Love exploring and gaining new experiences? The Asian region is rich in culture and tradition, with so much to see and discover. Singapore itself has so many festivals and cultural celebrations to take part in! Here is an eclectic selection of solemn, scary, fun, musical and just plain weird festivals in the region in the next 12 months.
Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival, Exmouth, Western Australia
26 to 28 May 2017
When the world’s largest sharks visit in hordes, what do you do? Hold a festival, of course! Fortunately, whale sharks are completely harmless to humans so everyone can swim with these friendly giants. Floating parades, market stalls and plenty of beach game stations will be set up to celebrate the annual arrival of the whale sharks.
Dragon Boat Festival
30 May 2017
Crowds munching on sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) will be streaming to this exciting event that originated in China over 2000 years ago and now takes place all over the globe. A festival of many names, it’s also known as Duanwu, Tuen Ng and Double Fifth Festival (falling on the fifth day of the fifth month).
How it all began
Legend has it that the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the attempt to save the life of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and statesman of the ancient Chu kingdom. Court officials, jealous of Qu Yuan’s wisdom, falsely accused him of conspiracy and he was exiled by the king. At the age of 61, Qu Yuan drowned himself by attaching a heavy stone to his chest and jumping into the Miluo River. The people of Chu took to their boats and tried to rescue Qu Yuan, believing he was an honourable man, but they were unable to save him. Instead, they threw sticky rice dumplings into the water so that the fish would eat these rather than Qu Yuan’s body.
Rainforest World Music Festival, Sarawak, East Malaysia
14 to 16 July 2017
This three-day musical celebration has grown and grown since its inauguration in 1997. Dance along with 20,000 others to anything from local native chants and African dance to American folk music and percussion troupes.
Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea
21 to 30 July 2017
Since 1998, visitors have been getting down and dirty at the Boryeong Mud Festival, caking themselves in the nourishing, mineral-rich mud from the Boryeong mud flats while being entertained with bands, mud games, fireworks and more – all for around S$10 a day.
Mid-Autumn Festival
4 October 2017
Chinese and Vietnamese families gather in the evening to admire the mid-autumn harvest moon while eating mooncakes and pomelos.
Pchum Ben, Cambodia
19 to 21 September 2017
Also known as the Festival of the Ancestors; food, flowers, rice and gifts are given to monks, while religious rites are carried out on the streets.
Hari Raya Haji
5 September 2017
Marks the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide. There’ll be bazaars to attend, and mosques and relatives to be visited.
Deepavali
18 October 2017
The “Festival of Lights” is a joyous four- day Hindu celebration of the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Head down to Little India in Singapore to see the lights and street decorations, feast on festive delicacies, get a henna hand tattoo and join in the fun.
Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan, India
29 October to 4 November 2017
One of India’s most highly rated travel experiences, a spectacle on an epic scale, attracting more than 11,000 camels, horses and cattle and visited by over 400,000 people.
All Saints Day, Philippines
1 November 2017
A day of remembrance of the dead and an important holiday for the Catholic Church. People attend Mass, decorate loved ones’ tombs and spend the day in graveyards with picnics.
Bon Om Tuk, Cambodia
2 to 4 November 2017
Celebrate the end of monsoon season. Brightly decorated dragon boats will race over the three days – and Phnom Penh will be very crowded!
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland, India
1 to 10 December 2017
Launched in 2000 by the Government of Nagaland to bring together the 16 major tribes of the region, the Hornbill Festival colourfully celebrates the Naga’s cultural heritage. Buy yourself a hornbill headdress, practise your moves and join in the fun.
The Emperor’s Birthday, Japan
23 December 2017
This is one of only two occasions when the inner grounds of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace are open to the public, and Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will greet the flag-waving crowd.
Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, China
21 December 2017 until end February 2018
Set in Harbin’s coldest months (and we’re talking minus 20 degrees Celsius or considerably lower!), this festival features stunning works of art, all created with over four million cubic feet of ice from the Songhua River – giving a whole new meaning to Winter Wonderland.
