When it comes to picture-perfect photo spots, it’s hard to top the ones over at Gardens by the Bay. Just look at the yearly GBTB Sakura Festival that draws massive, Japan-pining crowds, or their beloved themed displays like the recent Disney Garden of Wonder.
With the Chinese New Year just raring to go, the gardens are already prettied up for the occasion, as the annual River Hongbao celebration will be calling it home for the next week or so. From stunning light installations to a bustling food street, here’s all you need to know about River Hongbao 2025 before heading down in your fresh CNY fits.
What last year’s River Hongbao looked like.
Image credit: @riverhongbao via Instagram
River Hongbao is an annual Chinese New Year celebration that aims to give visitors an authentic taste of the bustling CNY festivities. The programmes at River Hongbao are themed after the Chinese zodiac animal of the year, so expect a flurry of snake-inspired decor and activities as we head into the Year of the Snake.
Image credit: @gardensbythebay via Instagram
These include intricate displays such as light installations adorned with lanterns, flowers, and other green motifs. There’ll also be live performances daily at the main stage, as well as an amusement park to keep the little ones busy, and a food street lined with booths selling local and international delicacies.
Just like last year, River Hongbao 2025 will be taking place at Gardens by the Bay, and will span from now till 5th February 2025. Entry is free, and here’s a handy table showing River Hongbao’s opening hours for you to plan your visits.
Date | Opening hours |
28th Jan 2025, Tuesday | 6.30pm-12.15am |
29th Jan – 5th Feb 2025 | 2.30pm-10.30pm |
CNY is a celebration of much significance here on the Little Red Dot, it goes without saying that there’ll be tons of things to do over at River Hongbao 2025. Here’s a quick roundup of the things you can do when you head down.
Image adapted from: @gardensbythebay via Instagram
If you’re looking for somewhere pretty to snap your family portraits this CNY, then look no further than the huge lantern displays you can find scattered around River Hongbao 2025. There are 16 of them in total for you to stop by all around GBTB, bathing spots like the Supertree Grove, Dragonfly Lake, and Bayfront Plaza in an array of dazzling lights.
Image credit: Choo Yut Shing via Flickr
Some to look out for include the towering God of Fortune statue that’s making a return once again for the Year of the Snake.
Image credit: @gardensbythebay via Instagram
Another one to get your camera out for is the Lion City display at the Supertree Grove. It sports a majestic Merdeka lion to commemorate Singapore’s 60th year of independence. For more animal-inspired photo spots, swing by the Prosperity Linkway which features an archway made from a snake’s body, as well as the elegant New Year Greetings installation that’s filled with elegant cranes.
Image credit: Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Association
There used to be a full-on fireworks show held at River Hongbao, but they’ve since been replaced by a firecracker display instead. Don’t worry, it’s still a spectacle, as the bang of 30 strands of firecrackers fills the air. Should you be planning to catch this lively flourish, it’ll be happening at The Meadow, at 12am on 28th January 2025, and at 8pm on 29th January 2025.
It wouldn’t be a CNY celebration without a couple of rousing performances, and River Hongbao 2025 doesn’t disappoint on that front. Over at the Main Performance Stage near The Meadow, they’ve got talent shows, cultural dance numbers, and even Getai and movie nights lined up daily from now till 5th February 2025. Visit the River Hongbao website for the full performance schedule.
Image credit: River Hongbao
But if the kids just can’t sit still, hit up the carnival rides set up by the Supertree Grove, where the little ones can have a go at rides such as a double-storey horse carousel and a mini Viking ship. There’s even a roving Texas train ride that’s just the thing for tinier tots who’d rather give the thrills a miss.
River Hongbao 2025’s fan-favourite Food Street will undoubtedly be one of the most happening spots again this year, so be sure to pay it a visit when your stomach’s aching for some grub.
We don’t quite have a list of vendors who’ll be on-site whipping up tasty goodies, but from what we’ve gathered, you can look forward to munching on both local and international delicacies. Chow down on familiar snacks such as muah chee and char kway sotong, and switch it up with bites like Turkish kebab, takoyaki, and Korean spicy noodles.
For something to do in between house-visiting this CNY, consider a visit to River Hongbao 2025. It’s chock-full of family-friendly festivities to immerse yourself in, and if you’ve even more time to spare, you can conveniently pop by their seasonal offerings, like their new Spring Blossoms floral display.
For more things to do this festive period:
Cover image adapted from: @riverhongbao via Instagram, River Hongbao via Facebook
Here are all the best things to do this weekend in Singapore.
Free entry for Singaporeans and PRs.
Perfect for when you need a break from all the house-visiting.
No more struggling to hang and unload your laundry. Some models even come with benefits…
Don't miss this if it sounds like your cup of tea!
If Chengdu isn't on your travel radar yet, what are you waiting for?