OUR
PICK OF THE FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN SINGAPORE |
JANUARY
2004 |
14
Nov 2003 to 5 Jan 2004 |
Christmas
Light-Up along Orchard Road.
Of
all the festive light-ups in Singapore, this is undoubtedly the
best. From 7.00 p.m. nightly, Orchard Road glitters with surprises,
revelry and joyful festive performances. The shopping malls compete
to outdo each other in the "Best Façade" competition.
|
22
Nov to 4 Jan 2004 |
Beach
Adrenaline Stuntshow at Sentosa.
Showtimes:
(Weekdays) 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm / (Weekends) 10:30am, 12:00pm,
4:00pm, 6:00pm.
|
3
to 22 Jan 2004 |
Chinese
Lunar New Year Light-Up & Street
Bazaar in Chinatown.
It's
the only time of the year that Chinatown is truly bustling. Indeed,
come at about 9.00 p.m. onwards on Lunar New Year's Eve and you'll
find yourself stuck in a human traffic jam with hawkers peddling
their wares at the top of their lungs. You'll definitely pick up
some great bargains!
Lunar
New Year's Eve: 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.
Fridays
and Saturdays: 7.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m.
All
other days: 7.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight.
*
The first 2 days of the Chinese Lunar New Year will fall on 22 and
23 Jan respectively in 2004. Tourists visiting Singapore should
note that it's a public holiday on both those days. Offices will
be shut and most shops will be closed. The majority of Singaporeans
are ethnic Chinese who will be spending the festive season with
their families. You'll be better off visiting Little India on those
days. |
15
Jan 2004 |
Pongal
- The Hindu Harvest Festival.
For
4 days, Hindu temples around Singapore ring with rhythmic sounds
of bells, drums, clarinets and conch shells as Southern Hindus celebrate
Pongal. Hindus chant prayers while rice is prepared on the temple
grounds. Vegetables, sugar cane and spices are offered to the gods
and later consumed by devotees to cleanse themselves of their past
sins. This festival begins at 6.30 a.m. at the Sri Srinivasan Perumal
Temple along Serangoon Road.
During
Pongal, there'll be a lively street bazaar (complete with cows!)
and nightly cultural performances along Campbell Lane (where The
InnCrowd is).
The
InnCrowd's favourite pub, Dravidar Wines, will also be holding their
annual rice-sack lifting competition. We'll certainly be joining
in! Should have seen the number of bottles of beer we won last year.
It was a night no one could remember...
|
20
Jan to 1 Feb 2004 |
Singapore
River Hong Bao.
This
riverside carnival, in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year
celebrations, takes place from 11.00 a.m. at Marina Promenade, the
nearest MRT Station being City Hall MRT Station (EW13/NS25).
The
fireworks on the opening day of the carnival and on the eve of the
Chinese Lunar New Year (21 Jan 2004) must not be missed. The InnCrowders
will certainly be there in full force to witness the spectacular
display and to usher in the New Year!
|
31
Jan 2004 |
The
Chingay Parade will be held along Orchard Road, on the 8th day
of the Chinese Lunar New Year. It will start at 7.00 p.m. There'll
be a preview at 7.30 p.m. on 30 Jan 2004.
The
InnCrowders were at the 2003 Parade. There was a lot of hype about
the Parade, but we were a little disappointed wth the quality of
the performances. Hopefully, the 2004 Parade will be better, and
with more music please!
|
FEBRUARY
2003 |
1
Feb 2004 |
Hari
Raya Haji.
Muslims
celebrate the successful completion of their annual pilgrimage to
Mecca, the holy birthplace of Prophet Mohammad, with prayers and
the slaughtering of lamb. The meat is shared with the poor, family
members and friends as an act of compassion.
The
less squirmish InnCrowders witnessed the slaughtering at Sultan
Mosque, a 10-min walk away from our hostel. We were there at about
9 a.m. and were greeted by the most gruesome sight of headless lambs
twitching and kicking. We watched as the men prayed, then slit the
throats of the lambs. We had to hold back our tears and keep our
breakfast down. By the end of the ceremony, everyone was green.
|
5
Feb 2004 |
Thaipusam.
Easily
the most spectacular and dramatic festival in Singapore. Thaipusam
is a must-see if you're in town. On this day, the birthday of Lord
Murugan, Hindu devotees pierce their tongues with skewers and carry
"kavadis" (a semi-circular metal structure) on their shoulders
as a mark of thanksgiving and penance. Other devotees pull chariots
with their bare bodies while spikes and hooks are embedded in their
backs. The entranced devotees feel no pain as they walk the 3 km
route to the chanting and encouragement of families and friends.
