River Hongbao 2020 Turns Into a Tech‑Lit Playground
Imagine strolling through the festive lights at The Float @ Marina Bay, only to discover that each corner hides a glowing, virtual animal that’s waiting to be captured on your phone. That’s the twist this year’s River Hongbao (RHB 2020) is bringing to the city’s calendar.
#HuntYourZodiac: A Fun‑Filled AR Adventure
- Step one: Grab your smartphone and sign in through Facebook to jump into the game’s web app.
- Step two: Wandering around the event grounds, hunt for the 12 adorable Chinese zodiac creatures that materialize in augmented reality.
- Step three: When you snap up the animal that matches your birth year, your phone lights up with a one‑of‑a‑kind fortune prediction—just for you!
- Bonus fun: While exploring, you can also catch other zodiac beasts and read what the stars say for them.
- Cash delight: Pick up a red‑packet‑holding animal, and you’re instantly eligible to snag a prize or voucher via the DBS Paylah! app—one per player, per day.
Why This Is A One‑Of‑a‑Kind Experience
Backed by homegrown bank POSB and the tech partner Sqkii, the game blends the time‑honored Chinese New Year vibes with modern tech. According to Jeremy Soo, Managing Director of DBS Bank’s Consumer Banking Group, the idea is to unify families and friends across all ages, giving them something new to share, talk about, and most importantly, enjoy together.
In short, if you’re hunting for a bit of interactive magic and a chance to win a little extra, the 2020 River Hongbao is where you’ll want to be—so bring your phone, your curiosity, and a good spirit of adventure. Happy hunting!
Game Development Backstory
Who’s in the Mix
- POSB – a hometown bank that’s also the key sponsor of River Hongbao 2020.
- Sqkii – the creative wizard behind the wildly popular cash hunt, “Hunt the Mouse”.
The two powerhouses joined forces to craft an engaging new game that blends a touch of local flavour with the thrilling hunt mechanics Sqkii is famous for. Picture a playful adventure where everyday street‑carpet vibes meet the pulse‑raising chase for hidden cash.
What Players Can Expect
- Fast‑paced challenges sprinkled across the city’s laneways.
- Interactive clues inspired by River Hongbao traditions.
- Rewards that keep you coming back for the next hit.
From the opening moment, the game is designed to feel fresh and familiar, letting players dive into a familiar setting while also discovering surprises at every turn.
Behind the Scenes Snapshot
PHOTO: SQKII
God of Fortune to give hongbao daily
The 2020 River Hongbao Rollout: Smiley, Squirrels & Red Packets Galore
Smiley ‘Says’ “Fortune’s in the Air!”
Just like every year, the River Hongbao boardroom is buzzing with the crowd‑pleaser, the God of Fortune. But this time it’s not a booming temple gong or a majestic lion parade – it’s Smiley the Squirrel, the cheerful POSB mascot. Our furry finan‑side hero will be busy at the fountain, sprinkling lucky hongbao (red envelopes) every day for the first five days of the festival. In a nifty tech twist, a visitor will only get one if they have the DBS PayLah! app on their phone. It’s like a digital treasure hunt where the squirrel is the oracle.
Tech Games With a Tangled Twist
- “Spin the Fortune Wheel” – spin and win instant prizes.
- Augmented‑Reality “Find the Red Envelope” – scan real‑world clues for virtual fortunes.
- “Digital Tree of Wishes” – drop a wish, watch it sprout in the crowd‑stats dashboard.
The Story Behind the Red Packets
Beyond the stickers and virtual games, the festival invites you to uncover a treasured Chinese New Year custom: the tradition of giving out hongbao. The exhibition, brought to life by the Sun Yat‑Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School students, and the Lianhe Zaobao Student Correspondents’ Club, showcases you’re never seen 400+ bonds of hope stitched on paper. The oldest packet dates all the way back to the 1940s – a real relic of laughter and luck.
Explore the Exhibit: Why It Matters
- It’s a living history lesson – how each envelope carries wishes, blessings, and a dash of nervous excitement.
- It’s a social glue – families gather, elders share, and kids get their first taste of responsible money.
- It’s an interactive showcase – you can touch, feel, and even dig into the texture of centuries of red paper.
Takeaway: Feel the Festival, Not Just Watch It
River Hongbao is no plain old parade. It’s a synergy of tradition, tech, and storytelling. So join Smiley, grab a virtual Hongbao, and scroll through the colorful history of Chinatown’s newest celebration. See, hear, and maybe even try your luck – because the best fortunes are the ones you experience!
River Hongbao 2020: A Lunar New Year Adventure
Picture this: shimmering lanterns, firecrackers that roar louder than your neighbor’s karaoke, and a crowd of folks dancing to both Singapore’s hottest local beats and epic wushu moves. That’s the River Hongbao 2020 kicking off, and it’s about to turn your ordinary Lunar New Year into a legendary bash!
Why It Matters
Fact: It’s more than just a parade. It’s a place for families, friends, and even strangers to get together and celebrate in one cozy spot. As Mr Tan Aik Hock, the committee’s big chief, put it, the festival is all about “deepening family bonds and strengthening community ties.” Sounds like a recipe for a happier, more united Singapore!
What’s on the Menu?
- 10 Nights of Fireworks – Each night’s sky lights up like a fireworks constellation, so you can’t believe your eyes.
- Dance & Wushu Showdowns – From local dance crews to international wushu pros, watch the floor shake and the crowd go wild.
- Food Street Fiesta – 40 stalls selling mouth‑watering treats that represent the six major dialect groups in Singapore—no one’s left hungry.
Timing & Tickets
The show runs from 2 pm to 11 pm each day, but on Jan 24 (Chinese New Year’s Eve) the fun goes on until 1 am. And guess what? You don’t need a pricey ticket—admission is free!
Getting There
Wave hello to the organizers: the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Singapore Press Holdings, Singapore Tourism Board, and the People’s Association—all teamed up to make this event a hit.
Photo Spotlight
We’re traveling back in time to check out a hongbao from the 1950s (left) and another from the 1940s—thanks to MR WONG CHIAT WAN for the snaps.
Ready to join the celebrations? Grab your friends, hop on over, and let the River Hongbao light up your Lunar New Year!
