Holidays in Singapore. Seasonal sales in Singapore
Chingay parade
Time Miscellaneous
A placeMiscellaneous
The Chingay Parade is a colorful show that brings together Singapore's cultural heritage in all its diversity. Although this amazing festival takes place during the Chinese New Year, representatives of different ethnic groups in Singapore take part: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and others.
Today, the Chingay parade is the largest carnival in Asia - a vibrant celebration that spans the entire central part of the country.
Concertguns N "Rosesinframeworktour Not in This Lifetime Tour
Time20:00
A placeChangi Exhibition Center
Rumors of this have been circulating among music lovers in Asia for months. In February, one of the best-selling hard rock bands of all time, Guns N "Roses, will perform for the first time in Singapore at the Changi Exhibition Center.
Founder Axl Rose, along with former members Slash and Duff McKagan, will reunite for the most anticipated world tour of the century. More recently, the Not in This Lifetime Tour ended in North America. Each show gathered full stadiums and delighted thousands of spectators.
Singapore Festival of Fun (SFoF)
Time Miscellaneous
A placeClarke Embankment
Website https://funfest.asia/
The Singapore Festival of Fun offers viewers entertainment for the whole family, the best street performances, and a range of fun activities for families and friends alike.
The festival includes the Nickelodeon Fiesta Ball, the nine-day open-air festival and the Magners International Comedy Festival.
Festivallight i Light Marina Bay
Time 19:30 - 23:00
A placeMarina Bay Waterfront
The largest annual light festival in Asia, i Light Marina Bay will be held in Singapore for the fifth time. It will be hosted by Singapore's Urban Development Department and directed by Randy Chan of Zarch Collaboratives. During the three weeks of the festival, Marina Bay will be illuminated with innovative, sustainable lighting installations created by talented artists from around the world.
Singapore International Jazz Festival (Sing Jazz)
Time Miscellaneous
A placeMarina Bay Sands
For three years in a row, the exciting concerts of the Singapore International Jazz Festival (Sing Jazz) were held against the backdrop of the city skyline that opens to guests of Marina Bay Sands. This year, the festival will again take place at the hotel. On it, music lovers will enjoy jazz in all its diversity and originality. This year it will feature jazz and R&B stars such as Jamie Callum, Natalie Cole, India Ari and Gregory Porter. At the Singapore International Jazz Festival, you will be mesmerized by the dizzying mix of musical styles and live performances, which can be enjoyed outdoors for three days.
Concertcoldplay bandsinframeworka Head Full of Dreams tour
A place Singapore Sports Hub
Eight years after their last performance in Singapore, British band Coldplay will return to the city in triumph and perform at the Singapore Sports Hub as part of their A Head Full of Dreams Tour.
Since March 2016, the A Head Full Of Dreams Tour has been attended by over 2.5 million people from Latin America, the USA and Europe. The show was created by Coldplay in collaboration with production designers Misty Buckley and Paul Normandal.
Eid al Adha
date May - June 2017
Time Miscellaneous
A placeMiscellaneous
Eid Breaking the Fast marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and is known in Singapore as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time of humility and repentance: it is customary to fast for 30 days from dawn to dusk.
Night markets sell clothing, delicacies and (best of all!) Sweets during this month in areas such as Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai.
Dragon Boat Race Boat Festival
Date May - June 2017
Time Miscellaneous
A placeMiscellaneous
The beating of drums and delicious dumplings make the Dragon Boat Festival one of the most popular events in Singapore.
Many of the traditions of the ancient races have survived to this day. So, boats still have a long elongated shape, images of a dragon's head are still applied on their prows, and the drums, as before, set the rhythm of rowing. The drive and amazing camaraderie make the festival a truly breathtaking experience.
Ultra Festival Singapore
date To be specified
Time Miscellaneous
A place1 Bayfront Avenue
Have a lot of fun at Ultra Worldwide, the premier electronic music event in the city in early June.
Ultra Singapore will be held in Singapore for the second time and will again take place in the heart of Marina Bay, Ultra Park, the unofficial permanent festival venue.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Time Miscellaneous
A placeChinatown
The Mid-Autumn Festival marks the end of the harvest season, when, according to tradition, it is customary to thank the gods.
Various legends about the moon are often associated with this holiday, since it is at this time of the year that it shines especially brightly. For the same reason, the main events of the Mid-Autumn Festival take place after sunset.
Admire traditional lanterns at festivals in different parts of the island. It will be especially interesting in Chinatown, whose streets will be decorated with beautiful and graceful handmade lanterns.
Singapore Toy Festival, Game & Comic Convention
date To be specified
Time Miscellaneous
A placeMarina Bay Sands Meeting Room
The Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention will bring together the best in pop culture, including world-class artists and designers from around the world, creating comics, toys, anime, manga and cosplay costumes.
The event will be held for the tenth time. Collectibles, exclusive works and unique pieces by artists from Singapore and other countries of the region await its visitors.
Diwali
Time Miscellaneous
A placeLittle India
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. The holiday symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness: as a sign of this, it is customary to light oil lamps.
