Hi Huneybees,
When I drove past Chinatown last Saturday and saw the familiar long queue for a particular famous Bak Kwa store, I realized I was behind others in preparation for the coming Chinese New Year (CNY)!
While one could get all the CNY necessities from your heartland Pasar Malam (aka night bazaar stores) or even better, delivered straight to your doorstep like what yours truly Queen Bee loves to do since her discovery of some CNY specialty online stores a few years back, nothing, in my opinion, beats shopping at Chinatown (牛车水) during this time of the year as it is the best place to soak up the CNY atmosphere.
Apart from the magnificent display of 2,688 beautifully handcrafted lanterns with 180 expertly sculptured pig lanterns dotting the main streets of Chinatown, there are 3 Must-Visit highlights at this year's Chinatown CNY celebration 2019:
Traditional Cantonese Opera Performances
19&20; 26&27 Jan 2019
7.00pm to 10.00pm
At the newly-renovated Kreta Ayer People's Theatre (牛车水人民剧场) with over 940 seats to accommodate, you enjoy traditional 'wayang' show in Cantonese within this air-conditioned theatre and take a break from all the CNY shopping and crowd.
Chinatown Wishing Tree
15 Jan - 3 Feb 2019
11.00am to 9.00pm
Make your wishes come true under the Wishin Tree housed within Chinatown Point. Each Make-A-Wish card costs $2 each and all proceeds collected will benefit Kreta Ayer Seniors' Activity Centre for the underprivileged elderly residing in Chinatown.
12th International Lion Dance Competition
26 Jan 2019
6.30pm to 10.30pm
10 teams of Lion Dane Troupe from 10 countries will come together and pit their skills on the meihuazhuang (Plum Blossom Poles) and compete for the champion title of ' King of the Lions'. Be sure to come early to get your seats and support your favorite team!
There's also other activities to check out and soak up the festive spirit with your friends and families. We have the Chinatown Walking Trail, Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2019 Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony on 20 January 2019, Nightly Stage Shows right within Kreta Ayer Square and not forgetting the Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party on 4 February 2019.
There's also a Pineapple Tart Making Workshop on 27 January 2019 at Kreta Ayer Community Club, you can purchase tickets at $5 for a family of up to 5 pax and participants are strongly encouraged to come as three generations.
We are also looking forward to the Chingay2019@ Heartlands that's going to be held on 17 February 2019 at 6pm to 10pm. The 10 special Chingay floats will make their special appearances and it will be the best time to go up close and personal to them and capture special moments too! It will be held along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street, so be sure to mark your calendars for it!
Ok, I will need to get back to help Queen Bee with the CNY preparations, if you would like to know more and get details about the Chinese New Year celebrations along Chinatown, go to www.chinatownfestivals.sg, www.facebook.com/Chinatown.Festivals, www.instagram.com/chinatown_festival.
While one could get all the CNY necessities from your heartland Pasar Malam (aka night bazaar stores) or even better, delivered straight to your doorstep like what yours truly Queen Bee loves to do since her discovery of some CNY specialty online stores a few years back, nothing, in my opinion, beats shopping at Chinatown (牛车水) during this time of the year as it is the best place to soak up the CNY atmosphere.
Apart from the magnificent display of 2,688 beautifully handcrafted lanterns with 180 expertly sculptured pig lanterns dotting the main streets of Chinatown, there are 3 Must-Visit highlights at this year's Chinatown CNY celebration 2019:
19&20; 26&27 Jan 2019
7.00pm to 10.00pm
At the newly-renovated Kreta Ayer People's Theatre (牛车水人民剧场) with over 940 seats to accommodate, you enjoy traditional 'wayang' show in Cantonese within this air-conditioned theatre and take a break from all the CNY shopping and crowd.
15 Jan - 3 Feb 2019
11.00am to 9.00pm
Make your wishes come true under the Wishin Tree housed within Chinatown Point. Each Make-A-Wish card costs $2 each and all proceeds collected will benefit Kreta Ayer Seniors' Activity Centre for the underprivileged elderly residing in Chinatown.
26 Jan 2019
6.30pm to 10.30pm
10 teams of Lion Dane Troupe from 10 countries will come together and pit their skills on the meihuazhuang (Plum Blossom Poles) and compete for the champion title of ' King of the Lions'. Be sure to come early to get your seats and support your favorite team!
There's also other activities to check out and soak up the festive spirit with your friends and families. We have the Chinatown Walking Trail, Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2019 Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony on 20 January 2019, Nightly Stage Shows right within Kreta Ayer Square and not forgetting the Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party on 4 February 2019.
There's also a Pineapple Tart Making Workshop on 27 January 2019 at Kreta Ayer Community Club, you can purchase tickets at $5 for a family of up to 5 pax and participants are strongly encouraged to come as three generations.
We are also looking forward to the Chingay2019@ Heartlands that's going to be held on 17 February 2019 at 6pm to 10pm. The 10 special Chingay floats will make their special appearances and it will be the best time to go up close and personal to them and capture special moments too! It will be held along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street, so be sure to mark your calendars for it!
Ok, I will need to get back to help Queen Bee with the CNY preparations, if you would like to know more and get details about the Chinese New Year celebrations along Chinatown, go to www.chinatownfestivals.sg, www.facebook.com/Chinatown.Festivals, www.instagram.com/chinatown_festival.
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