Singapore may be a red dot on the map, but it’s also an exciting city with spectacular events and festivals year-round! Culturally diverse and inclusive, the country boasts a myriad of events annually for its citizens and visiting tourists. Here are 10 annual events hosted on the island that are not to be missed!
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival (30 Jan 2016)
Tents at Laneway Festival Singapore 2016
With its roots from Sunday shows in Jerome Borazio’s tiny Melbourne bar, the Asian region’s Laneway Festival has been hosted in Singapore for 6 years running. Boasting quality indie music from a stellar lineup of artistes, the festival never fails to draw local crowds as well as music lovers from out of town. The event also engages local bars, restaurants, designers and artists for an all-rounded experience. With savoury snacks, booze and exciting entertainment, it’s a music festival not to be missed.
Chingay Parade (19-20 Feb 2016)
A Chingay performance with dancers in neon costumes
A yearly tradition, Chingay occurs every February, showcasing the multi-faceted culture of Asia. The largest street performance and float parade in Asia, it is a grand affair showcasing exquisite floats, dragon and lion dance, stilt walkers and other traditional performances by an ethnically diverse group of performers. The celebrations also extend to the heartlands to give citizens and tourists an opportunity to partake in the festivities, so no one is left behind!
World Gourmet Summit (28 Mar – 24 Apr 2016)
A chef showcasing his culinary skills at the World Gourmet Summit
As a nation of foodies, the annual World Gourmet Summit couldn’t be better hosted elsewhere. Celebrating fine cuisine and epicurean experiences, the festival shines the spotlight on gourmet wining and dining, with special menus curated from local chefs and international culinary stars available at acclaimed restaurants in Singapore. In line with the summit, wine-tasting sessions, talks by Michelin-star chefs as well as culinary workshops are also held for a holistic experience.
Baybeats Festival (24-26 Jun 2016)
Local band Cadence performing at Baybeats 2015
Organized by Esplanade, Baybeats is a 3-day festival dedicated to alternative music, covering genres of folk, pop, metal, post-rock, emo, punk, electro, and many more. The event showcases local and international artistes. Staged at the Esplanade and open to all, fans can attend performances at the Baybeats Arena, Powerhouse Stage and the Chillout Stage. The festival also has its own incubator program, discovering, mentoring and showcasing budding local bands, and giving them an opportunity to share the stage with esteemed acts.
National Day Parade (9 Aug 2016)
A fireworks display at National Day Parade 2015
A tribute to our forefathers and a celebration of Singapore’s independence in 1965, the National Day Parade is a nation-wide affair with patriotic sentiments. For the country’s 51st birthday this year, the event will return to National Stadium in the new Sports Hub. An extravaganza, the parade will see talks from ministers, local celebrities, air shows, military parades, cultural performances and spectacular fireworks. Broadcasted live across the nation, it is definitely the biggest event not to be missed in Singapore.
Singapore Grand Prix (16-18 Sep 2016)
Racers on the track at Singapore Grand Prix 2015
September is when the city gets hyped up for nights of Formula 1 racing with top drivers and concerts featuring chart-topping celebrities from around the globe. The Grand Prix 2015 saw Bon Jovi, Pharrell Williams and Maroon 5 performing their hits to the excitement of fans. Off the circuit, pop-up stores line the streets in town for Formula One merchandise. The annual event attracts legions of spectators locally and internationally, with crowds gathering by the circuit to catch a glimpse of the racers.
Singapore Fashion Week (25-30 Oct 2016)
Models taking the runway in Singapore Fashion Week
Singapore Fashion Week propels Singapore as a fashion city and leading fashion hub in Asia. The event creates a platform uniting various aspects of fashion, from Audi Fashion Festival showcasing collections by top and emerging designers of the world and Audi Star Creation, a design competition to discover budding fashion designers, to BLUEPRINT, a trade show bridging designers and buyers and the Asia Fashion Summit, a fashion and retail conference gathering key players in the fashion world.
Anime Festival Asia (25-27 Nov 2016)
Booths at Anime Festival Asia 2014
Held in Singapore, Indonesia & Malaysia, the anime convention is a J-pop culture event targeted at fans in the Southeast Asia region. An exciting 3-day festival, AFA in Singapore draws up to 90,000 attendees annually, with its mix of cosplayer meet-and-greet sessions, music events, gaming booths. J-pop music fans can attend concerts featuring J-pop idols, while anime lovers can stock up on merchandise and cosplay items. Let’s not forget the delicious Japanese food and drinks that are also on sale!
ZoukOut (Dec)
Party-goers at ZoukOut 2015
Set in the breezy Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, ZoukOut is one of the biggest outdoor beach parties in Asia. The dance and music festival attracts thousands of music lovers (hitting a record of 41,000 party-goers in 2013) with its list of diverse and highly rated DJs locally and all around the world. Musical genres include house, techno, trance, electro, alternative/indie-electronic and hip-hop, so there’s something for everyone!
With so many events to suit your tastes, there’s no excuse to stay home. Which event will you definitely not miss? Leave a comment and let us know!
