Chingay 2012:
The Parade of Dreams in Singapore
| Singapore Travel Tip: Time your Singapore tour to co-incide with both Chingay 2012 and River Hong Bao Carnival! |
What:
Singapore Chingay 2012 - Asia's Grandest Street and Floats Parade
Where:
Singapore F1 Grand Prix Pit Building @ Marina Bay
Free admission along Parade route. Viewing stands require tickets.
When:
Friday, 3 Feb 2012, 8.30pm
Saturday, 4 Feb 2012, 8.30pm
On this page:
[Tips for Tourists] [Chingay Photo Tour] [Booking: Flight, Hotel, Chingay Tickets]
In 2007, demand for tickets exceeded supply many times over. But this crunch will never be again. In 2008, the Parade of Dreams was moved from Orchard Road to the City Hall-Marina Bay area, partly to accommodate more paying spectators. Chingay Parade has been a roaring success at its new venue.
Tips & FAQs for Chingay 2012
- If the Parade is free, why pay to watch it from the stands?
The free areas are barricaded with railings. You watch the Parade standing, and peering over shoulders. Also, the performers are human. It's difficult to sustain the same level of energy throughout the entire route. So they reserve their best for the paid areas, where the press photographers and videographers are.
- How much for the tickets?
Chingay 2012 tickets are as follows:
Best seats
Good seats
Edge of gallery
(Parade 1)
(Parade 2)
- What's the best way to get there?
Take the MRT train to Promenade Station (Circle Line). There are road closures around the Parade areas during the Festival. If you must absolutely drive, park farther away and walk.
- Watch the Parade? That's all?
The Singapore River Hongbao 2012 - a carnival in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations - is likely to co-incide with Chingay 2011. Over the years, River Hongbao has been held regularly at Esplanade Park, near the Chingay venue. Stay tuned here.
- Is there any way to get discounts for the tickets?
If you have the Passion Card (the People's Association's membership card), you get a 20% discount on your tickets. The membership fee for Passion Card is $12 for 5 years. So the Passion Card might just come in handy for Chingay 2012 ticket discounts.
- Recommendations for hotels?
See the list of recommended hotels at the bottom of this page.
Chingay 2007 Photo Tour
The following photos were taken during the last Chingay Parade to be held on Orchard Road. Chingay 2012 will be at the Singapore Grand Prix Pit Building (Marina Bay).
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There is nothing subtle about Chingay. The colours are bright, the sounds loud and rythmic. One of the many colourful banners. |
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And a section of the colourfully dressed dancers. |
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Chingay is a time to put on those outlandish costumes you don't wear on normal days. The women obviously got into the act. |
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The men too. Look at this chap's feathers! |
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And this darling of the crowd. |
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Many of the participants are locals like these girls from the Singapore Soka Association. |
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But Chingay Singapore has gone international for many years now, and many come from overseas to perform. These dancers, of Sanggar Laksamana Group, are from Indonesia's Natuna Islands. This was the most enchanting performance of the night for me. Imagine these swirling movements to the beats of the kompangs and gongs. |
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This boy got invited to join in the fun. And he loved it. If you are taking the kids to Chingay, find creative ways to get them close to the performers. |
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Chingay performers are great fun. They are constantly trying to connect with the spectators, especially with children. |
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This cutesy life-size doll even posed for my camera. |
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But sometimes, the more 'hideous-looking' ones frighten away the timid kids. These two tourists had a good laugh, seeing a young toddler running away from the 'monsters'. |
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Stilt-walkers appeared in the first Chingay in 1973. |
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37 years later, they still amuse the spectators. Here, a loving dad gives his child a headstart in the Chingay celebrations. You might want to get a headstart with your Chingay 2010 tickets as well. I assure you, they run out quite quickly. |
Chingay Flights, Hotels, Parade Tickets
Your Chingay 2012 Vacation Checklist:
Book a Cheap Flight to Singapore
Book a Hotel Near Chingay 2012 Venue
Within 10 minutes' walk - Marina Bay Luxury Hotels:
Marina Mandarin, Mandarin Oriental, The Pan Pacific, Ritz Carlton Millenia, Conrad International CentennialMore about these hotels...
Within 15 minutes' walk:
North Bridge Road Hotels:
Luxury: Raffles Hotel, Fairmont Hotel, Swissotel The Stamford
Mid-range: Grand Park City Hall Hotel, Peninsula Excelsior Hotel
Esplanade Drive:
Luxury: The Fullerton Hotel
Within 20 minutes' walk:
Victoria St / Queen St:
Mid-range: Allson Hotel, Hotel Royal Queens, Carlton Hotel
Affordable: Victoria Hotel
More cheap hotels near Chingay 2012 venue...
Compare hotel rates from multiple websites:
Book Chingay 2012 Parade Tickets
Related Chinese New Year Celebrations
Chinese New Year Shopping - Chinatown Night Markets
Chinese New Year Street Performances @ Chinatown Singapore
Chinese New Year Carnival - River Hong Bao
