Which annual parade in Singapore and Malaysia is part of Chinese New Year festivities?

The Chingay Parade is an annual parade in Singapore and Malaysia that forms part of Chinese New Year festivities.

Chingay is a colourful street procession featuring floats, lion and dragon dances, performers, acrobats, stilt walkers, flags, music, and other spectacles. Although it grew from Chinese religious and New Year traditions, modern Chingay celebrations involve Singapore’s and Malaysia’s many ethnic communities.

Singapore’s best-known parade began on 4 February 1973. It was introduced after Singapore banned fireworks and firecrackers in 1972 because of fires, injuries, deaths, and property damage. The new parade helped restore a sense of public celebration during the festive season.

A common mix-up is treating Chingay as only a Chinese religious procession. In Singapore it became notably multicultural from 1977, when Malay and Indian groups joined the performances. Malaysia also has important Chingay traditions, including major processions in Penang and Johor Bahru, each with its own local history and customs.