Travel to Little India: its streets will turn into a fantastic land of colorful arches and picturesque lights during the holiday.
Neon Festival Lights
date November 2017
Time To be specified
A placeNational ParkFort Canning
Website http://www.neonlights.sg/
Neon Lights is a music and light festival that takes place every November on multiple outdoor stages in Fort Canning National Park. Popular with people of all interests, professions and ages, this event brings to the attention of the audience music and artistic performances that blur the boundaries between spectators and are loved by everyone, without exception.
FestivalAnimeFestivalAsia
date November 2017
Time To be specified
A placeTo be specified
Anime Festival Asia (AFA) is the largest and most popular Japanese culture festival in Southeast Asia, held in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. Over the past six years, the event has taken place nine times. In 2013, AFA was visited by over 130,000 people. Then the festival gained real fame among lovers of Japanese culture in the region.
Christmas Illumination Launch Ceremony
date November 2017 - January 2018
Time To be specified
A placeTo be specified
As part of this highly anticipated annual show, the famous Orchad Road will be adorned with bright lights and festive decorations (and even a Christmas tree).
The event is organized by the Orchard Road business association.
Watch live performances by local musicians and Christmas carols on the streets of the city and enjoy some of their most famous holiday tunes.
Christmasfair Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay
date December 2017
Time To be specified
A placeTo be specified
Singapore's largest Christmas fair, Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay, set a record in 2015 with over 1,500,000 visitors.
The fair offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages, as well as a festive playground with stunning installations, attractions and carousels. In addition, visitors to the fair can enjoy choir performances, concerts and parades.
Time To be specified
A placeTo be specified
Celebrate New Years near Marina Bay Singapore for the legendary New Years celebrations organized annually in Singapore by the Urban Development Department and Esplanade - Theaters on the Bay.
On New Year's Eve, celebrations will take place across the city, from Marina Bay to Civic, from early evening through the night.
Around midnight, join the crowd for a stunning music, light and laser show, enjoy fireworks and celebrate the new year in a positive and joyful mood.
Singapore is a "burning pot" in which diverse and vibrant cultures are "brewed": Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. The influx of foreigners over the past few years has given the state a cosmopolitan image and multi-cultural life in Singapore. Each of the ethnic communities maintains its own unique way of life, while harmonizing life with representatives of other cultures. Given the unique mix of cultures and peoples, Singapore has a very attractive calendar of events with holidays and celebrations all year round. Festivals range from religious celebrations to social and cultural celebrations and sporting events.
Singapore celebrates festivals that are specific to each of the ethnic groups and their respective religions. In addition, some important anniversaries are celebrated on all islands by all residents. These significant religious holidays and important dates are declared as public holidays in Singapore. There are ten annual holidays in Singapore: New Years Day; Chinese New Year; Good Friday; Labor Day; Vesak day; National Day of Singapore (National Day); Hari Raya Puasa; Deepavali Festival of Lights; Hari Raya Haji; Christmas (Christmas Day).
New Year in Singapore
Calendar New Year - Monday, January 1, 2018, kicks off with celebrations, and each new year turns into a real holiday in Singapore. There are several places where New Year's greetings and festivities take place. The most popular parties are The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown and Siloso Beach Party in Sentos. Most Singaporeans often visit these places, they come here to witness public performances and spectacular fireworks. Other popular activities can be seen walking along Orchard Road, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.
Chinese New Year in Singapore
Chinese New Year - Friday 16th February 2018 is one of the most anticipated holidays in Singapore. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar, which is usually held between the last week of January and early February. Preparation begins a couple of weeks before Chinese New Year and the city takes on a special holiday spirit during this period. Families celebrate this holiday by participating in the reunification festival, accompanying celebrations with New Year's visits from relatives and friends, exchanging hongbao (red envelopes with cash gifts), donating small tangerine trees symbolizing prosperity and visiting temples. The center of all activity is the brightly lit Chinatown, which is adorned with impressive decorations and Chinese lanterns lining the streets.
Most Chinese families gather in this ethnic quarter to enjoy its many sights and sounds of enchanting melodies, as well as taste traditional Chinese delicacies. Most shopping malls are decorated with traditional ornaments using favorable colors of red and gold and offer attractive discounts and promotions. The famous lion and dragon dances are held in Chinatown and along the Singapore River on either side of the quays. The Chinese New Year celebrations conclude on the 15th day of the new year, just like the Spring Lantern Festival. Ten days after the Lantern Festival, it's time for a big parade in Singapore known as the Chingay Parade, a street and sea parade with performances ranging from acrobatics to traditional dancing.
Green Corridor Running Festival
Following the success of previous years, the Green Corridor Run was held on March 6th, 2016 in conjunction with the World Water Day celebrations. It was the grandest marathon ever held in Singapore and the most exciting race ever! You can register and take part in future marathons! Held along one of the most interesting and beautiful sections of the countryside in Singapore, the ten and a half kilometer run starts at the historic Tanjong Pagar Railroad Station and follows a green corridor to the old Bukit Team Railroad Station.
