Group 7
Alif Hamman Akzerino 031118006
Suci Rania Shafa 031118008
Abdul Muslim Djibril 031118026
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN SINGAPORE
Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, with Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups comprising its
sociocultural fabric. The influx of foreigners in recent times has lent a cosmopolitan image and
Singapore’s lifestyle is multi-cultural. Each of the ethnic communities maintain their unique way of life
and at the same time live harmoniously. Given this unique blend of cultures and people, Singapore’s
event calendar is marked with holidays and celebrations all year round. Festivals range from religious
celebrations, socio-cultural festivities and sports events.
Outlined below is a glimpse of the popular holidays and festivals celebrated in Singapore.
1. New Years Day
2. Chinese New Year
3. Good Friday
4. Labour Day
5. Vesak day
6. National Day
7. Hari Raya Puasa
8. Deepavali
9. Hari Raya Haji
10. Christmas Day
New Year's Day (1 January 2020)
The year begins with festivities and every New Year heralds celebrations in Singapore. There are several
venues that hold New Year’s Eve Countdown Parties for the public. The most popular waterfront events
are ‘The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown’ and ‘Siloso Beach Party’ at Sentosa. Most of the
Singaporeans frequent either of these locations to enjoy the public performances and witness the
impressive fireworks display. Other popular party spots can be found along Orchard Road, Boat Quay
and Clarke Quay.
Chinese New Year (25 - 26 January 2020)
Chinese New Year is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Singapore. The festival begins on the
first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar, which usually falls between the last week of
January and early February. Preparations begin weeks ahead of the Chinese New Year and the city wears
a festive spirit during this period. Families celebrate by partaking in reunion feasts, making new year
visits to the homes of family and friends, exchanging hongbao (red envelopes with monetary gifts),
gifting tiny Mandarin trees (symbolises prosperity) and visiting the temple.
The hub of all activity is a brightly lit Chinatown, with spectacular overarching decorations and Chinese
lanterns lining its streets. Most Chinese families assemble in this ethnic quarter to enjoy its myriad sights
and sounds and savour traditional Chinese goodies. Most shopping malls are decorated with traditional
ornaments in the auspicious colours of red and gold and offer attractive discounts and promotions.
Vesak Day (7 May 2020)
Vesak Day, the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, is the most important annual event for the
Buddhist community in Singapore. Vesak Day usually falls in the month of May and commemorates the
birth, enlightenment and final nirvana of the Buddha. Buddhist temples are colourfully decorated with
Buddhist flags and lights and shrines are adorned with flowers, fruits and other offerings. Vesak Day
celebrations are closed hall events open to members of the public.
Deepavali (14 November 2020)
Deepavali or the Festival of Lights is the most important festival in the Hindu calendar and the most
significant festival for the Indian community in Singapore. Deepavali usually falls in the month of
October or November and celebrations begin weeks ahead in the Indian ethnic quarter of Little India.
Signifying the triumph of good over evil or light over darkness, the streets of Little India sport colourful
lights and traditional overarching decorations. Roadside stalls sell terracotta lamps, flowers and other
traditional decorative items. Sweetmeat shops offer a wide array of mouth-watering traditional Indian
sweets and savouries.
Hari Raya Puasa (24 May 2020)
Commonly known as Eid Ul Fitr world over, Hari Raya Puasa is a major festival for the Malay community
in Singapore and usually falls in the month of September or October. Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Geylang Serai, the cultural heart of the Malay/Muslim
community is well lit and decorated, and a festive mood prevails. There are colourful festive bazaars and
numerous food stalls offering traditional Malay fare. Cultural performances like traditional Malay song
and dance also form part of the celebrations. Families celebrate by wearing their finest clothes,
attending early morning prayer meetings at local mosques, visiting family and friends and partaking in a
thanksgiving feast.
Hari Raya Haji (1 July 2020)
Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Eid Al Adha, Hari Raya Haji marks the end of the Haj pilgrimage to
the holy city of Mecca. Hari Raya Haji usually falls in the month of November or December and festivities
are similar to those of Hari Raya Puasa.
Christmas (25 December 2020)
Christmas is considered the most enchanting time of the year and the holiday spirit sets in weeks ahead
of Christmas Day. Titled ‘Christmas in the Tropics’, a seven week extravaganza that celebrates the spirit
of Christmas unfolds every year from the end of November and continues until the ringing in of the New
Year. Famed for its Christmas Light-Up, Orchard Road and Marina Bay are transformed during this
period, by festive street lighting, glorious celebratory arches, brilliant water features and picture-perfect
themed sets. Key night time entertainment along Orchard Road during the festive season includes:
Christmas-themed activities by choral groups, musicians, dancers; ‘Parade of Floats’; the popular
‘ZoukOut’ outdoor dance festival on Sentosa (organised by ‘The Zouk’, one of Singapore’s popular
nightclubs); and many other events.
Socio-cultural and Sports Festivals
1. National Day – Singapore’s National Day falls on August 9th and the National Day Parade (NDP)
is a commemoration of Singapore’s Independence. One of Singapore’s much anticipated annual
events, the NDP witnesses close to 25,000 spectators every year. Held at the Marina Bay, the
celebrations include pre-parade light-hearted filler events, followed by the actual parade and
ceremonies including the popular Presidential Gun Salute and culminates into a Grand Finale
which is a 45 minute show segment, followed by an impressive fireworks display.
2. Singapore Heritage Fest – This festival is an initiative to get to know more about the various
cultures in Singapore and their traditions, food, costumes, music, art etc. through a series of
exhibitions, heritage tours, culinary events and cultural performances. This is an annual event
held in the month of July.
3. Singapore Food Festival – Held annually in July, the Singapore Food Festival is a celebration of
local food. Festival highlights include, food carnivals, trails, workshops, as well as joint
food-oriented promotions.
4. The Great Singapore Sale – One of the most popular and much awaited annual events, held
every June – July, the Great Singapore Sale is an absolute shopping extravaganza with retailers
providing discounts of up to 70% off the usual prices island wide.
5. Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF)- The largest film event in Singapore and one of
Asia’s premier film festivals, the SIFF is held in April every year. The Festival screens over 200
international films of all genres, with a focus on ground-breaking Asian cinema. Apart from film
screenings, the festival also features workshops, seminars and exhibitions on film-making.
6. Singapore International Arts Festival – An island-wide national celebration of the arts, the
Festival offers high quality, free and ticketed outdoor performances in theatre arts, dance, music
and visual art. Besides local participants, approximately 70% of the events are put up by
international artists. It is usually held in the months of May – June.
7. Singapore Fashion Festival -The annual two-week long festival, held between March-April,
aims to make Singapore the fashion capital of the Southeast Asian region. The Festival highlights
include showcasing international and local designers’ collections, fashion shows, exhibitions and
related fashion fringe events.
8. M1 Singapore Fringe Festival – This is a 12-day annual festival of theatre, performing arts,
film, dance, visual art, mixed media, music and forum, created and presented by both
Singaporean and international artists. Held around the end of January, the festival centres
around a different theme each year and it aims to bring the best of contemporary, cutting-edge
and socially engaged works to the Singapore audience.
9. Dragon Boat Festival– The highlight of this festival are the dragon boat races which take place
annually every June and features both local and international rowers. This is also a great time to
enjoy traditional rice dumplings and the festival is also known as ‘The Dumpling Festival’.
Resource : https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/public-holidays
https://www.guidemesingapore.com/business-guides/immigration/get-to-know-singapore/si
ngapore-holidays-and-festivals-guide
