Singapore: public holidays, bank holidays, school holidays. Holidays in Singapore Singapore National Day

Singapore is known as a melting pot of different cultures and tourists come here for thrills and new experiences. Numerous festivals and holidays in Singapore also bring brightness and variety to the lives of local residents. They reflect all the cultural diversity of this exotic state. For example, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of when the New Year is celebrated in Singapore, because there are two of them.

The Chinese New Year in Singapore is no less popular than the traditional one.

Whether you're looking to experience the city's many experiences or just enjoy a relaxing weekend with a friend, there's something for everyone on this sunny island.

The following celebrations and festivals are the most widely celebrated and anticipated events of the first half of the year

New Year in Singapore is an official holiday, so the first of January is a day off. So even if you party all night long at one of the parties that take place all over the island, you don't have to worry about falling asleep at work during the day. You can go to the popular areas of Marina Bay and enjoy the spectacular countdown shows to the New Year, or take part in one of the wild foam parties on the beautiful, located on. If you are planning to have a gala dinner at the restaurant on December 31st, then you will need to make reservations a few months in advance, as there will be crowds of revelers everywhere on this day wishing to take part in the countdown ceremony. Colorful fireworks can be seen from many.

Chinese New Year in Singapore

If you suddenly feel sad that the party is over, don't lose heart - another party is waiting for you very soon. The most widely celebrated holiday by the local Chinese population is the Chinese New Year. It falls on the first day of the lunar calendar and usually falls at the end of January - beginning of February. Needless to say, what unbridled fun and excitement reign during this 15-day holiday. Stores are adorned with lucky symbols in red and gold. The beat of drums and cymbals heard from afar heralds the arrival of dancers performing the Lion Dance, which is meant to bring prosperity in the new year. To immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, it is worth visiting local markets and nurseries. Keep in mind that many shops and street vendors will be closed on Chinese New Year's Eve and for three days afterward as their workers go home to spend time with their families.

Chingay annual parade

Around the same time, the annual Chingai parade is held. Chingai (Zhuangyi) is a festival of costumes and masquerade; The parade is a spectacular procession with unusual wheeled platforms and performers from 150 organizations, including traditional Chinese dancers, fearless stilted performers and martial artists. In recent years, the Malay and Indian communities have also taken part in the parade, and it is well worth a visit to enjoy the colorful spectacle and get to know the exciting cultural traditions of the participants.

Hindu holiday Thaipusam

On the first full moon day of the Tamil month of Tai, Hindu followers celebrate Thaipusam. This holiday, celebrated annually between mid-January and mid-February, is a time of repentance for past sins. One of the highlights of this festival is the Kavadi Attam dance, a ritual performance dedicated to Murugan, the Hindu god of war. Believing that their appeals for divine help will be heard if they carry a heavy "burden", many adherents of Hinduism subject themselves to various tests of physical endurance, and often pray and fast for 48 days before this ritual. They can choose one of the tests - carrying a heavy load, piercing the body in many places, walking on nails, or being scourged. The best places to watch these ceremonies are at Little India, Shri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road, or the famous oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.

Vesak - Buddha's birthday

In the month of Vesãkha or May, on the first day of the full moon, the followers of Buddhism gather for the main event in their religious calendar. Vesak, also known as Buddha's birthday, is held to celebrate the birth, death, and enlightenment of the Buddha. On this day, incense sticks and flowers are brought to temples. It is also customary to dedicate this day to good deeds, since according to the doctrine of karma, it is believed that any good deed performed on this day will be repeatedly rewarded. During the celebration, believers usually distribute free vegetarian food to the poor, donate blood, and release birds from cages. Singapore's oldest Buddhist temple, Shuanglin in Wesak, also hosts the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, an annual ceremony during which those present watch the Buddha statue being doused with purified water.

Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, is a Chinese holiday commemorating Qu Yuan, the poet and minister of the Chu kingdom. He was a patriot, dearly loved by his people. Desperate to overcome the corruption existing in the imperial court, which led to the fall of his state, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the river. It is believed that it was then that these boat races began, as the fishermen hurried in their boats in order to have time to get the body of the poet. Rice balls were also thrown into the water to distract the fish from eating the dead body. Today, rice dumplings traditionally eaten during this festival are still a popular dish in Singapore, Taiwan, China and many other Southeast Asian countries. Each such dumpling contains many ingredients such as dates, meat, chestnuts or salted eggs. The filling is placed in glutinous rice triangles wrapped in bamboo leaves. Dragon boat competitions continue to this day, and those who are interested in watching these spectacular boat races should head to the Marina Bay Hotel area, where this regatta is held annually in May.

