CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR MARKET
With Chinese New Year just around the corner, the streets of Chinatown are starting to be filled with an array of stalls that offer traditional new year snacks accompanied with festive red decorations and the crowd has only just begun flooding in.
The annual Chinese New Year market held at Chinatown lasts for 3 weeks before the first day of the lunar new year, from 15 January to 7 February, 6pm to 10.30pm daily. But on the eve of the new year, it lasts till 1am midnight!
This large scale festive street bazaar covers the five famous streets of Chinatown; Pagoda Street, Smith Street, Sago Street, Temple Street and last but not least, Trengganu Street. Not only that, there’s also the festive carnival held at People’s Park Complex from 11am to 10.30pm.
The many different stalls set up here are also people who have been carrying out their business here for years, some were passed down from their families and some who decided to venture out by themselves.
Mr Yang Yang, one of the stall owners who sells traditional new year snacks such as buttery pineapple tarts and peanut cookies decided to venture out for this huge annual event for the first time.
He says : “The main reason why I started up the business here at Chinatown is because I hope that my family business, Ang Mo Kio Nonya Kueh can gain publicity as a lot of Singaporeans come here during this festive season.”
What are you waiting for? Come on down to the Chinese New Year Market to not only buy mouth-watering goodies and also, soak in the festive atmosphere!
At the bazaar, you will be able to find traditional Chinese clothing and accessories such as the Cheongsam for the women and maybe a shimmering emerald stone ring for the men! What about the decorations though?
Fret not as Miss Sherlly, who works at one of the many decoration stalls at the market says: “On a normal basis, our customers buys decorations that can be pasted on walls like the sign, “福”, Fu, which symbolises Prosperity. For this year, they’re looking out more for the Monkeys because it is the year of the Monkey.”
You can also enjoy great discounts not only on the food but decorations as well! The crowd here also adds up to the festive feels.
Mr Steven Paul Vincent, a local who was visiting the market said that “It is a very eye-opening experience to see the different cultures here at the market and you also get to see how the Chinese community gets ready for this festive season.”
As Singapore is a multi-racial country, the Chinese New Year market is definitely a great place for all walks of life to come learn and experience how this joyous occasion is celebrated. Let us all usher in the new year with a bang!
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