The best things to do in Singapore this February

Grab the family and head down to Gardens by the Bay for the annual River Hongbao celebrations this Chinese New Year. Marking its 40th anniversary this year, the festival is pulling out all the stops – including a fireworks display at The Meadow, lighting up the night sky in a riot of colour. 

Come hungry, as there’s a bustling food market packed with street food favourites to explore. Snap photos with larger-than-life lantern installations scattered across the grounds, from a towering God of Fortune to playful Year of the Horse designs. There are also interactive displays tracing River Hongbao’s journey over the decades, alongside nightly live performances by local singers such as Tosh Rock and Charlie Lim. Little ones won’t be left out either, with amusement rides like the Flying Dumbo, London Train and a charming two-storey horse carousel.

When it comes to Chinese New Year, Funan is not horsing around. From January 22 to February 22, the lifestyle hub is making way for the return of Creative Intersections – this time with HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play, a month-long art and lifestyle exhibition. Feast your senses on sculptural zodiac horses across all six floors, mesmerising digital art, interactive games, live customisation, workshops and even pickleball-as-performance. Art spills into shops, cafés and staircases too, with surprises hiding everywhere, from animated stories and guessing games to illustrated cup sleeves and collectible fashion drops. It’s hands-on, delightfully unexpected and made for curious wanderers of all ages. Add Spend and Redeem rewards, exclusive promos and Singapore Art Week energy into the mix, and you’ve got your most playful CNY detour yet.

Take your weekend vibes to new heights at Silent Disco in the Sky, happening on the last Saturday of every month. Perched atop Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark Observation Deck, this 500-capacity venue hosts Southeast Asia’s largest silent disco, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Strap on glowing LED headphones and switch between three DJs, curating your own soundtrack as you dance under the stars. For February, it’s the Battle of the Decades, with the DJs throwing down 80s vs 90s vs 00s classics across all three channels – think synth-heavy throwbacks, Y2K bangers and everything in between.

The headphones also double as a dazzling light show, while adjustable audio lets you go full club mode or chat with friends without shouting. Panoramic city views, themed nights and a multi-genre mix make this a truly immersive rooftop party. Flying solo or rolling with a crew, the night is yours to own. Tickets start from $40 – get yours here.

Gallop, trot, saunter, amble – however you’re planning to enter and welcome the Year of Horse, do it in style at Gardens by the Bay. To honour this year’s zodiac sign, the Flower Dome transforms into an opulent, elegant Chinese-inspired landscape inspired by the traditional gardens of the Jiangnan region. The highlight of the display is eight life-sized horse lanterns, handcrafted using techniques dating back thousands of years to the Tang Dynasty. Representing strength, vitality, and success, the spectacle is surrounded by “Four Gentlemen,” a set of plants that appear in Chinese art and philosophy.

Be mesmerised by the delicate blooms of plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo, amongst spring’s vibrant seasonal flora like dahlias and azaleas. As you stroll through the moon gates and pavilions, don’t forget to also beat the Blooming Drum of Spring to bring about some luck and prosperity into your life.

You’d be hard-pressed to find floats more spectacular than those at the annual Chingay Parade – which explains why it remains one of Singapore’s most anticipated events year after year. Returning on February 27 and 28, this year’s parade brings together over 3,000 performers and five towering floats measuring up to seven metres long, promising a truly grand spectacle.

Breaking from tradition, the 2026 edition introduces a ring-shaped arena, with audiences seated around a circular, multi-tiered stage. The result is a fully immersive 360-degree experience, where every angle of the performances and floats is on full display – no bad seats in sight.

Chinatown is galloping full speed into the Year of the Horse, and you’re invited along for the ride. For a whole two months from January, the precinct will be decorated in festive cheer as the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations return with a dazzling street light-up, cultural performances, hands-on workshops and the much-loved International Lion Dance Competition.

The streets officially light up on January 30, with the ceremony broadcast live from Kreta Ayer Square. Stroll along South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street as they come to life once the sun sets. The ceremony, officiated by Minister Mrs Josephine Teo, will also feature a performance showcasing Singapore's multicultural identity, melding Chinese dance with Malay kuda kepang, Indian Rajasthani horse dance, and Western styles. 

