Happy Chinese new year! Let’s take a visit and explore River Hongbao 2025. The event is held from January 27 to February 5 at Gardens by the Bay, celebrating Chinese New Year in Singapore. This year, it also marks Singapore’s 60th year of independence, known as SG60. Let’s take an explore of the lantern light up at this year’s event.
Established in 1987, River Hongbao has become a cherished annual tradition. It showcases Chinese culture through lantern displays, performances, and exhibitions. It was traditionally held at the Chinese Garden long ago and has rotated around Singapore, including once at the Floating Platform back in 2020. In recent years, it has settled at Gardens by the Bay.
River Hongbao 2025 Lantern Displays
Entry is gated, with three main entrances, each featuring a lantern archway. The most impressive is the Welcome Arch at the Golden Garden near the visitor office and conservatories, flanked by two striking peacocks. Also, the Meadows archway entrance also features a majestic display of butterflies, especially if arriving from the car park.
This archway reads “Hua Kai Die Wu,” symbolizing spring’s arrival with butterflies dancing among blooming flowers. The arch leads into the Meadow’s Welcome Walkway, lined with blossoms.
Additionally, the Bayfront entrance archway is less spectacular but features the massive “Joyful Years Ahead” floating lantern on Dragonfly Lake. It showcases a family scene with hotpot, food, and music, floating on a barge over the lake. Also here is the “Whale Ever flowing Prosperity” lantern featuring a whale of a time at the Bayfront entrance.
Security at the event is efficient. There were no queues at the Meadows entrance, though expect a 10 minute queue and wait at the busier Bayfront entrance. The layout is similar to previous years but is less restricted than the 2022 event requiring ticketed entry period post-COVID-19.
Key Highlights and Themed Lanterns
The event features numerous captivating lanterns. A key highlight at the Supertree Grove is “The Lion City,” celebrating Singapore’s 60th year of independence this year.
This exhibit features a majestic Merdeka Lion centerpiece, symbolizing Singapore’s six-decade journey. It reenacts the 13th-century tale of a prince renaming the island from Temasek to Singapura, meaning “Lion City.”
Furthermore, the massive God of Fortune lantern at The Meadows remains a centerpiece, believed to bring luck. This year, the towering God of Fortune lantern has moved from the Supertree grove to The Meadows sector. Also, its theme, “Bao Ni You Qian,” promises luck and fortune, depicting a giant steamed bun overflowing with gold coins.
Year of the Snake Lanterns
Being the Year of the Snake, several themed lanterns are present. At the garden’s Palm Court, the “Golden Blessings” lantern features a snake-inspired Chinese calligraphy design of the word “fu”.
Furthermore, at The Meadows, the “Colourful Melodies” lantern, also known as “You Sheng You Se,” symbolizes resplendence in sound and color. It is depicted by a musical ensemble with a vinyl music player.
Also, the Prosperity Linkway at the Supertree Grove is a tunnel of dazzling lights, surrounded by snake-themed decorations.
Moreover, the Wishing Heart Bells return this year at The Meadows, depicted with bird nest lanterns. The display, reading “Gan En De Xin,” symbolizes gratitude. Many visitors attempt to throw coins at metal bells to ring in the new year.
Other Notable Lanterns
At the Golden Garden sector by the visitor center entrance, the “Peace and Happiness” lantern features a giant apple, inspired by the word “ping guo,” meaning peace. It symbolizes Singapore’s multiracial harmony.
Another majestic piece at the Supertree Grove is “Crane New Year Greetings,” depicting “He Nian,” where the flock of cranes here represent wisdom, happiness, and good fortune.
Additionally, near the Bayfront exit, the “Rise and Shine” lantern, sponsored by Kofu, features a massive sunflower with an animated clock. It depicts busy individuals rushing to get a head start on their day. It is one lantern most will miss unless you take a detour on the route to the exit.
Chinese Zodiac Lanterns
Next up is a staple lantern display here at River Hongbao. Also, the 12 zodiac animals are prominently displayed, with the snake receiving a centerpiece installation. I felt the snake display could be more prominent, the Snake, dressed as an elaborate damsel is less impressive.
Also, the Zodiac Set at the garden’s Palm Court is divided into four displays, each featuring three zodiac animals in traditional folklore attire, reminiscent of Journey to the West. The rat is notably rated the best performing zodiac for this year.
Notably, among the zodiac lanterns, the dragon head is one of the prominent animated piece this year which it head rotates looking about left and right, dressed in military armour.
Moreover, you can read up on your zodiac animal outlook for this year through an informatics board placed by every animal lantern. Also, it allows you to know the luck and where your zodiac stands in the new year of the snake.
Exhibition on Chinese Remittance
Every River Hongbao event includes a cultural exhibition. This year focuses on Chinese Remittance history. The exhibit, titled “Greetings from Afar,” showcases scanned letters from 1955 to 1981. A small lantern and Chinese junk display greets you are the entrance.
Furthermore, the exhibition is housed in the Gardens’ SG50 Lattice Building, where permanent exhibitions like the garden’s Floral Fantasy attraction is held. The exhibition covers the life of migrant workers in Singapore and tell the letters stories of early Chinese immigrants working hard to support their families back home.
Moreover, the Life Art Society also returns this year, celebrating traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting. Also, the Riddle Association of Singapore brings back the tradition of solving Chinese lantern riddles.
Stage Performances and Activities
Nightly cultural performances enhance the festive atmosphere. A standout act is “The Wind from Yunnan,” a dance troupe showcasing the ethnic diversity of China’s Yunnan province. These performances take place at The Meadow stage.
The food street, though smaller this year, offers local and international delights. It is now located along the Supertree Grove instead of inside a large tent. For thrill-seekers, the carnival features rides such as the Double-Storey Horse Carousel, Euro Swing, Space Shuttle, Mini Viking, and Texas Train at the Supertree Grove. The Double-Storey Horse Carousel is especially popular among families.
Firecracker Display and Closing Thoughts
A unique highlight this year is the firecracker show held on the first day of the event to user in the new Lunar new year. It is a first in Singapore. Instead of fireworks, 60 strands of firecrackers are set off in a dazzling display. Also, the event has carnival rides at the Supertree grove area operated by J-Kids Fairground Rides, adding to the festive ambiance.
Also, there is a good mix of family friendly rides and midway carnival games surrounded by the tall super trees. However, do note all the rides are mainly geared towards children and less of thrill rides for adults.
Wrapping up, crowds at River Hongbao are exceptionally crowded this year, especially on public holidays and weekends. You are advised to take public transport like MRT in, or arrive early before 6pm if you are driving, do expect long queues into not only into the meadows carpark, but bumper to bumper crowds from Bayfront MRT too. Also, parking at the nearby Millennia walk and taking a 1 stop MRT down to Bayfront is also an option to beat the carpark congestion.
All in all, River Hongbao 2025 offers exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities. You can cover most attractions in about two to three hours. The event remains a must-visit for celebrating Lunar New Year and marks Singapore’s 60th year of independence fittingly. Check it out from January 27 to February 5 at Gardens by the Bay.
