Every year, Chingay promises a spectacle, but Chingay 2025 took things to an entirely different level. Bigger, bolder, and bursting with energy, it wasn’t simply a parade. It was an electrifying mix of tradition and modernity that had the crowd on their feet from start to finish, all bound together with an overarching theme of Joy, backed up by a celebration of Singaporean hawker culture!
Chingay 2025 featured stunning light shows, larger-than-life floats, and dancers from every corner of the world! Honestly, this was a stunning tribute to what makes Singapore so beautifully diverse! Here’s what we experienced on Day 2 of the show.
Festive (Overture)
No grand spectacle is complete without its ringleaders, and Chingay 2025 had some of the best. Taking centre stage were Durian King (played by Gerald Ng) and Mangosteen Queen (played by Audrey Luo), the dynamic hosts whose charisma, quick wit, and boundless energy kept the night moving at breakneck speed. They started off the night with some witty banter and helped get the early crowd settled in and relaxed, as well as teaching us how to change our light stick colours according to who was performing.
Alongside them were the night’s three standout personalities, each representing a different facet of Singapore’s vibrant food culture. Madam Omera (played by Siti Khalijah), the spirited hawker champion, brought her larger-than-life personality to the stage with a rap performance that had the audience bouncing.
Mr. Jack Tan (played by Sebastian Tan), the home cook extraordinaire, kept things lively with his signature charm and love for local flavours. And finally, Chef Yasha (played by Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai), the innovative culinary maestro, dazzled with her cerebral, avant-garde approach to cooking.
The first act, fittingly titled Festive (庆), was a pulsating, percussive explosion that set the night ablaze with raw energy. If you thought your morning alarm was loud, imagine being greeted by an army of drummers from NADI Singapura, Drum Feng, and RS Percussion!
The sound was an aural tidal wave, rolling through the crowd, demanding attention, ensuring that no one was checking their phones instead of experiencing the sheer power of synchronised beats. It thudded through me like thunder, and I could feel the vibrations in my chest!
And then came the lion and dragon dancers, because what’s a celebration without these festive staples? Taman Jurong CC Juboon Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe, supported by an ensemble of skilled performers, brought forth a spectacle that combined acrobatics, tradition, and theatrical showmanship.
There were stilts, fire sticks, and elaborate dragon formations, each movement choreographed with razor-sharp precision. At one point, the God of Fortune emerged, commanding attention with his towering presence, as if personally blessing the event with an extra dose of prosperity.
If there were doubts about Chingay’s ability to marry tradition with sheer adrenaline, this segment laid them to rest. Between the pounding of drums, the swirling of silk banners, and the electric energy of the lion dancers, this opening sequence thoroughly impressed me – it exceeded every expectation I had for it!
Harmony (Act 1)
After the high-voltage energy of the opening, Harmony (谐) dialled in a different kind of magic – a refined, graceful celebration of cultural fusion. Here, the spotlight was on the art of movement and music, blending traditions into a visual and auditory masterpiece.
The act opened with a child violin prodigy, Travis Wong, taking centre stage. With poise far beyond his years, he delivered a performance that silenced even the rowdiest of audience members. If the previous act was meant to elicit an adrenaline rush, this was a moment of elegant awe; a musical interlude that reminded everyone that grace and elegance were just as powerful as fire and drums.
Then came the dance – a 200-person synchronised performance, where every twirl, step, and leap painted a story of cultural unity. It wasn’t just dance, it was an homage to Singaporean food, with performers draped in costumes representing Singapore’s most beloved snacks. Ang Ku Kueh, Ondeh Ondeh, Curry Puffs – if it belonged in a hawker centre, it had a beautifully choreographed performance on the biggest stage!
One of the costumes that really caught my eye was dancers dressed in bao costumes that transformed into prata mid-dance! Watching these food-inspired figures glide across the stage was like seeing my childhood memories come alive!
Community (Act 2)
If Act 1 was a love letter to tradition, Act 2 was a full-blown celebration of the Singaporean hawker spirit and community – loud, bold, and unashamedly chaotic. It was an ode to what truly unites this country: food.
The scene opened with a huge combined performance between the 3 characters, an unexpectedly electrifying performance that turned the daily hustle of street food vendors into a spectacle worthy of a Broadway musical.
With sharp flow and infectious energy, the hosts delivered lines about crispy Roti Prata, piping hot Laksa, and the sweet stickiness of Chendol, all while a group of skaters and urban dancers brought the performance to life with street-style choreography!
But of course, it wouldn’t be Chingay without larger-than-life floats, and this year’s food-themed parade pieces were on another level! The designs of the floats absolutely knocked my socks off. One highlight was the first-ever large float built entirely by the community, featuring giant sculptures of local delicacies – think towering plates of nasi lemak and a colossal bowl of laksa, so large it could have fed an entire neighbourhood!
The float wasn’t just visually impressive, it was also a testament to the collaborative spirit of Singapore, created by residents from three GRCs who poured their heart (and likely their cravings) into every detail.
And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more absurdly wonderful, a brigade of bubble tea dancers appeared, strutting across the stage in outfits designed to resemble Singapore’s most beloved drink.
Their choreography, a mix of exaggerated straw-sipping motions and energetic footwork, was equal parts hilarious and mesmerising. The absurdity continued with rice dumpling people, a live hawker kitchen setup on wheels, and a surreal sight of ice cream sandwich performers!