In the second half of the year, outsiders may notice that even the most reserved Singaporeans are becoming much more cheerful. The main reason for this is the astounding change in temperature, which drops as much as 2-3 degrees, which encourages the indigenous people to spend more time outdoors, enjoying the cool weather. But what's even better is that many festivals and official holidays are held during this period. In the following sections, we will tell you which festivals and holidays in Singapore are held from July to December and are of great importance to the locals.

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday in Singapore

During Ramadan, members of Singapore's Muslim community fast and pray from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is the Muslim holy month of fasting, when believers must demonstrate self-discipline and refrain from sin. The end of this period is marked by the celebration of Uraza Bairam ( Hari Raya Puasa) . Just like the Chinese during the Lunar New Year celebration, Muslims take time off from work and celebrate this holiday with their families. They buy special dishes such as ketupat (rice cakes) and rendang (spiced beef), dress up in new baju kurung outfits, give children small amounts of money, and visit distant relatives. Noisy bazaars are held all over Singapore, especially in the eastern regions. Visit the famous onion-domed Sultan Hussain Mosque in Kampong Glam or the street bazaars in Geylang Serai to taste delicious sweets, buy an elegant Malay costume or admire traditional Persian rugs.

national day

In the days leading up to August 9th, the entire island literally comes alive as all neighborhoods are brightly decorated in red and white to celebrate National Day. All local channels broadcast patriotic songs as local artists and songwriters together confess their love for Singapore. Singapore celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2015. The Independence Day parade includes a Singapore Air Force aerobatic display, processions of various military units, spectacular water shows, and music and dance performances. The holiday ends with grandiose fireworks. Tickets for the parade are issued to citizens and permanent residents of Singapore. If you don't fall into these categories, find yourself a friend in Singapore who will apply for a ticket for you back in May, and hope for good luck!

Hungry Ghost Festival

Hungry Ghost Festival – this is not quite the holiday that is accompanied by fun and rejoicing. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful festival held in many parts of Singapore. The seventh month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in August, is dedicated to the realm of spirits and folklore. Offerings are made to honor the dead, which can include intricately crafted papier-mâché mansions, luxury cars, and even the latest iPhones. It is believed that after these offerings are burned, they will reach their addressee in another world. Late at night, flames are visible everywhere, as numerous offerings are burned in censers all over the island. Singing is also heard, as in many areas getai concerts are organized and continue until late at night to entertain the souls of the dead, for whom the front row seats are always left empty.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore

If colorful mooncakes line up on bakery shelves and lanterns hang out in front of shops, then the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Traditional brown mooncakes are as popular today as they were when they first appeared in the Song Dynasty. Today, mooncakes are filled not only with lotus paste, but other unusual ingredients are used for filling, for example, dope, raspberries, or even Earl Grey. This harvest festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the largest and brightest moon is believed to be observed. On this day, family members tend to get together, drinking tea with mooncakes, while young people go for night walks, holding bright lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Annual celebrations are hosted by cultural organizations such as the PRC Industrial and Commerce in Singapore. Their visitors can enjoy word games, couplet writing and stage performances.

Diwali is the main Hindu festival in Sinapur.

On the darkest night of the Hindu month of Kartik, the community celebrates Diwali, a festival of deep spiritual significance. As a rule, it falls at the end of October or the beginning of November and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and hope over despair. This is the perfect time to visit beautiful Hindu temples and marvel at the extraordinarily detailed statues, or stroll through Little India during this Festival of Lights, when the festively lit streets are filled with colorful lights and spicy scents. Those who don't want to push their way through the crowds can try their hand at the art of rangoli, which involves laying out intricate patterns in colorful dyed rice or sand at their doorstep.

Christmas in Singapore

Christmas - this is a time of great joy and opportunity to engage in good deeds. The streets are decked out in gold or silver, and decorated with all sorts of holiday symbols, from gingerbread houses to snowmen and Santa Clauses. Celebrations in honor of the birth of the baby Jesus are held in Christian churches throughout the island. Worshipers gather at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore's largest and most beautiful cathedral, to take part in the festivities. The most spectacular light installations can be found along Orchard Road, at the Takashimaya Mall and at Raffles City.