The
procession starts at about 11.00 p.m. the day before (4 Feb 2004)
from the Sri Srinivasan Perumal Temple (a 15-min walk from our hostel)
along Serangoon Road and ends at about midnight (on 5 Feb 2004)
at the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple along Tank Road.
The
InnCrowders joined the devotees at Sri Srinivasan Perumal Temple
at about 11.00 p.m. on the eve of Thaipusam. We watched the devotees
who were going to carry the milk pots and "kavadis" prepare
themselves for the journey. Some meditated, some went into a trance,
whilst others were pricked and pierced by their family members and
friends. We followed the procession down Serangoon Road. Throughout
the day, thousands of devotees proceeded down Serangoon Road with
their milk pots and "kavadis". As midnight approached,
we headed towards Sri Thandayuthapani Temple along Tank Road and
watched the removal of the pierced skewers from the cheeks, tongues
and torsos of the devotees. It was amazing that not a drop of blood
oozed out and that the devotees felt no pain.
|
MARCH
& APRIL 2004 |
4
Apr 2004 |
Qing
Ming Festival.
Once
a year, families gather at cemeteries and columbaria offering
prayers in remembrance of their ancestors. They burn joss sticks,
incense, and offer food and fruits to their ancestors. Observe
the rituals at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple at Sin Ming
Avenue.
|
MAY
2004 |
28
May to 11 Jul 2004 |
The
Great Singapore Sale.
This
is the best time to shop in Singapore, when the whole island goes
on sale with discounts of 70% or more.
|
JUNE
2004 |
28
May to 11 Jul 2004 |
The
Great Singapore Sale.
This
is the best time to shop in Singapore, when the whole island goes
on sale with discounts of 70% or more.
|
2
Jun 2004 |
Vesak
Day.
This
day commemorates Buddha's attainment of spiritual enlightenment.
Monks chant holy sutras while devotees release captive birds as
a mark of respect to all creatures and to gain merit. Observe the
festivities at the Thai Buddhist Temple at Jalan Bukit Merah and
Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery in Toa Payoh.
|
22
Jun 2004 |
Dragon
Boat Race & Rice Dumpling Festival.
Legend
has it that on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar
calendar, Qu Yuan, a patriot of ancient China, threw himself into
the Mi Luo River in protest against corruption and injustice. When
fishermen heard of Qu Yuan's suicide, they went out in their boats
to search for him, thus began the tradition of having dragon boat
races. To prevent fish from devouring Qu Yuan's body, fishermen
also threw rice into the river, thus began the tradition of dumpling
eating.
|
JULY
2004 |
28
May to 11 Jul 2004 |
The
Great Singapore Sale.
This
is the best time to shop in Singapore, when the whole island goes
on sale with discounts of 70% or more.
|
AUGUST
2004 |
9
Aug 2004 |
National
Day Parade.
To mark the nation's independence, a parade is held each year, some
years at the Padang at City Hall and other years at the National
Stadium at Kallang. The parade begins at 6.00 p.m. Even if you don't
have a ticket, you can watch it "live" on large screens
in the vicinity of the venue and get showered by the fireworks at
the close of the parade.
The InnCrowders were at Stadium Cove for National Day 2003. The
canons which went off at the start of the parade were positioned
right next to where we were! Some of us watched the parade on the
large screens, whilst others wandered through the festive market
at Stadium Cove. We were all treated to a dazzling display of fireworks
at the finale!
|
16
Aug to 13 Sept 2004 |
Festival
of the Hungry Ghosts.
This
is one of the most interesting festivals in Singapore. It takes
place on the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the most inauspicious
month of that calendar. Taoists believe that the "hell gates"
open and spirits
roam the earth freely during the 7th month. The superstitious do
not keep late nights during this period to avoid a ghostly encounter.
"Hell currency", joss-sticks, candles and plenty of cakes
and fruits are offered to the spirits to appease them. Street banquets,
"wayangs" (Chinese street operas), and mini pop concerts
are held to entertain the spirits. Public auctions of auspicious
items are conducted during the street banquets.Feel free to watch
the "wayangs" and mini pop concerts which are held in
the streets. They are as much for the entertainment of the spirits
as they are for us. The performances are free. More
pics >>
The
festivities will be brought right to the doorstep of The InnCrowd
on one particular night of this festival, when Campbell Lane will
be transformed into a "banquet hall" with an auction stand.
