10 Best Festivals in Singapore

1. Pongal

Pongal is a four-day period festival, which is celebrated widely in Southern India. The Indians in Singapore also celebrate it with grandeur at the beginning of the auspicious month of Thai. This festival is celebrated as a thank you to the sun god, Surya, for the harvest and the riches of life. During Pongal, Little India is lit up with various events and competitions. People also exchanged gifts and wear new clothes during this festival in Singapore.

When: Pongal is celebrated in the month of January every year.

2. Chinese New Year

The first day of Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in Singapore, falls on the new moon day. The Lunar New Year (as it is also called) is of great significance to the Chinese who clean their homes to get rid of bad or ill fortune and make way for good luck. The celebration of this grand festival in Singapore continues for 14 days starting on the eve of the New Year. During this time, the Chinese locals visit their families and decorate their homes with red and gold colors. They also exchange gifts and give kids Hong Bao (red envelopes). Lion and dragon dances were performed as a part of the celebration.

When: Chinese New Year is celebrated in the month of February every year.

3. Thaipusam

Thai is a month in the Tamil calendar, and Pusam is the name of a star. During the month of Thai, the Pusam star is at its highest point in the sky. Thus, the Thaipusam festival is celebrated during the full moon day. In Singapore, The celebration continues for two days, the eve of the day, and the day itself. It’s a festival for the devotees to fulfill their vows. Some devotees carry spiked Kavadis (altars) that pierce through their torso while other devotees carry pots of milk that are later poured over the Vel (a divine javelin).

When: Thaipusam is celebrated in the month of January every year.

4. Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival or the spring lantern festival is one of the most popular festivals in Singapore. It marks the last day of the celebration of the Chinese New Year (15th day). During this day, the kids carry paper lanterns outside, light them up, and release it into the sky. Some paper lanterns are simple and traditional whereas some are of different shapes and sizes. Some even have quizzes on them for the kids to solve. It’s a magnificent sight to see several lanterns light up the night sky.

When: Lantern Festival is celebrated in the month of February every year.

5. Vesak Day

Vesak Day is celebrated all over the world by followers of Buddhism. It marks the enlightenment and death of Buddha. During this festival in Singapore, devotees are often found meditating and doing a significant amount of charity work. This day also allows people to self-reflect. Vesak day falls on the full moon during the month of Vesak.

When: Vesak day is celebrated in the month of May every year.

6. Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival (also known as Duanwu Festival) or the Zhongxao Festival is a cultural festival in China that originated thousands of years ago. The festival is also called the Double Fifth Festival as it falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar. During this festival, dragon boats compete in races all over the world where Chinese communities are present, including Singapore. The boats compete at the Bedok Reservoir. People consume rice dumplings (zhongzi) and realgar wines during this day.

When: Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated in the month of June every year.

7. Hari Raya Puasa

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Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan – the month of fasting by the Muslims. Hari Raya Puasa means ‘The day of Celebration’. During this festival in Singapore, people visit the mosques and then the graves (to greet any family that passed away). They celebrate by wearing new clothes and visiting their families along with reciting takbir in mosques in the evening. Oil lamps are also lit up. The festival symbolizes the purification and renewal of an individual.

When: Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated in the month of May every year.

8. Singapore National Day

The National Day of Singapore is one of the favorite festivals in Singapore. The day is celebrated by holding a parade, followed by choreographed dances and much more. Every Singaporean takes pride in their country, people, and their harmony.

When: Singapore National Day is celebrated in the month of August every year.

9. Deepavali ( Diwali )

Deepavali or Diwali marks the day Lord Rama returned to his kingdom. It signifies the victory of the good over the bad. During this day, Little India is lit up with lights and the skies are filled with dazzling fireworks in night. People wear new clothes and greet each other. Before the day, some families clean their houses and make new purchases.

When: Diwali is celebrated in the month of November every year.

10. Singapore Night Festival

Singapore Night Festival brings out the best of the city with its heritage sites adorned with colorful lights. The Night Festival takes place on two weekends every August. Bras Basah Bugis is an art enclave in Singapore’s civic center that comes to life during the Night Festival. Watch international artists performing their original works on the streets. Some areas become only pedestrian areas to allow the festival to take place. The SNF (Singapore Night Festival) has a different theme every year, according to which the artists are chosen and decorations are selected. It’s an event not to miss if you’re in the city during August.

When: Singapore Night Festival is celebrated in the month of August every year.