Event Overview
Dates: 30 January – 1 February 2026
Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) & Singapore Conference Hall
Admission: Free (with some ticketed programmes)
Best For: Families with children of all ages
Total Programmes: 25 cultural programmes
Website: https://singaporen.sg/cnyff
Detailed Event Information
Lion Dance Performance Schedule
Venue: SCCC Level 1 Concourse
Dates: 31 January & 1 February 2026
Time: 1pm – 7pm
Admission: Free
31 January 2026:
- 1pm: Fujian Green Lion Dance
- 3pm: Hainanese Lion Dance
- 4pm: Hakka Qilin Dance
- 5pm: Golden Lion Dance
- 6pm: Fo He Lion Dance
1 February 2026:
- 1pm: Fujian Green Lion Dance
- 3pm: Hainanese Lion Dance
- 4pm: Hakka Qilin Dance
- 5pm: Fo He Lion Dance
The “MA”rket Place
Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Multi-Purpose Hall, Level 7
Activities Include:
- Couplet writing with seal stamping
- Accessories making
- Coloring activities
- Theatre performances about CNY
- Free festive snacks
- Language: English and Mandarin
Schedule:
- 31 January: 11:30am – 7pm
- 1 February: 1:30pm – 7pm
Finding Har马ny Installation
Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Roof Garden
Duration: Now until 20 May 2026
Time: Daily 10am – 10pm
Admission: Free
Languages: English and Chinese
Description: Colorful horse sculptures celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse, plus zodiac forecasts
Mission-Based Quest
Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Ho Bee Concourse, Level 1
Dates: 31 January & 1 February 2026
Time: 1pm – 7pm
Rewards: Limited edition festive red packets, snack packs, drink vouchers (while stocks last)
Roving Storytelling Experience
Venue: Throughout SCCC
Activity: Interactive adventure to find three hidden characters and learn the meanings of Chinese New Year greetings
Additional Activities
- Huat-goes-round Carousel – Festive carousel rides
- CNY-Themed Photobooths – Interactive photo opportunities throughout the venue
Children’s Lion and Dragon Dance Workshops
Status: FULLY BOOKED/SOLD OUT
Note: These hands-on workshops where children learn basic lion and dragon dance movements and try traditional drums and cymbals are no longer available for registration
Our Review
CNY Family FUN 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for families to immerse themselves in Chinese New Year traditions through interactive, hands-on experiences. With 25 cultural programmes spanning three days, this event strikes a wonderful balance between education and entertainment.
What We Loved: The diversity of activities ensures there’s something for every family member. The free lion dance performances are a major highlight, featuring five distinct regional styles that showcase Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry. Unlike typical CNY events where you might catch one performance, here you can experience multiple traditions side by side, making it educational and visually spectacular.
The mission-based quest and roving storytelling experience are clever ways to keep children engaged while teaching them about CNY customs. These interactive elements transform learning into an adventure, which is exactly what young minds need.
The “MA”rket Place is a gem for hands-on learners. Activities like couplet writing with seal stamping and craft-making allow children to create tangible memories they can take home. The bilingual approach (English and Mandarin) makes it accessible to families from diverse backgrounds.
Minor Considerations: The Children’s Lion and Dragon Dance Workshops sold out quickly, indicating high demand. If you’re planning to attend future editions, early registration is essential. The event spans peak hours (1pm-7pm on 31 Jan and 1 Feb), so expect crowds, especially during popular performance times.
Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
A well-organized, culturally enriching, and thoroughly enjoyable family event that makes Chinese New Year traditions accessible and exciting for the next generation.
How to Reach by Public Transport
To Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC)
Address: 1 Straits Boulevard, Singapore 018906
By MRT:
- Nicoll Highway Station (Circle Line) – Most convenient option
- Exit A and walk approximately 5 minutes
- Follow signs toward Singapore Sports Hub
- SCCC is located near the waterfront
- Stadium Station (Circle Line) – Alternative option
- Exit E and walk approximately 8-10 minutes
- Head toward Nicoll Highway
By Bus: Several bus services stop near SCCC:
- Bus 10, 12, 32, 33, 70M, 76, 80, 107, 960
- Alight at bus stops along Nicoll Highway or Stadium Boulevard
Tip for Families: The MRT is your best bet with young children. Nicoll Highway Station has elevator access, making it stroller-friendly. Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before scheduled performances to secure good viewing spots.
Activity Lessons & Learning Opportunities
1. Lion Dance Performances
What Children Learn:
- Different regional lion dance styles represent various Chinese dialect groups in Singapore (Fujian, Hainanese, Hakka)
- The symbolism behind movements, colors, and music
- Cultural diversity within the Chinese community
- Traditional percussion instruments (drums, cymbals, gongs)
Activity Mission: Watch at least three different lion dance performances to compare and contrast the unique styles, movements, and costumes of each regional tradition.
2. Finding Har马ny Installation
What Children Learn:
- Chinese zodiac system and the significance of the Year of the Fire Horse
- How cultural symbols convey meaning and blessings
- Public art as a form of cultural expression
Activity Mission: Explore the colorful horse sculptures, take photos with your favorite one, and discuss with family members what the Year of the Fire Horse might bring based on the zodiac forecast displayed.
3. Roving Storytelling Experience
What Children Learn:
- Common Chinese New Year greetings and their meanings
- Interactive problem-solving and observation skills
- Storytelling as a method of cultural transmission
Activity Mission: Search throughout SCCC to find all three hidden characters, learn the three special Chinese New Year greetings they represent, and practice using these greetings with family members.
4. Couplet Writing with Seal Stamping
What Children Learn:
- Traditional Chinese calligraphy basics
- The art of seal stamping (a practice dating back thousands of years)
- Poetic structure of Spring Festival couplets (对联)
- Auspicious phrases and blessings for the new year
Activity Mission: Create your own Chinese New Year couplet, practice seal stamping, and take your handmade artwork home to display during the festive season.
5. Mission-Based Quest
What Children Learn:
- Goal-setting and task completion
- Teamwork and family collaboration
- Cultural customs through gamification
Activity Mission: Complete all challenges in the quest to earn tiered rewards including limited edition festive red packets, snack packs, or drink vouchers. Work together as a family to maximize your rewards!
6. Craft Activities (Accessories Making, Coloring)
What Children Learn:
- Fine motor skills development
- Traditional CNY motifs and their meanings (dragons, lanterns, flowers)
- Creative expression within cultural contexts
Activity Mission: Create at least two different craft items featuring CNY symbols, learn what each symbol represents, and explain your creations to family members.
7. Theatre Performances About CNY
What Children Learn:
- CNY stories and folklore through dramatic storytelling
- Cultural narratives that explain the origins of traditions
- How performing arts preserve and transmit cultural knowledge
- Appreciation for live theatre and the arts
Activity Mission: Watch a theatre performance and afterwards discuss with your family the story’s message and how it relates to Chinese New Year traditions you practice at home.
8. Huat-goes-round Carousel
What Children Learn:
- The word “Huat” (发) meaning prosperity and good fortune in dialect
- How modern attractions can incorporate traditional themes
- Sharing joy and celebration with family members
Activity Mission: Take a ride on the festive carousel and count how many CNY-themed decorations or symbols you can spot while riding.
9. CNY-Themed Photobooths
What Children Learn:
- Traditional CNY aesthetics and visual symbols
- Creating family memories and documenting celebrations
- Posing with festive props that have cultural significance
Activity Mission: Visit all available photobooths, try different props at each station, and create a photo collection that tells the story of your CNY Family FUN 2026 experience.
Values to Learn
This event beautifully integrates several important values into its programming:
Cultural Appreciation and Heritage
Children gain firsthand exposure to Chinese traditions, helping them understand their cultural roots or appreciate Singapore’s multicultural society. The variety of lion dance styles specifically teaches that Chinese culture is not monolithic but rich with regional diversity.
Family Bonding
Activities are designed for multi-generational participation, encouraging grandparents, parents, and children to learn together. The shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen family connections during an auspicious time of year.
Community and Shared Celebration
By bringing together different dialect groups’ traditions in one space, the event promotes unity in diversity. Children learn that festivals are community celebrations that bring people together across differences.