The InnCrowders were invited to the banquet for year 2003, and it
was an eye-opening experience. The privileges of bunking with us!
|
SEPTEMBER
2004 |
16
Aug to 13 Sept 2004 |
Festival
of the Hungry Ghosts. (See Aug 2004) |
8
to 13 Sept 2004 |
Ngee
Ann City National Lion Dance Championships.
Catch
Singapore’s top lion dance troupes pit their skills for glory
in this competition. Be prepared for thunderous drumbeats, clashing
cymbals and invigorating ritualistic dance steps. This competition
takes place at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, and it's free!
|
28
Sept 2004 |
Mid-Autumn
Festival / Mooncake Festival.
The
opening ceremony for the festival takes place at Chinatown, with
lion and dragon dances, lantern parade, and stilt walkers. Enjoy
nightly Chinese operas, daily acrobatic shows and outdoor screenings
of Cantonese/Mandarin movies from the 1950s during the weekends.
Catch it all for free.
Another
good place to soak in the lively atmosphere of this festival is
Albert Mall, where Chinese operas, traditional song and dance
are performed and lantern-making competitions are held. Catch
it all for free. Albert Mall is just a 5-min walk from The InnCrowd.
During
this period, you should sample mooncakes (Chinese cakes made of
lotus paste, melon seeds, red bean paste, nuts, yam and sometimes
preserved duck's eggs) and pomelos (a local citrus fruit). Legend
tells of how the Chinese sent secret messages stuffed in mooncakes
to help overthrow the tyrannical government during the Yuan Dynasty
in the 14th century.
The
InnCrowders celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival 2003 with a midnight
lantern-lit walk through the rainforest at MacRitchie Reservoir.
We could hear monkeys and other inhabitants of the forest scurrying
about as we snaked through the pitch dark forest. When it was
time for a snack, we stopped at a pavillion by the water for some
mooncakes. It was a wicked experience, one which we will certainly
be sharing with our bunkies year after year!
|
29
Sept: |
Birthday
of the Monkey God.
On
the 16th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, a
colourful and bizarre celebration takes place at the Monkey God
Temple (located at the junction of Seng Poh Road and Eng Hoon
Street). The nearest MRT Station is Tiong Bahru MRT Station.
In
ancient China, during the Tang Dynasty, the Emperor needed a courier
to fetch the Buddhist scriptures from India. A pilgrim monk set
off on the journey, during which he was helped by the Monkey God,
who became famous for his bravery.On the birthday of the Monkey
God, a sedan chair with a medium entranced by the spirit of the
Monkey God is hoisted on the shoulders of devotees. The sedan
chair rocks and jerks, as if possessed by the spirits of the Monkey
God. A procession of entranced devotees takes place in the courtyard
of the temple. Many devotees perform bizarre acts such as skewering
their tongues and cheeks, and distributing paper charms written
in their own blood. This event is not to be missed if you are
in Singapore at that time.
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OCTOBER
2002 |
6
Oct to 14 Oct: |
Navarathiri
Festival (dates to be confirmed). Navarathiri means
"nine lights" in Tamil and the festival is specially dedicated
to 3 Hindu goddesses - Dhurga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. It is a 9-
night, 10-day festival. For
9 nights from 7.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., classical Indian songs and
dances are performed at the Sri Mariamman Temple along South Bridge
Road, Sri Veeramakaliamman and Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple
along Serangoon Road (a short walk from the Hostel) and Sri Thandayuthapani
Temple along Tank Road. On the first 3 days, devotees pray to Dhurga,
who protects them from evil. The following 3 days, devotees honour
Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. The next 3 days, they pray to Saraswathi,
the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge. On
the tenth day called night Vijaya Dasami, devotees celebrate the
victory of Durga over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. There
will be a dramatic closing procession with a silver horse leading
a congregation of devotees in colourful Indian attire. |
6
Oct to 14 Oct: |
Nine
Emperor Gods Festival. For 9 days at the Kiu Ong
Yiah Temple ("Nine Emperor Gods Temple") on Upper Serangoon
Road, devotees rejoice in the visit of the Nine Emperor Gods, who
is believed to cure ailments and bestow good fortune and longevity.