Easter
Easter Day - Sunday, April 8, 2018, is one of the most significant holiday events among Christians around the world. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as written in the Christian Bible.
Restaurant Week
Singapore Restaurant Week, an annual exhibition of restaurants in Singapore, runs from March 19 to March 26, 2017 for the 13th time. For this festival, you can always reserve seats in the best restaurants in Singapore and taste almost all the most famous delicacies of Southeast Asia.
Singapore Fashion Festival
Singapore Fashion Festival, an annual two-week festival that aims to make Singapore the fashion capital of the Southeast Asia region. The festival hosts shows of collections of international and local designers, fashion shows, exhibitions and fashion-related events.
Annual Yacht Show
The Singapore Yacht Show takes place on Singapore's Sentosa Island from April 6-9, 2017. Visitors to the exhibition have the opportunity to get acquainted with current models of the finest yachts in the world, get to know international yacht brands and even purchase one of the yachts. Held at ONE ° 15 Marina Club, this exceptional festival embodies the luxury lifestyle by assembling world-class yachts, finished with the finest materials, and equipped with the finest equipment. The exhibition provides a first-class opportunity for regional guests to meet professional instructors, boat owners and a select group of invited participants.
Heritage Festival in Singapore
The Singapore Heritage Fest was initiated to teach more about Singapore's different cultures and traditions, cuisine, costume, music, art through a series of exhibitions, heritage tours, food fairs and cultural events. The festival is an annual event.
World Sevens Series rugby tournament
On April 15-16, 2017, the largest international rugby competition "2017 Singapore World Rugby Sevens Series" will be held at the National Stadium of Singapore. The tournament has been held since 1999 and attracts fans from many countries of the world as one of the fastest growing sports competitions - an exciting attraction of non-stop action, sporting feats and athleticism. The Singapore national rugby team, which debuted at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has never played at such a high level before. Singapore hosts the 7th World Rugby Championship Series, joining other host cities Vancouver, Sydney, Cape Town and Paris. The series began in Dubai in December 2015.
Singapore Nautical Week
For ten years now, Singapore's leading maritime festival, Singapore Maritime Week, hosted by the Port of Singapore Maritime Administration, has brought together thousands of attendees and visitors. The festival brings together the international maritime community for a week of conferences, professional dialogues, exhibitions and informal meetings, combined with a celebration of maritime traditions. The Maritime Association, industrial companies and research institutes and educational institutions, as well as cosmopolitan participants as festival participants, make Singapore the largest international maritime hub.
Vesak Day in Singapore
Folk Festival Vesak Day - Tuesday, May 29, 2018, the full moon of the fourth lunar month, is the most important annual event for the Buddhist community in Singapore. Vesak Day usually falls in the month of May and marks the birth, enlightenment and the final phase of Buddha's Nirvana.
Buddhist temples are colorfully decorated with Buddhist flags and lights, temples are decorated with flowers, fruits and other offerings. The Vesak Day Celebration is an event in the Closed Hall, open to the public during the celebration. Some of the most exciting events include a vegetarian food fair, public gatherings, and anthem singing. Acts of generosity known as dana are performed by Buddhist organizations and temples. Wesak Day entails holidays less luxurious than most other festivals in Singapore, but deserves special attention in terms of the development of internal culture.
Seasonal sales in Singapore
The Great Singapore Sale is one of the most popular and highly anticipated annual events taking place in Singapore during June and July. Singapore is turning into a sales hub and into a shopping extravaganza with retailers offering discounts up to 70% off the regular price.
Dragon Festival
Dragon Boat Festival, June 18, 2018, featuring Dragon Boat Races, which compete to showcase the abilities of local and international rowers. Competitive performances are held every June. This is also a great time to enjoy the traditional rice dumplings, a traditional festival dish also known as The Dumpling Festival.
Ballet under the stars
The annual Ballet under the Stars dance festival takes place in Singapore from March 16-19, 2017 at the Singapore Dance Theater, which was founded in 1988 and is the largest in Southeast Asia. The theater is represented by world-class dancers and has the widest repertoire for dance art. The theater organizes six performances each year, including performances by the entire ballet company at the Esplanade Theater. Ballet under the Stars at Fort Canning Park is a classic masterpiece in dance movement, presented by the best dancers on the best dance floor.
Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore
Hari Raya Puasa - June 24-25, 2017, commonly known as Eid Ul Fitr in Singapore, is a Hari Raya Puasa festival that is a major festival for Malay communities in Singapore and usually falls in September or October according to the calendar. Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of the month of Ramadan, the Islamic holy fast. The ancient Geylang Serai Street at the cultural center of the Malay Muslim community is well-lit and decorated with a festive mood. Also during this holiday, you can visit the colorful holiday bazaars and visit the many grocery stalls, shops that offer traditional Malay cuisine. Cultural events such as traditional Malay songs and dances are also part of the celebration. It is customary in families to celebrate the holiday in the most beautiful clothes. Also during the holiday, morning prayers are held in local mosques, which are mandatory for family visits with relatives and friends.
