Festivals in Singapore
Most major festivals in Singapore are designated as public holidays. These include Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Hari Raya Puasa, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali, and Christmas Day.
Race and religion play an integral role in determining public holidays in Singapore. Each major racial and religious group is allocated one to two public holidays to nominate their significant festivals.
As a result, you will notice many interesting and important festivals are celebrated but not designated as public holidays due to these limitations.
In this article, we will delve into the rich tapestry of festivals celebrated in Singapore, providing a comprehensive guide to their timing and significance. Each festival will be categorized by the month it occurs, along with insights into the typical climate conditions for that period. This will help you plan your celebrations and activities accordingly, ensuring you make the most of each festive occasion while navigating Singapore’s diverse weather patterns.
January to March
While January typically sees heavy rain, the weather in February and March in Singapore is generally pleasant, with less rainfall and cooler temperatures compared to Q2.
Coincidentally, some of Singapore’s major festivals, including Chinese New Year, Thaipusam, and Hari Raya Puasa, will take place from late January to March in 2025, making it the ideal time for festival celebrations.
Next Date: 1 January 2025 (Wednesday)
New Year celebration in Singapore is marked by extravagant fireworks display over Marina Bay area each year. However, Do you know that there are many more NYE countdown parties with fireworks in Singapore?
Next Date: 29 January 2025 – 30 January 2025 (Wednesday – Thursday)
While Chinese New Year (CNY) is celebrated annually on the first day of the Lunar calendar, preparations typically begin right after Christmas Day. You will see streets and shopping malls transform from Christmas to CNY decorations. Learn where to go during CNY.
Unique traditions during CNY in Singapore includes queuing to change new notes, enjoying a hotel steamboat for reunion dinner, experiencing reduced supermarket operating hours, and finding fewer restaurants open during CNY. It is also advisable to pray to Tai Sui if your zodiac sign is in conflict with Tai Sui for that particular year.
Next Date: 3 February 2025 (Monday)
Singaporeans are accustomed to queuing for food. However, if you notice crowds queuing in front of ATMs after CNY, it’s likely Li Chun!
Li Chun marks the beginning of spring in the Lunar calendar. It is believed to be an auspicious time for accumulating luck by depositing money at ATMs during specific times and balancing eggs upright.
Next Date: 11 February 2025 (Tuesday)
⚠️Actual date may vary
Thaipusam commemorates the occasion when the Hindu goddess Parvati gave her son Murugan Vel (a divine spear) to vanquish the evil and restore peace.
It is widely celebrated among the Indian Tamil community of Singapore. From joining the possession at Little India to carrying Paal Kudam, learn how to celebrate Thaipusam in Singapore like a local.
Next Date: 31 March 2025 (Monday)
⚠️Actual date may vary
Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr) is closely associated with Ramadan. Muslims in Singapore observe daily fasting (Puasa in Malay) during the month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya Puasa.
During Ramadan, Muslims in Singapore visit Ramadan bazaars to break their fast and shop. Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan and it is a tradition to visit mosques to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers.
April to June
The weather during this season is hot and humid, with occasional thunderstorms. Hot afternoons are very common, so it’s best to plan festival celebrations in the morning or evening.
Next Date: 4 April 2025 (Friday)
Qing Ming Festival is a traditional Chinese festival during which Singaporeans visit their ancestors’ tombs to pay their respects. As part of the rituals, they burn incense and paper offerings, such as paper clothes, paper goods, and paper money, as offerings to their ancestors.
Next Date: 11 May 2025 (Sunday)
In Singapore, Mother’s Day falls on the second Sunday of May annually. For local Singaporeans and tourists visiting Singapore in May, learn how to celebrate Mother’s Day in Singapore.
Next Date: 12 May 2025 (Monday)
Vesak Day or Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha. It is undoubtedly the biggest event in Buddhism and a public holiday in Singapore.
During Vesak Day, it is a tradition for buddhists in Singapore to visit a Buddhist temple for praying and Buddha bathing.
Dragonboat Festival
Next Date: 31 May 2025 (Saturday)
The Dragon Boat Festival, known as “Duan Wu Jie 端午节” in Chinese, commemorates the ancient Chinese minister Qu Yuan, who committed suicide by jumping into the Miluo River.
In Singapore, the festival is synonymous with dragon boat racing and eating rice dumplings. Enthusiasts can enjoy multiple competitive dragon boat races, while various types of rice dumplings are available for sale, highlighting the festive spirit.
Next Date: 7 June 2025 (Saturday)
⚠️Actual date may vary
Not to be confused with Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
Muslims in Singapore purchase goat, sheep or cow for animal sacrifice (Korban / Qurban) as early as one month before the festival. In addition, similar to Hari Raya Puasa, they also perform Eid prayers on the day of Hari Raya Haji in mosques.
Next Date: 15 June 2025 (Sunday)
Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday of June annually in Singapore. Learn where to celebrate Father’s Day with your family in Singapore on this special occasion.
July to September
The July to September season offers the best weather in Singapore for celebrations, with relatively lower temperatures compared to Q2 and significantly less rainfall compared to Q4. This period is ideal for planning outings and events in Singapore.
Next Date: 9 August 2024 (Friday)
Singapore’s National Day falls on 9th of August. It is a truly Singaporean event celebrated by all Singaporeans island wide. The festivities include National Day Parade (NDP 2024) and fireworks displays at multiple locations across the island.
Next Date: 4 August 2024 – 2 September 2024 (Friday – Monday)
It is believed that during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the gates of the underworld open, allowing ghosts to roam the living world.
During this Ghost Month, people burn offerings for the spirits, pray to their ancestors, and watch Getai performances. It is also important to be mindful of various taboos observed during this festival.
Next Date: 17 September 2024 (Tuesday)
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most anticipated celebrations among the Chinese community in Singapore, and it’s easy to see why.
This family-oriented festival features enjoying delicious mooncakes, carrying colorful lanterns, and watching captivating cultural performances. It’s a time for families to come together and enjoy the festivities. Learn the best ways to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore.
October to December
In Singapore, the last quarter of the year is typically marked by thunderstorms in the afternoon during October and November, followed by heavy rains from December to January. Umbrellas and backup plans are essential when attending festivals during this wettest season in Singapore.
Next Date: 2 October 2024 – 11 October 2024 (Wednesday – Thursday)
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival commemorates the birth of Nine Emperor Gods. It is also known as Vegetarian Festival in other countries in Southeast Asia, where devotees observe strict vegetarian diet during this period.
Discover how to celebrate the Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Singapore by learning about its rituals and visiting one of the Nine Emperor Gods temples.
Next Date: 31 October 2024 (Thursday)
Deepavali, or Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important festivals for the Indian community in Singapore. The celebration spans several days, with activities and open houses primarily centered in the Little India area.
Next Date: 25 December 2024 (Wednesday) & 31 December 2024 (Tuesday)
Christmas is almost synonymous with Orchard Road in Singapore, as locals and tourists flock there to enjoy the festive light displays. The lights typically go up as early as mid-November.
The festive spirit continues beyond Christmas Day, with people eagerly anticipating the extravagant countdown parties in Singapore to bid farewell to 2024.
