Singapore Lantern Festival 2010

Singapore Lantern Festival 2010:
Some Tips for Visitors

The Lantern Festival ("Mid-autumn Festival") falls on the 8th Lunar Month, which runs from 8 Sep 2010 to 7 Oct 2010.

If you are planning for the Lantern Festival in 2010...

The information below relates to 2009 events, but it gives you a sense of how Singapore Lantern Festival 2010 is likely to pan out. We'll provide more specific updates once the celebrations for 2010 are firmed up.

Here's what happened during Singapore Lantern Festival 2009....

Lantern Festival Events in Chinatown
- Lantern Festival Opening Ceremony
  
  The festival was launched on the evening of the 1st day of the 8th Lunar Month near Chinatown MRT - with a flurry of fireworks, lion-and-dragon dance performances and a massive lantern procession.
- Street Light Up
  
  Huge lanterns and fairy lights brightened up Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and the street bazaars along the side streets.
- Street Bazaar
  
  Pagoda Street, Terrenganu Street and Sago Street were pretty busy with vendors selling mooncakes, savouries, lanterns and other festive wares.
- Stage Shows
  
  There was a good mix of traditional and comtemporary entertain at Kreta Ayer Square (near Buddha Tooth Relic Temple). Nightly.
- Mass Lantern Procession
  
  On the night of the 15th Day. Started at open field near Outram MRT and ended at Central Mall with a stage performance and pyrotechnics. Also stilt walkers, lion dances, and dragon dances.
- Nearest MRT Station: Chinatown
Mark out these 2 dates during Singapore Lantern Festival 2010:
- The Opening Night (likely 8 Sep 2010)
  
  The opening night's events usually involve fireworks, and noisy, noisy performances.
- The 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month (22 Sep 2010)
  
  The Moon is at its largest and roundest. This is likely the night when the Mass Lantern Procession takes place in Chinatown. (To be confirmed for 2010.)
There were also free guided walking tours of the Chinatown area during these festivities in 2009. For tourists only. (To be confirmed for 2010.)
The festivities at Singapore River and Chinese Gardens - such as they do in previous years - were not be held in 2009. Let's hope that they return in 2010.

Singapore Lantern Festival Photo Tour

Photos from 'Hello Kitty Go Races' Lantern Fantasy 2008 at the Chinese Garden. It's quite surreal, actually...

	Hello Kitty welcomes you on the bridge to Singapore's Chinese Garden. Awesome and orderly!

	Hello Kitty and all her friends get ready for the races. Are they going to the Singapore F1 Grand Prix?

	Dear Daniel and Keroppi get ready to race.

	Magical lanterns with their reflections in the still waters at Chinese Garden. A lovely spot for a romantic date. But the kids are just as enchanted here.

	It's other-worldly, isn't it?

	Minna no Tabo on a jet ski.

	Hello Kitty catches the surf. Watch her perform at Chinese Gardens during Singapore Lantern Festival.

	My Melody...

	Keroppi on sail boat.

	More sail boats...