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Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day & Other Significant Singapore Dates / Celebrations / Festivals - Year 2017
These dates below are some of the important non-holiday dates in the Singapore calendar. Some are significant to specific ethnic groups while others are religious days/festivals. Many, however, relate to work or celebrate relationships and loved ones.
This page lists these special days which are not government-gazetted holidays in the national calendar. For official Singapore national holidays, see the public holidays page.
For special dates/festivals related to Chinese customs, see the Chinese calendar page. For Children's Day and Teachers' Day, see the 2017 school holidays page.
Thaipusam
Thursday, 9 February 2017Thaipusam is an Indian Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Murugan, the Tamil God of War. The actual date depends on the Tamil calendar and falls in the month of Thai which overlaps with the months of January and February in the Gregorian year. The traditional highlight of Thaipusam is the Kavadi Attam which is a dance and procession where devotees carry physical burdens and purpose-built structures (Kavadis) to show devotion and thanks to Murugan. Some of these structures involve skewers and hooks that are pierced into parts of devotees' bodies* such as their cheeks or backs.
*typically bared during the procession.World Cancer Day
Saturday, 4 February 2017The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) designates this day to, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), create awareness about the fight against cancer diseases, highlight cancer prevention measures, and promote causes for improving the well-being of cancer patients and sufferers.
Valentine's Day
Tuesday, 14 February 2017This well-known day is celebrated by lovers, spouses and friends throughout the world. In Singapore, it is no different and as a highly commercialized event, prices for flowers and restaurant meal bookings(with special Valentine-themed packages) increase as much as a few times on this day.
International Women's Day
Wednesday, 8 March 2017International Women's Day is commemorated by many countries and the United Nations as a day to remember and promote the economic, political and social causes and achievements of women aroundd the world. In Singapore, it is not a gazetted holiday but is celebrated and promoted by the women's organizations including the Singapore Council of Women's Organizations.
Administrative Professionals' Day (formerly Secretary's Day)
Wednesday, 26 April 2017Administrative Professionals' Day, while not acknowledged by all companies officially, is still often recognized by bosses and office colleagues. Tokens of appreciation range from meals or gifts to a day off for their secretaries, personal assistants and administrative/support staff.
Mother's Day
Sunday, 14 May 2017Mother's Day is widely celebrated in Singapore. As with most modern/Western societies, it is highly commercialized in Singapore with many retailers, eateries and even beauty salons waging their advertising campaigns during the run-up to this day.
World Environment Day
Monday, 5 June 2017World Environment Day is designated by the United Nations as a day to promote and create awareness of the environment. WED is hosted by a different city each year with a theme. Singapore has yet to host the event which includes an international exposition on environmental and climate issues.
Father's Day
Sunday, 18 June 2017Father's Day may not be as widely celebrated in Singapore as Mother's Day. However, it is still recognized in the media and has not escaped retailers' attempts to rouse sons' and daughters' sentiments enough to buy that gift of a wallet, tie or whatnot.
World Heart Day
Friday, 29 September 2017World Heart Day is designated by the World Heart Federation as a day to recognize the importance of cardiovascular health and heart disease prevention. The Singapore Heart Foundation organizes events around this day to spread knowledge of cardiovascular diseases and promote healthy lifestyles that adopt wholistic approaches to heart health and fitness.
Boss's Day
Monday, 16 October 2017An American invention, Boss's Day is almost unheard of in Singapore. But for secretaries and staff who have received generous rewards during Administrative Professionals' Day, this may be a good time to reciprocate the recognition.
Halloween
Tuesday, 31 October 2017With a substantial expatriate American population residing in Singapore, this day has not gone unnoticed in Singapore in recent years. Many Singaporeans, more travelled and exposed to American culture and co-workers, too have come to celebrate this day, using it as an excuse to meet and party. Restaurants, nightspots and even some tourist attractions have also jumped on the bandwagon to create Halloween-themed events and shows.
Grandparents' Day
Sunday, 26 November 2017Grandparents' Day is celebrated to recognize the roles and contributions of grandparents in Singapore. This day may not be that well known in Singapore but it is not uncommon for Singaporeans to honour and thank their grandparents with gifts and other gestures on their birthdays or even throughout the year.
World AIDS Day
Friday, 1 December 2017Various groups in Singapore, including the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Action For AIDS (AFA), commemorate this day to generate greater awareness of AIDS which is caused by HIV infection. The HPB and other groups use this day to promote AIDS prevention measures as well as to educate the public about sexual myths related to AIDS and living with AIDS patients.
Boxing Day
Tuesday, 26 December 2017Boxing Day is no longer celebrated in Singapore. The day, rooted in an English custom of giving presents to the less well-off after Christmas Day, used to be an official public holiday in Singapore - a legacy of its British colonial past. Since its removal as a holiday, it has been all but forgotten.
[ Singapore Public Holidays (2017) ]
[ Singapore Important Dates (2016) ]
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