By the time the final beats of the music faded and the last float exited the stage, it was clear: Act 2 had transformed Chingay into a hawker food festival on steroids. This wasn’t just a parade; it was a love letter to the soul of Singapore’s culinary identity.
Roots (Act 3)
As the vibrant energy of Act 2 settled, Act 3 took a more soulful and reflective turn, shifting the spotlight onto the deep cultural roots that have shaped Singapore’s identity. This was a segment that felt like stepping back in time, where every movement, every note, and every costume told a story of heritage, resilience, and pride.
Following this, traditional Malay dancers took the stage, a performance so elegant and fluid that it was as if the very essence of a tropical breeze had been woven into dance. Their movements, soft yet purposeful, told a tale of nature’s bounty and the warmth of communal heritage. Their flowing green costumes, inspired by the pandan leaf – a staple in Malay cuisine and tradition – symbolised growth, prosperity, and the enduring strength of cultural identity.
But the emotional core of the act came with the Indian classical dance performance, a moment so powerful it left the audience breathless. With precise footwork, expressive hand gestures, and deep-rooted storytelling, the dancers painted a picture of devotion and ancestry.
The rhythmic beats of the mridangam drum resonated through the venue, each strike carrying echoes of a tradition passed down through generations. It was a reminder that culture isn’t just something you inherit, it’s something you carry forward.
Just when it seemed like the act was coming to a poetic close, the stage exploded in a fusion of all three cultural performances, a final display of unity that blended Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences into a seamless and breathtaking finale. The once-distinct segments flowed together, proving that Singapore’s strength lies in the way its traditions intertwine rather than stand apart.
Radiance (Act 4)
Chingay has never been just a local affair, and Act 4 made that crystal clear. A whirlwind tour of international cultures unfolded before the audience, with performers from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. Each performance brought something uniquely dazzling, whether it was the regal Jember Fashion Carnaval from Indonesia or the intricately choreographed Eonnam Traditional Art Troupe from South Korea.
The sheer variety of styles on display was staggering. One moment, you were watching the fluid, fan-filled elegance of a Japanese dance; the next, the audience was cheering for a high-energy Mexican folkloric performance, bursting with colour and rhythmic footwork. The Kazakh Shabyt ensemble delivered a performance so electrifying it practically demanded a standing ovation, while the Vietnamese traditional dance transported the crowd to the misty mountains of Southeast Asia. It was a feast of movement, costumes, and heritage, proving that cultural pride transcended cultural borders at Chingay 2025!
Now for one of my personal favourites – the Wushu Performance by Martial House, Singapore’s premier Wushu performance troupe, bringing their signature blend of power, precision, and pure adrenaline to the stage! As someone with an intimate connection with martial arts, this was an absolute joy to watch!
With dazzling swordplay, rapid-fire staff twirls, and gravity-defying flips, Martial House’s performers turned the parade into an arena, each movement a masterclass in discipline and artistry. A great twist was that in addition to their usual swords, instead of spears, they performed using woks and ladles, a nod to this year’s theme celebrating food!
And just when you thought you had seen it all – a troupe of yo-yo performers made their appearance! Yes, the humble childhood toy had been weaponised into an artistic performance, spinning and glowing at dazzling speeds in the hands of impossibly skilled performers. It was something that caught me by surprise and stuck in my mind.
Finale
The final act wasn’t just a performance; it was a statement. Every single dancer, musician, and acrobat returned to the stage for one last explosive display of unity. The Wushu performers wielding woks reappeared, blending martial arts with laser-precise choreography!
Meanwhile, the grand Dream Machine Float rolled onto the stage, a towering spectacle representing Singapore’s collective aspirations. Performers draped in luminous costumes moved in perfect harmony as if physically manifesting the theme of Joy. The energy was contagious – every movement, every beat, every firework reinforcing the spirit of celebration.
As the final notes of the theme song “Joy” echoed through the night, performers from all cultural acts flooded the stage in a synchronised dance of unity. Flags waved, lights shimmered, and the sheer scale of the production hit home.
Then, of course, the fireworks. Because if you’re closing Chingay without a sky full of explosions, are you even doing it right? The sky erupted in a kaleidoscope of colours once again, painting Marina Bay in a finale that no one was going to forget anytime soon.
Closing Segment
As the confetti settled and the last echoes of the fireworks faded, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam took a final walk through the crowd, shaking hands and sharing words with attendees.
It wasn’t just a ceremonial gesture; it was a moment that underscored the entire theme of Chingay 2025, a celebration of unity, joy, and the people who make Singapore what it is.
Chingay 2025
If you’re already buzzing with excitement for what’s to come, or you’re looking to relive some of the magic from this year, you can check out the Chingay official website, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok!
And for those who weren’t quite ready to let go of the night? Well, there was still one last thing to do: tag Chingay on social media for a chance to win a Nikon camera! It’s the perfect chance to capture memories as amazing as Chingay 2025, so be sure to participate in that!
If sadly you missed the main Chingay 2025 performance, you can catch it on TV on 16 Feb 2025 from 7.30pm – 9pm on Channel 5 and 8.30pm – 10pm on Channel 8, and 23 Feb 2025 from 5pm – 6.30pm on Channel 5 & Channel 8! Alternatively, you can experience a piece of Chingay at various heartland locations around Singapore, which you can find here!
Photos by Russell Loh of the DANAMIC Team.
