Celebrate the Year of the Tiger in Singapore
The tinsel and party poppers are packed away for another year, but in Singapore the party’s only just beginning.
The spectacular Chinese New Year festivities are less than a month away, kick starting an exciting calendar of events from colourful religious festivals to cutting edge theatre and high octane sporting action, ensuring there’s something to celebrate whenever you visit.
Chinese New Year Celebrations, 23 January – 7 March 2010
Singapore comes to life like nowhere else on the planet for this most important Chinese festival! The first day of Chinese New Year falls on 14 February in 2010 but Chinatown erupts with over a month of colourful street lighting and festivities. The celebrations begin on 23 January with the official opening ceremony featuring amazing pyrotechnics, firecrackers and the hotly contested international lion dance heats with participants from across Asia.
Food and shopping come to the fore with over 500 festive stalls lining the streets of Chinatown whilst Singaporeans celebrate their cultural diversity with nightly performances at Kreta Ayer Square. Soak up the atmosphere as you stroll around Chinatown, mingling with the locals as they gather New Year paraphernalia for the home. The festivities ripple across the city, with Marina Bay’s floating platform transformed with large scale displays of popular Chinese mythical creatures as part of Singapore River Hongbao (12 – 20 February) and Chingay, one of Asia’s biggest street parades, exploding into life on 19 and 20 February at the new parade venue next to the iconic Singapore Flyer.
Chinese New Year itself is welcomed with the grand countdown and fireworks display on 13 February 2010. The celebrations culminate with Chinatown Yuan Xiao Jie on 28 February, the 15th day of Chinese New Year. Highlights from the Chingay Street Parade hit the streets of Chinatown and lovers mark the Chinese Valentine’s Day.
Other highlights for 2010 include:
World Gourmet Summit, 11 – 24 April: The World Gourmet Summit is an international gastronomic extravaganza, an annual epicurean festival that showcases the intricate craftsmanship of prestigious chefs. Be dazzled by the arrival of a constellation of stars of the culinary world as they whip up delicious, delightful, delectable and desirable cuisine for discerning individuals who appreciate fine cuisine, great wines and unique dining experiences.
Singapore Arts Festival, 14 May – 13 June: The Singapore Arts Festival first began in 1977 as a national arts festival celebrating local arts activity of Singapore's diverse communities. Over the last three decades, the Festival, organised by the National Arts Council, has helped to transform the city's artistic landscape, turning it into one of Asia's major cultural capitals. The Festival featured more than 2,500 artists from 26 countries in 2009, with plans to be even bigger and better for 2010.
Vesak Day, 28 May: Huge crowds assemble at Buddhist temples around the city, where monks chant sacred hymns and a large number of devotees set caged-birds free as a mark of respect to all living creatures in the world.
Great Singapore Sale, 28 May – 25 July: Boosting Singapore’s reputation as a shopping Mecca, this event gets bigger year after year, offering everything in retail on sale, from crazy bargains in luxury goods to discounted attractions, spa and beauty treatments.
Singapore River Festival, June: The 10 annual day festival sees a host of events taking place along the river from bumboat parades to live music and aerial shows. One of the key highlights is the Dragon Boat Festival, with racing taking place from 18-20 June 2010.
Singapore Food Festival, July: In a city where food is a passion and eating, a serious pastime, the Singapore Food Festival is a perfect time to dive into the ethnic melting pot that epitomises Singapore. Tuck into everything from curries, sushi and tapas to local dishes such as chilli crab.
Singapore Garden Festival, 15 - 22 July: Singapore celebrates its ‘Garden City’ status during July with the only show in the world to gather the world's top award-winning garden and floral designers under one roof. After successful runs in 2006 and 2008, the Singapore Garden Festival 2010 will showcase the talents of the world's gardening luminaries with highlights including the Singapore Orchid Show, garden fiesta and a vibrant garden marketplace, all taking place at the Suntec Singapore International Convention Centre.
Inaugural Youth Olympics, 14 - 26 August: Singapore will make history in 2010 when it hosts the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. This 12-day event is expected to draw 3,200 athletes, aged between 14 and 18 years and 15,000 participants including athletes, officials, spectators and media.
Hungry Ghost Festival, September: The seventh month is a time for Chinese to pay respects to deceased friends and relatives, preparing sumptuous meals with prayer ceremonies at homes and temples. The Hungry Ghost Festival lasts for a whole month, with food offered to the hungry ghosts every day.
Mid Autumn Festival, September: The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time when families gather to view the moon at its fullest and brightest. Not to be missed are mooncakes – a sweet pastry traditionally filled with bean paste but increasingly sporting a variety of new fillings.
Singapore Grand Prix, September: Singapore will host the Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix night race for the third consecutive year in 2010 – the first street and night race in Asia. In addition to the race event that takes place around the stunning 5.067 km Marina Bay circuit, Singapore’s Grand Prix Season includes a wide range of complimentary events and exhibitions making the GP Season one of the most exciting and vibrant times to visit the city.
Deepavali, October: The Hindu Festival of Lights, or Deepavali, celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over dark. Visit Little India to experience the spectacular Deepavali street decorations and lights, Indian cultural performances, the sweet smell of aromatic spices, garlands of jasmine flowers and traditional Indian sweet meats.
Singapore Sun Festival, 29 October – 7 November: A chance to enjoy the finer things in life with this integrated lifestyle event celebrating Music, Film, Visual Arts, Literature, Cuisine, Wine and Wellness.
Christmas in the Tropics, November - January: One of Singapore’s most popular events for visitors spreads over two months at the end of the year as Orchard Road comes alive with the extravagant Christmas Light-Up and shopping malls get dressed in their festive best.
For more information, log on to VisitSingapore.com.