Singapore Food Festival
Singapore Food Festival, held annually in July. This Singapore Food Festival is a festive showcase for local food. Within the framework of the festival, carnivals, seminars, as well as joint events aimed at preparing and selling delicious food are held.
Gaming Industry Exhibition
Exhibition of the gaming industry "C3 Chara Expo" is held in Singapore during the summer and is dedicated to the latest products in the gaming market and their developers. Also, the exhibition focuses on Japanese manga, anime, games and cosplay fans. In addition to the weekend show, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. organizes the Forum "Game & Creative Contents Networking Asia", which takes place on the eve of the exhibition. This B2B networking event invites game content providers to the gaming and creative industries of Southeast Asia.
Festival of Hungry Ghosts
Hungry Ghosts Festival - Tuesday, September 5, 2017, Mid-Autumn Festival such as the Mooncake Festival and Lantern Festival, other Indian festivals, and Easter.
Art Festival in Singapore
Singapore Arts Festival, June 29 - September 6, 2017, is a popular national arts festival. The festival offers high quality free performances of theater, dance, music and visual arts, as well as public performances. In addition to local contributors, approximately 70% of the work is exhibited by international artists. The festival is usually held annually during May and June.
Singapore National Day
National Day of Singapore - Wednesday, August 9, 2017, also known as the National Day Parade, which celebrates Singapore's independence. This is one of the most anticipated annual events for Singaporeans, with National Day gathering around 25,000 spectators every year. Celebrations take place at Marina Bay and include pre-formal gala preparations followed by actual parades and ceremonies, including a popular presidential speech, which ends with a festive show and then spectacular fireworks. The atmosphere during this period is very tense, and most of the spectators are dressed in the colors of the national flag - red and white. You can also see the National Flag displayed on the facades of most residential buildings throughout the island. This is really beautiful.
Singapore Night Festival
Singapore Night Festival - a festival of illumination, dance and music will be held in August 2016. It is an annual cultural event in Singapore, held over two August nights in the space of Bras Basah Road and Bugis Street, and when the entire city under cover of darkness turns into a huge stage of street performances, live music, dance and art installations. The night extravaganza these days covers the entire city center from Armenian Street, which becomes pedestrianized throughout the festival, through Bras Basa Road, including the complexes and buildings of Raffles City, CHIJMES and Plaza Singapura, and to Bugis Street. The festival amazes spectators with laser projections on the buildings of the National Museum and the Museum of Art, as well as flying ships and pianos against the backdrop of the Singapore night sky. These interactive light installations have become an annual tradition that attracts large audiences.
Many cultural institutions and museums in Singapore do not close on these nights, but prepare special events and a cultural program. At this time, the streets are filled with informal festival participants: street performers, musicians, artists who demonstrate their art, live performances and acoustic performances to all passers-by. And, of course, the holiday is not complete without a traditional gastronomic part - a temporary street food court Hawker Food Alley is being formed, where you can taste any delicacies of local cuisine.
The Singapore Night Festival is a great chance to see tradition, culture and art in a whole new light.
Hari Raya Haji in Singapore
Hari Raya Haji - Friday, September 17, 2017, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Eid Al Raya Haji. Hari Raya Haji marks the end of the Hajji pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Hari Raya Haji according to the calendar usually falls in autumn or winter, and the celebrations are similar to the festival of Hari Raya Puasa.
Grand Prix of the Formula 1 series in Singapore
The Singapore Grand Prix 2016 is being held in Singapore for the eleventh time from 15-17 September 2017 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The lucky ones who happen to get on it will have a fantastic sight! The organizers of the event once again want to raise the bar so that this super-event will remain in the memory of participants and spectators forever. The auto race itself will be only a part of the grandiose action - the organizers are preparing about three hundred different performances, including with the participation of world stars! The Marina Bay Street Circuit, laid through the streets of the city, is the fastest of the city's circuits - on a lap, cars accelerate three times to a speed of about 290 km / h, while it is second after Monaco in the lowest average speed on a circle.
The Singapore track spins counterclockwise, as does Turkey and Brazil. It should be noted that a unique temporary fence is installed immediately before the races so as not to interfere with the residents of the city and numerous tourists. The main difference of this track is the uniform artificial lighting, in which night races are visible as during the day, but the light sources do not blind the racers. The total lighting power is over three million watts! Drive, unpredictability, special entertainment make the Singapore race truly unforgettable.
Sun Festival in Singapore
The Singapore Sun Festival takes place in the month of October. The Singapore Sun Festival is an integrated lifestyle event celebrating the “art of the good life” across seven key disciplines including music, film, visual arts, literature, cuisine, wine drinking and wellness.
Deepavali Lights Festival in Singapore
Deepavali, The Festival of Lights - Wednesday 18 October 2017 is the most important festival on the Hindu calendar and the most significant festival of the Indian community in Singapore. The Deepavali celebrations on the calendar usually fall in October or November, with celebrations starting in the coming weeks in the Indian ethnic quarter called Little India. Celebrating the triumph of good over evil or light over darkness, the streets of Little India are decorated with colored lights and traditional decorations.
