Five Festivals You Have to Experience in Singapore

Singapore is a perfect example of why you never judge something based on size. While this city-state may be relatively small in landmass, it certainly packs a punch when it comes to sights, attractions, and vacation experiences. Another thing Singapore is well-known for is its many festivals that happen all year long. If you’ve recently booked a vacation to Singapore or are considering booking one, you may want to take a look at these top five festivals that are well-worth experiencing.

Note: We just came back from a week long trip to Singapore too, and while we missed the craziness of the Chinese New Year, there are still plenty of decorations that were up when we went. So don’t fret if you miss the occasion by a few days, you’ll probably get a chance to get discounted souvenirs if you arrive a few days after!

Chinese New Year

This is the absolute biggest event on the Chinese lunar calendar, and takes place either in January or February of each year. The Lunar New Year festival takes place over 15 days and is arguably the liveliest of all the festivals and events for the entire year. Expect plenty of red lanterns, tons of animal related figures (2018 was the year of the dog so plenty of dog statues/themes like Snoopy or Paw Patrol), and of course, events happening all over the city (notably Chinatown).

Chingay Parade

If you like parades then you won’t want to miss the Chingay Parade. This one actually coincides with the Chinese New Year celebrations and is the largest parade in all of Singapore. Its become an international event with acts from all different cultures and backgrounds being represented in the
parade in a carnival-like procession.

Dragon Boat or Rice Dumpling Festival

Taking place in June is the Dragon Boat or Rice Dumpling Festival. It’s the mouth-watering dumplings and thumping sounds of the drums that make this event so spectacular and memorable. You’ll marvel at the narrow boats with painted dragon heads that are rowing at break-neck speeds to the beat of the drum, while spectators line the shore cheering on their favorites. After the race, it’s time to enjoy the dumplings, which feature all kinds of different fillings.

**I personally am a fan of soup dumplings (Xiao long baos) so if they meant this type of dumpling as well then I’m all for it.

Mooncake Festival

The Mooncake Festival is an annual event that usually takes place in September. It is also called the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Lantern Festival. This is when the moon is at its brightest and fullest point, so the ancient practice was to celebrate the bountiful harvest. The festival revolves around
the lighting of lanterns in all different shapes and sizes, and the eating of mooncakes (a type of sweet red bean-filled cake).

World Gourmet Summit

For the foodies out there, the World Gourmet Summit taking place March 20 to April 16 is an absolute must. Here you’ll be able to sample some of the finest cuisine out there as well as wines. It’s not just a way to sample Singapore’s fabulous cuisine, but a way to enjoy the entire region and
beyond.

Some More Information

If you still have yet to book your trip to Singapore, remember you can find low-cost flights from various destinations. We personally went to Singapore and only paid $340 for return tickets from New York! Yatra is well-known for offering low prices such as its Mumbai to Singapore flight tickets at low price.

So, if you want to make your trip to Singapore that much more memorable and spectacular, be sure to check out the calendar of events ahead of time so you’re aware of all the top festivals taking place.