Singapore Tourist Guides — Events

In celebration of its multi-cultural diversity, Singapore has varied colorful festivals ranging from the deeply religious Muslim and Buddhist festivals, colorful and often boisterous Chinese and Indian festivals. National holidays marking New Years Day, Labour Day and National Day, and a whole host of secular festivals for fashion, food and shopping festivals regularly draw international attention.

The Chinese New Year festivities dominate the months of January and February. Chinatown, always a bustling hub of activity, is decorated with lights and multi-colored festoons, dragon dances are organized on the streets, fireworks, parades and roadside markets all part of the month long festival. The Qing Ming festival, held in April, is a family festival where prayers are said and feasts are observed for the dead. The Dragon Boat races held in Marina Bay in the month of May / June are competitive races held to commemorate the martyrdom of a Chinese poet. The Dumpling festival is celebrated with a huge fair selling endless dumplings and rice desserts, accompanied by Chinese dancing, operas, the ubiquitous Dragon dances and fireworks in June. The Hungry Ghosts festival in August/September sees the Chinese offering food to appease dead spirits. The Mooncake Fair, the Lantern Festival, and the Lantern Parade mark the coming of autumn. Heath and longevity are prayed for during the Nine Emperor Gods festival in November.

The Sultan Mosque, on Arab Street, is the center of activity at the end of the holy month of Ramadan during the Islamic festival of Hari Raya Puasa, which usually falls in the month of January or February. Hari Raya Haji, in March, is also an important festival, which commemorates Haj, which is the holy pilgrimage of the Muslim believer to Mecca.

Little India sees its share of Hindu festivals, of which Thaipusam, on 31st January, is the most gory, and in fact, is not practiced in India any more. Devotees of Lord Subramaniam carry out macabre rites of body piercing in repentance and appeasement of their lord. Navrathri, Deepavali-the festival of light, and Thimithi-the fire-walking festival are celebrated in October and November. During Thimithi, the Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road becomes the center of attraction when scores of Hindu devotees walk bare foot over hot coals.

On Vesak Day, in April / May, caged birds are released to symbolize the release of captive souls, and commemorates the life of Lord Buddha.

Apart from these religious festivals, each month sees the streets of Singapore come alive to extravaganzas promoting fashion, art, food and shopping. The Fashion Festival, in spring, the Great Singapore Sale during the months of May to July, the Food Festival in July, Christmas, are all occasions for parades, street performances, fireworks and liveliness.

National Day Celebrations are held in August with pomp and show. A display of military prowess takes center stage, with dances and festivities also held.

List of Public Holidays:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Chinese New Year (January or February)
Good Friday (April)
Labor Day (May 1)
Vesak Day May 29)
National Day (August 9)
Deepavali (November)
Christmas (December 25)
Hari Raya Puasa (January)
Hari Raya Haji (March)

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