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Singapore is a "burning cauldron" in which diverse and vibrant cultures are "boiled": Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. The influx of foreigners over the past few years has given the country a cosmopolitan image and multi-cultural life in Singapore. Each of the ethnic communities maintains its own unique way of life, while harmonizing life with representatives of other cultures. Given the unique mix of cultures and peoples, Singapore has a very attractive calendar of events with holidays and celebrations all year round. Festivals range from religious celebrations to socio-cultural celebrations and sporting events.

Singapore celebrates festivals that are specific to each of the ethnic groups and their respective religions. In addition, some important anniversaries are celebrated on all islands by all residents. These significant religious holidays and important dates are declared as public holidays in Singapore. There are ten annual holidays in Singapore: New Year (New Years Day); Chinese New Year (Chinese New Year); Good Friday (Good Friday); Labor Day; Vesak day; National Day of Singapore (National Day); Hari Raya Puasa; Deepavali Festival of Lights; Hari Raya Haji (Hari Raya Haji); Christmas (Christmas Day).

New Year in Singapore

Calendar New Year - Monday, January 1, 2018, begins with celebrations, and each new year turns into a real holiday in Singapore. There are several places where New Year greetings and folk festivals take place. The most popular parties are at The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown and Siloso Beach Party in Sentosa. Most Singaporeans frequent these places, they come here to witness public performances and impressive fireworks. Other popular activities can be seen along Orchard Road, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

Chinese New Year in Singapore

Chinese New Year - Friday, February 16, 2018 is one of the most anticipated holidays in Singapore. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar, which usually takes place between the last week of January and the beginning of February. Preparations begin a couple of weeks before the Chinese New Year and the city takes on a special festive spirit during this period. Families celebrate this holiday by participating in the reunification festival, accompanying the celebrations with New Year's visits from relatives and friends, exchanges of hongbao (red envelopes with cash gifts), donations of small tangerine trees symbolizing prosperity, and visits to temples. The hub of all activity is the brightly lit Chinatown, which is adorned with impressive decorations and Chinese lanterns strung along the streets.

Most Chinese families gather in this ethnic quarter to enjoy its many sights and sounds of enchanting melodies, as well as taste traditional Chinese delicacies. Most malls are decorated with traditional ornaments using the auspicious colors of red and gold and offer attractive discounts and promotions. The famous lion and dragon dances are held in Chinatown, as well as along the Singapore River on both sides of the piers. The Chinese New Year celebrations end on the 15th day of the new year, just like the Spring Lantern Festival. Ten days after the Lantern Festival, it's time for a big parade in Singapore known as the Chingay Parade, a street and sea parade with performances ranging from acrobatics to traditional dances.

Running Festival Green Corridor

Following the success of previous years, the Green Corridor Run was held on March 6th, 2016 in conjunction with the celebration of World Water Day. It was the biggest marathon ever held in Singapore and was the most exciting race ever! You can register and take part in future marathons! Conducted along one of the most interesting and beautiful stretches of terrain in Singapore, the ten and a half kilometer run starts at the historic Tanjong Pagar railway station and follows a green corridor to the old old Bukit Team railway station.

Easter

Easter Day - Sunday, April 8, 2018, is one of the most significant festive events among Christians around the world. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as written in the Christian bible.

Restaurant Week

The Singapore Restaurant Week, an annual exhibition of restaurants in Singapore, is being held from March 19 to 26, 2017 for the 13th time. For this festival, you can always book seats in the best restaurants in Singapore and taste almost all the most famous delicacies of Southeast Asia.

Singapore Fashion Festival

Singapore Fashion Festival, an annual two-week festival that aims to make Singapore the fashion capital of the Southeast Asian region. The festival hosts collection shows by international and local designers, fashion shows, exhibitions and events related to fashion.

Annual Yacht Show

The Singapore Yacht Show takes place on Singapore's Sentosa Island from 6 to 9 April 2017. Visitors to the exhibition have the opportunity to get acquainted with the working models of the most beautiful yachts in the world, learn about international yacht brands and even purchase one of the yachts. Held at the ONE°15 Marina Club, this exceptional festival embodies a luxurious lifestyle, bringing together world-class yachts finished with the finest materials and equipment. The exhibition provides a first-class opportunity for regional visitors to meet professional instructors, boat owners and a select group of invited participants.

Singapore Heritage Festival

Singapore Heritage Fest was initiated to spread the word about the different cultures of Singapore and their traditions, cuisine, costumes, music, art through a series of exhibitions, heritage tours, food fairs and cultural events. The festival is an annual event.

World Sevens Series Rugby Tournament

The 2017 Singapore World Rugby Sevens Series will be held at the Singapore National Stadium on 15 and 16 April 2017. The tournament has been held since 1999 and attracts fans from many countries of the world as one of the fastest growing sports events - an exciting attraction of non-stop action, sports feats and athleticism. Singapore's national rugby team, making its debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has never played at such a high level before. Singapore is hosting the 7th edition of the Rugby World Cup series, joining fellow host cities Vancouver, Sydney, Cape Town and Paris. The series began in Dubai in December 2015.

Singapore Maritime Week

For a decade now, Singapore's leading maritime festival, Singapore Maritime Week, hosted by the Singapore Port Authority, has brought together thousands of exhibitors and guests. The festival brings together the international maritime community for a week of conferences, professional dialogues, exhibitions and social gatherings combined with a celebration of maritime traditions. The maritime association, industry companies and research institutes and educational institutions, as well as participants with a cosmopolitan profile as participants in the festival, make Singapore the largest international maritime center.

Vesak Day in Singapore

Vesak Day - Tuesday, May 29, 2018, 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 marks the birth, enlightenment and final phase of Nirvana of the Buddha.
Buddhist temples are colorfully decorated with Buddhist flags and lights, temples are decorated with flowers, fruits and other offerings. The Vesak Day celebration is an event in the Closed Hall, open to the public for the duration of the holiday. Some of the most interesting activities include a vegetarian food fair, public gatherings, and the singing of the national anthem. Acts of generosity known as dana are performed by Buddhist organizations and temples. Vesak Day entails less lavish celebrations than most other festivals in Singapore, but deserves special attention in terms of developing an internal culture.

Seasonal sales in Singapore

The Great Singapore Sale is one of the most popular and highly anticipated annual events held in Singapore in June and July. Singapore is transforming into a sales hub and into a shopping spree with retailers giving discounts on goods up to 70% off the regular price.

Dragon Festival

Dragon Boat Festival, June 18, 2018, the highlight of which is the dragon boat races, which compete to showcase the abilities of local and international rowers. Competitive performances are held every year in June. This is also a great time to enjoy traditional rice dumplings, a traditional dish of the festival, which is also known as The Dumpling Festival.

Ballet under the stars

The annual dance festival "Ballet under the Stars" takes place in Singapore from 16 to 19 March 2017 at the Singapore Dance Theatre, which was founded in 1988 and is the largest in Southeast Asia. The theater is represented by world-class dance performers and has the widest possible repertoire for dance art. During each year, the theater organizes six performances, including performances by the entire ballet team on the stage of the Esplanade Theatre. Ballet Under the Stars at Fort Canning Park is a classic masterpiece in dance movement, presented by the best dancers on the best dance floor.

Hari Raya Puas in Singapore

Hari Raya Puasa - June 24-25, 2017, commonly known as Eid Ul Fitr in Singapore, is the celebration of Hari Raya Puasa, which is a major festival for the Malay communities in Singapore and usually falls on the calendar in September or October. Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The ancient street of Geylang Serai in the cultural center of the Malay Muslim community is well lit and decorated with a festive mood. Also during this holiday, you can visit the colorful festive markets and visit the numerous food stalls that offer traditional Malay cuisine. Cultural activities such as traditional Malay songs and dances are also part of the celebration. It is customary for families to celebrate the holiday in the most beautiful clothes. Also during the holiday, morning prayers are held in local mosques, which are mandatory for family visits with relatives and friends.

Singapore food festival

The Singapore Food Festival takes place annually in July. This Singapore Food Festival is a festive showcase of local food. As part of the festival, carnivals, seminars, as well as joint actions focused on the preparation and sale of delicious food are held.

Game Industry Exhibition

The C3 Chara Expo, an exhibition of the gaming industry, takes place in Singapore during the summer season and is dedicated to the latest products of the gaming market and their developers. Also, special attention at the exhibition is given to Japanese manga, anime, games and cosplay fans. In addition to the weekend show, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. organizes the Game & Creative Contents Networking Asia forum, which takes place on the eve of the exhibition. This B2B networking event invites gaming content providers from the gaming and creative industries in Southeast Asia.

Hungry Ghost Festival

Hungry Ghosts Festival - Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Mid-Autumn Festival, such as Mooncake Festival and Lantern Festival, other Indian festivals, and Easter.

Singapore Art Festival

Singapore Arts Festival, June 29 - September 6, 2017, a popular national arts festival. The festival offers high quality free performances of theatrical arts, dance, music and visual arts, as well as open performances. In addition to local exhibitors, approximately 70% of the work is exhibited by international artists. The festival is usually held annually during May and June.

Singapore National Day

National Day of Singapore - Wednesday, August 9, 2017, this day is also called the National Day Parade - National Day Parade, which is held to celebrate the independence of Singapore. It is one of the most anticipated annual events for Singaporeans, with National Day attracting around 25,000 spectators each year. Celebrations take place at Marina Bay and include pre-parade celebration preparations followed by actual parades and ceremonies, including the popular presidential speech, which ends with a celebratory show followed by spectacular fireworks displays. The atmosphere during this period is very tense, and most of the spectators are dressed in the colors of the national flag - red and white. You can also see the National Flag, which is displayed on the facades of most residential buildings throughout the island. It's really beautiful.

singapore night festival

Singapore Night Festival - a festival of illuminations, dance and music will be held in August 2016. It is an annual cultural event in Singapore, held over two nights in August on the expanse of Bras Basah Road and Bugis Street, when the entire city turns into a massive stage venue of street performances, live music, dance and art installations under the cover of darkness. The night extravaganza these days covers the entire city center from Armenian Street, which becomes pedestrian for the entire duration of the festival, through Bras Basa Road, including the complexes and buildings of Raffles City, CHIJMES and Plaza Singapura, and up to Bugis Street. The festival amazes viewers with laser projections on the buildings of the National Museum and the Museum of Art, as well as flying ships and pianos against the backdrop of the Singapore night sky. These interactive light installations have become an annual tradition that attracts large numbers of viewers.

Many cultural institutions and museums in Singapore do not close on these nights, but are preparing special events and a cultural program. At this time, the streets are filled with informal participants of the festival: street performers, musicians, artists who demonstrate their art, live playing and acoustic performances to all passers-by. And, of course, the holiday is not complete without the traditional gastronomic part - a temporary street food court Hawker Food Alley is being formed, where you can try any delicacies of the local cuisine.
The Singapore Night Festival is a great chance to see traditions, culture and art in a completely different light.

Hari Raya Haji in Singapore

Hari Raya Haji - Friday, September 17, 2017, also known as Feast of Sacrifice or Eid Al Raya Haji. Hari Raya Haji marks the end of the Haji pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Hari Raya Haji, according to the calendar, usually falls in autumn or winter, and the celebrations are similar to the festival of Hari Raya Puas.

Grand Prix of the Formula 1 series in Singapore

"Singapore Grand Prix 2016" takes place in Singapore for the eleventh time from 15 to 17 September 2017 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The lucky ones who happen to get on it are in for a fantastic spectacle! The organizers of the event once again want to raise the bar so that this super-event remains in the memory of participants and spectators forever. The auto race itself will be only a part of the grandiose action - the organizers are preparing about three hundred different performances, including with the participation of world stars! The Marina Bay Street Circuit, laid through the streets of the city, is the fastest of the city's circuits - on a circle, cars accelerate to a speed of about 290 km / h three times, while it ranks second after Monaco in the lowest average speed per circle.

The Singapore highway twists counterclockwise, just like in Turkey and Brazil. It should be noted that a unique temporary fence is installed just before the races so as not to disturb the residents of the city and numerous tourists. The main difference of this track is uniform artificial lighting, in which night races are visible as during the day, but the light sources do not blind the racers. The total lighting power is more than three million watts! Drive, unpredictability, special entertainment makes the Singapore race truly unforgettable.

Sun Festival in Singapore

Singapore Sun Festival takes place in October. The Singapore Sun Festival is an integrated lifestyle event, celebrating the "art of the good life" through seven key disciplines including music, film, visual arts, literature, cuisine, wine drinking and wellness.