Roadside shops sell terracotta lamps, flowers and other traditional decorative items. Shops offer a wide range of sweets to suit all tastes, from Indian sweets to souvenirs. People celebrate the Reunification Festival by visiting the homes of relatives, friends, exchanging candy, lighting houses with lamps, and visiting temples. There are a number of cultural holidays that are celebrated during this period. Since there is a ban on exploding fireworks in Singapore, most families get together to light sparklers at the end of the evening.
Christmas in Singapore
Christmas - Monday, December 25, 2017 is considered the most charming time of the year, and the festive spirit in Singapore is already being felt in the week before Christmas. The seventh week of the extravaganza is called "Christmas in the Tropics". At this time, the spirit of Christmas is celebrated, this happens every year from the end of November and continues until the very New Year. Singapore's famous Orchard Road and Marina Bay are being transformed during this period with festive lighting, holiday arches, and themed decoration sets.
During the holiday, you can get a variety of experiences: Christmas choir performances offered by professional musicians, watching local dancers; watch the “Parade of Floats”; the popular outdoor dance festival ZoukOut, which takes place on Sentosa Island (organized by one of Singapore's popular nightclubs); and many others. In addition to all the festive aura, shopping malls have specially designed shop windows and stunning decorations for Christmas. Many malls and shops offer special shopping discounts, even late at night. Families visit relatives and friends and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner.
Singapore International Film Festival
Singapore International Film Festival, the largest event in the Singapore film industry and one of the premiere film festivals in Asia. SIFF takes place annually in April. The festival screenings show more than two hundred international films of all genres, with a special focus on innovative Asian cinema. In addition to films, professional workshops, seminars and film exhibitions are held during the festival.
Festival M1
The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is a twelve-day annual festival of theater, arts, film, dance, visual arts and music created and organized in Singapore for international artists. It is usually held annually at the end of January. The festival is a focal point for attracting the best works of contemporary artists, an exhibition of cutting edge art and other works for Singapore's social audience.
Singapore is a burning pot of diverse and vibrant cultures: Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. The influx of foreigners over the past few years has given Singapore a cosmopolitan image and multi-cultural life in Singapore. Each of the ethnic communities maintains its own unique way of life, while harmonizing life with representatives of other cultures. Given the unique mix of cultures and peoples, Singapore has a very attractive calendar of events with holidays and celebrations all year round. Festivals range from religious celebrations to social and cultural celebrations and sporting events.
Below you can take a look at the list of popular holidays and festivals that take place in Singapore and mark in red on your calendar to visit the city during the celebration and feel the real culture performed by it.
Singapore Public Holidays Guide
Singapore celebrates festivals that are specific to each of the ethnic groups and their respective religions. In addition, some important anniversaries are celebrated throughout the island by all inhabitants. These significant religious holidays and important dates are declared as public holidays in Singapore. There are 10 annual holidays in Singapore:
- New Years Day;
- Chinese New Year;
- Good Friday;
- Labor Day;
- Vesak day;
- National Day of Singapore (National Day);
- Hari Raya Puasa;
- Deepavali Festival of Lights;
- Hari Raya Haji;
- Christmas (Christmas Day).
Popular religious festivals celebrated in Singapore 
New Year in Singapore
The year begins with celebrations, and each new year is heralded as a real holiday in Singapore. There are several places where New Year's greetings and party performances to the public take place. The most popular are the waterfront events at The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown and Siloso Beach Party in Sentos.
Most Singaporeans often visit these places, they come here to witness public performances and spectacular fireworks. Other popular activities can be seen along Orchard Road, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.
Chinese New Year in Singapore
Chinese New Year is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Singapore. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar, which is usually held between the last week of January and early February.
Preparation begins a couple of weeks before Chinese New Year and the city takes on a special holiday spirit during this period. Families celebrate this holiday by participating in the Reunion Festival, accompanying New Years with family visits to their relatives and friends, exchanging hongbao (red envelopes with cash gifts), donating small tangerine trees (symbolizing prosperity), and visiting temples.
The center of all activity is the brightly lit Chinatown, decorated with impressive decorations and Chinese lanterns that can be seen along the street. Most Chinese families gather in this ethnic quarter to enjoy its many sights and sounds, as well as sample traditional Chinese delicacies. Most shopping malls are decorated with traditional ornaments in auspicious colors of red and gold and offer attractive discounts and promotions.
The famous lion and dragon dances are held in Chinatown and along the Singapore River on either side of the quays. The Chinese New Year celebrations conclude on the 15th day of the new year, just like the Spring Lantern Festival.
Ten days after the Lantern Festival, it's time for a big parade in Singapore known as the Chingay Parade, a street and sea parade with performances ranging from acrobatics to traditional dancing.
Vesak Day in Singapore
Vesak Day, the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, is the most important annual event for the Buddhist community in Singapore. Vesak day usually falls on the month of May and marks the birth, enlightenment and the final phase of Buddha's Nirvana.
