With its multiracial character, it’s no surprise that Singapore is a constant hive of activity, celebrating one cultural festival after another. The following festivals are among the most important in the calendar, and offer the most interest to the visitor.
January to March
Chinese New Year: The most widely celebrated festival among the Chinese, it falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, usually between mid-January and mid-February. Chinese custom decrees that the previous year’s debts be paid, the home cleaned and new clothing purchased. It is also a time for reaffirming ties at the family reunion dinner that takes place on the eve. The 15-day festival, beginning with a two-day holiday, is commemorated by feasting and the giving of hong bao, red packets of “lucky money”.
Chinese New Year celebrations at the Marina.
Singapore Tourism Board
Catch the festive spirit in Chinatown, where the streets are all lit up and chock-a-block with people jostling for festive goods. Dragon and lion dancers throng the streets, making plenty of noise to keep the mythical monsters traditionally associated with Chinese New Year at bay. The celebrations end on a high note with the Chingay Parade – an exuberant procession which is held on the Sunday following the New Year. Lavish floats, stilt-walkers, martial arts troupes and mini-dramas illustrating classical Chinese myths are some of the parade’s best-loved features.
Thaipusam: This Hindu festival is observed between January and February, in the Tamil month of Thai. Devotees honour Lord Muruga, god of bravery, power and virtue, by performing feats of mind over spirit. The festival begins at dawn at the Srinivasa Perumal Temple (for more information, click here) in Serangoon Road. Here, devotees who have entered a trance have their bodies pierced with metal hooks or spikes attached to a kavadi, a cage-like steel contraption which is carried on their shoulders. The procession makes its way to the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple (for more information, click here) at Tank Road, accompanied by chanting supporters.
Held island-wide from the end of May to early July, the Great Singapore Sale indulges those with a passion for shopping – with goods at shopping malls slashed down to bargain-basement prices.
April to June
World Gourmet Summit: A two-week-long gastronomic event with workshops and seminars on fine food and wines. Singapore’s best chefs and restaurants are feted with awards, while guest chefs from around the world play host at selected restaurants with special menus.
Vesak Day: Usually celebrated in May, this is the most important event in the Buddhist calendar, for it honours the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha. Temple celebrations begin at dawn with a candlelight procession. As part of the celebrations, caged birds are released and free meals are distributed to the poor.
The Chingay Parade marks the culmination of Singapore’s Chinese New Year festivities with processions and costumes galore.
Singapore Tourism Board
Dragon Boat Festival: Every June, colourful longboats with prows carved to represent dragons and birds crest the waves of Marina Bay, propelled by dozens of pairs of strong arms. The Dragon Boat Race is an international-class event that draws teams from Australia, Europe and the US, among others.
The festival honours a Chinese patriot, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in 278 BC to protest against the corruption of the imperial court. Fishermen tried to rescue him but failed. Small packages of rice were thrown into the water to distract fishes from his body, and villagers decorated their boats with dragon heads and tails with the same purpose in mind. Today, several varieties of these rice dumplings are available throughout the year.
July to September
Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA): This annual event in Aug–Sept showcases a bonanza of Asian and Western performing arts from dance and theatre to music. Past performers have included the Washington Ballet and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and also less commercial ventures, such as a Lithuanian adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. The festival also features an eclectic fringe segment and workshops by visiting companies. In 2016, for example, among others there are expected the legendary Canadian stage director Robert Lepage, Argentinian Fernando Rubio and Antonio Vargas, one of the leading flamenco dancers.
Singapore Food Festival: The island celebrates another favourite pastime – eating – with a month-long food fiesta in July. Various food-tasting events and unique dining experiences that cover a gamut of cuisines are held.
National Day: For an entire month before 9 August, you’ll hear children fervently practising songs of nationhood, and see performers and dancers with torches and flashcards rehearsing to perfect the National Day Parade. The pomp and pageantry, which celebrates the city-state’s independence, culminates in a stunning fireworks display at night. The annual parade, traditionally held at either the Padang (for more information, click here) or the now demolished National Stadium, is now usually held at the Marina Bay.
