River Hongbao 2024: A Dazzling Celebration Unveiling Spectacular Lantern Displays, Cultural Performances, and Virtual Experiences
Singapore’s River Hongbao, an annual event that has been taking place since 1987, is gearing up to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Gardens by the Bay with a spectacular display.
Organized by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), SPH Media Trust’s Chinese Media Group, Singapore Tourism Board, and People’s Association, River Hongbao continues to be a platform promoting Chinese tradition, culture, and fostering unity among diverse communities.
This Year’s Highlights and Attractions
Firstly, a magnificent dragon lantern, spanning 140 metres, will adorn the Supertrees, marking the arrival of the Year of the Dragon.
If you were born in the Year of the Dragon, this is one Insta-worthy flex you sure wouldn’t want to miss.
For the hopefuls in the money-making aspect, there will also be a massive God of Fortune figurine as the centrepiece of the Supertree Grove.
Visitors can also explore the impressive “Bountiful Returns,” the longest lantern set at River Hongbao.
Inspired by the Singapore River, this 20-metre-long lantern holds historical significance, harking back to the early days of River Hongbao as a community event for all Singaporeans.
Positioned near the Bayfront MRT exit, it offers a meaningful connection to the iconic location and the event’s communal origins.
The pièce de résistance comes in the form of a unique showcase of 30 firecrackers totalling 18 metres in length. This marks the first time in ten years that fireworks were part of the annual event.
Visitors will be treated to a dazzling exhibition only on the first three nights of festivities, from a safe viewing distance of approximately 15 metres from the firecrackers.
The celebrations are complemented by Dahlia Dreams, Gardens by the Bay’s signature Chinese New Year floral display at the Flower Dome.
Boasting over 1,000 dahlias of various varieties, including a 7m-tall, 15m-long dragon centrepiece symbolising the upcoming Year of the Wood Dragon, the display is a collaborative effort by Gardens’ horticulturists and beneficiaries of Dementia Singapore.
Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to partake in a meaningful gesture by tossing coins to make wishes at the Wishing Heart lantern set.
The proceeds from this activity will be directed towards Lions Home for the Elders, a non-profit organisation dedicated to offering health, nursing, and aged care services.
You can also take a trip through time watching the evolution of Chinese New Year markets in Singapore from the 1950s through an exhibition organised by the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
The showcase will incorporate interactive elements and installations, providing visitors with an immersive experience into the vibrant and festive atmosphere of past Chinese New Year markets.
By exploring this exhibition, attendees gain insights into the way of life, values, and traditions of the Chinese community in Singapore.
Dance troupes hailing from the Guizhou Huadeng Theatre and the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport’s dance department are set to grace the stage with their performances.
The lineup also includes nightly performances featuring diverse ethnic groups, along with thematic shows like Movie Night and Getai Night.
And for the foodies? Don’t fret, as there will be both a food street boasting a wide range of mouth-watering street food encompassing a wide range of flavours from Singapore, China, and the rest of Asia.
Parents can also keep their young ones entertained with amusement rides hosted by Uncle Ringo!
The festivities are scheduled to take place from 8 to 17 February.
River Hongbao Goes Virtual!
Of course, no campaign or event in this decade is complete without the use of AI.
In line with evolving times, the event’s digital content has been enhanced. This year, the organisers have introduced a virtual River Hongbao and an interactive metaverse, accessible on the River Hongbao website.
Notably, a character named Xiao He, created by artificial intelligence, will make her debut, featured across various digital platforms, aiming to attract a younger audience and engage online participants.
Visitors can also “visit” Xiao He in person throughout the festivities at a booth in River Hongbao 2024, and stand a chance to bring home a special edition collectable by answering a few simple questions.
For the chronically online, POSB also plans to launch an exclusive dragon filter across its Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.
Users are encouraged to apply this filter to their photos, showcasing their Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations. POSB will donate $8 to the POSB PAssion Kids Fund for each post or story featuring the filter.
This fund is dedicated to supporting low-income families and children in need, reflecting the bank’s commitment to contributing to the community during the festive season.
In a press release event, Committee Chairman Thomas Chua expressed the organisers’ commitment to introducing new highlights while extending a warm invitation to people of all races to join in the festivities.
The organisers hope to draw over a million visitors to the event, a goal consistent with pre-pandemic attendance figures.
Emphasising the event’s resilience, Program Chairman Perng Peck Seng noted that despite adverse weather conditions last year, the filled seats demonstrated the enduring popularity of River Hongbao.
For more detailed information about the diverse array of activities and their respective schedules, you can refer to riverhongbao.sg.
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