Buddhist temples are colorfully decorated with Buddhist flags and lights, temples are decorated with flowers, fruits and other offerings. The Vesak Day celebration is an event in a closed hall open to the public. Some of the more interesting experiences include: a vegetarian food fair, public gatherings, hymn singing, etc. Acts of generosity known as dana are performed by Buddhist organizations and temples. Vesak Day brings with it holidays less luxurious than most other festivals in Singapore.
Deepavali Festival of Lights in Singapore
The Deepavali or Festival of Lights is the most important festival in the Hindu calendar and the most significant festival of the Indian community in Singapore. The Deepavali celebration usually falls in October or November, with celebrations starting in the coming weeks in the Indian ethnic quarter called Little India. Celebrating the triumph of good over evil, or light over darkness, the streets of Little India are adorned with colored lights and traditional decorations. Roadside stalls sell terracotta lamps, flowers and other traditional decorative items. Shops offer a wide range of sweets to suit all tastes, from Indian sweets to souvenirs.
Families celebrate the Reunion Festival by visiting homes, family and friends, exchanging candy, lighting up their homes, and visiting temples. There are a number of cultural holidays that are celebrated during this period. Since there is a ban on bursting fireworks in Singapore, most families get together to light sparklers at the end of the evening.
Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore
Popularly known as Eid Ul Fitr in Singapore, the Hari Raya Puas festival is a major festival for Malay communities in Singapore and usually falls in the month of September or October.
Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of the month of Ramadan, the Islamic holy fast. The ancient Geylang Serai Street at the cultural center of the Malay Muslim community is well-lit and decorated with a festive mood. Also during this holiday, you can visit the colorful holiday bazaars and visit the many grocery stores that offer traditional Malay cuisine.
Cultural events such as traditional Malay songs and dances are also part of the celebration. Families celebrate them in their finest attire. Also at this time, meetings of early morning prayer are held in local mosques, family visits to relatives and friends.
Hari Raya Haji in Singapore
Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Eid Al Raya Haji, Hari Raya Haji marks the end of the Haji pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
Hari Raya Haji usually falls in the month of November or December, and the celebrations are similar to the Hari Raya Puasa festival.
Christmas in Singapore
Christmas is considered the most enchanting time of the year and the festive spirit in Singapore is already being felt in the week before Christmas. The seventh week of the extravaganza is called "Christmas in the Tropics". At this time, the spirit of Christmas is celebrated, this happens every year from the end of November and continues until the very New Year.
Singapore's famous Orchard Road and Marina Bay are being transformed during this period with festive lighting, holiday arches, and themed decoration sets.
During the key night in Singapore, you can enjoy a variety of entertainment along Orchard Road. During this period, the time of the festive season includes: the celebration of Christmas with themed events of the choral group, you are invited to listen to the performances of musicians, watch the performances of local dancers; you can watch the "Parade of Floats"; the popular outdoor dance festival ZoukOut, which takes place in Sentosa (organized by Zouk, one of Singapore's popular nightclubs); and many other events.
In addition to all the festive aura, shopping malls feature specially designed window displays and stunning decorations for Christmas. Many malls and shops offer special shopping deals, even late at night. Families visit relatives and friends and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner.
Other religious festivals in Singapore: Hungry Ghosts Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival such as the Mooncake Festival and Lantern Festival, other Indian festivals, and Easter, etc.
Social, cultural and sports festivals in Singapore
I am waiting for your letters and questions about Singapore to your email address [email protected] ... We will gladly advise you on the entire procedure for moving to Singapore and obtaining a work or business permit in the city-state.
If you like articles about Singapore on the blog, and you managed to become fans of this magnificent state, please support our blog by clicking on the icon under the article. I promise you even more interesting and informative articles about Singapore.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel and tell your friends in business about it.
Public Holidays in Singapore
Due to the amazing ethnic diversity in Singapore, the locals celebrate 11 holidays annually, which satisfy the canons of the four main religious groups (Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Christians). There are also general holidays that are not related to religion.
Some festivals last much longer than one day. Therefore, enterprises managed by certain ethnic groups may not operate during this period. Consider this so as not to ruin your trip. Official holidays in Singapore are set annually by the Department of Labor.
Many festivals and holidays depend on the lunar calendar, so the dates change from year to year.
List of Regular Public Holidays in Singapore:
New Years: always celebrated on January 1st;
... Chinese New Year (two days): dates may vary - read about Chinese New Year;
... Good Friday: Dates may vary;
... Labor Day: always celebrated on May 1st;
... Vesak Day: dates vary, but the holiday is always celebrated in May;
... Hari Raya Puasa: dates are selected depending on Ramadan - read about travel during Romadan;
... Independence Day: always celebrated on August 9;
... Hari Raya Haji: dates may vary;
... Deepavali (Diwali / Deepavali): dates may vary - read on how to choose dates for Deepavali;
... Christmas: always celebrated on December 25th.
