12 Famous Festival of Singapore You Must Experience In 2024

Singapore is a beautiful city-state where different cultures meet and cohabit in harmony. This cohabitation reflects the harmonious inter-faith celebration of cultural, religious, culinary and sports festivals. It has four official languages: Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English. Four significant ethnic communities are Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian.

You can feel the warmth and welcome of the peace-loving people of Singapore, which reflects in their respect for all religions, cultures, and humans. Therefore, you should plan a visit to experience the festivals of Singapore and explore beautiful cultural harmony with an outstanding display of art and crafts.

List of 12 Festivals in Singapore | Displays its Strong Multi-ethnic Cultural Harmony

Singapore is known for grand shopping malls, colonial buildings, historically famous marts, high rises, and nightlife. Its wealth and glamour have been famous for decades. But the real treat is its multi-ethnic cultural harmony during religious and cultural festivals of different communities, including Chinese, Malay, Tamils, Buddhists and others.

We have shortlisted and sharing here the comprehensive list of festivals in Singapore that can add a lot more fun and create memories for your next vacation to Singapore. Check out dates, things to expect, and locations to take an informed decision.

• Singapore International Festival of Arts | An Annual Festival of Arts
• Hari Raya | A Day of Celebration in Islam
• Chinese New Year | Welcoming New and Good Beginnings
• Thaipusam | A Day of Lord Murugan
• Dragon Boat Festival | Display of Teamwork and Athleticism
• Singapore Food Festival | A Treat for All
• Hungry Ghost Festival | Honouring Ancestors and Deceased
• Mid-Autumn Festival | Celebration of Autumn Harvest
• Singapore River Festival | A Month-Long Celebration
• Singapore Night Festival | A Cultural and Contemporary Extravaganza
• Vesak Day | Life and Teachings of Lord Buddha
• The National Day Festival | A Day to Celebrate Singaporean Harmony

Singapore International Festival of Arts | An Annual Festival of Arts

SIFA is the renowned and globally acknowledged annual arts festival in Singapore. Arts House Limited organises this festival of arts for the National Arts Council. The festival includes various arts, including music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. It started in 1977 as the Singapore Arts Festival and was held twice a year until 1999. The Singapore International Festival of Arts was renamed in 2012 and became the annual month-long event.

• When: 19th May to 4th June 2023
• Location: Arts House Limited
• What to Expect: Guiding title for SIFA 2022-24 is ‘The Anatomy of Performance’ and will feature performances in three curated tracks (CREATION, Life Profusion, and SIFA X)

Hari Raya Puasa | A Day of Celebration in Islam

Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidilfitri denotes the conclusion of the month-long fasting of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Muslim populations in Singapore and worldwide celebrate the first day of the Syawal calendar (the 10th month of the Hijrah calendar) with much fanfare. Hari Raya means Celebration Day in Malay, and Puasa refers to Fasting.

• When: 22nd April 2023
• Location: Across Singapore
• What to expect: Morning prayers in large congregations, family and friends’ visits, donations, feastings, decorations and celebrations

Chinese New Year | Welcoming New and Good Beginnings

Chinese Singaporeans constitute over 75% of the Citizens of Singapore. Therefore, you can see a grand celebration of Chinese New Year across Singapore. It is an annual event and the most important festival in Singapore for the Chinese community.

The event honours familial ancestors and traditional deities. Visit Singapore to experience this vibrant and colourful festival to make memories of a lifetime.

• When: The Year of Rabbit 2023 started on 22nd January
• Location: Across Singapore and the Chinese Communities in the World
• What to expect: Visiting family and friends clad in bright red clothing, Hong hao (packet made of scarlet paper filled with money) for kids and younger relatives, decoration of homes and public places and feasting with loved ones

Thaipusam | A Day of Lord Murugan

Tamil festivals Thaipusam and Pongal are popular religious festivals in Singapore because of the significant Tamil population in the City-State. They are around 2 lakhs and organise grand celebrations of their festivals.

