One Punggol will usher in the Lunar New Year with a community-centric Chinese New Year Light-Up Celebration on Saturday, 17 January 2026. From 6pm onwards, One Punggol, Level 1 will transform into a warm, welcoming gathering point for residents, families and visitors. Designed as a shared festive experience rather than a standalone spectacle, the celebration reflects One Punggol’s role as a neighbourhood anchor where culture, community and everyday life come together.
At the heart of the celebration is the Chinese New Year Light-Up, a symbolic moment that marks the start of the festive period at One Punggol. More than a visual highlight, the light-up represents collective hopes for the year ahead, illuminating the space through the participation of community members and invited guests. The activation reinforces the spirit of togetherness that defines Chinese New Year, where shared rituals and simple acts of gathering carry deep meaning.
Image credit: One Punggol
Surrounding the light-up is a thoughtfully curated programme of cultural performances, hands-on workshops and family-friendly activities that invite residents of all ages to participate. From traditional Chinese arts to interactive play elements for children, the celebration is designed to feel accessible, inclusive and rooted in lived community experience.
Cultural performances throughout the day add vibrancy and depth to the programme, showcasing traditional and contemporary Chinese art forms. Audiences can look forward to a mix of performances that celebrate heritage while remaining engaging for modern, multi-generational audiences. These performances are intended not only as entertainment, but as moments of cultural connection that resonate across age groups and backgrounds.
Lion and Dragon Dance Performance
Image credit: One Punggol
A highlight of the Chinese New Year Light-Up Celebration is the Lion and Dragon Dance performance, which brings together movement, music and symbolism rooted in long-standing festive traditions. The performance will feature the cai qing ritual, where the lion “plucks the greens” as a gesture of welcoming prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead, alongside dynamic pole-leaping sequences known as tiao zhuang, which showcase agility, coordination and precision.
Image credit: One Punggol
Accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats and cymbals, the performance culminates with the appearance of the dragon, a symbol of unity, strength and collective success. Together, these elements create an engaging and meaningful experience that reflects the spirit of renewal and togetherness central to Chinese New Year celebrations.
➡️ Related Read: Where to see Lion and Dragon Dance this Lunar New Year 2026
The programme will also feature a Chinese Face Changing performance, known as bian lian , a traditional art form rooted in Sichuan opera, where performers reveal multiple masks in rapid succession through precise and skilful movements.
Audiences can also look forward to Chinese acrobatic performances that combine strength, balance and controlled movement, as well as live music by the Singapore Institute of Technology, bringing together Chinese orchestral elements with Western string instruments for a contemporary festive soundscape.
Image credit: One Punggol
For families with young children, a dedicated play zone featuring bouncy castles and Kiddy rides provides a lively and safe environment for festive enjoyment. These activity areas are designed to complement the cultural programme, ensuring that families can spend extended time at One Punggol, moving seamlessly between performances, workshops and play.
Image credit: One Punggol
The official light-up moment will be marked by a symbolic launch sequence, with invited guests placing their hands on a light pedestal to activate the installation. This gesture reflects the idea that festive joy and community spirit are built collectively, through many hands and shared participation. The lighting effects will visually signal the beginning of Chinese New Year celebrations at One Punggol, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.
Chinese New Year Lantern Art
Ahead of the official Chinese New Year Light-Up, One Punggol will kick off the festive lead-up with a hands-on CNY Lantern Art & Craft Workshop on Saturday, 10 January 2026 . Open to residents of all ages, the free workshop invites participants to decorate their own Chinese New Year lanterns and pen wishes for the year ahead across three sessions from 2pm to 5pm at One Punggol, Level 1.
Each completed lantern will form part of a larger community display, coming together as a centrepiece installation for the Chinese New Year celebrations at One Punggol.
By encouraging residents to contribute their personal hopes and creative expressions, the workshop sets the tone for a celebration shaped collectively by the community, where individual stories and shared aspirations illuminate the festive season together.
Beyond the event day itself, the Chinese New Year Light-Up Celebration reflects One Punggol’s role as a shared community space that grows alongside its residents. By encouraging participation, cultural appreciation and family bonding, the celebration strengthens everyday connections and a sense of belonging within the community.
*All programmes are free to attend unless otherwise stated, and weekly updates are available via @OnePunggol,/span>. Information is correct at the time of dissemination and may be subject to change without notice.
Lantern Making Workshop | 10 January 2026
🧧🏮 CHINESE NEW YEAR 2026 🏮🧧
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