Chinese New Year is one of the most widely celebrated festivals, and one of the few times we get to enjoy homemade CNY goodies without elderly relatives reminding us about the extra kilos. But beyond pineapple tarts, there’s no denying that a fair bit of money goes into decorations, gift hampers, and red packets to set the mood for the season.
Luckily, just across the Causeway, Johor Bahru’s CNY markets make it much easier to prepare for the festivities without blowing your budget. With more affordable prices all around, shopping for Chinese New Year goodies in JB feels well worth the trip.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.32 as of 15th January 2026.
Chinese New Year markets, AKA flower markets or Lunar New Year fairs, are temporary pop-up fairs held in the weeks leading up to the auspicious period.
These CNY markets are usually packed with vibrant decorations, fresh flowers, traditional snacks, CNY hampers and cultural performances such as lion dances, with lantern displays being a more common sight.
These markets are held for a few meaningful reasons. They help preserve cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Not to mention the red-coloured decorations, firecrackers and auspicious symbols that are everywhere – rooted in old legends like the tale of the Nian monster and the belief that red wards off bad luck.
Chinese New Year also symbolises fresh beginnings, making these markets a space where people prepare for the year ahead – shopping, eating, and spending time with family and friends while soaking in the huat ah atmosphere.
Johor Bahru City Square is a familiar stop for Singaporeans, and it hosts Chinese New Year celebrations every year. While details vary annually, you can usually expect auspicious markets selling treats, hampers and home decor throughout the mall.
This year, you can spot Eureka popcorn in a limited-edition CNY packaging for RM50 (~S$15.84) per set. These come alongside other gift-ready items like baby tins, ang pow packs, paper bags and lion dance-themed gift cans in pink and orange designs.
Fans of traditional snacks can also grab 3 tins of Yong Sheng premium CNY cookies for RM99.80 (~S$31.59). Yong Sheng is a well-loved Singaporean-Malaysian brand known for its handcrafted Chinese pastries, making these tins easy crowd-pleasers for bai nian visits.
Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru is hosting a Chinese New Year market with 44 booths offering a wide variety of goodies, gifts and decorations. Beyond shopping, cultural performances add to the prosperous vibes, with past editions featuring lion dance performances, competitions and even CNY-themed fashion shows.
The fair runs from 16th January to 16th February 2026, giving plenty of time to drop by whether you’re visiting JB early or closer to the new year.
Sutera Mall goes big for Chinese New Year with one of the largest CNY fairs in JB. This year’s edition features 100 booths and over 60 brands, making it a solid one-stop spot for snacks, hampers and other buys. There will also be CNY traditional cultural workshops, lucky draws and giveaways with enticing prizes to win.
You can also stand a chance to redeem exclusive CNY goodies. With a minimum spend of RM788 (~S$246.46), you can redeem a foldable travel bag and limited-edition red packets. Spending RM1188 (~S$376.36) gets you premium abalone along with limited-edition red packets, while stocks last.
Redemptions can be made at the Ground Floor Information Counter with same-day purchases, subject to terms and conditions.
The fair runs from 16th January to 16th February 2026, daily from 10:30am to 10:30pm.
KSL Esplanade Mall hosts Pop-up Picks, a shorter but interesting event that lets you do some CNY shopping with thrift finds. Alongside the goodies, decorations and gifts, there are also second-hand items for those who enjoy bargain hunting.
The pop-up runs on 23rd, 24th and 25th January, from 10am to 10pm. The mall has previously hosted lion dance performances during Chinese New Year, so expect a lively atmosphere alongside the shopping.
Mid Valley Southkey’s Chinese New Year Fiesta brings together goodies from over 100 brands. You can find a wide range of CNY snacks, hampers, decorations and clothing all in one location.
The event also features lion dance performances, lucky draws and photo-worthy setups, making it more than just a shopping stop. It runs from 6th February to 15th February 2026, ideal for last-minute CNY preparations.
AEON Mall Tebrau City is known for its annual Chinese New Year roadshows. Expect classic CNY performances like lion dances, along with mascot appearances, including the popular Da Shen mascot. There will also be a number of booths selling CNY hampers, snacks and decorations.
Shoppers often make a beeline for Xiao Fu Snack Store, a popular Malaysian brand known for traditional handmade local snacks from RM30/jar (~S$9.52). Their pineapple tarts, sea salt chocolate cookies and Kinder Bueno cookies are especially in demand during the Chinese New Year period.
Xiao Fu Snack Store has outlets in AEON Mall Tebrau City, AEON Mall Bukit Indah and AEON Mall Kulaijaya, and is frequently visited by Singaporeans stocking up on CNY snacks and souvenirs to bring home.
The Johor Jaya CNY Bazaar is a yearly favourite and feels very much like an auspiciouspasar malam.
With over 60 stalls, it’s packed with snacks, decorations and clothing such as cheongsams. It tends to get crowded, especially on weekends, but the upside is its late opening hours from 6am to 12am, so you can head down for a cheeky supper after without rushing.
The bazaar takes place from 23rd January to 16th February, and it’s conveniently located near Joya Night Market Food Street, which sells a wide range of street food and desserts from 5pm to 12am daily.
Image credit: Tong Garden Malaysia via Facebook
For thrifty CNY shopping beyond the mall bazaars, don’t miss out on a few popular warehouse and factory stops around Johor. At Tong Garden Food in Iskandar Puteri, you can snap up nuts and snacks in bulk at significant discounts, with wholesale packs of salted peanuts from RM3.5/110g (~S$1.11) and some mixed nuts for RM27.96/500g (~S$8.87).
For freshly baked traditional pastries, in Bukit Indah offers pineapple cakes (RM24/12pcs, ~S$7.62) and packs of heong peah and other sweet treats from RM13.80 (~S$4.38), all freshly made daily.
Meanwhile, Shang Wan Hong Dried Goods is a top local choice for dried goods like abalone, scallops and sea cucumber at wholesale prices if you’re craving soups or prosperity dishes, though specific pricing varies widely by product and size.
While stocking up on goodies is tempting, some items aren’t allowed back into Singapore. These include bak kwa and other processed meats, fireworks and sparklers, as well as certain herbal remedies and traditional medicines.
Find out more on what you cannot bring back home to from JB.
Now we know that JB’s CNY markets make the trip across the Causeway worth it. If you’re planning a pre-CNY JB getaway, timing your visit around these markets makes it easy to tick off shopping, eating and celebrating all in one go.
Read our other CNY related articles:
Cover image adapted from: Cheng Wei Chua via Google, Sarah Tanny via Facebook
Huat ah.
Cheaper than most brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore.
Head to the quieter msueums in the north or east to avoid crowds.
Best for bulk shopping, especially for the festive season.
Use your CNY luck with the new blind boxes.
The freebies aren’t given out in blind box style, so you can pick your fave…