Calender of Singapore festivals
Planning your trip around Singapore festivals and cultural events might be a good idea if you want to have a glimpse of the asian cultures or join the fun during the activity periods.
Singapore is home to many ethnic communities, festivals and cultural events are therefore common all year round.
Most of these have no fixed dates but change annually according to the lunar calender. The timing listed below are rough timings. For specific dates each year, it's good to check with the Singapore Tourist Centres or call the touristline :
1800-736-2000 (toll-free in Singapore)
(65) 6736-2000 ( Overseas )
  
January & February
Hari Raya Haji - (public holiday)
Usually in January but some years it may fall on December. The Hari Raya Haji is Muslim's holy day commemorating the annual pilgrimage to mecca. Amimals are ritually slaughtered and given to the poor at mosques.
Ponggal
A harvest celebration by southern Indians. Usually held at the Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road.
Chinese New Year - 2 days of public holildays
A very important event for the ethnic Chinese in Singapore. Families will hold open house for friends and relatives. Ang Pows (red packets with money) will be given to children by the married and mandarin oranges will be exchanged.
Chinese New Year is celebrated with lion and dragon dances and Chinatown will be lid up. Night market stalls will be set up and you can
have a feel of the rowdy atmostphere around china town and Singapore river with it's many variety shows and fireworks.
Contrary to the popular belief that this is a good time to visit Singapore, it is actually not! Avoid being in Singapore on the first and second day of Chinese New Year as most shops will be closed and even the busiest places would become a near ghost town (except for main tourist attractions). Taxis will be difficult to find, therefore, public transport remains the most reliable mode of transport during these two days.
Chingay
Singapore's biggest street and floats parade occurs on the 22nd day after Chinese New Year.
This is a multicultural event held along Orchard Road featuring lion dancers, floats and cultural performers.
Singapore Fringe Festival
An exciting annual Arts and dance event held in early February.
Thaipusam
Held between late January and mid-February. Thaipusam is the most dramatic Hindu cultural events where Hindus march in a procession along Serangoon Road carrying Kavadis (heavy decorated metal frames). It is quite a gory sight when devotees pierced themselves with sharp metal skewers or walk on sandals of nails. Not for the faint hearted and definitely not suitable for young children.
Singapore festivals - continues.......
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