The word Chingay is Hokkien for "the art of costume and masquerade". The Chingay parade is the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. Started in 1973, the first Chingay parade in Singapore was to compensate for Singapore’s ban on firecrackers, a Chinese New Year custom to chase away evil spirits. It was only in 1976 that the Chingay parade took on a distinct multicultural aspect, much like Singapore itself. The colourful parade soon became a vibrant, energetic display of Singapore’s multiracial flavor.

Photo credits to:
Darren Bloggie
Aspirant
Singapore American School
History Channel
Toggle.sg
CNA
TODAY
guamaniac