River Hongbao 2026 at Gardens by the Bay: 40th Edition Recap

What River Hongbao 2026 was

River Hongbao is Singapore's big Chinese New Year festival, first held in 1987 by the river and now at Gardens by the Bay. The 2026 edition was its 40th anniversary, so the theme was horses and milestones: Year of the Horse lanterns, a 40th anniversary exhibition and a 10-day run with no tickets or registration needed.

It was one of a few CNY 2026 things we covered that season, along with the Sanrio CNY pop-up at Far East Malls and KFC's La Zi Ji mala chicken.

Opening hours and fireworks

According to the River Hongbao FAQ, it ran 6.30pm to 10.30pm on 15 Feb, 6.30pm to 12.15am on 16 Feb (CNY Eve), and 2.30pm to 10.30pm from 17 to 24 Feb.

Fireworks went off at The Meadow at 8pm on opening night (15 Feb), at midnight on CNY Eve (16 Feb), and at 9pm on the first two days of CNY (17 and 18 Feb). The organisers said the fireworks were returning to a scale last seen in 2020, so the opening and CNY Eve nights were the ones to plan around.

What was on

The organiser, the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, listed horse lanterns including eight handcrafted ones at the Flower Dome, a God of Fortune display and a Wishing Heart installation for Diabetes Singapore. There was a Food Street, rides like a double-storey horse carousel, and a 40th anniversary exhibition on the festival's history.

The stage line-up included Charlie Lim, Jocie Guo, Boon Hui Lu and Tosh Rock, plus themed Movie, Getai and Xinyao nights.

Will there be a River Hongbao 2027

The organisers have not announced dates for a 2027 edition as of 7 Oct 2026. Based on the pattern, it usually lands around Chinese New Year, so watch the official River Hongbao Instagram from the start of the year.

FAQs

When was River Hongbao 2026?

River Hongbao 2026 ran from 15 to 24 February 2026 at Gardens by the Bay. It opened at 6.30pm on 15 and 16 February and at 2.30pm daily from 17 to 24 February.

Was River Hongbao 2026 free?

Yes. Admission to River Hongbao 2026 was free, with no tickets or pre-registration needed.

When were the River Hongbao 2026 fireworks?

Fireworks were at The Meadow at 8pm on 15 February, midnight on 16 February (CNY Eve), and 9pm on 17 and 18 February, subject to weather.

Is there a River Hongbao 2027?

As of 7 October 2026 the organisers had not announced River Hongbao 2027 dates. Check riverhongbao.sg or its Instagram closer to Chinese New Year.