Thaipusam, a festival of prayers and penance, is dedicated to Lord Murugan, also referred to as Lord Subramaniam. It is a significant religious festival for Tamil Hindus in Singapore and worldwide, wherever they reside.

According to ‘Skanda Purana’ on the day of Thaipusam, Lord Subramaniam, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, came on his Vahan peacock and appeared before his devotees.

• When: 5th February 2023
• Location/Route: Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
• What to expect: Foot procession, music and celebration along the route, and kavadis

Dragon Boat Festival | Display of Teamwork and Athleticism

Visit Singapore to experience the adrenaline rush at Dragon Boat Festival and savour on mouth-watering delicacies. The tradition of this festival in Singapore goes back to the Warring States Era of China.

The two significant elements of the festival are dumplings and dragon boat races.

• When: 22nd June 2023
• Location: Bedok Reservoir
• What to expect: An exciting festival where 22-member crews compete against each other. Drumbeats and people feast on dumplings and rice.

Singapore Food Festival | A Treat for All

A bonanza for foodies, Singapore Food Festival, is the experience of a lifetime. The annual culinary event combines several kitchens, organises a huge food fiesta and offers native and

international cuisines. It’s a sheer delight for your tastebuds. Plan your journey now for the 2023 edition. It was started in 1994 and organised by Singapore Tourism Board annually.

• When: August/September 2023
• Location: Multiple Locations, including Clifford Square, Chinatown Food Square and more
• What to expect: Food-related events STREAM, One Farrer’s Food Street and cooking lessons

Also read about more: Top 15 Tourist Attractions Of Singapore That Will Leave Lasting Memories

Hungry Ghost Festival | Honouring Ancestors and Deceased

It’s a Chinese festival similar to Halloween for Christians to honour the departed souls in hell and heaven. This festival in Singapore is also called the Yulanpen Festival in Buddhism and Zhongyuan Festival in Taoism.

People offer food and drinks to spirits believed to be wandering on the day of the festival. Food items for offering generally include oranges, rice, suckling pigs, joss sticks on proper alters, and more.

• When: 30th August 2023
• Location: Across Chinese Singaporean Localities
• What to expect: Chanting scriptures and worship of ancestors, offering food and drinks, erecting tents in open fields with arrangements for the entertainment of spirits, burning joss paper, and more.

Mid-Autumn Festival | Celebration of Autumn Harvest

Mid-Autumn Festival is a Chinese festival in Singapore to show gratitude to the gods for the end of the Autumn harvest. The festival offers hybrid programs for visitors to enjoy online and offline.

Experience the cultural harmony of Singapore with these beautiful festivals. These are the key attractions for visitors.

• When: 29th September 2023
• Location: Across Singapore and Locations across South-East Asia
• What to expect: Family gatherings, mooncakes, street lantern lights-up, live performances, decorated homes and neighbourhoods

Singapore River Festival | A Month-Long Celebration

Another fantastic festival of Singapore includes a series of arts and entertainment performances around the Singapore River, namely Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay and Boat Quay. The festival is a tribute to the Singapore River and is celebrated yearly with a theme.

The theme for the Singapore River Festival 2022 was #TheGreatRIverCleanUp

• When: April/May 2023
• Location: Near the Singapore River
• What to expect: interactive plays to encourage the well-being of the river, family-friendly events, meals by the river, and much more

Singapore Night Festival | A Cultural and Contemporary Extravaganza

Singapore Night Festival showcases the rich cultural heritage and art forms of Singapore. The event is organised over two weekends and sponsored by the National Museum of Singapore.

You can explore exhibits free of cost on the festive days. The Singapore Art Museum, Peranakan Museum and The National Museum of Singapore are major venues for performances and events.

• When: August 2023
• Location: Bras Basah and Bugis precinct of Museum District and Art Scene of Singapore
• What to expect: This festival in Singapore offers a wide range of performances from national and international artists. Visit Singapore to enjoy musical performances, film screenings, colourful performers, roving street performers, colourful building-sized light installations, dance, magic and illusions, cultural exhibitions, and many more. Get ready for the performance to cherish forever.

