With Chinese New Year soon to arrive, many areas in Singapore have been decked up with colourful and festive Chinese New Year decorations, while others, brim with activities and hype. Such is the much anticipated annual River Hongbao, which is just around the corner!
Held at The Float @ Marina Bay, from 23 Jan to 1 Feb 2020, this year, both the young and young at heart can look forward to a celebration of all sorts at River Hongbao 2020: from spectacular fireworks, performances, exhibitions to even a carnival that boasts thrilling rides, games and delicious street food!
River Hongbao 2020: Key Highlights Not To Be Missed (Jan 23 – Feb 1)
1. Fireworks display
Photo: RHB
One of the most awaited events during Chinese New Year definitely has to be the dazzling fireworks that punctures the night sky with its brilliance.
The even more awesome part of it? They will be displayed every night during River Hongbao 2020 across Singapore’s most iconic Marina Bay skyline.
Here are daily fireworks timings:
23 Jan (Thur): 9.00pm
24 Jan (Fri): 12:00am
25 to 28 Jan (Sat – Tue): 9.00pm
29 & 30 Jan (Wed- Thur): 10.00pm
31 Jan & 1 Feb (Fri – Sat): 9.30pm
Stay tuned to the fireworks especially on Chinese New Year’s eve, because you can expect a full 6 minutes of magnificent display.
2. Illuminating Lanterns and photo opportunities
It’s your chance this year at River Hongbao 2020, to create the perfect photo opportunity with your loved ones!
Be greeted by plenty of displays from the 12 zodiacs, wishing tree to windmills that represent the Chinese deities of Prosperity, Status, and Longevity (Fu Lu Shou).
More than 20 dazzling lantern pieces are present but the limelight stealer? This lantern set that stretches over 50m long, and the largest of it all.
The largest lantern set measures 50m long and 12m tall. | Photo: RHB
Huat it up with this massive God of Fortune display that towers over 18m tall.
Photo: RHB
Something fun to look out for is this display of swimming goldfishes in a “bowl”, with its release of bubbles that will surely make your kids do a double-take.
Photo: RHB
Believe it or not, here’s a wishing tree. If you’d like, make a wish as you toss your cash in. Money received will be donated to Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH).
Photo: RHB
Photo: RHB
12 zodiacs display | Photo: RHB
3. Rare and Unique Hongbao Artefacts Exhibition
The exhibition’s theme this year is “Prosperity in Packets: Hongbao Giving in Chinese Culture”. It also traces how hongbaos are also given in other countries including Korea, Japan and Vietnam. | Photo: RHB
While you are at the River Hongbao 2020, be sure to stop by the exhibition themed “Prosperity in Packets: Hongbao Giving in Chinese Culture”. Why not, when admission is free?
There will be a showcase of over 400 hongbao which includes valuable collector’s items that feature stunning designs with interesting backstories. Meanwhile, you and your kids will be able to learn more about the origins and traditions of red packet giving.
Guided tours are also available during the exhibition.
4. Local and Overseas Performances
Photo: RHB
Photo: RHB
There will also be daily evening performances to further ease into the festive mood during River Hongbao 2020!
Catch eye-0pening performances by local artistes Zoe Tay, Desmond Tan, Ya Hui, amongst many others, as well as overseas performance troupes who will take the stage for several nights, keeping the atmosphere livelier than ever.
Key dates to look out for:
Jan 29 – Jan 30 (Singapore Talent Night): Performances by local artistes
Jan 31 – Feb 1 (River Hongbao Chingay Night): Chingay performances
View the full schedule
here.
5. Carnival and Food Street
Photo: RHB
Once you’re done with viewing the exhibitions, head over to the River Hongbao 2020’s food street for some authentic local traditional bites prepared by the different major dialect groups in Singapore.
Some offerings by the clan associations include Abacus Seeds (Hakka) and Crystal Dumplings (Teochew) amongst many others. These traditional local foods will only be available on 29 and 30 Jan 2020.
Photo: RHB
And if you’re pumped up for a challenge, there is also a carnival just a stone’s throw away that features over 20 thrilling rides and games.
Other exciting new offerings: #HuntYourZodiac and daily Hongbao giveaway
#HuntYourZodiac
Photo: RHB
Photo: RHB
This year, something exciting to look forward to is River Hongbao’s first ever virtual game, #HuntYourZodiac.
From 23 to 27 January, families and friends of all ages can come together to ‘hunt’ for their desired zodiac animal within the premise of The Float @ Marina Bay.
There are 12 zones with different zodiac animals to start your hunt—you’ll just need your mobile device. Either scan the QR code on site or enter via
go.posb.com.sg/HuntYourZodiac. Then, accept to log in with your Facebook account.
Roam around and observe the meter bar that indicates how close you are to a zodiac animal. You will also see a silhouette of it on screen. The closer you are, the faster the meter will move.
Observe the meter bar. The closer you are to an animal, the faster it will move. | Photo: theAsianparent
There are also power-ups you can get if you are experiencing trouble with the animal search. Simply complete POSB Smiley’s special challenges. (Tip: Power-ups will magically attract the zodiac animals to you!)
Dedicated Chinese Horoscope Prediction
What comes after catching an animal then? Each zodiac animal it comes with a dedicated Chinese horoscope prediction based on your birth date based on career, wealth, relationships and health.
#HuntYourZodiac offers dedicated predictions based not only on your zodiac animal, but also the zodiac element (metal, wood, fire, water, earth) corresponding to your birth date. | Photo: theAsianparent
Are you a water dragon, metal rat, or a fire monkey? A total of 60 predictions are waiting to be unveiled.
If lucky, the zodiac animal(s) you have caught will release an ‘ang bao’ that you can bring to exchange for prizes. You can redeem the ang bao at the POSB booths at River Hongbao.
Photo: theAsianparent
*Be sure to redeem your angbao code on the same day you have received it.
God of Fortune Huat Hour
A daily hour-long Hongbao giveaway awaits during the ‘God of Fortune Huat Hour’.
The God of Fortune will appear at certain auspicious hour at the POSB booth every night from 23 to 27 January, to gift red packets to RHB visitors. To redeem one, simply show that you have the DBS PayLah! app installed on your phone.
Details of River Hongbao 2020
Dates:
23 Jan 23 – 1 Feb 2020
Timing:
2pm – 11am
Extended till 1am on 24 Jan, Chinese New Year eve
Address:
The Float @ Marina Bay
20 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039805
