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A country as multicultural as Singapore is bound to have festivals aplenty. And they all make for great experiences or times of the year to visit the country, for different reasons. You would do well to plan a tour around some of the festivals in Singapore, to make it a trip to remember.
Religious festivals in Singapore are celebrations of and by the many communities that are now a permanent part of the country’s cultural fabric. Perhaps the biggest is Chinese New Year in January, which seems to just prolong the turn of the year celebrations. It is fourteen days of colour, community and the coming of the spring, marked by street performances including lion and dragon dances, fireworks and drums. This is also a great time for shopping, with great deals and discounts a customary of the season.
Also, during January and March is Pongal, a South Indian festival spring festival. Visit the Pongal festival village in Campbell Lane and immerse yourself in the traditions and come out with a souvenir or two. The two-day Thaipusam is another of the festivals in Singapore of the Indian culture. The chariot procession is a sight to behold!
Hari Raya Puasa is Singapore’s Eid celebration, after the month-long Ramadan fasts. Arab Street and the Sultan Mosque area come alive in colour, delicious food at every corner and thrills and trinkets to fill up your bags.
Christmas is another of the big festivals in Singapore with Orchard Road dressed up in its winter-wonderland-best. You can even take an open-top bus ride to passively soak it all in.
In November, Diwali turns Little India into a lit-up paradise, full of experiences like eating traditional sweets, applying henna, lighting ‘diyas’ and more.
Some of the other important occasions and celebrations in Singapore include the Lantern Festival, an autumn instance that commemorates the legend of Chang Er, the moon lady. You’ll get to eat mooncakes, see traditional dances and revel under the endless rows of lanterns in all sizes and patterns.
The Singapore River Festival is inspired by river and is rather folksy. While the International Festival of Arts and Food Festival are great topical events that bring about a coming together of people, talent and collaboration. September’s Grand Prix is almost like a festival, with the buzz and involvement of the entire city.