Vesak Day | Life and Teachings of Lord Buddha

It is the most important Buddhist festival in Singapore and across the World. Followers celebrate the birth, enlightenment (Nibbana) and Parinirvana of Lord Gautam Buddha on Vesak Day. It is a celebration of joy, peace and self-reflection.

Vesak is also celebrated as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Day in different parts of the world.

• When: 2nd June 2023
• Location: The main location is Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on Bright Hill Road.
• What to expect: early morning prayers at Buddhist temples and hoisting of Buddhist flag, candlelight processions, offerings of flowers, candles, and joss sticks, good deeds like donations, held elderly, etc.

The National Day Festival | A Day to Celebrate Singaporean Harmony

Also Read: Famous Festivals In Singapore

The National Day of Singapore is a public holiday and comprises day programs, events, and celebrations. It is a day of pride for every Singaporean, their respect for all faiths, cultural and religious harmony, and love for humanity. The day commemorates the independence of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965.

• When: 9th August 2023
• Location: Marina Bay, the Padang
• What to expect: Visit to experience the National Day Parade, fireworks, advertisements, and National Day Message by the Prime Minister of Singapore

Experience Singapore, its multi-ethnic population, beautiful culture, adventure, culinary festivals and much more. These prominent festivals of Singapore highlight the rich culture, heritage, and respect for other cultures and faiths. Which of these festivals have you attended or wished to attend? Let us know.

Visit Adotrip.com to book customised packages to explore Singapore's vibrant, inclusive culture and festivals through a guided tour. Our curated tour packages ensure fun and comfort. You can explore premium services to avail of amazing deals and discounts. Book flights, hotels, buses, and trains with us and explore Singapore at its best.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Singapore

Q. What are some popular festivals in Singapore?
A. Some of the popular festivals in Singapore are-

• Singapore International Festival of Arts | An Annual Festival of Arts
• Hari Raya | A Day of Celebration in Islam
• Chinese New Year | Welcoming New and Good Beginnings
• Thaipusam | A Day of Lord Murugan
• Dragon Boat Festival | Display of Teamwork and Athleticism
• Singapore Food Festival | A Treat for All
• Hungry Ghost Festival | Honouring Ancestors and Deceased
• Mid-Autumn Festival | Celebration of Autumn Harvest
• Singapore River Festival | A Month-Long Celebration
• Singapore Night Festival | A Cultural and Contemporary Extravaganza
• Vesak Day | Life and Teachings of Lord Buddha
• The National Day Festival | A Day to Celebrate Singaporean Harmony

Q. When do most festivals in Singapore take place?
A. Although festivals in Singapore happen around the year because of its beautiful multi-ethnic cultural fabric, a significant number of festivals occur between May to September, including

• Vesak Day
• Singapore Night Festival
• Singapore River Festival
• The National Day
• Mid-Autumn Festival and more

Q. How can I find information about upcoming festivals in Singapore?
A. Visit Adotrip.com for all the information about upcoming festivals in Singapore and allow us to curate an experience of a lifetime for you and your family.

Q. Are there any cultural or religious festivals in Singapore?
A. Some of the prominent cultural or religious festivals in Singapore are-

• Vesak Day
• Pongal
• Hari Raya
• Thaipusam

Q. Can I participate in festivals in Singapore as a foreigner?
A. Lakhs of tourists participate in the festivals of Singapore. You can indeed participate in one or more of these festivals. For a hassle-free journey, stay, and festival experience, consult Adotrip.com and leave the rest to us.

Q. How do I get to Singapore for a festival?
A. Make a list of festivals you wish to participate in. Consult an experienced and reliable travel partner for hassle-free ticketing, convenient travel and hotel/resort arrangements, and local transport. And enjoy a vacation to knit memories of a lifetime.