Deepavali Festival of Lights in Singapore

Deepavali, The Festival of Lights - Wednesday 18 October 2017 is the most important festival in the Hindu calendar and the most significant festival of the Indian community in Singapore. The Deepavali celebration usually falls in October or November on the calendar, with festivities kicking off in the coming weeks in the Indian ethnic quarter called Little India. Commemorating the triumph of good over evil or light over darkness, the streets of Little India are adorned with colored lights and traditional decorations.

Roadside shops sell terracotta lamps, flowers and other traditional decorative items. Shops offer a wide range of sweets for all tastes, from Indian sweets to souvenirs. People celebrate the Reunification Festival by visiting the homes of relatives, friends, exchanging sweets, lighting houses with lamps, and visiting temples. There are a number of cultural holidays that are celebrated during this period. Since there is a ban on explosive fireworks in Singapore, most families get together to light sparklers at the end of the evening.

Christmas in Singapore

Christmas - Monday, December 25, 2017 is considered the most charming time of the year, and the holiday spirit in Singapore is already felt in the week before Christmas. The seventh week of the extravaganza is called "Christmas in the Tropics" (Christmas in the Tropics). At this time, the spirit of Christmas is celebrated, it happens every year from the end of November and continues until the New Year. Singapore's famous streets of Orchard Road and Marina Bay are transformed during this period, with festive lighting, holiday arches, and themed decoration sets.

During the holiday, you can get a variety of experiences: Christmas performances by a choir group, which are offered by professional musicians, watch the performances of local dancers; watch the Parade of Floats; the popular outdoor dance festival ZoukOut, which takes place on Sentosa Island (organized by one of the popular nightclubs in Singapore); and many others. Adding to the whole holiday aura, shopping malls feature specially designed storefronts and stunning Christmas decorations. Many malls and stores offer special shopping discounts, even late at night. Families visit relatives and friends and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner.

Singapore International Film Festival

Singapore International Film Festival, Singapore's largest film industry event and one of Asia's premier film festivals. SIFF takes place annually in April. Over 200 international films of all genres are screened at festival screenings, with a special focus on innovative Asian cinema. In addition to films, professional workshops, seminars and film exhibitions are held during the festival.

Festival M1

M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is a twelve-day annual theatre, arts, film, dance, visual arts and music festival created and organized in Singapore for international artists. It is usually held annually at the end of January. The festival is a center for attracting the best works of contemporary artists, an exhibition of cutting-edge art and other works, intended for the social audience of Singapore.

Much, if not all, of the national characteristics of a country can be told by the traditions of holding and organizing various holidays, festivals and celebrations. And for a country that largely lives off tourism, the ability to organize a festive event well and on a grand scale becomes a kind of professional skill. In this regard, Singaporeans deserve the highest marks - the inhabitants of this country know how to have fun and are ready to share their joy with all visiting guests with pleasure.

Perhaps that is why many tourists love to visit Singapore during national holidays and various festivals. But the most interesting thing is that whenever you find yourself on this island, be sure that a bright party is definitely taking place somewhere - the program of Singaporean holidays continues all year round. And if you are aware of the schedule and venue of all these events, then your vacation will be filled with endless noisy fun for you.

Official public holidays and days off

The official public holidays of Singapore reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the country, among the eleven official days of rest there are Buddhist, Chinese, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian, as well as secular holidays:

1st of January - New Year.
February-March - first and second day Chinese New Year(exact date varies).
March, April - Good Friday(exact date varies).
1st of May - Labor Day.
May June - Vesak(exact date varies).
June July- Hari raya puasa or Eid al-Adha (the exact date varies).
August 9 - independence Day.
September - Hari raya haji or Eid al-Adha (the exact date varies).
October November - deepavali(exact date varies).
December 25 - Christmas.

If an official holiday falls on a Sunday, the following day is declared a holiday. If two holidays fall on the same date, possibly due to differences in the Hindu, Chinese, Muslim and European calendars, then an additional day of rest may be declared. Election Day (in general elections or presidential elections) is also an official public holiday.

Schedule of Singapore festivals and entertainment events

It is most convenient to present the schedule of holidays and festivals in the form of a table broken down by months.

As a result, now this country is one of the three richest in the world, and also regularly becomes the top of various official and not very ratings among states with the highest standard of living. During the day, Singapore impresses with an abundance of greenery, amazing cleanliness and the fact that wherever you go, there will be fountains or some other source of water. It's simple: feng shui reigns here. And according to this system of teaching, water is needed in order to have wealth!