Respect for Tradition
Hands-on activities like couplet writing and seal stamping teach children to respect traditional arts and crafts. They learn that cultural practices have deep historical significance and deserve preservation.
Curiosity and Active Learning
The quest-based and storytelling formats encourage children to be active participants rather than passive observers, fostering curiosity about culture and traditions.
Generosity and Good Fortune
CNY themes of prosperity, blessings, and sharing (evident in red packet rewards and festive snacks) teach children about wishing well for others and celebrating abundance.
Teamwork and Collaboration
The mission-based quest and family-oriented activities encourage children to work together with siblings and parents, developing cooperative skills and shared achievement.
Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity
By showcasing five different regional lion dance styles (Fujian, Hainanese, Hakka, Golden Lion, and Fo He), children learn that Singapore’s Chinese heritage comes from multiple dialect groups, each with unique customs. This teaches respect for diversity even within a single cultural community.
Bilingual Communication
With activities conducted in both English and Mandarin, children see the value of language skills and cultural accessibility. This supports Singapore’s bilingual education goals while making traditions accessible to all.
Environmental and Artistic Awareness
The Finding Har马ny installation demonstrates how public art can celebrate culture while beautifying shared spaces. Children learn that culture can be expressed through various artistic mediums.
Patience and Observation
Activities like couplet writing, seal stamping, and the roving storytelling quest require focus and attention to detail, teaching children to slow down and appreciate the craftsmanship in traditional arts.
Festive Joy and Optimism
The overall atmosphere of celebration, with carousel rides, photobooths, and rewards, teaches children to approach the new year with hope, positivity, and excitement about fresh beginnings.
Free Access to Culture
The fact that most programmes are free demonstrates that cultural education should be accessible to all families regardless of economic background, teaching children about community support and inclusive celebrations.
Dining Options
At The “MA”rket Place (SCCC Level 7)
- Free festive snacks available during event hours
- Perfect for light bites while children participate in craft activities
- Sampling traditional CNY treats introduces children to festive foods
Nearby Dining Options
Within SCCC/Singapore Sports Hub Area:
- KALLANG WAVE MALL (5-minute walk)
- Food court with diverse options
- Family-friendly restaurants including fast food and local cuisine
- Convenient for full meals before or after the event
- OUR TAMPINES HUB (One MRT stop away – Tampines Station)
- Extensive food court and restaurant options if you’re willing to travel slightly further
- PARKWAY PARADE (15 minutes by bus or taxi)
- Shopping mall with numerous dining choices
- More upscale options available
Practical Dining Tips for Families:
- Timing: Consider eating before arriving (late morning) or after the afternoon programmes (around 4-5pm) to avoid peak lunch crowds
- Snacks: Bring your own water bottles and light snacks for young children, as queues at food outlets may be long during peak festive period
- Budget: With free snacks at the “MA”rket Place, you can save on food costs and allocate budget toward other activities
- Picnic Option: The waterfront area near SCCC has outdoor spaces where families sometimes enjoy takeaway meals with pleasant views
Event Schedule Quick Reference
31 January 2026:
- 11:30am – 7pm: The “MA”rket Place opens (Level 7)
- 1pm – 7pm: Lion Dance Performances (Level 1 Concourse)
- 1pm – 7pm: Mission-Based Quest (Level 1)
1 February 2026:
- 1:30pm – 7pm: The “MA”rket Place opens (Level 7)
- 1pm – 7pm: Lion Dance Performances (Level 1 Concourse)
- 1pm – 7pm: Mission-Based Quest (Level 1)
Finding Har马ny Installation:
- Daily 10am – 10pm (until 20 May 2026)
Final Tips for Families
- Arrive early for popular lion dance performances to secure good viewing spots
- Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be moving between different levels and activities
- Bring a small bag for collecting red packets and craft items
- Check the official website for any last-minute updates: https://singaporen.sg/cnyff
- Consider visiting on both days to experience all five lion dance troupes
This is a rare opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year through authentic, interactive experiences that go beyond commercial festivities. Your family will leave with deeper cultural understanding, creative crafts, and joyful memories to start the Year of the Fire Horse.