Be awed by our Komodo dragons and their prehistoric friends this Lunar New Year, and receive auspicious greetings from the animal ambassadors at Singapore’s wildlife parks

Usher in a Year of Lóng-evity from 9 – 25 Feb 2024 and participate in exciting activities and learn about your zoo-diac predictions. Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Celebrate the advent of the Year of the Dragon with a burst of festive energy at Singapore’s wildlife parks from 9 to 25 Feb 2024, and set the tone for a year filled with joy and prosperity 龙 (lóng).

While dragons may be creatures of myth, the Singapore Zoo hosts their real-life counterparts! In the spotlight for this lunar year are the Komodo dragon brothers, Mario and Taro. Mario, a fourteen-year-old Komodo dragon, made history as the first hatchling of its kind in 2009 after 34 years of dedicated care for the species at the Singapore Zoo. Taro, the younger sibling, joined the family two years later. Witness these awe-inspiring reptiles indulge in a specially prepared Lunar New Year-themed enrichment treat, and engage with the reptile care team as they share insights about these fascinating prehistoric beings that continue to roam the Earth.

Taro the Komodo dragon at the Singapore Zoo getting ready to unbox his Lunar New Year-themed enrichment treat. Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Just as our animals receive enrichment to stimulate their minds, visitors can partake in a variety of activities at education booths where they can learn intriguing facts while having fun. Discover which animals inspire dragon myths globally and explore the possibility of finding mini dragons in our own backyard.

Extend your wildlife encounters to our sister parks, where creatures as ancient as the Komodo dragons await. Soar to Bird Paradise and be part of a special Lunar New Year surprise featuring Southern cassowaries. Then, glide over to River Wonders to witness the Chinese water dragon in action, concluding the day with a twilight rendezvous with the mysterious Indian gharials at Night Safari.

Be captivated by the unique Lunar New Year renditions from our animal ambassadors during presentations. Join in the cheer as Sassy, our Sulphur-crested cockatoo, and Amigo, our yellow-naped Amazon parrot, deliver ‘ang pows’ and prosperity greetings to visitors at Bird Paradise’s Wings of the World. Receive auspicious wishes from our capybaras at River Wonders’ Once Upon a River and the sea lion at Singapore Zoo’s Splash Safari.

Jelly the capybara ushers in the Lunar New Year with good wishes at River Wonders’ Once Upon a River presentation. Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without new attire, a family feast, and the traditional dragon dance. Share a hearty Lunar New Year lunch with your family at Singapore Zoo and adorn yourself in new apparel from the retail stores in Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, and Night Safari. Welcome the new year with a mesmerizing dragon dance performance at the entrances of Bird Paradise and River Wonders, and uncover your zoo-diac predictions to make the most of this dragon year.

You can get tickets via Klook for Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Night Safari.

For more information on the Lunar New Year activities at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, visit here.

Festive Animal Presentations

Splash Safari & Rainforest Fights Back at Singapore Zoo

📍 Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre, Singapore Zoo
📅 10 to 25 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.30am & 5pm (Splash Safari), 12pm & 2.30pm (Rainforest Fights Back)

Celebrate the lunar festivities with our animals at the Singapore Zoo! Watch them usher in the Lunar New Year with well wishes!

Presentation Times

Splash Safari: 10.30am & 5pm
Rainforest Fights Back: 12pm & 2.30pm

Once Upon a River at River Wonders

📍 Boat Plaza, River Wonders
📅 10 to 25 Feb 2024
⏰ 11.30am, 2.30pm & 4.30pm

Watch our adorable capybaras usher in the Lunar New Year with well wishes! Our African Grey Parrots will be picking out some lucky numbers too!

Wings of the World at Bird Paradise

📍 Sky Amphitheatre, Bird Paradise
📅 10 to 25 Feb 2024
⏰ 12.30pm & 5pm

Celebrate the new year with our feathered friends! Receive a red packet delivered by Sassy, our Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, a ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’ greeting from Amigo, our Amazon Parrot, and much more!

Festive Activities

Chinese New Year Educational Booths

📍 Singapore Zoo Entrance
📅 9 Feb (until 1pm only), 10 to 12, 17 to 18 & 24 to 25 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 4pm

Ever wondered why some animals are named after the mythical Dragon? Or whether Singapore has any dragon-like wildlife? Find out more at our booths!

ZOO-diac Predictions

📍 Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari & Bird Paradise
📅 9 to 25 Feb 2024

Check out your 2024 zodiac predictions and anticipate a prosperous year ahead!

Auspicious Dragon Dance at Bird Paradise & River Wonders

📍 Bird Paradise Entrance & River Wonders Entrance
📅 10 & 11 Feb 2024
⏰ 9.30am (Bird Paradise), 11am (River Wonders)

Usher in the Year of the Dragon with a special Dragon Dance performance!

Festive TwiLIGHT Performance

📍 Night Safari Courtyard
📅 10 to 25 Feb 2024
⏰ 8.15pm & 9.15pm

A dazzling LED performance with Chinese New Year greetings awaits you! Join us and immerse yourself in the spirit of the new year.

🧧 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!

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