As the Lunar New Year approaches, the lion dance takes centre stage in Singapore, bringing a rich tapestry of tradition, excitement, and cultural significance. The vibrant performances, characterised by energetic drumming, flamboyant lion movements, and skilled acrobatics, have become integral to the festive celebrations. In this guide, we explore the origins of the lion dance and provide a curated list of locations where you can witness these captivating performances during the Chinese New Year in Singapore.
The Origins of Lion Dance:
The tradition of lion dance can be traced back to ancient China, with different regional variations adding unique elements to the performances. Northern lions, adorned with thick shaggy coats, and southern lions, sporting shorter coat, showcase the diversity within this ancient art form. The lion dance is not merely a spectacle; it carries cultural significance, symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and the warding off of evil spirits.
Intricate Performances
During lion dance performances in Singapore, spectators may witness various elements such as the plucking of greens (采青) and pugilistic acts involving leaping about on high poles. These actions are deeply rooted in tradition and are believed to usher in good fortune for the coming year. The International Lion Dance Competition in Chinatown stands out as a must-see event for lion dance enthusiasts, showcasing the skill and artistry of troupes from around the world.
Where to Catch Lion Dance Performances in Singapore
For those eager to experience the thrill of lion dance during Chinese New Year, here are some recommended locations:
1. Chingay@West Coast
Catch a lion and dragon dance performance @ West Coast at Chingay@Heartlands.
Lion and Dragon Dance Performance
📅 9 Mar 2024
⏰ Between 5pm to 10pm
📍 West Coast CC
For more information, visit Chingay@Heartlands 2024.
*************************************
Get into the festive mood with a spectacular lion & dragon dance performance! Prepared to be captivated by their acrobatic feats as they leap from pole to pole and showcase their jaw-dropping stunts.
Lion Dance Performance
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 2pm
📍 The Seletar Mall L1 Atrium
For more information, visit The Seletar Mall Chinese New Year.
*************************************
3. AMK Hub
Usher in the new year with a majestic display of the Lion and Dragon Dance performances at AMK Hub.
God of Fortune Blessing
📅 3 & 4 Feb 2024
⏰ 3pm
📍 AMK Hub B1 & L3
Lion Dance Performance
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 5.58pm
📍 AMK Hub B1 Atrium
High Poles Lion Dance Performance
📅 16 & 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 6.38pm
📍 AMK Hub Main Entrance
LED Dragon Dance Performance
📅 16 & 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 7.18pm
📍 AMK HubMain Entrance
For more information, visit here.
*************************************
Usher in the new year with a majestic display of the Lion Dance performance Swing By @ Thomson Plaza.
Lion Dance Performance
📅 14 Feb 2024
⏰ 5pm
📍 AMK Hub Level 1, The Canopy
For more information, visit here.
*************************************
5. i12 Katong
Enjoy a spectacular lion dance performance and groove to the drum beats!
Lion Dance Performance
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 12pm
📍 i12 Katong Main Entrance and Level 1 Atrium
*************************************
For families looking for a spot to wind down after a day of visiting, head to Jewel for the Lion Dance and LED Dragon Dance performances, and enchanting Light & Sound Shows (8pm). Available daily at the Shiseido Forest Valley from 9 to 12 February.
Lion Dance Performance
📅 9 & 10 Feb 2024
⏰ 3.38pm
📅 11 & 12 Feb 2024
⏰ 12.38pm
📍 Jewel Shiseido Forest Valley
LED Dragon Dance Performance
📅 9 to 12 Feb 2024
⏰ 7.38pm
📍 Jewel Shiseido Forest Valley
For more information, visit Changi Airport and Jewel Lunar New Year.
*************************************
7. National Museum of Singapore
Celebrate the 🐉 Year of the Dragon 🐉 with our annual lion dance performance.
Lion Dance Performance
📅 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 3pm
📍 National Museum of Singapore
For more information, visit National Museum Lunar New Year.
*************************************
Usher in prosperity and good fortune with a lion dance performance and a meet-and-greet with the God of Wealth.
Lion Dance Performance
📅 11 Feb 2024
⏰ 11am
📍 Singapore Flyer
For more information, visit here.
*************************************
Join us in welcoming good fortune with the champion of the Genting World Lion Dance Championship 2023, Yiwei Athletic Association!
Lion Dance Performance
📅 14 Feb 2024
⏰ 11am
📍 313@somerset L1 Main Entrance
📅 15 Feb 2024
⏰ 11am
📍 Jem L1 Jem Street
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 3pm
📍 Parkway Parade Basement Airwell
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 11am
📍 Paya Lebar Quarter L1 PLQ Plaza
For more information, visit Lendlease malls Lunar New Year.