Festival of the Hungry Ghosts: Chinese believe the gates of hell are opened throughout the seventh lunar month, usually August/September, to allow ghosts to wander the earth. To appease these wayward spirits, joss sticks and paper money are burned and feasts whipped up as offerings. Neighbourhood events such as wayang (Chinese opera) or getai (mini pop concerts) are held, climaxing in a lively auction.
Singapore Night Festival: For two weekends in August, the Bras Basah and Bugis precinct comes alive at night with stunning outdoor light installations. There are music, dance, art and aerial performances to look forward to. Special events with late night openings take place at the National Museum, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Museum and The Substation.
Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix: This night race held at the Marina Bay area over a weekend in mid-September draws in crowds from all over the world. Besides the world’s only night race, there are also plenty of entertainment and concerts held during the Grand Prix season.
Helicopter fly-by at the National Day Parade.
Singapore Tourism Board
October to December
Mid-Autumn Festival: This traditional harvest festival takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, usually in October. There are various legends behind it, the most popular one being about Chang-E, a fairy who flew to the moon. Mooncakes – pastries filled with lotus paste and egg yolks – are eaten on this day, and children carry lanterns around the neighbourhood. Don’t miss the impressive display of colourful lanterns at Chinatown. Between early September and early October there are street parades and multicultural performances.
Navarathri: Sanskrit for “nine nights”, Navarathri pays homage to the three consorts (Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati) of the Hindu gods, with nine days of traditional Indian music and dancing at all Hindu temples. The festival concludes with a procession. This October event provides a rare opportunity to experience Indian arts; elaborate performances are held at the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple (for more information, click here) and other Hindu temples.
Thimithi Festival: This breathtaking fire-walking ceremony occurs in October at the Sri Mariamman Temple (for more information, click here) on South Bridge Road. Male devotees sprint barefoot across glowing coals, without any apparent injury to their feet, in honour of Draupathi, a legendary heroine deified by South Indian Tamils. On the eve of the festival a magnificent silver chariot honouring Draupathi makes its way from this temple to the Srinavasa Temple in Little India.
Deepavali: Also known as the Festival of Lights, to symbolise the conquest of good over evil, this is the most important festival in the Hindu calendar. Usually occurring in October or November, it is celebrated by the traditional lighting of oil lamps at homes and in Little India, which is turned into a fairyland of twinkling lights. Prayers are recited in temples and statues of deities carried around the grounds.
Christmas: Almost everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, gets into the spirit of exchanging gifts come Christmas time. Orchard Road is transformed into a riot of lights and glitzy displays, while shopping malls and hotels try to outdo each other with the most imaginative decorations and vie for the “best decorated award”. Nevertheless, as with all things Singaporean, Christmas here is celebrated with a difference – just tuck into a tandoori turkey and you’ll see!
Deepavali.
Singapore Tourism Board
Contemporary events
A boom in world-class venues plus a growing population of fun-seeking city-dwellers has led to a significant increase in events, from the Audi Fashion Festival Singapore and the New Year Countdown Party to the Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts and the Mosaic Music Festival. A more recent addition is the Singapore Biennale, an exhibition of international contemporary art.
For the most current list of events and celebrations, check the Singapore Tourism Board website at www.yoursingapore.com or go to any of its Visitor Centres. The Straits Times and free tourist magazines like SG, Where and Changi Express also provide details.
Hari Raya Haji.
Vincent Ng/APA Publications
Variable dates
Hari Raya Puasa: This Muslim celebration falls on the first day of the 10th Muslim month; the date varies from year to year. During Ramadan, the month preceding Hari Raya Puasa, all able Muslims observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset – so that they are better able to commiserate with the less fortunate. On Hari Raya Puasa, celebrants ask for forgiveness from family members, make new resolutions and feast on traditional food.
The other Muslim festival celebrated with a holiday is Hari Raya Haji, which marks the sacrifices made by Muslims who undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca.