During Chinese New Year in Singapore, every corner of the city feels alive with celebrations and traditions. It's a time when families and friends come together to enjoy the festive season and share in the excitement.

To add some extra fun to the Year of the Snake in 2025, think about adding decorations that match the theme. You can go for glowing red lanterns or cool snake-themed ornaments that bring good luck and wisdom. With simple and creative ideas, you can make your space feel festive and ready for all the New Year celebrations!

Bring a magical touch to your Year of the Snake 2025 celebrations with creative decorating ideas that will enhance and enliven every corner of the room. From colourful lanterns to majestic snake ornaments, here's some decorating inspiration to celebrate in unforgettable style.

Red lanterns are an essential element in celebrating Chinese New Year, creating a meaningful atmosphere both inside and outside the home. You can install them in a variety of places. If installed on the door, they are believed to bring protection from bad luck, adding a symbolic touch and luck to this special celebration.

Not only functioning at the door, lanterns also symbolise happiness when placed in various areas such as the living room, terrace, or even inside the house.

Place to buy: All Events Decor

Nearby attraction to hop on: Singapore Flyer, one of the biggest observation wheels in the world, giving you amazing views of Marina Bay.

Hanging Chinese New Year ornaments, like snake motifs, can be CNY decoration ideas that bring good fortune. Ornaments reflecting the zodiac are considered to have positive energy, and in the Year of the Snake, it often symbolises wisdom, mystery, and transformation. The Snake, being the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac, represents a person’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges with grace and intelligence. These ornaments are believed to bring good fortune, encourage personal growth, and provide protection, reflecting the Snake's association with renewal and progress.

Place to buy: CGS Party (Chin Giap Soon)

Nearby attraction to hop on: East Coast Park, Singapore’s go-to spot for outdoor fun by the beach

Chinese New Year candles, symbolising gratitude for answered prayers, especially in red and gold hues, create a warm and auspicious atmosphere. Choose Chinese New Year-themed candles to add a meaningful traditional touch to your living room or family space.

Place to buy: CGS Party (Chin Giap Soon)

Place to buy: All Events Decor

Nearby attraction to hop on: ArtScience Museum, a popular museum with wide range of exhibitions, including futuristic light installations and hands-on displays that are great for all ages.

Decorate your walls with Chinese paper cutting or calligraphy depicting symbols of luck, bringing positive energy and harmony into your home. Don't forget the tradition of placing red paper inscribed with lucky prayers on the door, featuring Mandarin calligraphy with wishes for happiness, success, and wealth.

Place to buy: FairPrice

Nearby attraction to hop on: Singapore City Gallery. Located in the URA Centre, the gallery uses models and displays to explain Singapore's urban planning and development.

Blooming flowers create symbols of new beginnings and optimism for a better future. Place these beautiful flowers in vases on tables, in room corners, or near the entrance as captivating CNY decoration ideas.

Place to buy: All Events Decor

Nearby attraction to hop on: Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, is a unique indoor garden featuring a towering indoor waterfall and lush vegetation.

This fruit, called chi zhe, symbolises the hope for prosperity in Chinese New Year traditions. Place some mandarin oranges on the dining table in the central area or opt for an imitation mandarin tree as an attractive decorative element. With the addition of these fruits, the atmosphere of Chinese New Year celebration at home will be enriched with meaning and full of hope.

Place to buy: CGS Party (Chin Giap Soon)

Nearby attraction to hop on: Katong Park, one of Singapore's oldest parks, offering a green space with mature trees and open fields.

Red and gold balloons, symbolising luck and prosperity, become key elements that infuse the atmosphere with spirited energy. Hanging balloons throughout the room or creating a vibrant balloon arrangement not only creates a visually stunning display but also adds a festive touch that enriches the Chinese New Year celebration with joy and hope for a better year.

Place to buy: Give Fun

Nearby attraction to hop on: Fort Canning Park, wander through gardens, discover remnants of old fortifications, and learn about the hill's significance throughout Singapore's history.

Bamboo, with its ability to stand firm in the midst of storms, symbolises resilience and prosperity. Its use as a decorative element, such as bamboo pieces or bamboo replicas, adds a distinctive traditional touch and imparts a deep sense of luck in welcoming the Chinese New Year. Bamboo is also believed to bring positive energy, enriching the celebration with meaning and hope for a bright future.

Place to buy: All Events Decor

Nearby place to visit: Boat Quay, historic riverside area along the Singapore River.

Wall patches or "chunlian" consists of red paper scrolls with calligraphy or writings themed around luck, happiness, and good wishes for the New Year. The use of chunlian is not only as a visual decoration but also as a symbol of prayers and hopes to bring luck and happiness during the Chinese New Year.

Place to buy: All Events Decor

Nearby attraction to hop on: SkyPark Observation Deck, located on the 57th level, it provides stunning vistas of the city, Gardens by the Bay, and the surrounding sea.

Their round and sweet shape of pineapple is considered a symbol of prosperity. Therefore, pineapples are often used as decorative elements, either in the form of artificial CNY decoration ideas or real fruits, to enrich the atmosphere of Chinese New Year with positive meaning and hopes for prosperity in the new year. Choosing pineapples as Chinese New Year decorations reflects the wealth and happiness expected in this celebratory tradition.

Place to buy: All Events Decor

Among several recommended stores, they are located in an area that offers various activities. For instance, FairPrice, which has several branches, one of them situated in the Orchard district. When shopping for CNY decoration ideas, you can visit the National Museum of Singapore located in Orchard.

