Festivals and cultural events in Singapore --- part 2
March & April
Good Friday - A public holiday where the Christian and Catholic communities commemorate the suffering and death of Christ
Singapore International Comedy Festival - An annual event with Nightly performance of cabaret and comedy theatre from both local and overseas acts.
Qing Ming - This is a chinese cultural event that usually fall on 4 or 5 April. The families of the decease would visit the tombs of their ancestors, offer up prayer and pay their respect.
World Gourmet Summit
A 2-week gourmet event from mid April where top local and international chefs meet.
Singapore International Film Festival.
Usually take place in the last 2 weeks of April. Check website for venues.
May & June
Vesak Day - Public holiday
A buddhist event celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Visit Sakaya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple in Little India to have a peek of their ceremony
Great Singapore Sale
This is the best time to go shopping :) You can get huge discount as high as 50-80% during this one month sale period starting from the end of May to the beginning of July.
Dragon Boat Festivals
It commemorates the death of a Chinese saint who drowned himself as a protest against the corrupted government during his time. It is held between late May and late June with dragon boat races at East Coast Park.
Singapore Arts Fest
World class programme of art, dance, drama and music through the month of June.
July & August
Singapore Food Festival
This event features different food events at different venues. Check the local newspapers for details.
Singapore National Day - public holiday
Singapore National Day is on 9 August marking Singapore's independence since 1965. It is celebrated with a series of military and civilian processions and firework display at the National Stadium.
Get a ticket to the parade if you have never been to one before.
WOMAD - WOMAD stand for World Of Music, Arts and Dance. Check website for details.
Hungry Ghosts Festival
This Chinese festival is usually happens sometimes in August (or the 7th month in the lunar calendar). The Chinese believes that the souls of the dead will be released from hell for a month of feasting and entertainment on earth. YOu will see many people burning paper money (symbolises giving money to the spirits so that they will not disturb the living) and burning joss sticks and sticking along the road sides in the heartland areas. Stages performances will also be held at some places usually at HDB estates.
September & October
Moon-Cake Festival
Moon Cake festival is also know as Mid-Autumn Festival where friends and relatives gather around to eat moon cake while 'admiring' the moon (which is usually at it's fullest). The children will have a good time carrying lanterns in their neighbourhood after dark.
A good place to visit during this festival is the Chinese Garden (5 mins walk from the Chinese Garden MRT station) where many activities will be held there.
Click here to learn about the Moon Legends
ArtSingapore
A fair of contemporary Southeast Asian Art in late September.
Pilgrimage to Kusu Island
A cultural event for Taoists. They will make a pilgrimage to the shrine on Kusu island (one of the smaller Singapore islands) during the month of October.
Deepavali - Public holiday
A Hindu event also called the 'Festival of Lights'. Tiny oil lamps are lid outside Hindu homes and temples. Best place to enjoy is Little India where it is ablaze with lights during the month of October.
Thimithi or Fire Walking ceremony
This event is usually held in late October. Visit Sri Mariamman Temple to see how the Hindu devotees prove their faith by walking on glowing coals.
November & December
Singapore Buskers Festival
This takes place in November along Orchard Road, Marina Square and the Singapore River. You will see largest showcase of street performing talents from acrobats, artists, magicians, juggliers and many others. A good free entertainment for the family.
Hari Raya Puasa
A major Muslim event connected with Ramadan. The muslim will fast from sunrise to sunset and break fast in the evening when many food stalls are set up in Arab St district, Kampong Glam, Geylang Serai area. Hari Raya Pusa marks the end of the month-long fast with 3 days of celebration.
Christmas - public holiday
Best place to visit is Orchard Road and Scotts Road where the roads, trees and shopfronts are done up with the most extravagant lightings and decorations.
Apart from these special festivals and cultural events, you will also experience a different dimension of each ethnic group culture & custom, if you had a chance to live and work in Singapore.
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