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.
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) |
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.
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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
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
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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 |
