Singapore Events Calendar

Festivals, concerts and public holidays month by month, to help you pick the best time to visit.

Use this page to plan your trip around the biggest events in Singapore. It covers festivals, concerts, sporting events and public holidays, with links to our page for each big festival. The calendar below shows what usually happens in each part of the year. Many festival dates move, so check the exact dates before you book flights or hotels.

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Events in Singapore through the year

Events in Singapore run all year, so there is no bad month to visit. The city mixes festivals from Chinese, Malay, Indian and other communities with big sporting and arts events. Many festival dates follow lunar or religious calendars, so they shift from year to year. Use this calendar as a rough guide, then confirm dates closer to your trip.

Month by month: what usually happens

January to March

The year opens with fireworks at Marina Bay on New Year's Eve. Chinese New Year falls in late January or February. It brings the Chinatown light-up, street bazaars and the Chingay street parade. Thaipusam, a Hindu festival honouring Lord Murugan, also falls in January or February. Devotees walk in a long procession carrying offerings. Singapore Art Week usually fills galleries and public spaces in January.

April to June

Good Friday is a public holiday in March or April. Labour Day on 1 May is also a holiday. Vesak Day falls in May or June. It marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Buddhist temples such as Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery hold prayers and special services. Mid-year school holidays run through June, so family attractions get busier.

July and August

National Day on 9 August is the big date. Parade rehearsals with flypasts and fireworks happen on weekends in the weeks before. The seventh month of the lunar calendar, often around August, brings the Hungry Ghost Festival. Many Buddhist and Taoist families burn offerings by the roadside to honour the spirits of the dead. Getai, live stage shows with singing, take place in tents in housing estates.

September and October

The Singapore Grand Prix, a Formula 1 night race around Marina Bay, usually takes place in September or October. Hotels near the circuit fill up quickly. The Mid-Autumn Festival also falls in this period. Expect lanterns in Chinatown and mooncakes in shops and hotels.

November and December

Deepavali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, falls in October or November. Little India lights up for weeks around it. From November, Christmas lights glow along Orchard Road. Year-end school holidays start in November, and the year ends with the countdown at Marina Bay.

Festivals that move around the calendar

Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month. Hari Raya Haji follows about two months later. Both follow the Islamic calendar, which moves about 11 days earlier each year. During Ramadan, the evening bazaar around Geylang Serai Market is a highlight for food lovers.

Public holidays in Singapore

Singapore has 11 public holidays each year. They are New Year's Day, two days of Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Haji, National Day, Deepavali and Christmas Day. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the next Monday is a holiday too. The Ministry of Manpower publishes the official list of public holidays each year.

On public holidays, malls, attractions and most restaurants stay open. Some small shops and hawker stalls close, especially at Chinese New Year. Trains and buses run, but popular sights get busier.

How to plan your trip around events

Book early for big dates. Hotel prices rise around the Grand Prix, Chinese New Year and late December.
Check the weather. It is warm all year, and November to January is the wettest period. For more on the seasons, see Weather & Best Time to Visit.
Use the free shows. If no festival lines up with your dates, the nightly shows in Free Light Shows in Singapore are a good stand-in.
Look for food events. Our Food Festivals page covers bazaars, pop-ups and the Singapore Food Festival.
Respect religious events. Many festivals are sacred to the people who celebrate them. Dress modestly at places of worship and ask before taking photos.

FAQs about Events in Singapore

What is the best month to visit Singapore for festivals?

January or February is good for Chinese New Year. August suits National Day, and October or November is good for Deepavali. December brings Christmas lights and the New Year countdown.

How many public holidays does Singapore have?

There are 11 public holidays a year. Dates for lunar and religious festivals change, so check the official list.

Are events in Singapore free?

Many are. Light-ups, bazaars and street festivals are free to visit. Big events such as the Grand Prix and most concerts need tickets.

Does Singapore close down on public holidays?

No. Most malls, attractions, hotels and restaurants stay open. The main exception is Chinese New Year, when many small businesses close for a few days.