Take part in the Chingay festivities right in our heartlands — plus stand a chance to win a 1-night staycation at Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa!
Photo credit: People’s Association
The Chingay Parade started in 1973 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Since then, it’s evolved into a contemporary celebration of Singapore’s multiculturalism and our strength in diversity.
For those who missed the annual Chingay Parade on 23 and 24 Feb 2024, it doesn’t mean that celebrations are over — the Chingay Parade is coming to the Western heartlands on 9 March 2024!
Photo credit: Chingay Parade SG
Good news for fellow westies, West Coast GRC and Pioneer SMC are among the five selected areas across Singapore hosting Chingay Heartlands this year. This year’s theme is Blossom, which signifies growth, transformation and flourishing of the community.
Each neighbourhood will showcase an art piece co-created by residents and volunteers. You can also expect an exciting day of festivities — parade floats, multicultural performances, as well as carnival rides and game booths — across six neighbourhoods, namely Ayer Rajah-Gek Poh, Boon Lay, Nanyang, Pioneer, Telok Blangah, and West Coast.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can look forward to:
1) Ayer Rajah – Gek Poh Chingay Carnival
Photo credit: Chingay Parade Singapore
The highlight of the Ayer Rajah-Gek Poh Chingay Carnival — Auspicious Balloon Firecrackers, which signify a prosperous new year ahead! There’ll also be an African drum and cultural dance performance, plus food and games booths.
Ayer Rajah – Gek Poh Chingay Carnival
Entrance fee: S$3
Opening hours: 6PM – 8:30PM
Address: Open Field opposite Blk 41, Teban Gardens Road, Singapore 600041 (Google Maps)
2) Boon Lay Chingay Carnival
Photo credit: People’s Association
Head down to Boon Lay Chingay Carnival to enjoy a stunning Projection Light Show at Block 207 Boon Lay Place. The show will trace the origins and evolution of the Boon Lay neighbourhood, featuring iconic landmarks like Savoy Cinema. After the light show, join the community in creating a batik painting piece, let loose on a bouncy castle and indulge in some food and games.
Entrance fee: S$5
Opening hours: 7PM – 9PM
Address: Hardcourt in front of Blk 207, Boon Lay Place, opposite Boon Lay Place Market (Google Maps)
3) Nanyang Chingay Carnival
Photo credit: People’s Association
Nanyang CC is going big for Chingay 2024, with a 6-minute fireworks display! Another carnival highlight is Dragon Prosperity Wall, where residents can pen their wishes. The dragon ball will also light up — a symbol of prosperity, good fortune and community spirit.
Entrance fee: S$5
Opening hours: 7:30PM – 9:45PM
Address: Hardcourt in front of Blk 953, Jurong West St 91 (Google Maps)
4) Telok Blangah Chingay Carnival
Photo credit: People’s Association
The centrepiece of the Telok Blangah Chingay Carnival is the Blossom of Kuehs clay art display. It was co-created by volunteers and residents! There’ll also be a flea market that’s themed around sustainability. If you haven’t caught a lion dance this year, it’s not too late — there’s a dragon and lion dance performance at the carnival!
Entrance fee: S$5 — tickets available at Telok Blangah CC and Dover CC
Opening hours: 3PM – 6PM
Address: Telok Blangah Community Centre (Google Maps)
5) West Coast Chingay Carnival
Photo credit: People’s Association
West Coast will be celebrating Chingay Heartlands with a Nine Dragons Diamond Mural Art Painting. It’s made of 3,000 drills (sparkling resin rhinestones) and is the result of a community effort by residents and volunteers. Don’t miss the dragon and lion dance performances there too!
Entrance fee: S$5
Opening hours: 5PM – 7:30PM
Address: West Coast Community Centre (Google Maps)
6) Pioneer Chingay Carnival
Photo credit: People’s Association
The Pioneer Chingay Carnival‘s main showpiece is called Blossoms of Wishes — a 1.8m-tall wishing tree made from recycled materials like PET bottles and repurposed fairy lights. Pen down your wishes for the new year to hang on the tree! Of course, there’ll be plenty of carnival games and snacks to enjoy. Hop on the bouncy castle, snap a photo with the God of Fortune and watch exciting performances featuring Chinese mask actors!
Entrance fee: S$3 incl. goodie bag
Opening hours: 6:30PM – 9:30PM
Address: Blk 663E, Jurong West Street 64, Multi-purpose Hall (Google Maps)
Spot Floats Along a 34km Caravan Route
Photo credit: People’s Association
This year’s Chingay@West Coast GRC and Pioneer SMC also features 11 floats created by the community and local artists! Spot them during a 34km-long caravan procession that winds through West Coast GRC and Pioneer SMC on 9 March 2024.
One of the floats will be a unique community float “Ride the Wind and Waves”, which draws inspiration from pioneers who arrived in Singapore a century ago by vessels — it symbolises our collective journey to overcome difficulties and embrace hope for a brighter future! The float is co-created by artist Song Yan and residents who hand-painted the wooden board decorations themselves.
The heartlands parade will start at Telok Blangah before going to West Coast, Ayer Rajah-Gek Poh, Boon Lay, Pioneer, and end with a finale at Nanyang!
Win a 1-Night Staycay at Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa
Photo credit: Sentosa
Besides the exciting activities lined up, you can also take part in the Snap & Win – Spot The Float Instagram contest on 9 March 2024 and stand to win a 1-Night Staycation at Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa!
Here’s how to enter:
1) Follow these Instagram accounts and look out for the “Add Yours” template on their Instagram Stories on 9 March — @ourayerrajah, @nanyang.constituency, @PioneerConstituency, @MyHomeTelokBlangah
2) Use the uniquely #WestieChingay template to snap and share a photo/video of you and your loved ones with the Chingay Heartlands floats (check the caravan schedule above)
3) In your Instagram Story, include what you love most about Chingay@West Coast GRC and Pioneer SMC
4) Contest ends on Sunday, 10 March at 11:59PM
The lucky entry with the most creative and engaging story will win the 1-night staycay! The winner will be contacted by @PioneerConstituency via DM on Instagram.
Looking for other exciting things to do in Singapore besides the Chingay Parade in 2024? Check out our list of new deals and attractions in Singapore — updated frequently!
This post is brought to you by the People’s Association.