Kumquat trees hold a special place in Chinese New Year celebrations, particularly in Cantonese-speaking regions like Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, and Guangxi. The significance of kumquat trees lies in their name. In Cantonese, they are called gam gat sue, with gam meaning "gold" and gat sounding like "good luck." Similarly, in Mandarin, they are called jinju shu, where jin translates to "gold" and ju resembles "good luck" in sound and character. This linguistic connection makes kumquat trees a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Displaying kumquat trees during the Chinese New Year is a way to wish for financial success and good fortune in the coming year. These small, golden fruits resemble miniature gold nuggets, further reinforcing their association with riches. Families and businesses often place them in prominent locations, believing that their presence will attract positivity and abundance throughout the festive season.

Place to buy: The Green Corner by Prince's Landscape

Nearby attraction to hop on: Snow City Singapore, an indoor snow centre where you can experience real snow, go snow tubing, and see ice sculptures.

Pagoda lanterns are a must-have when it comes to decorating for Chinese New Year. These eye-catching decorations are shaped like traditional pagodas, multi-tiered towers that are a big part of Chinese culture. With bright red and gold colors, pagoda lanterns stand for happiness, good luck, and wealth. You’ll see them in homes, temples, and public spaces, lighting up the festive season in a way that feels both traditional and festive.

Usually made from paper, silk, or fabric, pagoda lanterns can either use candles or LED lights for that warm glow. They’re not just for show, they are also thought to bring good vibes and drive away bad luck. During the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, these lanterns are a big deal. Pagoda lanterns are part of parades and other events, adding to the lively ambience.

Place to buy: Gemini Body Shop

Nearby attraction to hop on: Red Dot Design Museum, a showcase with contemporary design from around the world.

Paper fans hold a special place in Chinese culture and are often seen during Chinese New Year celebrations. The traditional Chinese fan, called tuánshàn (团扇), is round and said to represent the full moon. This shape is tied to meanings of unity and happiness, making it a fitting decoration for a holiday focused on family and togetherness.

For over 3,000 years, fans have been more than just tools for staying cool—they’ve been fashion statements, works of art, and symbols of good luck. They are often gifted as expressions of generosity and wishes for a prosperous year ahead.

Place to buy: All Events Decor

Nearby attraction to hop on: Former House of Tan Teng Niah, showcasing traditional Chinese architecture with European influences.

During Chinese New Year, the character Fu (福), which means "good luck" and "happiness," is a common sight in homes and businesses. What makes it unique is that it's often displayed upside down. Why? Because in Chinese culture, the phrase for "upside down" (dao 倒) sounds similar to the word for "arrive" (dao 到). This clever wordplay symbolizes the arrival of good fortune into the household.

Upside-down Fu characters are usually displayed on diamond-shaped red paper and hung on doors or walls. The deliberate inversion of Fu is believed to encourage good luck to "pour out" or descend upon the family. It’s a playful yet meaningful tradition that adds a touch of cheer and optimism to the celebrations.

Place to buy: Fu Xing Antique Shop 福兴古玩阁 （风水顾问）

Nearby place to visit: Chinatown Singapore, a historic area with temples, shops, and food stalls.

Flowers play a big role in Chinese New Year decorations, symbolizing hope, prosperity, and fresh beginnings. Orchids, for example, are seen as a symbol of fertility and abundance. Their delicate beauty and elegance make them a popular choice for bouquets, potted plants, or floral arrangements. Orchids are also associated with refinement and innocence, making them a thoughtful and meaningful gift during the festive season.

Peach blossoms, on the other hand, are deeply symbolic of romance, prosperity, and growth. They are particularly favored by young singles hoping for love in the new year. Peach trees are considered sacred in Chinese culture, with their fruit symbolizing longevity. Adding peach blossoms to your decorations not only enhances the festive vibe but also brings good energy and the promise of a flourishing year ahead.

Place to buy: Ji Mei Flower

Nearby attraction to hop on: Haw Par Villa, afree-to-enter park that features a large collection of statues and dioramas that illustrate Chinese mythology and moral teachings.

Chinese New Year paintings, often called "nianhua", are a traditional way to decorate homes during the festive season. These paintings are typically hung on doors and walls to express New Year’s greetings and bring a joyful, celebratory atmosphere to the space.

The images featured in these paintings often include legendary figures, mythical creatures, and symbolic plants. Each design carries a specific meaning, such as protection, prosperity, or good fortune. These artworks not only serve as beautiful decorations but also convey heartfelt wishes for a successful and harmonious year ahead.

Place to buy: Da Wei Arts

Nearby attraction to hop on: Ann Siang Hill Park, a nice place to take a break from the surrounding city.

Door wreaths featuring snake designs are a unique and meaningful decoration during the Chinese Spring Festival, especially in the Year of the Snake. These wreaths combine traditional symbolism with festive aesthetics, making them a popular choice for welcoming good luck into homes.

The snake is associated with wisdom, determination, and transformation in Chinese culture. A door wreath with a snake hanging sign is believed to invite these positive qualities into the household. Adorned with vibrant colors, auspicious symbols, and traditional motifs, these decorations are not only eye-catching but also serve as a warm invitation for good fortune and happiness throughout the year.

Place to buy: Fu Xing Antique Shop

Nearby attraction to hop on: Sri Mariamman Temple, a Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, located in Chinatown.

With various Chinese New Year decoration ideas bringing luck and the spirit of the New Year celebration, celebrating Chinese New Year in Singapore will be an unforgettable experience. To ensure your journey is even more memorable, book your ideal hotel, flights, and even fun attractions, only on Traveloka. Find the best deals, enjoy the finest comfort, and bring the joy of Chinese New Year to your journey. Have a wonderful Chinese New Year!