SINGAPORE — Audiences at Chingay 2018 can look forward to a longer parade route, free street parades and a chance to enjoy the festivities for free while seated at the gallery of the Marina Bay floating platform.

Next year’s parade, themed “Cultural Fantasy”, will be held on Feb 23 and 24 at the F1 Pit Building, organisers said at a media briefing on Tuesday (Nov 28) at the People’s Association headquarters.

Kickstarting the parade is a contingent of more than 550 students from the School of Dance who will put up a ballet performance called “Chingay Wonderland”.

Taking inspiration from the Disney movie Aladdin, there will be an energetic Moroccan-style number by long board hobby group DockSession Singapore, complete with an electronic longboard that will simulate Aladdin’s magic flying carpet.

Another group will be the Smart Nation contingent, which will feature seniors who are Silver Infocomm Wellness Ambassadors on a float with an array of technological devices such as tablets and smartphones. They will be accompanied by driverless cars, and mini robots will dance alongside the contingent.

Next year’s parade route will stretch to 1.5 km, double the 720m this year. From the F1 Pit Building, a ticketed zone, it will head to the area behind the Singapore Flyer before ending at the Floating Platform.

Tourists and locals can join in the fun at a free street parade and carnival at the open space behind the Singapore Flyer. They can tuck into a range of treats like roasted colourful marshmallows and rainbow bagels while watching circus acts and balloon sculpturing.

The third segment will include a new collaboration between organisers of Chingay and the River Hongbao Lunar New Year event. River Hongbao visitors will be able to enjoy the parade for free at the floating platform. Details will be announced later.

Co-founder of longboard hobby group DockSession Singapore Robert Chua, 21, will be taking part in Chingay for the first time. The group has ramped up their practice sessions to almost five times a week since November, he said.

“(We hope) to engage a lot of youths from all walks of life to come down, so it’s community-building not just at Chingay, but after that,” said the National University of Singapore business student.

Mr Khoo Kong Ngian, 71, will be part of the Smart Nation contingent and hopes to spread the message about the benefits of technology to other seniors.

Mr Khoo, who is blind, actively uses messaging functions on his iPhone and recently learnt how to use ride-hailing app Grab.

“For seniors (like myself), it’s about finding out what they need, what they are interested in and bringing in (and teaching them about) technology later on,” he said.

Some 6,500 local and international performers will participate in Chingay 2018. The event is also supported by 2,000 parade volunteers.

The Chingay floats will visit various heartland locations subsequently, and details will be announced later.