February 2006

Leisure Events
From Lunar New Year festivities to Thaipusam rituals and traditions, Singapore celebrates its multi-ethnicity. Watch the Chingay Parade of DreamS, win prizes in a lucky dip and enjoy a whole range of Chinese cultural festivities. Celebrate the International Tourist Guide Day 2006 at some of Sentosa's signature attractions.

Lunar New Year Festivities Singapore is celebrating the Lunar Year of the Dog with five weeks of festivities. The celebrations are anchored by three key events – Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations, Singapore River Hongbao and Chingay Parade of DreamS – and peppered with various fringe events. The Chinese New Year Chun Jie (Spring Festival) Celebrations culminates on the 15th day of the lunar month on 12 February with the Chap Goh Meh Celebration, and dazzling fireworks will light up the sky every night. The Chingay Parade of DreamS, an annual procession of giant floats together with international and local performers, will entertain the crowds at this year’s parade themed “Chingay Rock Sensation”. At the Singapore River Hongbao, all foreign visitors can participate in the sure win Prosperity Lucky Dip this Chinese New Year! They stand to win attractive prizes, including Lunar New Year collectibles, admission tickets to local attractions, as well as shopping and dining vouchers. What’s more, one lucky winner stands to win a grand prize of return air-tickets to Singapore. The Prosperity Lucky Dip will be held at the Singapore River Hongbao. Foreign visitors just have to present their passports to qualify for the lucky dip. Prosperity Lucky Dip (27 January - 12 February) Singapore River Hongbao Esplanade Park 6:00pm to 11:00pm daily

	Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts From 3 – 12 February, the Esplanade presents a music and dance extravaganza showcasing the depth and diversity of Chinese culture at Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts. Immerse yourself in delightful performances masterfully choreographed by international masters. Highlights include the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre from Taiwan, the Li Liuyi Drama Studio from P R China and the violin recitals of Huang Mengla and Lu Siqing – winners of the acclaimed Paganini International Violin Competition. There will also be a variety of free indoor and outdoor programmes including puppetry performances, traditional Chinese instruments and drums recitals.
	Thaipusam 2006 Thaipusam is one of the most colourful and ritualistic festivals celebrated in Singapore. This annual event will be held on 11 February this year. Held in the honour of the Hindu God Subramaniam, Thaipusam is observed as a day of prayers and thanksgiving for wishes granted and for good health. The Thaipusam ceremony starts in the wee hours of the morning when the first batch of devotees carrying milkpots and wooden kavadis leave Sri Perumal temple. The elaborately decorated spiked Kavadis set off in the later part of the morning and continue till late night. These devotees take a four-kilometre walk from Sri Perumal Temple to Sri Thandayuthapani Temple. Public Viewing Galleries Visitors can watch the procession up close and learn more about this festival through informative and colourful storyboards at the following public viewing galleries. • Opposite Park Mall Shopping Centre • Opposite Peace Centre • Opposite Farrer Park MRT Station (Exit G) Observation Points within Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple Observe the fascinating preparation and piercing of Kavadis at close range from specially designated spots within the temple. Free Guided Temple Tours Discover the significance of Thaipusam and the finer points of donning a kavadi during a guided tour at Srinivasa Perumal Temple from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
	Spring in the City A symphony of sights and sounds await locals and visitors this Lunar New Year as you shop at Raffles City Shopping Centre from 6 January – 15 February. Spring in the City at the Raffles Shopping Centre will showcase song and dance performances, Chinese opera, and traditional arts and crafts by artisans from provincial China.

	Chinese Cultural Festival 2006 An exciting line-up of activities and performances promises to appeal to young and old alike in the Chinese Cultural Festival 2006. The festival takes place between 16 February – 19 March and showcases the gems of Chinese arts and culture. The opening show is the China Xi An’s famous dance musical “Dreams of the Great Tang Dynasty” which is performing out of P R China for the first time. The festival will spread over various venues.

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