Cultural festivals in Singapore: Asia's colourful city of tradition and festivals

By Paul Chai
Updated September 2 2015 - 4:13pm, first published 3:12pm
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock
Singapore may be 50 years young in 2015, but it has cultural traditions that stretch back hundreds of years. Photo: iStock

You have to be fleet of foot in Singapore in August as you walk along the street trying not to step in plates of food, clusters of incense or piles of burning paper that litter the streets. This is not litter, it is the remnants of Hungry Ghost Month. Think of it as a Singaporean take on Halloween, when the spirits of deceased relatives are believed to wander the earth looking for offerings. Locals burn paper money – and even paper cars, houses and iPads! – to appease these restless spirits.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Newcastle news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.