Hongbao Chinese New Year tl;dr

February 3rd through the 10th, 2019
Free Venue Right On the Water
A Lot of Firework Displays

It was Chinese New Year again and this time we were able to spend some of it in Singapore. Unlike some previous years, we ventured out into the hot and humid weather in search of things that went bump, or rather, exploded in the night; FIREWORKS!

Dragon Lantern Entrance

What Is It

We went on the 2nd to last day of the 8 day River Hongbao 2019 Chinese New Year of the Pig Bicentennial nighttime festival. Initially we went to watch fireworks, but I knew that if we waited till the last firework display that we would be rewarded with a 10 minute non stop sky full of bright luminescence.

Nadia and I with the Peacock Lantern

Where Is It

The festival was held on the Float and surrounding area near Esplanade MRT. On that side of the Marina area the views overlook Marina Bay Sands hotel and Singapore’s iconic cityscape.

We took the bus to get there and walked a short distance, but you can easily get here by MRT also. Of course you can always take a car and get dropped off right there but where’s the fun in that.

Large Singapore Cultural Lantern

What To Do

Carnival rides
Cultural performances
Celebratory dishes
Demonstrations and Exhibits
Lanterns and History
A Little Bit of Everything for Everyone

Large Towering Lanter

Nadia with Her Rat Lantern

Me with the Ram Lantern

Fish Lantern

Fireworks

There was so much to see and do, but the real reason we came was for the fireworks! Throughout the night there were a total of 3 displays; two 1 minute displays and one final 10 minute coup de grace!

Singapore River Hongbao CNY 2019 Firework 08