Events in Singapore: Annual Festivals & Activities for Every Season

Events in Singapore take place year-round, so no matter when tourists visit, there always is something amazing to see and do in Singapore. The island is filled with great tourist attractions for visitors of all ages. Round out every trip itinerary with a fun festival, parade, or other celebration to experience the culture of Singapore in a unique way.

Spring Events in Singapore (March to May)

When it comes to the weather, springtime in Singapore is a little unpredictable. Expect some rainy, windy days and sporadic thunderstorms throughout March and early April. It is advisable to bring an umbrella or light rain jacket just in case. By mid-April, the dry season is in full swing, and it is more common to be greeted with a shining sun than a sky full of clouds. The end of spring is a nice quiet time to visit Singapore before the peak tourist season.

Boutique Fairs Singapore

Date: Three days (Friday to Sunday) in March and again in November
Location: F1 Pit Building on 1 Republic Boulevard

For tourists looking for a unique and beautiful souvenir to take home, Boutique Fairs Singapore is the perfect event. This weekend fair brings together hundreds of vendors selling handmade housewares and accessories, clothing, fresh flowers, and much more.

The event venue, the F1 Pit Building, is conveniently located near Marina Bay and great Singapore attractions like Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay.

The event is run over three days in November for winter travelers.

Ramadan

Date: Usually begins in April or May and ends in May or June (Ramadan follows the 9th month of the Islamic calendar)
Location: Malay Market (Geylang Serai New Market) on 1 Geylang Serai and in various markets in the Kampong Glam neighborhood.

Singapore is a beautiful multicultural country where many religious holidays are fervently celebrated. For the island’s Muslim community, the holy month of Ramadan is spent fasting from dawn to dusk. Throughout this month, tourists can visit places like Malay Market (Geylang Serai New Market) for an introduction to Malay-Muslim culture. The market features Muslim food, clothing, handcrafted items, and music.

Kampong Glam, the island’s Malay-Muslim quarter, is also a great place to visit during Ramadan. The Hari Raya Puasa Festival (also known as Eid al-Fitr or “Festival of Breaking the Fast”) marks the end of Ramadan with a celebration of prayer, lights, music, and time spent with family and friends.

Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA)

Date: Usually starts in mid-May and runs for about two weeks
Location: Various venues, including Esplanade Theatres on the Bay and Victoria Theater and Concert Hall

Art in all its forms is celebrated at Singapore International Festival of Arts, a two-week festival which includes art installations, performances, artist talks, and much more. Tickets are available in discounted packages for tourists who want to experience different shows and workshops over multiple days. SIFA truly celebrates the best that Singapore has to offer in the fields of drama, dance, music, film, and the visual arts.

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Summer Events in Singapore (June to August)

Summer is the peak tourist season in Singapore. While lunchtime thunderstorms occur occasionally, these months are usually dry, sunny, and very hot. Wear cool, breathable clothing and use plenty of sunscreen when visiting Singapore’s many outdoor attractions, like Singapore Zoo and Merlion Park. Summer events in Singapore are plentiful and focus on a variety of diverse themes like food, music, and culture.

GSS: Experience Singapore (The Great Singapore Sale)

Date: Usually late June to late July
Location: Orchard Road, Kampong Glam and other Singapore neighborhoods

Enter a shopping paradise at The Great Singapore Sale, now rebranded as GSS: Experience Singapore. During this month-long sale, various retailers throughout Orchard Road, Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India offer free promotional items, deep discounts, and lucky draws. Bargain hunters will have a great time searching the shelves for discounted clothing, jewelry, electronics, and much more.

Singapore Food Festival

Date: Usually mid-July to late July
Location: Multiple restaurants and venues, including The Promontory on 11 Marina Boulevard

The famous Singapore Food Festival is more than just a festival: it is a collection of dozens of events that celebrate the absolute best in Singapore cuisine. Participating restaurants serve delicious dishes for food crawls, and celebrity chefs teach special classes for amateur and professional cooks. The main event is Streat, a two-day festival featuring all sorts of local and international food vendors, cooking workshops, and live musical entertainment.

Dragon Boat Festival

Date: Usually in July
Location: Bedok Reservoir and surrounding area

Watching dragon boat races is an incredible experience for two key reasons – the strength and determination of the athletes and the beauty of the boats themselves. The Dragon Boat Festival generally takes place over one day in July in Bedok Reservoir. Crews of athletes from various dragon boat racing clubs compete in colorful boats for cheering crowds of tourists and locals. On the sidelines, enjoy traditional Chinese dumplings with sweet or savory fillings.