If wine is your drink of choice, French Excellence Programme – À TABLE! is one to bookmark. Running from February 7 to April 18, this multi-sensory event celebrates the craft and heritage of French winemaking through a heady mix of performances, tastings, concerts, and cultural experiences.

Step into an immersive theatre journey that guides you from room to room, unfolding scenes of poetry, song, and monologue. Elsewhere, wander through an immersive gallery tracing the rich tapestry of French winemaking, complete with sensorial zones where you can explore aromas, learn the art of pairing, and unpack the processes behind red and white wines. Music lovers can opt for a music-and-wine programme, where three wine pairings mirror the musical arcs of early 20th-century music. There’ll be live performances too, blending piano and drums with contemporary dance, poetry, and cinematic visual art.

If slow jams had a velvet texture, they’d probably sound like Giveon. The seven-time Grammy-nominated R&B star behind hits like ‘Heartbreak Anniversary’, ‘Twenties,’ and ‘Like I Want You’ has announced his first-ever Singapore show. And if that’s not enough to send you spiralling into your softest playlist, remember: this is the same man whose voice helped turn ‘Peaches’ into a global earworm alongside Justin Bieber and Daniel Caesar. 

Fresh off a triumphant Madison Square Garden finale for the US leg of Dear Beloved, The Tour, he’s now packing up the emotions, strings, horns and an eight-to-ten–piece band for a world tour celebrating his sophomore album, which has critics swooning. Earlier this year, he even popped up as Drake’s special guest at Wireless Festival in London, reminding everyone why ‘Chicago Freestyle’ was basically his coming-of-age moment. In short? Singapore’s about to experience the full Giveon treatment live for the first time in February 2026.

Things you can expect at Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA: intense tightrope walks, seemingly impossible body contortions, and gravity-defying flips – and we’re not exaggerating. This awe-inspiring live show delivers high-octane thrills and breathtaking stunts that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.

As with previous Cirque du Soleil productions, this edition also weaves in playful theatrical moments, with comical interludes and light-hearted antics that will draw laughs from the crowd. The storyline is easy to follow too, making it an accessible and thoroughly entertaining watch for audiences of all ages.

The Funfair of Forgotten Futures is here to prove that small moments of fun can inspire big conversations and movements. Held at the Temasek Shophouse and organised by Ayer Ayer Project, this month-long carnival-style showcase brings planet action and play together in a single space, where you can learn about global ecological crises through games, workshops, and interactive installations for all ages.

Look forward to classic carnival activities like ring toss, cornhole, spinning tops and pinball, but with a twist. They’re each constructed from sustainable and upcycled materials to represent various environmental problems we face today, from the landfill crisis to the long-term effects of mining. Between rounds of play, there are also opportunities to reflect, as the exhibition encourages you to rethink our role in the community and how we can shape a better, more sustainable future.

Take a breather from the festive hustle with a leisurely stroll through Jurong Lake Gardens, where Chinese New Year celebrations unfold against a tranquil, nature-filled backdrop. The park is dressed in festive finery, from zodiac prediction boards to lantern displays at the Twin Pagoda, Teahouse, and Stoneboat.

Make a stop at the City SingaPOP visual showcase by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, which offers a modern reimagining of Chinese architectural landmarks. On February 7, catch the Singapore Chinese Orchestra performing live under the night sky from 6pm to 7pm. Stick around after dark, when the Grand Arch lights up with a dazzling projection show every half hour from 7.30pm to 10pm.

The pickleball craze shows no signs of slowing down, and Play! Pickle is keeping the momentum going with Pickleball Night Live – a brand-new Friday night social happening on February 27. Held at Play! Pickle Serangoon, the event mixes fast-paced pickleball with chill mingling, as players rotate through short matches with plenty of off-court time to socialise in between.

To take the awkwardness out of meeting new people, participants will be given wristbands to signal their vibe: green means you’re single and open to chatting, red is for those who are unavailable, and orange lets others know you’re new to pickleball and happy to receive a little coaching. A live DJ will be spinning feel-good tunes in the background too, with light snacks and drinks on hand to keep the energy up.