A melting pot of cultures and traditions, Singapore comes alive throughout the year with an array of festivals that celebrate the country’s multicultural heritage. Here are four such significant events that also give visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of customs, flavours, and experiences.
Pongal
Pongal, an Indian harvest festival, is celebrated with great fervour in Singapore as well. The festival typically falls in January and in Little India, the heart of the city’s Tamil community, the streets burst with colour and energy. Within easy reach of properties of Hotel 81, this locale is also where one can see vibrant light displays, shop at the Festive Village and take in cultural performances at places like Campbell Lane. You can also watch a Pongal cooking competition at Kinta Road and visit the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple for more cultural discoveries.
Chinese New Year
Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year, is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar, The festival, which usually falls in January or February, marks the beginning of the lunar new year, and is celebrated in a major way at Chinatown in Singapore. Affordable hotels can be found near this neighbourhood where one can enjoy a light-up ceremony, lion dances, and lively parades such as the Chingay Parade. During this time, you can additionally savour delectable traditional snacks and dishes which are an integral part of the Chinese New Year.
Vesak Day
An important event for Buddhist devotees, Vesak generally falls in May and honours the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Ceremonies take place at Buddhist temples in the city early in the morning, while devotees will offer flowers, light joss sticks and make merit. Amongst the event highlights are the candlelight processions at places like Bright Hill Road that provide a truly enchanting sight; other places of interest such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum and Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple have much to offer as well.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (sometimes referred to as Eid al-Fitr) marks the conclusion of the month-long fasting associated with Ramadan. Celebrated in Singapore by the Malay-Muslim community, this festival usually falls during April, May or June and is a time of doing good deeds, forgiving others, and feasting. A hotspot to experience the festivities of this event is Geylang Serai which hosts a popular bazaar where one can buy diverse products and savour mouth-watering traditional food as well. More cultural adventures also await at the Kampong Gelam area and Sultan Mosque.
