Singapore truly is a festival lover’s paradise, with a vibrant mix of cultural and religious celebrations happening throughout the year. This island nation, with its rich multicultural heritage, embraces every festival with open arms, offering an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike. Here’s a guide to some of the most vibrant festivities. And we even threw in outfit recommendations for each festivities to add some cultural flair to your little one's wardrobe.
1. Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) – Celebrated with parades, lion dances, and fireworks, Chinese New Year is all about family and feasting. Chinatown becomes the heart of the festivities, filled with decorations and bustling street markets.
Experience: Head to Chinatown for vibrant lion dances, fireworks, and street markets. Visit the River Hongbao for larger-than-life lanterns.
Outfit: Look for traditional red cheongsams or qipaos for girls and mandarin-collar shirts with dragon or floral patterns for boys. Red symbolizes good luck and is a festive must-have.
2. Deepavali (Diwali)(Oct/Nov) – The Festival of Lights is a grand affair in Little India, where streets are illuminated, and traditional Indian sweets like mithai are shared among friends and family. Temples are packed with people offering prayers and lighting oil lamps to signify the victory of good over evil.
Experience: Explore Little India’s beautifully lit streets and enjoy Indian sweets like mithai. Don’t miss the cultural performances and temple visits.
Outfit: Buy vibrant lehengas or salwar kameez sets for girls and colorful kurta-pajamas for boys. Choose bright colors like gold, orange, and pink for a festive feel.
3. Hari Raya Puasa (Varies, end of Ramadan) – Celebrating the end of Ramadan, Hari Raya Puasa is marked by festive gatherings and a huge spread of delicious food. Locals visit one another’s homes, sharing dishes like rendang and ketupat. Geylang Serai is beautifully decorated during this time, with lights and bazaars adding to the festive spirit.
Experience: Visit Geylang Serai for colorful lights and bustling bazaars. Indulge in traditional Malay dishes at open houses.
Outfit: A baju kurung for girls or a baju melayu for boys in beautiful shades of green, blue, or purple. Ensure the material is lightweight and breathable to keep kids comfortable in the heat.
4. Thaipusam (Jan/Feb) – This Hindu festival involves an awe-inspiring procession where devotees carry “kavadis,” or elaborate frameworks, in an act of devotion. It's an intense and spiritual event, particularly at temples like Sri Thendayuthapani.
Experience: Watch the devotees’ kavadi procession at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. Arrive early for a prime viewing spot.
Outfit: Comfortable and breathable clothing is key for kids. Girls can wear light cotton dresses, and boys can wear simple cotton kurta tops with shorts or pants. Neutral or white colors are best to avoid overheating.
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5. Vesak Day (May) – Celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, Vesak Day is a peaceful and reflective holiday. Temples across the island, such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, hold candlelight vigils, prayers, and offerings of flowers and food.
Experience: Visit Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown for candlelight vigils and observe peaceful temple rituals.
Outfit: Simple white attire for both girls and boys, such as cotton dresses or tunics with pants. White represents peace and mindfulness during this festival.
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6. Hungry Ghost Festival (Aug/Sept) – During this festival, locals believe that the spirits of the dead return to the living world. People make offerings of food, burn incense, and leave out joss paper to honor their ancestors and calm wandering spirits.
Experience: Witness the joss paper burning in Chinatown and catch live performances (Getai) meant to entertain wandering spirits.
Outfit: Go for darker, more muted tones for kids, such as navy blue or gray t-shirts with shorts for boys and simple dresses or tops with skirts for girls.
7. Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept/Oct) – A family-friendly celebration, the Mid-Autumn Festival is all about mooncakes, lanterns, and admiring the full moon. Gardens by the Bay and Chinatown are particularly magical, with their lantern displays and festive activities.
Experience: Gardens by the Bay and Chinatown are ideal spots to enjoy the lantern displays. Don’t forget to sample mooncakes!
Outfit: Fun, playful clothing with moon or lantern motifs would be perfect. Girls can wear light, pastel-colored dresses, and boys can opt for light shirts with cute patterns like stars or lanterns.
8. Christmas (Dec 25) – Singapore does Christmas with style! Orchard Road transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with glittering light displays, festive music, and shopping galore. It's the perfect time to enjoy the holiday spirit, even if there’s no snow.
Experience: Stroll down Orchard Road for dazzling light displays. For festive markets and performances, head to Marina Bay Sands.
Outfit: Festive outfits like red or green dresses for girls and red shirts with cute holiday patterns for boys. Christmas-themed pajamas are also a cute option for casual holiday fun.
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9. National Day (Aug 9) – Singapore’s birthday is celebrated on August 9th with a grand parade, fireworks, and performances. The city bursts with national pride, and Marina Bay Sands is the prime spot to catch the fireworks display.
Experience: Watch the National Day Parade at Marina Bay Sands and the evening fireworks at Marina Bay for a full celebration of Singapore's birthday.
Outfit: Red and white outfits are perfect for the occasion. Girls can wear red dresses or white tops with red skirts, while boys can wear red or white t-shirts with matching shorts.
10. Lantern Festival (15th day of Lunar New Year) – Held on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, this festival brings families together to release beautiful glowing lanterns into the sky. The River Hongbao is a popular spot to see these lanterns in action, as well as elaborate displays and cultural performances.
Experience: Visit River Hongbao to experience the cultural performances and release glowing lanterns into the sky.
Outfit: Light and airy clothing with lantern or moon-themed prints. Girls can wear playful dresses with lantern patterns, and boys can wear t-shirts with moon or festival motifs.