Singapore Events Calendar
January – February
Chinese New Year Festivities
Put on your party hat because Singapore’s raucous Chinese New Year Festival is the highpoint of Lion City festivities. What better way to start the year then with a Chinese New Year spectacular, with its colourful Chingay parade and lion dance competition, brightly-lit streets framed by the Singapore city skyline and the fantastic fireworks display which bursts above it? One of Singapore’s most festive celebrations, the Chinese New Year heralds an influx of visitors from across the region and beyond.
March – May
Singapore Biennale
A cultural highlight on Singapore’s crowded events calendar, every year the Singapore Biennale transforms the island into one of the world’s leading art cities. Hosted by dozens of venues across the city state, the Biennale is a showcase of both local and international contemporary artworks, created by an array of artists working in a wide variety of media.
Late April – Early May
World Gourmet Summit
An annual culinary event first held in 1997, the World Gourmet Summit is designed bring the best in local and international flavours to an appreciative local audience. Highlighting Singapore’s reputation as one of the world’s preeminent food cities, the World Gourmet Summit is a yearly celebration taking place across many of Singapore’s finest restaurants and bars.
Mid-May
Asia Fashion Exchange
Suit up in style at the Asia Fashion Exchange, where young Singaporean designers enjoy a highly publicised platform to show off their wares. This multi-venue fashion extravaganza boasts an annual trade show and business conference, as well as the highlight of the exchange – Singapore’s much-anticipated annual Fashion Week.
Mid May – June
Singapore Arts Festival
One of Singapore’s longest running cultural events, the Singapore Arts Festival was established in 1977 as a means of celebrating the Lion City’s rich cultural tapestry. Featuring a dizzying array of dance, musical, theatre and visual artists, this colourful showcase of contemporary art is at the cutting edge of Singapore’s increasingly sophisticated cultural scene.
May – July
Great Singapore Sale
Shopping is serious business in Singapore, so much so there’s even a Great Singapore Sale! Catering to everyone from hardcore aficionados to the most casual of window shoppers, this two-month event encourages Singaporean retailers to slash their prices and generate a frenzy of economic activity.
June – July
Singapore River Festival
A relatively new edition to the city’s calendar of annual events, the Singapore River Festival is a week-long procession of bumboat parades, live music, street art and overall raucous revelry. This highly anticipated festival is a showcase of emerging talent set against the backdrop of Singapore’s vibrant riverfront skyline.
July
Singapore Food Festival
A celebration of Singapore’s much-heralded street food scene, the Singapore Food Festival is a roughly month-long extravaganza of street vendor wares and hawker food specialities. With new twists on old favourites like red chilli crab and Singapore Chicken Rice, this culinary gala is one of the Lion City’s most beloved festivals.
August – September
Mid-Autumn Festival
Chinatown comes alive for the annual Mid-Autumn Festival – a traditional Chinese celebration in honour of the full moon. This fun-filled event sees the streets around Chinatown light up with colourful paper lanterns and street stalls selling the ubiquitous Mooncake – a delicacy baked specially for this time of year.
Hari Raya Puasa
The heart of Singapore’s historic Muslim-Malay quarter Kampong Glam is awash with colour once the month-long Ramadan fast comes to an end, as streetside bazaars spring up to peddle their wares and vendors enjoy a brisk trade selling traditional Malay cuisine.
Late September
Singapore F1 Grand Prix
The Singapore streetscape provides a unique backdrop for one of the world’s most exciting Grand Prix, as the thunderous roar of Formula One engines echoes around the Marina Bay street circuit. The Singapore F1 Grand Prix is a highlight of the sporting calendar, with tickets often selling out weeks in advance.
Late October
Deepavali
The Hindu festival of light Diwali – known by its full name of Deepavali in Singapore – finds Little India’s lengthy Serangoon Road ablaze with light, symbolising the traditional Hindu belief of good triumphing evil and light overcoming darkness.
Mid-November – December
Christmas in the Tropics
A long-time local favourite, Singapore’s popular Christmas in the Tropics sees the Orchard Road and Marina Bay precincts transformed into a Yuletide wonderland. With the streets festooned with festive decorations and carols ringing through the air, the convivial atmosphere conjures the unmistakable aura of Christmas.
December – January
Marina Bay New Year Countdown
While the New Year festivities culminate with a spectacular fireworks show over Marina Bay, the countdown to New Year Eve is just as exciting. Featuring film screenings, concerts and street art performances, the Marina Bay New Year Countdown is the perfect way to end one year and begin a new one.