Every year, Chingay transforms Singapore into a kaleidoscope of colour, sound, and movement, but in 2026, the nation’s largest street parade is set to become something even more personal: a celebration of our collective wishes.

On 27 and 28 February 2026, Chingay returns with the theme “Wish”, bringing with it an invitation for every Singaporean to reflect on their hopes for the future. The result will be a dazzling 90-minute spectacle shaped by more than 3,000 performers and powered by the dreams of thousands more. Organised by the People’s Association (PA), the 54th edition promises to be among the most ambitious in its history — and one of its most heartfelt.

Chingay has always been about people, but 2026 marks a milestone: the parade’s largest-ever community collaboration. Five full-scale district floats, each an impressive seven metres long, are being co-created by 5,000 residents across Singapore’s five districts.

What started four years ago as a charming experiment with mini community-built floats has evolved into a monumental artistic effort involving local artists, families, grassroots groups and volunteers. This year, the floats will be powered by electric motors and adorned with creative expressions born directly from neighbourhoods. Visitors will see structures that are the culmination of the aspirations of communities, interpreted in light, motion, and vivid artwork.

And for the first time ever, audiences will step into a circular, ring-shaped arena built around a multi-tier stage. This 360-degree layout transforms spectators from passive observers into part of the artistic energy, enveloped in a design that symbolises unity and inclusivity. It’s Chingay, reimagined as an immersive communal experience.

If “Wish” is the theme, light is its language. The 2026 parade leans into illumination as a visual metaphor — how a single spark can grow, blend with others, and become something larger than itself. Each participating group is crafting performances where light becomes an extension of emotion: beams that dance, colours that morph, and glowing motifs that symbolise dreams taking flight.

Eight acts will frame the evening, with half of them inspired by Singapore’s major ethnic festivals — Chinese New Year, Christmas, Hari Raya and Deepavali. Each segment highlights shared values across multicultural celebrations, tied together through a rhythmic tapestry of drums and flutes. These elements reappear as the show unfolds, culminating in cross-cultural ensembles and a spotlight on ASEAN communities.

Chingay 2026’s artistic lineup reads like a meeting of masters and rising stars. Among them is Cultural Medallion recipient Dr Ghanavenothan Retnam, a respected figure in Indian classical music. He will perform a vibrant solo using not one but two bamboo flutes, weaving traditional sounds with modern dynamism. Later, he joins a trio of flutists to create a multi-ethnic musical dialogue — an ode to Singapore’s cultural blend.

Helming the parade’s overall musical direction is award-winning songwriter and producer Hubert Ng, whose work spans C-pop, J-pop, and K-pop charts. While his compositions have travelled the world, Chingay 2026 marks his first time directing music for a large-scale live performance. The experience, he says, has immersed him in the rich soundscape of the Chingay universe — teaching him how to marry rhythm with the choreography of thousands.

Then there is 10-year-old violin prodigy Travis Wong — already an international name after clinching top honours at the Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition. Travis will perform a contemporary interpretation of the beloved folk tune “Singapura, Sunny Island” during an act celebrating ASEAN nations. His performance will stretch both his technique and artistic range — not bad for someone who hasn’t even hit his teens.

Fashion also finds its moment in the spotlight. Twenty-year-old designer Nur Aqilah Binte Arman, a Temasek Polytechnic graduate, was one of six designers selected through an open call to conceptualise costumes for Chingay’s key characters. Her creation for “Diya”, representing the Indian community, draws inspiration from the elegance of the saree and symbols like peacock feathers. The result is a costume meant to embody illumination — of mind, spirit, and culture.

Chingay has long been known as the “People’s Parade”, and in 2026 that ethos remains central. Beyond the performers and creators, PA will continue its “Chair for a Cause” initiative, inviting vulnerable and less privileged individuals — along with their caregivers — to enjoy the parade. It’s a reminder that Chingay’s celebratory spirit is meant to uplift everyone.

For more and the latest information on Chingay Parade 2026, visit https://www.chingay.gov.sg, Chingay Facebook page @ChingayParadeSG and Instagram page @chingayparadesg.

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