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Culture

Local cultures can be observed at their most expressive and captivating moments during festivals which are marked by the colorful street processions, elaborate worship ceremonies and sumptuous feasts. Different ethnic districts come aglow with brilliant colorful lights and crowded street markets during the festivals of Lunar New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, and Christmas. This page also includes a section on Places of Worship of the various faith traditions practiced in Singapore.
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2022 Festivals & Holidays
1 Jan           New Year (PH)
14 Jan         Pongal/Makar Sankranti
18 Jan         Thaipusam 

1-2 Feb       Chinese New Year (PH)
15 Apr         Good Friday (PH)
1 May          Labor Day (PH)
3 May          Hari Raya Aidilfitri (PH)
15 May        Vesak Day (PH)
10 Jul          Hari Raya Haji (PH)
9 Aug          Singapore National Day (PH)
10 Sep        Mid-Autumn Festival
24 Oct        Deepavali (PH)
25 Dec       Christmas (PH)
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Mid-Autumn Festival
This festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It commemorates the overthrow of the tyrannical Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century, which was brought about with the aid of secret messages placed in mooncakes. It is marked by celebration in Chinatown and in parks around Singapore. Children show off bright and colorful lanterns while adults enjoy pomelo and delicious mooncakes filled with lotus paste, melon seeds, red bean paste, egg yolks and flavors such as durian and green tea. The next date is on 10th September 2022.
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Deepavali/Diwali
 Hindus celebrate Deepavali/Diwali, the Festival of Lights. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aipasi. (mid-Oct to mid-Nov) During the period, Hindu homes around Singapore are decked with flickering oil lamps, and Little India, in particular, is festively decorated and bustling with activity. As a form of self-cleansing, Hindus take a ritual oil bath before daybreak. Social visits and sweet treats are part of the celebration. . The next date is 22nd October 2022.
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Christmas
​​Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Christmas carols reverberate in malls as the season approaches. Be amazed by the beautifully decorated streets, shopping malls and hotels as they dazzle with fairy lights. Join the crowds at buoyant events across the island. In all churches, special services are held on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning to mark this special day. The next date is 25th Dec 2021. 
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Pongal
Thai Ponggal is a Tamil harvest festival. It is a 4-day festival which is normally celebrated from Jan 14 to 17. This corresponds to the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi to the third day of the Tamil month Thai.  Thai Pongal corresponds to Makara Sankranthi, the winter harvest festival celebrated throughout India.  It is celebrated to convey appreciation to the Sun God for providing the energy for agriculture. Part of the celebration is the boiling of the first rice of the season. The next date is 14th Jan 2022
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Chinese New Year
The most important event in the Chinese Lunar calendar, it is a time for much rejoicing. On New Year's Eve, Chinese families gather around the dining table to enjoy a sumptuous dinner known as the Reunion Dinner. The next 15 days are spent visiting friends, relatives and feasting. Parents and other married relatives will give "hong baos" (gifts of money in red packets) to the unmarried children in the family.  It is a gesture of good fortune. Entertaining cultural shows are put up by performers at Marina Bay, and you can also shop for more goodies at the Singapore River Hong Bao extravaganza. The Chingay Parade of Dreams is a colorful finale to the Lunar New Year celebrations. With eye-catching floats and costumed performers, it is one of Southeast Asia's grandest street parade. The next date is on 1st February 2022.
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Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a passionate and dramatic festival, whereby Hindu penitents and worshippers carry kavadi (structures that hold fruits, flowers and pots of milk) in a procession that stretches from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Tank Road. This festival is an awesome display of mind over matter as the entranced devotees walk the 3 kilometer route with their heavy loads.  Some devotees have skewers and hooks pierced through their tongues, cheeks and bodies. The next date is 18th Jan 2022.
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Hari Raya Aidilfitri
After Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Puasa. Weeks before the event, Geylang Serai transforms into a lively bazaar with roadside stalls selling various snacks, accessories and costumes. On the day of celebration, the men rise early to attend special prayers at the mosque. Past wrongs are forgiven, and families visit the graves of those who departed as a sign of remembrance. In the homes, traditional delicacies and snacks are prepared for visiting friends and relatives. The next date is 3rd May 2022.
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Hari Raya Haji
For Muslims, the 'Haj' or pilgrimage to Mecca is the most important journey of their lives. Hari Raya Haji commemorates the pilgrimage and celebrates the return of the pilgrims. Muslims spend a day in prayer; and after the morning session at the mosques, sheep and goats are ritually slaughtered as sacrifices. The meat is then distributed among the worshippers and the poor. The next date is 10th July 2022.

Places of Worship

Singapore is one of the few truly multi-religious countries where no single faith forms a majority. For the faithful, below is a list of the various traditions’ places of worship nearest to our campus. This may come in handy during exam times ;-)
​​Note: Due to Covid 19, opening hours and services may differ. Safe distancing measures are in force in most places. For more info, please refer to the place of worship's website
Catholic:  Blessed Sacrament Church
1 Commonwealth Drive 
Bus 198 fr Aft ACJC, alight Opp Church
 
Evangelical: New Creation Church
Star Vista 
Walk 5 mins north from campus
 
Methodist: Holland Village Methodist
61 Jalan Hitam Manis
MRT to Holland Village, walk 7 min east
 
Orthodox: Armenian Church                   
0, Hill Street 
MRT to City Hall, walk 5 mins west
 
Presbyterian:  True Way Presbyterian
156B, Stirling Road 
MRT to Queenstown, walk 3 mins south
 
Jewish : Maghain Aboth Synagogue
24 Waterloo Street
MRT to Bras Basah, walk 2 mins east
 
Islam - Sunni : Mujahidin Mosque
590 Stirling Road
Bus 196/198 fr Aft ACJC, alight Polyclini
 
Islam – Shia :  Masjid Al-Burhani
39 Hill Street
MRT to City Hall, walk 3 mins west
Buddhist: Wat Ananda Metryama Thai
50B, Jalan Bukit Merah
Bus 196 fr Aft ACJC, alight Opp Blk 140
 
Buddhist: Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Tp
366 Race Course Road  
MRT to Farrer Park, Walk 5 mins east
 
Taoist : Thian Hock Keng Temple
158 Telok Ayer Street
MRT to Tanjong Pagar, walk 8 mins nth
 
Taoist : Tiong Ghee Temple
1085 Stirling Road
MRT to Queesntown, walk 5 mins south
 
Hindu :   Sri Muneeswarar Temple
No. 3 Commonwealth Drive
Bus 198 fr Aft ACJC, alight Opp Church
 
Hindu :   Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
397, Serangoon Road
MRT to Farrer Park, Walk 3 mins east
 
Sikh :  Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road
8 Jalan Bukit Merah
Bus 196 fr Aft ACJC, alight Opp Blk 149
 
Jain :  Singapore Jain Religious Society
18 Jalan Yasin (near Eunos MRT)
MRT to Eunos, 5 mins south
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  • ESSEC AP
    • Campus Floor Directory
    • Learning Center
    • Contact Us
    • Resources
    • Website Directory
    • FAQ
  • Prep & Arrival
    • Pre-departure & Arrival Checklist
    • Student's Pass
    • Health Insurance
    • Medical Check-up
    • Working in Singapore
  • Accommodation
    • Property Types
    • Budget
    • Location
    • Source Options
    • Property Viewing & Negotiation
    • Sign Agreements
    • Move In
  • Guide to Singapore
    • Daily Living
    • Transport & Communication
    • Food and Dining
    • Culture
    • Sports & Leisure
  • Campus Life
    • Student Leadership
    • Student Clubs
    • Annual Events
    • Events Calendar