Accordingly, in order to regularly receive sufficient profit, one must not forget to follow the laws of Feng Shui. By the way, this sounds funny to some, but the locals seriously believe that it is thanks to the strict adherence to these laws that they have achieved the well-being that they now have.

What does this have to do with holidays, fairs, festivals and other bright events in Singapore? The most direct thing: it is impossible to figure out in what kind of atmosphere all these celebrations are held here, if you do not understand at least a little this amazing country, which baffles the whole world.

Catholic Christmas and New Year in Singapore

In general, Singapore is a country that treats representatives of different nationalities and religions quite correctly. Therefore, the New Year is celebrated here with joy both according to the Gregorian calendar, that is, on January 1, and according to the eastern or lunar calendar. Christmas here can also be celebrated both Catholic and Orthodox, although the first is still celebrated on a large scale. In general, events begin to take place somewhere from December 25 and continue until the first days of January. Moreover, during the day, Singapore resembles a beautiful and elegant, but very businesslike anthill: everyone is in a hurry about their business, somewhere in a hurry.

Even tourists are busy: they try to catch all the sales that are arranged here. Moreover, pre-New Year and Christmas shopping in this city is considered very profitable. The fact is that due to the high incomes of the main part of the population, there are enough boutiques from leading manufacturers of clothing, shoes, watches, and jewelry. Fashionable things on some streets can sometimes be found even more than on a comparable stretch of streets in Paris, where elite clothing stores are also located. And this, you see, says a lot.

But the residents of Singapore, along with their income, have acquired some capriciousness, and simply not all things have time to sell during the season for one reason or another. And keeping them in warehouses for too long is expensive, especially here: remember that Singapore is a very small country. Therefore, any retail space here is very expensive. Therefore, it is beneficial for boutiques to arrange a sale and drop the prices of products very much, selling good things at cost and below, and not send it all back by sea. In general, shopping during the day is an indispensable part of the holidays, people from all over the world fly here specially for this purpose, this is something like an almost mandatory program for everyone.

But shopping and shopping again - that's not all! During the day, you can get acquainted with the cuisine of Singapore, as well as Thai, Chinese and high-quality Indian. It is said that some Asian dishes are cooked in this city-state better than in India itself, China and so on. Not all vacationers can compare, but judging by the reviews, it is really very tasty and satisfying.

And there is especially a lot of noodles here, it is served both boiled and fried with all kinds of additives, often spicy, and such a dish is offered to tourists not just like that, but also with a special meaning. The fact is that noodles are a symbol of longevity, and rice beautifully decorated with spices and vegetables is a symbol of prosperity and wealth. On holidays, whole pyramids are made from boiled rice or wrapped in cones in leaves. These figures and such presentation also mean success.

Even during this holiday, you can get to culinary master classes or even sign up for short courses and learn how to cook the most popular or most famous Singaporean dishes among tourists. For example, Hok-en-pro-mei - fried noodles with shrimp, it is also considered a kind of leader. It is prepared by various venerable chefs, in general, a truly amazing dish.

But if we move away from the topic of food, then it is worth noting that after all these activities, the evening comes up quickly enough. And Singapore, especially on holidays, is literally transformed. For example, a huge number of lights appear here: literally everything that is possible is highlighted. From the neon signs, eyes run wide, of course, congratulations on Christmas, and then on the New Year, in some places they congratulate you on both holidays at once, which slightly reminds of Russia ...

Just an incredible amount of garlands, Christmas trees, of course, are also decorated with iridescent toys and inscriptions, everything is beautiful and looks surprisingly harmonious. However, Singapore was built in the same style, or rather, according to the uniform requirements of Feng Shui, so it is not surprising that everything is decorated for the holiday according to the same canon. At night, or rather, late in the evening on holidays, a very cool laser show takes place at the Merlion. In general, such performances here cannot be called a rarity at all, but on New Year's Eve and Christmas they are somehow surprisingly impressive. It is clear that they are trying to prepare in advance. And, of course, fireworks, they are launched from ships in the bay, and from different sides, the performance lasts at least half an hour, very beautiful and very impressive.

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year

No less magnificently celebrated in Singapore is the Chinese New Year or the New Year according to the lunar calendar. And many believe that it is even more solemn, but it is somewhat inappropriate to compare here. Yes, and the difference is primarily visible more in the approach, and not in the design. The Chinese New Year is a huge amount of all kinds of symbols, this is the corresponding cuisine and dishes, they begin to be served on the table the day before. Literally the whole city is decorated with sky lanterns, red ribbons with hieroglyphs that wish happiness and prosperity.

