Anyone who says Singapore is boring has obviously never witnessed the gruesome-but-fascinating festival of Thaipusam. This year it happens on January 27. Here’s everything you need to know. Thaipusam is a religious celebration practised by Tamil Hindu communities around the world. It commemorates the victory of the god Murugan over a demon, but is also … read the full post

Singapore may be the most straight-laced city in Southeast Asia, but it makes a memorable place to ring in the new year. Here’s a wrap-up of the best New Year’s Eve 2012 events in Singapore from spectacular fireworks at Marina Bay to all-night beach parties on Sentosa Island. If you want to ring in 2013 … read the full post

The people of Singapore must be confident that Santa’s bringing them something good, because they really get in the Christmas spirit. Here’s where to go for turkey dinners, Christmas trees, caroling, church services and – of course – shopping for presents. Since you’d have to be crazy to cook a turkey at home in the … read the full post

For one day each year, the streets of central Singapore are blocked off to make way for the Hindu festival of Thaipusam, a celebration of spirituality through self-sacrifice. This year it took place on February 7, 2012. Thousands of people walk the four-kilometre Thaipusam pilgrimage route carrying flower garlands or milk pots to give as … read the full post

Will you be in Singapore on February 7, 2012?  If so, you won’t want to miss Thaipusam, a gruesome but very fascinating festival practised by the Tamil Hindu community. This annual religious event is also celebrated in India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia (the Travelfish.org Kuala Lumpur correspondent wrote about it, too). Update February 8, 2012: … read the full post

With nearly three out of every four Singaporeans being of Chinese heritage, it’s no surprise that Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year in the city state. It’s also the only multi-day public holiday in this high-stress society, and for many Singaporeans it’s the one time of year when they can forget … read the full post

It feels like I’ve barely had time to put away the champagne glasses but it’s New Year’s in Singapore once again. Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, officially begins on January 23, 2012, and is celebrated for 15 days. This is the biggest event of the year in … read the full post

If you ignore the stifling heat and monsoon rains, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Singapore. Orchard Road is the centre of festivities with Christmas trees, lights and fake snow, plus on Christmas Day itself there will be carolers and parade floats. Maybe it’s because I come from a ridiculously cold city, … read the full post

Don’t be fooled by the balmy climate and the non-Christian majority: Singapore goes crazy for Christmas. Like festive celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Christmas time in Singapore is largely a secular event that takes place not at home but in malls and restaurants around the city. Singapore’s “Christmas in the Tropics” events are full swing now … read the full post

Just when you thought Little India couldn’t get any more colourful or chaotic, the biggest festival on the Hindu calendar pulls into town. This year Deepavali falls on October 26 but, like Christmas, half the fun is the weeks leading up to the big day. If you’re in Singapore this month you must come down … read the full post