Big festivals in Singapore
The worst scenario for a visit to Singupur is to leave a day or two before the celebration. You will have to endure crowds of people on the street and put up with soaring prices, but you will not be able to enjoy the festival.
The largest festivals that affect travel and accommodation in Singupur are: Christmas, Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Independence Day. There are also smaller celebrations, parades and processions that you can also participate in.
There is always something exciting going on in Singapore. Most of the holidays lead to crowds in the streets of an already bustling city. Uncontrolled tourist flows, especially during major holidays, affect the prices of accommodation.
Other festivals in Singapore
Singapore Sun Festival: a 10-day festival dedicated to art, music, drinking wine, watching movies and reading literature;
... Singapore Food Festival: The food festival lasts a month;
... Singapore Grand Prix: Formula 1 races in Singapore;
... Chingay Parade: massive street march and procession;
... Singapore Arts Festival: a month-long festival dedicated to art, dance, music and performance;
... ZoukOut Dance Festival: One of the largest music and dance festivals in Asia.
As a result, now this country is among the three richest in the world, and also regularly becomes the top of various official and not very ratings among the states with the highest standard of living. During the day, Singapore amazes with an abundance of greenery, amazing cleanliness and the fact that wherever you go, there will be fountains or some other sources of water. It's simple: Feng Shui reigns here. And according to this system of teaching, water is needed in order to have wealth!
Accordingly, in order to regularly receive sufficient profit, one must remember to follow the laws of Feng Shui. By the way, this sounds funny to someone, but the locals seriously believe that it was thanks to strict adherence to these laws that they achieved the prosperity that they now have.
How does this relate to holidays, fairs, festivals and other exciting events in Singapore? The most direct: it is impossible to figure out the exact atmosphere in which all these celebrations take place here, if you do not understand at least a little this amazing country, which baffles the whole world.
Catholic Christmas and New Year in Singapore
In general, Singapore is a fairly correct country for representatives of different nationalities and religions. Therefore, here they happily celebrate the New Year both according to the Gregorian calendar, that is, January 1, and according to the eastern or lunar calendar. Christmas can also be celebrated here both Catholic and Orthodox, although the first is still celebrated on a large scale. In general, events begin to take place somewhere from December 25 and continue until the first days of January. Moreover, during the day, Singapore resembles a beautiful and elegant, but very businesslike anthill: everyone is in a hurry about their business, in a hurry somewhere.
Even tourists are busy trying to catch all the sales that are arranged here. Moreover, New Year's and Christmas shopping in this city is considered very profitable. The fact is that due to the high incomes of the bulk of the population, there are enough boutiques from leading manufacturers of clothing, footwear, watches, and jewelry. Sometimes you can find even more fashionable things on some streets than on a comparable stretch of streets in Paris, where elite clothing stores are also located. And this, you see, says a lot.
But the residents of Singapore, along with their income, have acquired some capriciousness, and just not all things have time to sell for one season or another for one reason or another. And keeping them in warehouses for too long is expensive, especially here: remember that Singapore is a very small country. Consequently, any retail space is very expensive here. Therefore, it is profitable for boutiques to arrange a sale and drop prices on products very much, selling good things at a cost price or lower, and not send it all back by sea. In general, during the day shopping is an indispensable part of the holidays, people from all over the world come here specially for this purpose, it is something like an almost mandatory program for everyone.
But shopping and shopping again is not everything! During the day, you can get acquainted with the cuisine of Singapore, as well as Thai, Chinese and quality Indian. It is said that some Asian dishes are cooked better in this city-state than in India itself, China and so on. Not all vacationers can compare, but judging by the reviews, it is really very tasty and satisfying.
Moreover, there are especially a lot of noodles here, it is served both boiled and fried with all sorts of additives, often spicy, and such a dish is offered to tourists for a reason, but also with a special meaning. The fact is that noodles are a symbol of longevity, and rice beautifully decorated with spices and vegetables is a symbol of prosperity and wealth. For the holidays, whole pyramids are made from boiled rice or wrapped in leaves in cones. These figures and such a presentation also mean success.
During this holiday, you can get into culinary master classes or even sign up for short courses and learn how to cook the most popular or most famous Singaporean dishes among tourists. For example, Hok-en-pro-mei - fried noodles with shrimps, it is also considered a kind of leader. It is prepared by various venerable chefs, in general, a truly amazing dish.
But if we still move away from the topic of food, then it is worth noting that for all these activities, the evening comes quite quickly. And Singapore, especially on holidays, is literally transforming. For example, a huge number of lights appear here: literally everything that is possible is highlighted. Eyes run up from neon signs, of course, congratulations on Christmas, and then Happy New Year, in some places congratulations on both holidays at once, which slightly reminds of Russia ...
