Top Events Singapore Month By Month
Chinese New Year, February
Chingay Festival, February
Great Singapore Sale, early June to mid August
Formula One Grand Prix, September
January
After the New Year's Eve parties and overpriced drinks, the year kicks off with extreme Hindu devotion and indie music.
St Jerome's Laneway Festival
A popular one-day music festival serving up top-tier indie acts from across the world at Gardens by the Bay. Acts span rock, folk and electronica.
February
Chinese New Year is a big deal in Singapore, where the majority of the citizens are Chinese. The occasion is celebrated with a two-day holiday and loud, intense, colourful festivity.
Chinese New Year
Dragon dances, parades and wishes of 'gong xi fa cai' ('I hope that you gain lots of money') mark the start of the Chinese New Year (Feb). Chinatown lights up, especially Eu Tong Sen St and New Bridge Rd, and the 'River Hongbao' (www.riverhongbao.sg) at Marina Bay features market and food stalls, shows and fireworks.
Thaipusam
Hindus head from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Rd to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Rd carrying kavadis (heavy metal frames decorated with peacock feathers, fruit and flowers) during this dramatic festival (www.thaipusam.sg; usually Feb).
Chingay
Held over two nights during the first weekend of Chinese New Year, Chingay (www.chingay.org.sg; Feb) delivers Singapore's biggest street parade. It's a flamboyant multicultural affair featuring lion dancers, floats and other cultural performers. Buy tickets in advance for a seat in the viewing galleries, or battle the crowds for a place at the roadside barriers.
March
The northeast monsoon peters out and the mercury starts rising.
Singapore International Jazz Festival
Held at Marina Bay Sands, the three day Sing Jazz delivers established and emerging jazz talent from around the world. Past acts have included Jamie Cullum, India Arie and Natalie Cole.
April
Temperatures continue to rise in April, however, fairly predictable afternoon thunderstorms cool things down. Don't be concerned if Easter falls in April most shops and attractions will continue to operate as normal.
Affordable Art Fair
A three day expo with more than 40 local and international galleries showcasing art priced between S$100 and S$15,000 from hundreds of artists. Held at the F1 Pit Building, the event also takes place in November.
May
It's the quiet month leading towards the peak of the 'summer' heat and the busy school holidays. A good time to visit Singapore.
Vesak Day
Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death are celebrated with various events, including the release of caged birds to symbolise the setting free of captive souls. The centres of activity are the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
June
School holidays coupled with blockbuster sales equal big crowds. It's one of the hottest months on the calendar, so get ready to sweat.
Great Singapore Sale
The Great Singapore Sale (www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg; early Jun mid Aug) runs from early June to mid August. Retailers around the island cut prices (and wheel out the stuff they couldn't sell earlier in the year). There are bargains to be had if you can stomach the crowds. Go early!
Hari Raya Puasa
Also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, this festival celebrates the end of the Ramadan fasting month (dates change annually). Head to Kampong Glam for nightly feasts during Ramadan.
Singapore International Festival of Arts
A world class offering (http://sifa.sg/sifa;Jun Sep) of mostly dance and drama curated by Ong Keng Sen, one of Singapore's most respected theatre practitioners. Runs from late June to early September.
July
The dry months continue, and so do the school holidays.
Singapore Food Festival
A two week celebration (www.yoursingapore.com; Jul) of all things edible and Singaporean. Events taking place across the city include tastings, special dinners and food themed tours.
August
National Day, Singapore's best known event (at least for the locals), is held every August. Even the unpatriotic love it because it's a public holiday.
Singapore National Day
Held on 9 August, Singapore National Day (www.ndp.org.sg; 9 Aug) is a hugely popular spectacle of military parades, civilian processions, air force fly bys and fireworks. Tickets are snapped up well in advance, however, you can watch all the aerial acts from Marina Bay Sands.
Hungry Ghost Festival
This festival marks the day when the souls of the dead are released to walk the earth for feasting and entertainment. The Chinese put offerings of food on the street and light fires. Chinese operas and other events are held.
Beerfest Asia
Asia's biggest beer event (www.beerfestasia.com;Aug) pours more than 500 types of brews, from both international heavyweights and craft microbreweries. Events include DJs and live music.
Singapore Night Festival
Spectacular light projections, plus interactive installations, performance art, cabaret, comedy and more. The festival (www.nightfest.sg;Aug) is held over two weekends.
September
While the Formula One night race is the hottest ticket on the annual calendar, it does mean that local hotels jack up prices. Beds are hard to find, especially in the Colonial District where the action happens.
Formula One Grand Prix
The Formula One Grand Prix night race screams around Marina Bay. Off track events include international music acts. Book accommodation months in advance and be prepared to pay through the nose.
Mid Autumn Festival
Also known as the Lantern Festival, the Mid Autumn (or Moon Cake) Festival is celebrated with lanterns in Chinatown and locals nibbling on moon cakes. Takes place on the full moon of the eighth lunar month.
Navarathiri
Dedicated to the wives of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma, the Hindu festival of 'Nine Nights' includes traditional Indian dancing. The Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple are the main activity hubs.
October
October is an inter monsoon period. Thunderstorms are frequent but extreme weather is rare.
Deepavali
Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana is celebrated during the 'Festival of Lights' (Oct). Little India is ablaze with lights for a month, culminating in a huge street party on the eve of the holiday.
November
As always, Singapore's cultural calendar is packed with religious events.
Thimithi
At this eye opener of a fire walking ceremony, Hindu devotees prove their faith by walking across glowing coals at the Sri Mariamman Temple.
December
A sense of festivity (and monsoon rains) permeates the air as the year winds down. The rainy season means that you'll need an umbrella to avoid getting drenched, though the weather is mercifully cool.
ZoukOut
ZoukOut is Singapore's biggest outdoor dance party, held over two nights on Siloso Beach, Sentosa. Expect A list international DJs.