Ati-Atihan Festival, Kalibo, Panay Islands (Visayas), The Philippines
10 to 19 January 2018
This flamboyant fiesta, dubbed “The Mother of all Philippine Festivals” began in the 13th century when a small group of Malay chieftains landed on the Panays and were sold land by the local Ati people. To celebrate, the Malays painted their faces black to look like the tribe. This tribal celebration has now evolved into a wild, rhythmic, street party in honour of Santo Niño (the infant Jesus).
Australia Day
28 January 2018
Outdoor concerts, sporting competitions, fireworks shows and backyard barbecues are held all over the country to celebrate all things Australian.
Thaipusam
31 January 2018
In Singapore, get up early to witness the 4.5-kilometre “Walk of Faith” by Hindu devotees carrying brightly decorated kavadis, burdensome metal frames with sharp skewers piercing their tongues, cheeks and bodies. Other major processions take place at the Batu Caves, just outside Kuala Lumpur, and George Town in Penang.
Waitangi Day, New Zealand
6 February 2018
Commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document for New Zealand. Celebrations include flag-raising, naval salutes, Maori cultural performances, family-themed festivals, sports events and more.
Chinese New Year
16 to 17 February 2018
Traditional Chinese decorations and lights abound. Families have a reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve and visit relatives over the next 15 days. Many businesses close for the whole week.
Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival
2 to 4 March 2018
First held in 2005, this festival attracts over 100,000 visitors a year. International performers in 2017 included Grammy winners Sergio Mendes, Chick Corea and Arturo Sandoval. Arguably the biggest jazz festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Season, Japan
Late March to early April 2018
Not really a festival, but a spectacular event nonetheless. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and reaches Kyoto and Tokyo late March to early April. When the blossoms are at their peak, the Japanese turn out in large numbers at parks, shrines and temples to picnic, relax and admire the flowers.
Ching Ming Festival
5 April 2018
Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day or Mourning Day, when Chinese families visit their ancestors’ graves to offer incense and flowers.
Songkran Festival, Thailand
13 to 15 April 2018
The Thai New Year often attracts droves of tourists and locals, where people splash water on one another as a blessing.
Lao New Year
14 to 16 April 2018
Laotians shower one another with water and white powder as blessings, and pray at temples. Fun to watch, though it is the hottest time of the year.
Chaul Chnam Thmey, Cambodia
16 April 2018
Cambodian New Year involves dressing up, visiting temples and cooking feasts with family. Celebrations last three to four days; the Angkor temples will be packed. 14 TO
Nyepi, Bali, Indonesia
17 to 18 April 2018
The evening before Nyepi (Balinese New Year and “Day of Silence”), loud street processions are held to drive away evil spirits with gongs, drums and huge, papier-mâché “ogoh-ogoh” monsters. On New Year’s Day itself, Bali retreats into silence for 24 hours. No work. No travel. No cooking. No noise. Even the airport closes. Village wardens (Pecalang), there to enforce the rules, are the only people outdoors. The idea is that any demons and evils spirits will be deluded into thinking that Bali is deserted, prompting them to leave the island.
Myanmar New Year
18 April 2018
Burmese visit their elderly to pay respect, and visit the temples. A religious tradition is to release caged birds or fish into lakes and rivers to gain merit. The accompanying Thingyan Water Festival is great to watch.
Hamamatsu Festival, Japan
3 to 5 May 2018
For over 440 years, the Japanese have fiercely wielded their kites in kite fights at this festival. Fliers attempt to cut their opponent’s 5mm hemp string by using their own kite string to create enough friction to break the line. The last kite still flying is the winner as it soars through the leftover smoke created by the friction.
Vesak Day
29 May 2018
Buddhists bring offerings of flowers, candles and joss sticks to the temples where elaborate rituals are held to commemorate the birth, the Nirvana (enlightenment), and the Parinirvana (death) of Gautama Buddha. This is the most significant day of the Buddhist calendar. Dates differ due to variations in lunar calendars.
This is an article that first appeared in the Travel Guide 2017. Purchase a copy or subscribe now so you never miss an issue!
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Lindsay Yap
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