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Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day & Other Significant Singapore Dates / Celebrations / Festivals - Year 2015, 2016
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 2016 school holidays page.
Thaipusam
Tuesday, 3 February 2015 > Sunday, 24 January 2016Thaipusam 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
Wednesday, 4 February 2015 > Thursday, 4 February 2016The 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
Saturday, 14 February 2015 > Sunday, 14 February 2016This 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
Sunday, 8 March 2015 > Tuesday, 8 March 2016International 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, 22 April 2015 > Wednesday, 27 April 2016Administrative 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, 10 May 2015 > Sunday, 8 May 2016Mother'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
Friday, 5 June 2015 > Sunday, 5 June 2016World 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, 21 June 2015 > Sunday, 19 June 2016Father'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
Tuesday, 29 September 2015 > Thursday, 29 September 2016World 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
Friday, 16 October 2015 > Sunday, 16 October 2016An 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
Saturday, 31 October 2015 > Monday, 31 October 2016With 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, 22 November 2015 > Sunday, 27 November 2016Grandparents' 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
Tuesday, 1 December 2015 > Thursday, 1 December 2016Various 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
Saturday, 26 December 2015 > Monday, 26 December 2016Boxing 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 (2016) ]
[ Singapore Important Dates (2014) ]
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