*************************************
10. Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Revel in the festivities and usher in the Lunar New Year at the Memorial Hall with our beloved annual lion and dragon dance performance on the first day of the Lunar New Year!
Lion & Dragon Dance Performance
📅 10 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 11am
🏷 Free
God of Fortune Appearance
Rub shoulders with the God of Fortune for an auspicious year ahead! The God of Fortune will be at the Memorial Hall and giving away sweet treats for a bountiful year.
📅 10 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 12pm
🏷 Free
For more information, visit Wan Qing Festival of Spring.
*************************************
11. NEX
Usher in good fortune for the new year with various traditional Lunar New Year performances happening at NEX. Meet the roving God of Fortune making an auspicious appearance. Don’t miss the opportunity to shake hands and snap a photo of the God of Fortune as a cherished memory.
God of Fortune Appearance
📅 2 to 4 Feb 2024
⏰ 5pm
📍 NEX
This is followed by “Pluck The Green” lion dance performance on 15 Feb 12pm at the atrium. Be entertained by the playful lions and potentially catch four lucky numbers.
Lion Dance Performance
📅 15 Feb 2024
⏰ 12pm
📍 NEX Atrium
For more information, visit NEX Lunar New Year.
*************************************
12. Jurong Point
Soak up the merry vibes with our God of Fortune with a modern twist! The familiar God of Fortune gets a hip hop-style revamp. He will roam about the mall, blessing every shopper with good luck, happiness and success. He will also be making a pit stop at JP2 Main Entrance for photo taking and a dance performance!
God of Fortune Appearance
📅 20 Jan to 18 Feb 2024 (Sat & Sun)
⏰ 2pm, 4pm & 6pm
📍 JP
Lion and Dragon Dance Performance
Drumming up the excitement also are our Lion Dance and Dragon Dance troupes. Ready your cameras as the talented performers showcase their skills and strength while executing gravity-defying stunts.
📅 16 & 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 2.30pm
📍 Jurong Point 1 Centre Stage, L1
For more information, visit Jurong Point Chinese New Year.
*************************************
13. ION Orchard
Usher in the Lunar New Year with thrilling lion dance performances and get up close with the God of Fortune Mascot
Traditional Lion Dance
📅 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 24 Feb 2024
⏰ 3pm
📍 ION L1 Atrium
Lion Dance on Poles
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 3pm
📍 ION L1 Atrium
Roving God of Fortune Mascot
📅 10, 11 & 12 Feb 2024
⏰ 2pm
📍 ION L1 Atrium
For more information, visit ION Orchard Chinese New Year.
*************************************
14. KINEX
Lion and Dragon Dance Performance
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 12pm
📍 KINEX Main Atrium, L1
*************************************
15. United Square
Dragon, Lion Dance and Drum Performance
📅 14 Feb 2024
⏰ 1pm
📍 United Square Main Atrium, B1
*************************************
16. Velocity@Novena Square
Lion Dance and Drum Performance
📅 14 Feb 2024
⏰ 5.30pm
📍 Velocity@Novena Square Main Atrium, L1
*************************************
17. One Punggol
Lion and Dragon Dance Performance
Families will enjoy the evening with specially curated dragon-themed pop-up activities such as inflatable Dino Land and Dragon Playground, lion & dragon dance, traditional drumming and cultural performances, fun-filled interactive games, as well as arts & crafts workshop such as making dragon puppets, DIY firecrackers painting and paper craftwork.
📅 3 Feb 2024
⏱ 6pm – 10pm
📍 One Punggol, 1 Punggol Drive, Singapore 828629
For more information, visit One Punggol Chinese New Year.
*************************************
18. IKEA
Usher in the Year of Dragon with traditional lion dance and blessings for a prosperous year! Join us for our annual traditional lion and dragon dance.
Lion & Dragon Dance Performance
📅 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 11am
📍 IKEA Tampines & Alexandra
⏰ 3pm
📍 IKEA Jurong
*************************************
19. Bird Paradise & River Wonders
Usher in the Year of the Dragon with a special Dragon Dance performance!
Dragon Dance Performance
📅 10 & 11 Feb 2024
⏰ 9.30am (Bird Paradise), 11am (River Wonders)
📍 Bird Paradise Entrance & River Wonders Entrance
For more information, visit Year of Lóng-evity at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
*************************************
20. Children’s Museum Singapore
Come join us for a short Lion Dance performance at Children’s Museum Singapore.