There is just an incredible number of garlands, the Christmas trees, of course, are also decorated with iridescent toys and inscriptions, everything is beautiful and looks surprisingly harmonious. However, Singapore is built in the same style, or rather, according to the same Feng Shui requirements, so it is not surprising that they decorate everything for the holiday according to the same canon. At night, or rather, late at night on holidays, Merlion has a very cool laser show. In general, such performances here cannot be called a rarity at all, but on New Years and Christmas they are somehow surprisingly impressive. It can be seen that they are trying to prepare in advance. And, of course, fireworks, they are launched from ships standing in the bay, and from different sides, the performance lasts at least half an hour, very beautiful and very impressive.
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year
The Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year is celebrated no less magnificently in Singapore. And many believe that it is even more solemn, but it is somewhat inappropriate to compare here. And the difference is primarily seen more in the approach than in the design. The Chinese New Year is a huge number of all kinds of symbolism, it is the appropriate cuisine and dishes, they begin to be served on the table the day before. The city is literally all adorned with sky lanterns, red ribbons with hieroglyphs that wish happiness and prosperity.
There are some similarities with the celebration of the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. And here and there everything ends with a laser show, as well as fireworks. But this is perhaps where the similarities end. Firstly, in addition to traditional festive festivities during this celebration, the local population must visit Buddhist temples, pray, and ask for good luck next year. Secondly, it should be said that with different programs and shows they never repeat themselves here, every time they come up with something different.
And, finally, the Eastern New Year is surrounded by a lot of rituals, ceremonies and symbols. For example, when laying the festive table, the chefs will do everything in view of the patron saint of the next year. Let's say that the calf is "responsible" for him, then, of course, they will never serve veal or beef. Of course, if you want to spend this day with a European approach, then this can also be arranged without problems. But in general, finding establishments oriented towards the West is quite difficult at this time. Especially free, you need to book tables and negotiate home service with the chefs in advance, since everything good is in great demand these days.
Independence Day or Singapore Day
Although this does not correspond to the chronology, the residents themselves call this holiday the second most important after the New Year. On this day, many solemn official events take place, the head of government's address to the people is broadcasted on big screens, usually some promises are made for the next year, and a program for improving life is told. Moreover, unlike the CIS countries, these promises are usually kept. And they have nothing to do with the elections, that is, politicians here simply talk about their plans, and then proceed to implement them.
In addition, a very lavish parade is held on August 9, which underlines the independence of Singapore. There is something demonstrative in this, on the other hand, this is not surprising, given that the former colony became completely free from Great Britain only in the twentieth century. And today there are still those who remember the time when Singapore did not have this very independence. In short, such events have their own meaning, it is hard to deny.
It ends closer to the evening with a very colorful show lasting 45 minutes, and then a stunning fireworks display. Moreover, he may well compete with New Year's in terms of entertainment. Also: in every large hotel or in entertainment complexes, fairly well-known artists, famous singers perform, and both local and world stars are invited. On the streets are people in white and red robes, these are the national colors, as well as the colors of the flag. Such a large number of unusually dressed girls, guys, men and women resembles most of all some kind of spontaneous flash mob.
It is worth noting that before this day there is another holiday, which, as it were, precedes and prepares for Independence Day. One could say that this is just a lucky coincidence if it were not for Singapore. There is no place for accidents here, everything is very carefully thought out and calculated by the authorities. This is the Heritage Festival.
Heritage Festival in Singapore
As already stated, Singapore takes different heritage very seriously. This is a multinational country, which owes much of its prosperity not Feng Shui, although, of course, there may be any opinions on this matter, but the friendly work of representatives of different nationalities on wealth and prosperity. As a result, it was possible to achieve simply amazing results that can be observed today. And the Singapore authorities remember this, and also urge citizens not to forget about it. As a result, every year in July, such a festival is held, within which each more or less large ethnic group can talk about their traditions, preserved culture, history, and so on.
For example, in Singapore there is a small India, the so-called Indian neighborhoods. And here you can try chicken with curry in a spicy and not very variant, fish and lamb, and, if you believe the reviews of travelers, at least in much better quality than in the UK, and Indian cuisine has become incredibly popular there in recent years. That is, it says something.
There are enough Japanese in Singapore, and in general there are a lot of representatives of various Asian countries. But most of all, of course, are the Chinese. However, in recent years, immigrants from Thailand are trying to catch up with them in number, which, by the way, is noticeable in the increased number of Thai restaurants, shops, cosmetics and other things.
So, the heritage festival is designed to remind everyone of the importance of preserving all this cultural diversity, wealth, preserving with mutual assistance to each other and respecting each other's borders. It has become something of a Singaporean policy, and such a colorful, vibrant event that gets a lot of coverage on local TV channels is a great way to remind you why this is important. But, at the same time, it is presented in such a form that many people like. And who will be against another holiday?
Singapore Food Festival
A bright and rather unusual event takes place in the first half of June. The beginning was laid in 1994, since then this event has grown, expanded its format. Its main goal is to acquaint the participants with wonderful Asian food, and the term "Asian" in this case should be understood as broadly as possible, since you can find literally everything here, from Indian to Japanese. But, of course, the focus is on the finest Singaporean dishes with their own unique flair. And, by the way, not only dishes, but also excellent drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. In general, there is something to see.