CHINGAY PARADE

CHINGAY PARADE

February 19 to 20, Singapore

This national event is also the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. From the main parade site (F1 Pit Building next to the Singapore Flyer) to the heartlands, this street extravaganza epitomises the dynamism of Singapore’s vibrant and multicultural society. The word Chingay means “the art of costume and masquerade” in the Hokkien dialect. On the theme of “Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore”, this year’s Chingay Parade boasts a programme that includes dragon dances and aerial acts by local and international artists, fireworks and 11 spectacular floats. 

 

BOGOR CAP GO MEH (CGM) STREET FESTIVAL 2016

February 22, Bogor, Indonesia

Bogor Street Festival is held in conjunction with Cap Go Meh, marking the pinnacle and the closure of Chinese New Year celebrations. Visitors can expect 10,000 performers mostly of Chinese-Indonesian descent and an excited crowd lining Jalan Suryakencana, Bogor’s main road. The day starts with a religious ritual at the main Hok Tek Bio temple or the Dhanagun monastery in the heart of Bogor’s Chinatown, to honour the gods and ancestors. Then the parade starts, led by a drum band, flags and banners, to lion and dragon dances and other performances, passing the city’s main streets to return to the temple at midnight.

 

TASTE HONG KONG

March 10 to 13, Hong Kong

Globally renowned as the must-attend culinary event of the year, Taste, the world’s greatest restaurant festival, will make its debut in Asia starting with Hong Kong on the Central Harbourfront. Following the successful format of global Taste Festivals, 12 of Hong Kong’s finest Michelin-starred cuisine and top chefs will congregate in one location for the ultimate dining experience – serving a premium menu of more than 40 signature dishes on small plates and iconic one-off festival creations.

 

TAKAYAMA SPRING FESTIVAL: SANNO MATSURI 

April 14 to 15, Takayama, Japan

Takayama in Gifu is home to an annual festival of the Hie Jinja Shrine, which was originally built in 1141. In the Takayama Spring Festival, dancers wearing spectacular hats and a shishimai (lion dance) are, among other entertainment, wonderful crowd pleasers. The apex of the festival is the procession of the festival floats, or yatai, all built by the local craftsmen, adorned with breathtakingly large marionettes and cleverly constructed with mobility in mind. When night falls, the magnificent floats turn into a magical vision, illuminated by traditional lanterns and creating an almost otherworldly effect.

 

HONG KONG SALSA FESTIVAL

March 11 to 13, Hong Kong

Experience the passion of salsa in Hong Kong Salsa Festival, in which the best of Asia and local talents are showcased alongside top artists from around the world. A week of Salsa festivities includes club nights, street parties, workshops, dance competition, performances and parties galore. Visit www.HKSalsaFestival.com.

 

HONOLULU FESTIVAL

March 11 to 13, Honolulu, Hawaii 

The annual Honolulu Festival takes place in Hawaii at five locations in and around Waikiki. The Festival is Hawaii’s premier cultural event, promoting understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Asian-Pacific Rim region. The event includes art exhibitions, cultural events, a parade along Waikiki Beach and, a large fireworks display. Visit www.HonoluluFestival.com.