Priests write charms with their blood and at the height of the celebration,
the images of the Nine Emperor Gods parade past in intricate sedan
chairs carried by 8 men. As the chairs leave the temple, they begin
to sway and jerk as if possessed by the gods. The carriers then
charge into the crowd, running back and forth as devotees are bathed
in the smoke of hundreds of joss-sticks. Onlookers open their wallets
and handbags, fanning in the holy smoke to encourage financial success
in the coming year. |
11
Oct to 8 Nov: |
Deepavali
Light Up at Little India. Deepavali
is the Hindu festival of lights. Serangoon Road and Campbell Lane
(where the Hostel is located) is set aglow with colourful lights
from 7.00 p.m. every night during this festival. There will also
be a Festival Village with stalls lining up along Campbell Lane
selling Indian merchandise and festive goodies. |
12
October 2002: |
The
long-awaited grand opening of Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, the
brand-new cultural hub of Singapore, will take place. The celebrations
will begin with an outdoor Fiesta! at sunset, with music, aerial
acts and roving theatre along the waterfront. The highlight of the
evening will be a magnificent Harbour Spectacular, a dazzling and
physical 30-minute extravaganza that features an abseiling team,
giant puppets and dramatic pyrotechnics. Be there, it's free! During
the 3-week long opening festival from 13 October 2002 to 3 November
2002., there will be free outdoor performances at the waterfront
every evening. City Hall MRT Station (EW13/NS25) is the closest
MRT Station to Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. |
28
Oct: |
Silver
Chariot Procession (date to be confirmed). Follow
the procession as the Goddess Draupadi takes her traditional tour
through Chinatown (Sri Mariamman Temple) to Little India (Sri Srinivasa
Perumal Temple) in her towering silver chariot. Devotees make their
offerings to the goddess at 2 Hindu temples in Chinatown, Campbell
Lane (where the Hostel is) and 3 more Hindu temples in Little India.
The procession starts at 7.00 p.m. |
28
Oct: |
Thimithi
Festival / Fire-Walking Festival (date to be confirmed).
Held in honor of the Goddess Draupadi, a heroine of the Hindu epic
poem "Mahabharata", this festival is an ongoing celebration
of incredible fire-walking feats. Witness barefoot devotees defiantly
walk across a 4-metre red-hot coalpit, showing no signs of pain.The
festival is held at the Sri Mariamman Temple along South Bridge
Road and it starts in the early afternoon when coals are laid down
around 5.00 p.m. and the fire walking festivities begin. |
NOVEMBER
2002 |
11
Oct to 8 Nov: |
Deepavali
Light Up at Little India. (Look under October 2002) |
12
Oct to 3 Nov: |
Grand
Opening of Esplanade - Theatres
on the Bay (Look under October 2002) |
2
Nov to 15 Dec: |
Hari
Raya Light-Up. During Hari Raya Puasa,
the streets in Geylang Serai come brilliantly alive with lights
and shiny decorations from 7.00 p.m. nightly. Muslim families throng
to the "pasar malam" (night market) for new clothes, cookies
and other festive fares. |
16
Nov to 5 Jan: |
Christmas
Light-Up. |
16
Nov to 24 Nov: |
Singapore
River Buskers' Festival. Catch the fascinating
antics of top international street acts as they juggle, mime and
generally entertain along the many al fresco eateries of the Singapore
River. |
DECEMBER
2002 |
2
Nov to 15 Dec: |
Hari
Raya Light-Up. (Look under November 2002) |
|
16
Nov to 5 Jan: |
Christmas
Light-Up. (Look under December 2002) |
7
Dec to 8 Dec: |
Singapore
River Regatta. Some 2,000 participants from about 100 teams
participate in this annual dragon boat and canoe race which takes
place along the Kallang River at the Kallang Basin. |
8
Dec: |
The
Million Dollar Duck Race. Now, this is a unique carnival and
race which you ought to catch if you're in town. Thousands of yellow
rubber duckies sporting cool black shades swimming down the Singapore
River are cheered on to the finishing line. Adopt a duck for S$10,
and win a cool S$1 million if your duck crosses the finishing line
first. The race starts at 2.00 p.m. at the Singapore River. |
31
Dec: |
Countdown
to 2003 at Suntec City. Usher in the new year with
a bang at the World's Largest Fountain at Suntec City. This is the
hottest outdoor dance party in Singapore, and it's free too. |
31
Dec: |
Salsa
New Year's Eve Party at Chijmes.
Singapore's premiere outdoor Salsa New Year's Eve Party begins at
9.00 p.m. at Chijmes. Admission is free. |
15
Feb to 16 Feb:
|
Singapore
River Raft Race. This is another unique river race where anything
that can be recycled that is - plastic bottles, cans, bamboo, coconuts,
tyres, brooms, furniture - can be used to build rafts. Participants
paddle their quirky rafts along the 100 metre course on the Singapore
River at Clarke Quay. 15
February 2002: 12 noon to 5.00 p.m 16 February
2002: 10 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. |