There are still some similarities with the celebration of the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. And here and there everything ends with a laser show, as well as fireworks. But that's probably where the similarity ends. Firstly, in addition to traditional festive festivities during this celebration, the local population visits Buddhist temples, prays, and asks for good luck next year. Secondly, it is worth saying that with different programs and shows they never repeat here, each time they come up with something different.

And, finally, the Eastern New Year is surrounded by a much larger number of rituals, rituals and symbols. For example, cooks, laying a festive table, will do everything taking into account the patron of the next year. Let's say the calf is "responsible" for him, then, of course, they will never serve veal or beef. Of course, if you want to spend this day with a European approach, then this can also be arranged without problems. But in general, it is rather difficult to find establishments oriented to the West at this time. Especially free ones, you need to book tables and arrange home service with the chefs in advance, because everything good here is in great demand these days.

Independence Day or Singapore Day

Although this does not correspond to chronology, the residents themselves after the New Year call this holiday the second most important. On this day, many solemn official events take place, the head of government's address to the people is broadcast on large screens, some promises are usually made for the next year, and a program to improve life is told. Moreover, unlike the CIS countries, these promises are usually kept. And they have nothing to do with the elections, that is, the politicians here just talk about their plans, and then proceed to implement them.

In addition, a very magnificent parade is held on August 9, which emphasizes the independence of Singapore. There is something demonstrative in this, on the other hand, this is not surprising, given that the former colony became completely free from Great Britain only in the twentieth century. And today, those who remember the time when Singapore did not have this very independence are still alive. In a word, such events have their own meaning, it is hard to deny.

It ends closer to the evening with a very colorful show lasting 45 minutes, and then with amazing fireworks. And he may well compete in entertainment with the New Year. Also: quite famous artists, famous singers perform in every large hotel or entertainment complex, both local and international stars are invited. On the streets are people in white and red clothes, these are national colors, as well as the colors of the flag. Such a large number of unusually dressed girls, boys, men and women most of all resemble some kind of spontaneous flash mob.

It is worth noting that another holiday takes place before this day, which, as it were, anticipates and prepares for Independence Day. One could say that this is just a lucky coincidence, if it were not about Singapore. There is no place for accidents here, everything is very carefully thought out and calculated by the authorities. It's about the Heritage Festival.

Singapore Heritage Festival

As already mentioned, Singapore takes its diverse heritage very seriously. This is a multinational country, which in many respects owes its prosperity not to Feng Shui, although, of course, there can be any opinion on this matter, but to the friendly work of representatives of different nationalities for wealth and prosperity. As a result, it was possible to achieve simply amazing results that can be observed today. And the Singapore authorities remember this, and also urge citizens not to forget about it. As a result, every year in July such a festival is held, within which each more or less large ethnic group can talk about their traditions, preserved culture, history, and so on.

For example, in Singapore there is a small India, so the Indian quarters are called. And here you can try curry chicken in a spicy and not very variant, fish and lamb, and, according to the reviews of travelers, at least in much better quality than in the UK, and Indian cuisine has become incredibly popular there in recent years. I mean, it says something.

Enough in Singapore and the Japanese, but in general there are a lot of representatives of various Asian countries. But most of all, of course, the Chinese. However, in recent years, immigrants from Thailand have been trying to catch up with them in number, which, by the way, is noticeable by the increased number of Thai restaurants, shops, cosmetics and other things.

So, the heritage festival is designed to remind everyone of the importance of preserving all this cultural diversity, wealth, preserving with mutual assistance to each other and respecting each other's borders. It has become something of a Singaporean politics and such a colorful, vibrant event that gets a lot of coverage on local TV channels is a great way to remind why this is important. But, at the same time, it is served in such a form that many like it. And who will be against another holiday?

Singapore food festival

A bright and rather unusual event takes place in the first half of June. The foundation was laid in 1994, since then this event has grown and expanded its format. Its main goal is to introduce participants to excellent Asian food, and the term "Asian" in this case should be understood as broadly as possible, since you can find literally everything here, from Indian to Japanese. But the focus, of course, is the best Singaporean dishes with their unique specifics. And, by the way, not only dishes, but also excellent drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. In general, there is something to see here.