January Festivals
Chinese New Year: sees the large Chinese community hit the streets for a noisy and colourful display which includes dancing dragons, fireworks and firecrackers, markets, exchanging of gifts and goodwill among communities. Chinatown (Eu Tong Sen street) is the best place to join in.
February Festivals
Thaipusam: is an auspicious and dramatic Hindu festival honouring Lord Subramaniam with an intruding street procession from Srimivassa Temple.
May Festivals
Dragon Boat Festival: takes place in Marina Bay with teams in ornately decorated traditional long boats, as a commemoration in honour of a Chinese saint who drowned himself to protest against government corruption.
June Festivals
Singapore Arts Festival: occurs as a biennial event (even numbered years) and features a wide programme of international acts and culture including art, drama and dance, stretching over several weeks.
The Great Singapore Sale: for which Singapore is famous, especially given its reputation for cheap electronic goods and gadgets. Many visitors come especially for the sale and make enough savings to cover the airfare! Orchard road is the epicentre of massive reductions and annual sales from local retailers.
October Festivals
Nivarathri: engages the large Tamil community in a traditional and intriguing festival of ‘Nine Nights’ to honour the wives of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It’s a good opportunity to witness the colourful dresses of young maidens dressed up as Goddess Kali at Sri Mariamman temple.
December Festivals
Christmas and New Year: are two perennially popular Christian festivals that were introduced by the British colonials and taken upon with gusto by the locals - particularly the gift exchanges and partying. All across the city, the spirit of Christmas and New Year is evident along the waterfront, and one of the popular quayside areas turns into one big party.
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