THE Chinese New Year celebrations draw to a festive conclusion tonight with Chap Goh Meh, as revellers mark the final day of the 15-day lunar festivities by tossing mandarin oranges for luck and love.
Often described as Chinese Valentine’s Day, Chap Goh Meh — Hokkien for “the night of the 15th day” — is observed on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar and symbolises reunion, renewal and hope for the year ahead.
Across the country, families and friends are expected to gather for celebratory dinners, fireworks and the time-honoured custom of casting mandarin oranges into rivers, lakes or the sea — a ritual traditionally associated with wishes for good fortune in romance.
For 28-year-old model Kelly Khor, the evening remains firmly rooted in family.
“More than 20 of us will gather for steamboat,” she said, adding that the celebration is as much about togetherness as it is about tradition.
“We will toss yee sang and spend quality time together, playing cards, mahjong and other games,” The Star reported Khor, who is with Velvet Model Creative, saying.
Although the customary orange-tossing takes place on the night itself, Khor and fellow models Chloe Tan, 17, Carol Lye, 28, and Ashley Ng, 23, were seen performing the ritual a day earlier along Sinaran Coastal Drive at The Light City, explaining that they would be spending the actual day with their loved ones.
For Tan, who is in Form Five, the tradition was less about romance and more about continuity.
“I wished for a good year ahead,” she said, admitting she might be “too young” to hope for love but keen to keep the custom alive.
Tan said she eagerly anticipates the Chinese New Year each year, particularly as cousins return from abroad, including Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
To round off the festivities, her family plans a simple dinner before heading out to watch others toss oranges and take in the celebratory atmosphere.
Lye, who runs a pastry business, described Chap Goh Meh as a treasured opportunity to reconnect with relatives visiting from overseas.
“We’ll have a house party in the evening and then head out to watch the fireworks,” she said.
For Ng, a Pharmacy undergraduate currently on semester break, this year’s celebration carries added meaning.
“I’m usually busy with my studies, but since I’m on semester break, I can spend time with my parents and attend family gatherings,” she said.
Her family intends to keep the occasion modest, marking the close of the festive season with a small get-together. Though she is in a relationship and does not rely on the orange-tossing ritual for romance, she said she still joined her friends in the symbolic act for luck.
As lanterns glow and fireworks light the night sky, Chap Goh Meh once again brings the Lunar New Year to a spirited close — blending tradition, affection and the enduring importance of family. - March 3, 2026
