The top activities to undertake in Singapore in February
Now that the arduous month of January is over, let out a huge sigh of relief. However, you must get up quickly because February, the shortest month of the year, is approaching. This month, there are many more reasons to celebrate. There are some incredible live music events scheduled for February, in addition to spectacular Chinese New Year celebrations and light displays. If all else fails, simply indulge in some romance at the city's most charming eateries and spots with your significant other (or yourself – #selfcare!).
 |
| The top 10 activities in Singapore for February |
1. The Sky Lantern Festival
The ethereal charm of Taiwan renowned Pingxi Sky Festival will soon be available to you in Singapore. This February 21, Sentosa's Palawan Green will host the inaugural Singapore Sky Lantern Festival. As with the Taiwanese event, you can write your wishes on paper lanterns, light them, and launch them into the night sky. Prepare your camera to capture the overhead tapestry of glowing orbs. Don't worry if safety or the environment are concerns; the lanterns will be secured to the ground with long bamboo strings and are biodegradable. You will need to get your lantern back before properly discarding it.
Along with cultural performances, DJ sets, and food vendors, the Sky Lantern Festival will feature an afternoon music festival. Join us for the afterparty, which starts at 10 p.m. and ends at midnight.
2. Chinatown 2024 Chinese New Year festivities
Where else but Chinatown to ring in the Chinese New Year? The district isn't done yet; it will continue to be decorated with dragon dioramas and festive themes through March 9. Take in the breathtaking fireworks as you celebrate Chinese New Year's Eve by attending the countdown party at Kreta Ayer Square. There are two Festive Fairs from now until February 9: one at the open space in front of People's Park Complex and another at China Street Stalls. Both offer festive decorations and treats for sale. Weekend stage performances at Kreta Ayer Square (January 27–28, February 3–4) and a lion dance competition at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre (January 27–28, $10) will add to the CNY spirit.
3. Parade Chingay
The yearly Chingay Parade returns this year with the theme "Blossom," representing the blossoming of both people and communities. The Chingay Garden will light up and bloom with captivating graphics and visuals during this year's parade, which will feature the biggest floor projection for a street parade to date, spanning 230 meters. Participate in craft activities and explore festive art installations at PAssionArts Street. Stop by the F1 Pit Building as well. Here, gifted students from seven Singaporean primary and secondary schools will create and erect flower-themed installations using recycled materials.
4. Huayi, the 2024 Chinese Festival of Arts
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Esplanade's annual Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts. Patrons can get a deeper understanding and appreciation of the various facets of Chinese culture with over 15 performances spanning the various art forms. Take in a range of theatrical productions, including Everything For You by Nine Years Theatre, The Sassy Princess by Boomablish Cantonese Opera Troupe, and 13•67 by Zuni Icosahedron. These productions include everything from family dramas to classic Chinese operas and crime thrillers.
Huayi not only offers plays but also shows that promote self-reflection, like Microcosm - A Sonic Tea Ceremony and Taiwanese choreographer Chou Shu-yi's Dance a Dance from My Body. A_Root, a Taiwanese band, will perform fusion music at the Huayi festival, which will run for ten days. Other free live performances include wushu performances by Martial House, Chinese opera classics by Singapore Chinese Opera and Drama Society, and fusion music by many other artists.
5. Singapore Science Center Korea Festival
There's no need to reserve the next flight out of Singapore right away for those who are missing South Korea's vibrant pop culture scene. Wear a traditional hanbok costume, browse the BTS x James Jean: Seven Phases Exhibition, and pick up exclusive K-pop merchandise between now and February 25. The Taiwanese-American visual artist James Jean has curated a dreamy collection of artworks inspired by each member of BTS, so you'll want to take your time browsing through this special BTS exhibition. There's also a huge mural with the sincere words of other ARMYs beautifully painted all over it. A must-have item is the BTS merchandise, which includes photo cards and postcards.
6. The Hongbao River
Visit River Hongbao at the SuperTree Grove for additional Chinese New Year celebrations in addition to appreciating the blooms at Dahlia Dreams. The event, which is currently in its fourth edition, will include performances, a food street, amusement rides, and magnificent dragon displays. One of the highlights is the God of Fortune, standing eighteen meters tall and spanning 140 meters. On certain evenings, there will be a firecracker display behind the statue. Enjoy street food featuring cuisine from Singapore, China, and other Asian countries, but not before you've taken a ride on Uncle Ringo's carnival rides. Enjoy daily stage shows featuring performances by Mediacorp artists and cultural groups, such as getai and xinyao sets, dance routines, traditional folk song duets, and more.
7. The Dragon Arises: 2024 Illumination
With its upcoming Lunar New Year celebration, Marina Bay Sands—which is well-known for its incredibly amazing festive light-ups—is raising the bar. Two magnificent 40-meter-long dragons will be unveiled in front of a 15-meter-tall Dragon's Gate during The Dragon Awakens: 2024 Light-Up, which takes place in the center of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. A dragon's pearl, 28 lotus lanterns, and 88 koi fish ornaments surround the decorations, which depict The Legend of the Dragon Gate, the story of how a carp that persists upstream is supposed to become a strong dragon once it passes through the dragon's gate. In addition to the light display, there will be koi dancers, a performance by Nathan Hartono, dragon and lion dancers, and at 8 p.m., an amazing drone light show at the Marina Bay waterfront (occurring on specific dates until February 18).
8. Truck Alright! A block party featuring food trucks
Having a party at a park for food trucks? Indeed, a truck! This Saturday, Gourmet Park in Sentosa is hosting a food truck block party that will be remembered in collaboration with Wild Pearl, GrooveTop, and Manifest. With live sets being streamed on Instagram by the folks at Wild Pearl, the party begins long before you leave the house. GrooveTop will be on deck at 4 p.m. at Gourmet Park, ready to warm you up with feel-good R&B, hip hop, funk, soul, afro, and UK music. With Manifest's signature house and tech beats, the party lasts until late. You can expect to see some of the biggest names in the scene, to mention a few: Dee, Ya5th, AKA Sounds, RAAJ, and James Selva. You can also anticipate a ton of delectable food from Quattro Pizza, The Goodburger, Lavi Taco, and Spank My Dough, since it's a celebration in Singapore's biggest food truck container park.
9. Airshow Weekend @
Attention, all of you who love aviation: You don't want to miss the biggest airshow in Asia, which is calling your name. Singapore Airshow is hosting an event called Weekend@Airshow on February 24 and 25, during which the public is welcome to attend. This year, it's going all out with precision maneuvers performed at high speeds by both domestic and foreign aerobatic teams, along with static displays of the newest military and commercial jets and aircraft.
As your neck strains from staring up at the sky, focus on the fun things the whole family can do on the ground. To keep the kids occupied and immersed in the fascinating world of aviation, Singapore Airshow has organized treasure hunts and eco-friendly craft workshops. Remember to shake hands with actual pilots and snap pictures with the mascots, Captain Leo and Captain Leonette.
10. On February 9, Zouk presents Ramengvrl.
The popular Indonesian rapper Ramengvrl hits Zouk with fierce style and spitfire bars. The Jakarta-born sensation, born Putri Soeharto, has won awards for hits like Cashmere and Vaseline and has amassed millions of Spotify streams in addition to working with celebrities like Yung Raja, Yellow Claw, Ted Park, and Pyra. Enjoy these chart-topping songs and be on the lookout for upcoming releases as well. Get warmed up with hip-hop tracks selected by resident DJs Rattle, Tang, and Boo by arriving early.