National Day of Singapore

Date: August 9
Location: Throughout Singapore but mainly in Marina Bay

Every year, Singaporeans celebrate the National Day of Singapore, a day which commemorates the island’s independence from Malaysia. Leading up to the big event, shopkeepers and homeowners decorate their properties in red and white with flags and other decorative items. On August 9, locals and tourists can head to the Downtown Core to enjoy Singapore’s National Day Parade, musical performances, and a ceremony and speech by the president of Singapore. At night, celebratory fireworks light up Marina Bay.

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Autumn Events in Singapore (September to November)

Early Autumn weather in Singapore is largely the same as summer weather. It’s sunny, hot, and mostly dry. This time period is not as busy with tourists, though, so it’s a great opportunity to visit the island. Come mid-October, the rain starts to pick up, and by mid-November, monsoon season is in full swing. The weather remains consistently warm throughout the autumn months.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Date: Usually in September (on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month)
Location: Chinatown

Sometimes known as the Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese harvest festival with roots going back to Shang Dynasty. Once the sun sets, the streets of Chinatown come alive with the glow from the moon and from traditional paper or wire lanterns lit with wax candles. Lantern painting competitions draw local artists and crowds of viewers. Sweet and delicious mooncakes and Chinese tea are the festival’s main draw.

EarthFest Singapore

Date: Usually in late September
Location: Lip Hing Industrial Building on 3 Pemimpin Drive

Sustainability is an important topic in today’s society and one that is the main focus of EarthFest Singapore, an environmental fair usually held in September. This is a fairly new Singapore event that was first held in 2015. The organizers of EarthFest Singapore aim to educate, entertain, and encourage practices which are environmentally friendly. The event includes a farmer’s market, food stalls, live music, and workshops and games focused on teaching long-term sustainability.

Deepavali Festival of Lights

Date: Generally sometime between mid-October and mid-November (based on the Hindu calendar)
Location: Little India

Singapore’s multiculturalism is once again shown off with the celebration of Deepavali (or Diwali), a Hindu festival of lights. This five-day festival is a symbol of the spiritual victory of light over dark (or good over evil). In Singapore, the best place to be during Deepavali is Little India, where the streets will be traditionally decorated with bright colors and lit up with hundreds of lights. During this festival, the neighborhood also has food vendors and stalls selling handcrafted items plus various music and dance performances.

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Winter Events in Singapore (December to February)

When visiting Singapore in the winter, be sure to pack a raincoat! December and January are generally two of the wettest months on the island. Heavy rainfall can also be expected when visiting in February. While the rain may not be ideal, winter on the island is still quite warm so pack lightweight and waterproof clothing to wear. Most winter events in Singapore revolve around major holidays like Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF)

Date: Usually late November to early December
Location: Various screening venues, including the National Museum of Singapore

Founded over 30 years ago, Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is an important part of the island’s cultural history. The festival includes showings of independent films by both Asian filmmakers and filmmakers from around the world. Each year, one standout film is chosen by a panel of experts as the winner of the Silver Screen Awards Competition. In addition to film screenings, other film-related activities like workshops and exhibitions also take place.

Christmas in Singapore

Date: Late November to December 25th
Location: Orchard Road and across Singapore

Though the island does not see any traditional snow, Christmas is still a big celebration in Singapore. Starting in early November, many shops begin to spread a little Christmas magic with lights, music, and Christmas-themed decor. Orchard Road is one of the best places to shop year-round but it is especially delightful at Christmastime when the streets are decorated.

After Orchard Road, stop by the nearby Ngee Ann City and experience the Christmas Village that is set up there annually. Gardens by the Bay also hosts a Christmas Wonderland complete with an outdoor ice skating, great food and drinks, and a display of gorgeous Christmas trees and poinsettias.

Chunjie: Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)

Date: Usually in January or February (based on the traditional Chinese calendar)
Location: Chinatown

Chinese New Year is a hugely celebrated event in Singapore . Tourists who visit the island during this time may have long lines and large crowds to contend with. Celebrations happen all over the different neighborhoods but are especially extravagant in Chinatown.

Music, dancing, lantern displays, and fireworks can all be enjoyed at River Hongbao, an iconic festival that takes place at The Float @ Marina Bay (NS Square).

Chingay Parade is another can’t-miss Chinese Spring Festival activity with incredible cultural significance. Chingay means “the art of costume” or “masquerade,” and the colorful parade starts at the F1 Pit Building and ends at The Float @ Marina Bay (NS Square), where River Hongbao is in full swing.

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