Lion Dance Performance
📅 10 Feb 2024
⏰ 12.15pm
📍 Children’s Museum Singapore
For more information, visit here.
*************************************
21. Marina Square
Usher in the Lunar New Year with spectacular lion dance performances by Singapore Yiwei Athletic Association. The award-winning local lion dance troupe has recently done Singapore proud by clinching top spot at the Genting World Lion Dance Championship. Expect a variety of lion dance routines on high poles from the international champions, accompanied by rhythmic beats of drums, gongs and cymbals.
Lion Dance Performance & God of Fortune Appearance
📅 21, 28 Jan & 4 Feb 2024
⏰ 3pm
📍 Marina Square Atrium
Lion Dance Cai Qing Performance
📅 15 Feb 2024
⏰ 1.38pm
📍 Marina Square Atrium
For more information, visit Marina Square Lunar New Year.
*************************************
22. Chinatown Lion Dance Competition
📅 27 to 28 Jan 2024
⏱ 6pm
📍 Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre 牛车水人民剧场
For more information, visit Chinatown Chinese New Year.
*************************************
The MBS CNY light up ceremony will feature performances of dragon and lion dances, captivating koi dancers, a contemporary Chinese art exhibition presented by the Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre, and a performance by Singaporean singer-songwriter Nathan Hartono.
Lion & Dragon Dance Performance
📅 6 Feb 2024
⏰ 7.30pm
📍 The Shoppes, Grand Colonnade South
For more information, visit MBS Drone Show.
*************************************
Lion dance performances are set to captivate shoppers at every mall, while the breath-taking LED dragon dance spectacle is available at Causeway Point, Century Square, Eastpoint Mall, Northpoint City, The Centrepoint and Waterway Point.
The call of the LED War Drums will resonate across Causeway Point, Century Square, Northpoint City, Tampines 1, and Waterway Point, filling the air with exhilarating beats and excitement.
For more information, visit Malls of Frasers Property Lunar New Year.
*************************************
25. Kampong Gelam
Lion Dance Performance
📅 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 3pm – 4pm
📍 Along Baghdad Street
For more information, visit here.
*************************************
26. City Square Mall
On the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, celebrate Ren Ri with an auspicious Lion and Dragon Dance performance! The Lions will be prancing through the New World Gate to welcome and greet shoppers. Marvel at the high pole performances and captivating acrobatics that come together to herald the arrival of the new year.
Lion & Dragon Dance Performance
📅 16 Feb 2024
⏰ 1pm
📍 City Square Mall L1 City Green Park
For more information, visit City Square Mall Lunar New Year.
*************************************
27. Suntec City Mall
Leap into the year of the Dragon with the spectacular Lion Dance and Dragon Dance! Mark your calendar and join us to welcome a huat year!
Lion Dance Performance
📅 15 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.58am
📍 Suntec City Atrium (Convention Centre)
*************************************
Other Lunar New Year Festivities
Beyond lion dance performances, Singapore offers a plethora of Lunar New Year festivities. Explore the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations, attend the Chingay Parade, and partake in various cultural activities to pass on traditions and customs to future generations.
In Singapore, the lion dance transcends being a mere performance; it is a celebration of culture, tradition, and the collective spirit of ushering in a prosperous new year. From the heart of Chinatown to the bustling shopping malls, the lion dance adds a dynamic and colorful dimension to the Chinese New Year festivities. Embrace the roar of the lions and the rhythm of the drums as you join in the joyous celebration of a new beginning.
Note: All details are correct as of the time of publishing. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information, no guarantee is given nor responsibility is taken for errors or omissions in the compilation. Readers are advised to check with the respective event organisers for the most updated schedules, venues and details.
🧧🏮 CHINESE NEW YEAR 2024 🏮🧧
Feeling adventurous and hoping to soak in the Chinese New Year atmosphere? We have compiled a list of Where to go during Chinese New Year 2024, especially for our readers.
Looking for CNY goodies for your home? Here’s where to buy pineapple tarts and bak kwa in Singapore.
Want to shower your family and friends with blessings and bountiful gifts this CNY? Here is a list of unique CNY gifts and hampers to consider gifting!
* * * * *
Like what you see here? Get parenting tips and stories straight to your inbox! Join our mailing list here.
Want to be heard 👂 and seen 👀 by over 100,000 parents in Singapore? We can help! Leave your contact here and we’ll be in touch.
Leave a Comment: