Book a hotel in Singapore to coincide with one of the city's lively celebrations. Experience dragon boat racing, immaculate military displays and bazaars that thrill the senses at one of these top 10 Singapore festivals.
Chinatown throws a fortnight-long party starting in January. Temples open their doors and stalls selling raw fish salad and decorations glow under lanterns of the night bazaar. See in the lunar year with floats and performances at the Chingay parade in Marina Bay.
This Hindu procession in February is a unique test of faith for the devotees. Ornate, colorful frames - Kavadis - are borne from temple to temple in the middle of the day, carried by the faithful attached to body piercings.
May and June evenings are packed during this month-long cultural fair with international dance ensembles, music and art installations. Singapore shopping centres, playing fields and museums transform into theatre and gallery venues as the island embraces the contemporary and avant garde.
Monks meditate in Singapore's flower-scented Buddhist temples to celebrate Buddha's birthday in May. This public holiday is the best time to visit the Feng Shui layout of the Lian Shan Shuang Lin monastery in Toa Payoh district where chanting sessions are in full swing.
For a week in June the bars along Boat Quay serve cocktails from dusk until dawn for the Singapore River party while traditional Chinese bumboats parade the waters. In the same month, international dragon boat crews descend on the Marina Bay shores for the high-octane Dragon Boat Festival races.
See Singapore put on her finest patriotic display on 9th August. Fireworks light up the sky above The Float at Marina Bay - a huge floating stadium - after a day of proud military marches, acrobatic performances and children's choirs celebrating the country's independence.
Lion dances entertain locals who head to Chinatown to stock up on seasonal moon cake pastries during this colorful mid-autumn festival. The pagoda and bridges of Chinese Garden in Jurong are covered in novelty and animal lanterns that all ages will adore.
Chinese Garden, Jurong East, Singapore
Little India's main street Serangoon Road has its own auspicious Festival of Lights in October, when the Hindu community parties for Deepavali. Join walking tours that point out the best henna artists and sweetmeat shops, or see shrines garlanded in the temples.
Serangoon Road, Singapore
Orchard Road shopping street transforms into a tropical winter wonderland for Christmas. Giant snow scenes, toys, trees and candy canes eclipse mall fronts while the light display dazzles the kilometre stretch. A free open-top bus helps visitors take in the spectacle.
Orchard Road, Singapore
The maze of streets around the Sultan Mosque and Arab Street is the best place to mingle during August and September's Hari Raya and sample Muslim food from street stalls. Singapore's Malay neighborhood Gelang Serai becomes a treasure trove selling rainbow-colored biscuits and elaborate batik-patterned fabrics.
Get out and enjoy a festival in Singapore while staying at one of Hotels.com's Singapore hotels.
