Festivals and Celebrations in Singapore
A year-round calendar of cultural, religious and civic festivals turns the whole city into a stage.
Singapore's calendar is punctuated by festivals that reflect its four main communities and its love of a good celebration. Many are religious or cultural in origin, but they are enjoyed across the whole population, and the city's streets and neighbourhoods transform with each one.
Chinese New Year
The most prominent festival for the Chinese-majority population fills Chinatown with lights, markets and lion dances. Families reunite for meals, exchange red packets (hongbao), and toss the raw-fish salad known as yusheng for prosperity.
Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji
The Malay-Muslim community marks the end of Ramadan with Hari Raya Puasa, a joyful festival of family visits, new clothes and feasting; the Geylang Serai bazaar is a highlight. Hari Raya Haji later in the year commemorates sacrifice and pilgrimage.
Deepavali
The Hindu festival of lights sees Little India illuminated with dazzling decorations, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness with prayers, sweets and festivities.
Civic and cultural events
- National Day (9 August) — the National Day Parade, an address to the nation and fireworks
- Thaipusam — a Hindu procession of devotion through the streets
- The Mid-Autumn (Lantern) Festival — mooncakes and lantern displays
- Christmas — Orchard Road's famous light-up draws huge crowds
Add a busy programme of arts, food and music festivals, and there is almost always something happening — one of the pleasures of living in or visiting the city.
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