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Singapore in spring holds many exciting events for locals and visitors alike.
From ethnic festivals to street parades to music festivals, the calendar of events is packed with events and activities – all the more reason for you to bring your clients to Singapore this spring.
The festivities start with the Thaipusam procession on January 30, Thaipusam, an Indian festival honouring the Hindu God Lord Murugan, is a day when devotees make prayers, give thanks for wishes granted, and fulfil vows made. The colourful festivities continue with the Chingay Parade, which will take to the streets on February 19 and 20. This year, the parade – held annually as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations – will take place at the F1 Pit Building and will feature the biggest audience participation yet.
The parade, which will also feature firecracker dragons from Guangxi Province in China for the first time, is one of the highlights of Lunar New Year festivities that begin with the light-up in Chinatown. From the festive street stalls in Chinatown selling red packets and Chinese New Year goodies like pineapple tarts, to nightly Chinese cultural dances, martial arts display and lion dances at Kreta Ayer Square, to the Chinese New Year countdown on February 13 – complete with fireworks to dazzle everyone from eight to eighty - the festivities are sure to enthral visitors and locals alike.
Soak up the excitement of the Chinese New Year season this year at Chinatown amidst the dazzling display of lights and festive bazaars.
There’s also the River Hongbao, from February 12 to 20, at Marina Bay, and fans of the Chinese performing arts can also enjoy the Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts from February 19 to 28, with an array of cutting-edge theatre, music, dance, visual arts and movies packed into its programme.
Fashionistas can also take heart, with the world’s first bridal and art fashion show, “Eternity by Fuchsia Lane”, taking place from January 27 to February 13, and, showcasing local designers’ creations at the ION Orchard Art Gallery. Trendsetters have even more reason to celebrate, as PlayLab @ TANGS, in a first-time exclusive, will host a Japanese pop-up store, reminiscent of the vibrant Harajuku and Ginza street scenes in Tokyo.
Culture vultures can also have their pick of musicals, concerts and theatre shows this season. The hit musical, “Merchants of Bollywood”, which runs from January 12 to 17 at the Esplanade Theatre, will have audience members itching to dance in the aisles with its catchy Bollywood beats composed by the Oscar-winning A.R. Rahman.
In addition, the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival will give arts aficionados their fill of theatre, performance arts, dance and visual arts shows from January 13 to 24 at various locations islandwide. And for those favouring a twist to the traditional ballet, there’s Les Ballets Grandiva’s “Men In Tutus”, on at the Esplanade Theatre from January 21 to 24.
And for music fans, one of Singapore’s biggest music events, the “Mosaic Music Festival”, returns once again to the Esplanade from March 12 to 21. The 10-day music experience will feature music from genres such as jazz and blues, to hip-hop and world music.
Adrenaline junkies also have a reason for cheer, as the Singapore Airshow makes its return from February 2 to 7 at the Changi Exibition Centre. View the latest in aviation technology, and an acrobatic flying display that is bound to leave you breathless. The design conscious aren’t left out either, with the International Furniture Fair taking place at Singapore Expo from March 9 to 12. View more than 100,000 pieces of furniture with mind-boggling designs from more than 30 countries. And educators and technophiles will unite at the International Conference on Teaching and Learning with Technology 2010, held at Suntec Singapore from March 2 to 6.
2010 will also see the two integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands ® and Resorts World™ Sentosa opening to much fanfare and anticipation. With its state-of-the art theatres, breathtaking Sands SkyPark ® “floating” crystal pavilions and restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs, Marina Bay Sands is set to offer a lifestyle experience that is second to none.
Opening in the first quarter this year, Resorts World Sentosa looks set to take the island of Sentosa to new heights, with its unrivalled range of experiences for the young and young at heart. Thrill-seekers will rejoice at the 24 movie-themed rides and attractions at Universal Studios Singapore™, while FestiveWalk™ sets the stage for some of the world’s most spectacular shows while providing a vast array of retail therapy and dining options.
With a myriad of chic events and cultural festivities lined up in the coming months, Singapore is truly set to become a city where past and present, tradition and trend seamlessly blend.
