Life in Singapore

January
Mid-Late January This 12-day festival welcomes the Chinese New Year with outdoor cultural events and carnivals, including an 88-member lion dance and electronic, rock, punk and pop concerts by Chinese bands. Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive. For information and tickets, call 6348-5555. Continues through early February

Mid-Late January: Thaipusam. In this dramatic Hindu festival, penitents with kavadis (semicircular steel frames) pierced to their bodies with spikes, hooks and skewers lead a procession from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thandayuthapani Temple.

Late January: Chingay Parade of Dreams. Floats, marching bands, more than 4,000 performers, and lion and dragon dances in one of the grandest, multicultural street parades to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The route follows Orchard Road. For information, call 6736-6622. Continues through mid February

Late January: Singapore River Hong Bao. The Marina Promenade is home to this carnival by the river. Festivities include an elaborate fireworks show, Chinese arts and crafts, food, carnival rides and live entertainment. For information, call 6736-6622. Continues through early February

February
Early-Mid February: Chingay Parade of Dreams. Floats, marching bands, more than 4,000 performers, and lion and dragon dances in one of the grandest, multicultural street parades to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The route follows Orchard Road. For information, call 6736-6622. Concludes mid February

Early February: Huayi: Chinese Festival of Arts. This 12-day festival welcomes the Chinese New Year with outdoor cultural events and carnivals, including an 88-member lion dance and electronic, rock, punk and pop concerts by Chinese bands. Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive. For information and tickets, call 6348-5555.

Early February: Singapore River Hong Bao. The Marina Promenade is home to this carnival by the river. Festivities include an elaborate fireworks show, Chinese arts and crafts, food, carnival rides and live entertainment. For information, call 6736-6622. Concludes early February

March
Early-Late March: Birthday of Lao Zi Celebrations. Taoists celebrate the birthday of the philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching with prayers, rituals and musical performances. Sago Lane and Chinatown Complex. For information, call 841-3691.

Early-Late March: Singapore International Festival For Children. Internationally acclaimed companies from around the world perform a repertoire of music, puppetry, drama, storytelling and plays for young audiences. Various venues. For information, call 6735-9986. For tickets, call 6348-5555.

Mid-Late March: Singapore International Comedy Festival. Top comedians, troupes and cabaret acts from around the world perform at venues including Jubilee Hall and Raffles Hotel. For information, call 6250-3347. For tickets, call 348-5555. Continues through early April

Mid-Late March: Golf. One of the richest golf tournaments in Asia brings world-class golfers to compete for US$900,000. Laguna National Golf and Country Club. For information, call 6720-1540. For tickets, call 6348-5555.

April
Early-Mid April: ARTSingapore, The Contemporary Asian Art Fair. More than 40 art galleries from Asia and throughout the Pacific exhibit contemporary paintings, sculptures, ceramics and other works by established artists and new talent. Suntec Singapore. For information, call 6235-4113.

Early-Mid April: Qing Ming Festival. Chinese equivalent of All Souls Day celebrations. Food and incense are offered to ancestors at cemeteries and temples, and families go to grave sites to clean them and pray. A good place to observe these ceremonies is Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple on Sin Ming Road.

Mid-Late April: World Gourmet Summit. Asia’s leading gastronomical event features two weeks of dinners, master classes, shows and other events served up by master chefs, winemakers and international guest cooks. Various venues. For information and booking, call 6270-1254.

Mid-Late April: Singapore International Film Festival. Screenings of approximately 330 feature-length films, documentaries and shorts from more than 45 countries. Venues include Golden Village Grand Cinemas and the Alliance Francaise Auditorium. For information, call 6738-7578. For tickets, call 6296-2929.

May
Mid May: Horse Races. One of the world’s richest horse races, the Singapore International Airelines Cup takes place at the Turf Club, Kranji Course. For information, call 6879-1350.

Mid-Late May: Vesak Day. Public holiday. Lord Buddha’s entry into Nirvana is commemorated with chants by monks and the release of captive birds at temples. Good places to watch the ceremonies include Buddhist Lodge on River Valley Road; Thai Buddhist Temple, Jalan Buakit Merah; and Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple, Jalan Toa Payoh. Continues through early June

Throughout May: Concert. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra performs frequent concerts of traditional Chinese music. Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way. For information, call 6440-3839. For tickets, call 6348-5555.Concludes late May

Late May: Great Singapore Sale. An annual six-week shopping frenzy during which major stores and some designer boutiques cut prices by as much as 70% on clothing, electronics, jewelry and other items. For information, call 6223-6221 or 1900-777-7777.

June
Early June: Vesak Day. Public holiday. Lord Buddha’s entry into Nirvana is commemorated with chants by monks and the release of captive birds at temples. Good places to watch the ceremonies include Buddhist Lodge on River Valley Road; Thai Buddhist Temple, Jalan Buakit Merah; and Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple, Jalan Toa Payoh.

Mid June: Dragon Boat Festival. In Marina Bay, boldly decorated dragon boats race to the sound of gongs and drums in this ancient Chinese watersport. The races and other festivities attract thousands. For information, call the Singapore Dragon Boat Association at 440-9763.

July
Late July: Concert. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra performs frequent concerts of traditional Chinese music. Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way. For information, call 6440-3839. For tickets, call 6348-5555. Continues through late May 2006

Throughout July: Concert. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra performs frequently at the Esplanade Concert Hall, 01 Esplanade Drive. For information, call 6338-1230. For tickets, call 6348-5555. Continues through late December

Throughout July: Great Singapore Sale. An annual six-week shopping frenzy during which major stores and some designer boutiques cut prices by as much as 70% on clothing, electronics, jewelry and other items. For information, call 6223-6221 or 1900-777-7777. Concludes late July

August
Early August: Billed as the largest gay and lesbian pride celebration in Asia, this annual event features three nights of parties, theatrical performances and art exhibits. Musical Fountain Garden, Sentosa, and other venues.

9 August: National Day. Public holiday. Military demonstrations, a parachute freefall, a parade and a fireworks display take place at National Stadium, 15 Stadium Road.

Mid-August: Hungry Ghost Festival. Spirits, some of them testy and vengeful, wander the earth and require appeasement by sumptuous banquets, street operas, candles and the burning of currency. Continues through 13 Sep

Late August: WOMAD. This annual international festival showcases world music, arts and dance groups performing throughout downtown Fort Canning Park. For information, call 734-5910.

Throughout August: Concert. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra performs frequent concerts of traditional Chinese music. Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way. For information, call 6440-3839. For tickets, call 6348-5555. Continues through late May.

Throughout August: Concert. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra performs frequently at the Esplanade Concert Hall, 01 Esplanade Drive. For information, call 6338-1230. For tickets, call 6348-5555. Continues through late December

Throughout August: Art Exhibit. Ju Ming Exhibition. The internationally acclaimed Taiwanese sculptor presents a collection of 70 new, never-before-seen sculptures. Fullerton Singapore Hotel, 1 Fullerton. Phone 6339-0678.

September
Early-Late September: SeptFest. Singapore’s first contemporary arts center hosts cutting-edge theater and dance performances by international companies, art exhibits, concerts and other activities. The Substation, 45 Armenian St. For information, call 337-7535. Continues through early October

Early September: Hungry Ghost Festival. Spirits, some of them testy and vengeful, wander the earth and require appeasement by sumptuous banquets, street operas, candles and the burning of currency. ]

Late September: Mid-Autumn Festival. Chinese celebration of the mid-autumn harvest. Revelers feast on mooncakes, tropical fruits and other sweets sold at food stalls throughout Chinatown, which is decorated with numerous lanterns.

Throughout September: Concert. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra performs frequent concerts of traditional Chinese music. Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way. For information, call 6440-3839. For tickets, call 6348-5555 Continues through late May 2005

Throughout September: Concert. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra performs frequently at the Esplanade Concert Hall, 01 Esplanade Drive. For information, call 6338-1230. For tickets, call 6348-5555. Continues through late December

October
Early October: SeptFest. Singapore’s first contemporary arts center hosts cutting-edge theater and dance performances by international companies, art exhibits, concerts and other activities. The Substation, 45 Armenian St. For information, call 337-7535.

Mid-Late October: Theemidhi Festival. The highlight of this Hindu festival is watching devotees walk barefoot across a pit of hot embers. Daylong festivities. Sri Mariamman Temple, 244 S. Bridge Road.

8-31 October: Hari Raya Puasa Light-up. Muslim festival of lights held in the streets of the Geylang Serai district, known for its large and culturally active Malay community.

Mid-late Oct: Ramadan. Muslims observe a month of daylight fasting, and prayers are offered at mosques each evening.

Late October: Deepavali Light-Up. Celebrations of the Hindu Festival of Light, with fairy lights, garlands and illuminated arches, take place along Serangoon Road and at temples (including Sri Veerama Kaliamman, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal). Special foods and delicacies are for sale at the Deepavali Festival Village on Campbell Lane in Little India. Continues through late November

Throughout October: Concert. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra performs frequently at the Esplanade Concert Hall, 01 Esplanade Drive. For information, call 6338-1230. For tickets, call 6348-5555.

Throughout October: Concert. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra performs frequent concerts of traditional Chinese music. Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way. For information, call 6440-3839. For tickets, call 6348-5555.

November
Early-Mid November: Singapore Triatholon. Part of the Asia Cup series, this world-class, grueling athletic event requires competitors to swim 1 mi/1.5 km in the open sea, bike 25 mi/40 km and run 6.5 mi/10 km. Also other events geared toward different levels of ability. For information, call 6340-9631.

14 November : Hari Raya Puasa. Public holiday. This major Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan.

Mid November : Cheers Badminton Open. This World Grand Prix tournament circuit event draws top badminton players from more than 20 countries to compete for US$170,000. Singapore Indoor Stadium. For information, call 6344-1773.

Late November : Singapore River Regatta. More than 100 local dragon-boat teams compete in this race on the Singapore River. For information, call the Singapore Dragon Boat Association at 6440-9763.

Throughout November: Deepavali Light-Up. Celebrations of the Hindu Festival of Light, with fairy lights, garlands and illuminated arches, take place along Serangoon Road and at temples (including Sri Veerama Kaliamman, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal). Special foods and delicacies are for sale at the Deepavali Festival Village on Campbell Lane in Little India. Concludes late November.

Throughout November: Concert. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra performs frequent concerts of traditional Chinese music. Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way. For information, call 6440-3839. For tickets, call 6348-5555

Throughout November: Concert. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra performs frequently at the Esplanade Concert Hall, 01 Esplanade Drive. For information, call 6338-1230. For tickets, call 6348-5555. Continues through late December ?

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