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July :
Null
August :
 National
Day Singaporeans gladly celebrate their
country's Independence on every 9 August. The
Parade is taken place at the Padang or National
Stadium and marched by multitudinous people such
as students, soldiers, and workers who display
colorful and exciting shows. The National Day
Parade is arranged by the government, social groups,
and various communities.
 Festival
of the Hungry Ghost In the 7th lunar month
(August), the Chinese believes that the gate of
hell is opened wide and the ghosts are allowed
to wander on the earth to look for food after
being imprisoned for 12 months. Chinese adults
tell the young that it is dangerous to go out
after dusk. Besides, buying properties or dealing
businesses is avoided during this time. Even the
stock market becomes quieter as it concerns with
business. This is affected from the arrival of
hungry ghosts who come with portent.
The Chinese would light the joss-sticks and make
offerings such as food, fruit, fake money, paper
car, house, mobile phone and etc. Small altars
are actually set in front of the house or on the
footpath. After making offerings, those fake money
and properties will be burnt as they believe that
those homeless spirits will receive these objects
in hell.
In Chinatown, there is a street show performed
by people wearing ghost masks as to appease the
hungry spirits. This festival lasts for several
centuries and does represent the belief in superstition.
September :
 Moon
Cake and Lantern Festival For some
people, the Moon Cake festival is known as the
Lantern festival, or the Mid-Autumn festival held
on the 15th of the 8th month in Chinese lunar
calendar. This day the moon appears at its fullest
and brightest, as well as represents luck and
prosperity.
This festival is held in commemoration of patriot
Shu Yuan Zhang, who tried to overthrow the domineering
rule of the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century by
writing his plot on the paper hidden in the mooncake
and passed it to his fellows. Of course, the lanterns
were used to guide the way to achieve his plan.
That is why some people acknowledge this festival
as the Lantern festival.
October :
 Festivals
of the Nine Emperor Gods The nine-day
festival held in September or October. Activities
are actually held around the Nine Emperor Gods
Temple located on Upper Serangoon Road. The temple
is near Yio Chu Kang Road.
This festival portrays the noisy welcome along
the sound of drums and cymbals for The Nine Emperor
Gods who bring good fortune, longevity, and good
health to those Chinese believers. Chinese priests
carefully write protective charms by their very
own blood. This festival looks sacred and is climaxed
with the images of nine gods parading on a decorative
sedan chair carried by eight men.
 Navarathiri
Navarathiri is a Hindu festival lasts
for nine nights, and ten days. Navarathiri means
"nine nights" in itself, and is the
festival held for paying respect to three Hindu
goddesses; Dhurga, Lakshmi, and Saraswathi. The
first three days are held in gratitude of Dhurga,
the goddess who protects Hindus from evil; the
next three days are for Lakshmi, the goddess of
Wealth; and the next three days are spent for
Saraswathi, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge.
On the 10th day called Vijaya Dasami, Hindu devotees
praise and celebrate the conquest of Dhurga over
Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed monster. They
sing traditional Indian songs and perform dances
in the evening during this ten-day festival.
On the 10th night, the uniqueness of this festival
can be seen with a parade of glittering silver
horse held at the Sri Thandayuthapani Temple located
on Tank Road.
Thimithi This breathtaking Hindu
fire-walking ceremony can be considered as the
most exciting ceremony in Singapore. On 16th October,
this festival is conducted at the Sri Mariamman
Temple located in the heart of Chinatown.
In the evening at about 5 pm, Hindu priests and
devotees walk on real burning coals in honor of
the valor of the goddess Draupadi. This holy action
at least proves that there is something beyond
nature, something that seems superstitious exist
in this earth as their feet found unhurt after
stepping on red burning coals for 4 meters. What
a miraculous ceremony?
November :
 Deepavali
(Festival of Lights) Deepavali or "Festival
of Lights" is annually held in November as
to celebrate the triumph of Lord Krishna over
the evil Narakasura. Lord Krishna symbolizes goodness
while Narakasura represents evil; that's why it
concerns with "lights," which clearly
depict purity. So to speak, light will always
win darkness and good can always conquer evil.
Deepavali is considered a most important day of
Hindu calendar, and is arranged in Little India,
another ethnic area of Singapore. It's times for
rejoicing and renewal of especial Hindus and Sikhs.
Of course, oil lamps play a unique part of this
festival as it is believed that there are spirits
of departed relatives who come back to earth and
so the lights are the guidance for those wandering
souls to their subsequent world. For the Indians,
this festival is like a New Year celebration,
while they welcome relatives and friends at their
own homes for exchanging some blessings.
December :
 Hari
Raya Puasa Hari Raya Puasa is also known
as "Hari Raya Aidil Fitri," the most
important religious festival for Muslims for it
marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and
alms-giving. After the fasting period, the Muslims
celebrate the first of Syawal which lies in the
10th month of the Islamic calendar.
This festival is a good time for family gatherings
in purpose of sharing good things, forgetting
bad pasts, reconciling with someone, and above
all, other ethnic friends are welcome for renewing
one's sense for other communities. This is like
a custom of every Muslim to express their feelings
toward their families, while forgiveness and understanding
go through senior members or breadwinner of the
family.
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