Singapore Holidays & Festivals

Hari Raya Puasa is the Malay equivalent of Eid al Fitr, a major Islamic festival held at the end of the dawn-to-sunset fasting month of Ramadan. Hari Raya means “a day of celebration” and “puasa” means “fasting.” It is celebrated in Indonesia, another Muslim-majority country, as Lebaran. Although Muslims are …

Like many Asian countries, India is an agricultural county. The change in the seasons plays an important role in the culture and traditions of the people. In South India, one of the most important festivals is Pongal, a harvest festival widely celebrated by the Tamils. The celebration of Pongal is …

For a compact country, Singapore is a cultural haven jam-packed with things to do day and night. To give credence to the fact that there’s more – plenty more – to Singapore from sundown to sun-up, the Singapore Night Festival was conceived. An artistic extravaganza that comes alive after-hours, the …

About 200 years ago, the Singapore River started as a trading post that opened up not only this small city-state but the entire region to trade with the rest of the world. The establishment of Singapore as a logistics hub started way back when Sir Stamford Raffles realized the importance …

The life and times of Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha or the Enlightened One, is highly regarded by the followers of his teachings. Milestones of his life are celebrated each year, and devotees would dedicate their time and self to the traditions and festivities. Vesak is one such …

Thaipusam or Thai Poosam is a yearly holiday celebrated by the Tamil Hindus to honor Lord Murugan. This holiday is hugely anticipated and widely observed in many parts of the world where Tamil communities, big or small, can be found. Thaipusam is celebrated when the moon is full on the …

The Chinese New Year is China’s most important holiday. It is also known as the Spring Festival. Traditionally, the New Year period lasts for 15 days, starting from the middle of the last month and ends sometime in the middle of the first month. The holiday not only welcomes in …

The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday for the Chinese. It is celebrated not just in mainland China, but also around the world where Chinese immigrants have settled. It is also a major holiday for most Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. …

Deepavali is the “Festival of Lights” and is a five-day celebration that is considered to be the most important holiday in the Hindu calendar. Its literal translation is “a row of lights”, as the festival’s name is derived from the words “deep” that means lights, and “avail” to mean a …

Singapore’s Chingay Parade has humble roots as a neighborhood parade with dominant Chinese elements. Years later it has grown into a full-blown, massive scale parade that Singaporeans all over celebrate every year. In 2013, the first day of the parade will fall on February 22. Festivities will begin at the …

The Hari Raya Haji is an important holiday for the Muslims. Called “The Festival of Sacrifice”, it honors the prophet Ibrahim and his willingness to follow God’s command that he must sacrifice his firstborn son, Ishmael. The holiday also marks the end of the annual Hajj to Mecca. The lunar …

Hari Raya Puasa is more known to the world as Eid al-Fitr, the “Feast of Breaking of the Fast.” It is one of the two Eid holidays that the Muslims worldwide celebrate every year. Hari Raya Puasa, or Hari Raya Aidilfitri is how the holiday is referred to by the …