Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-lingual society and this is best reflected in the many colourful and vibrant festivals celebrated throughout the year. In modern and cosmopolitan Singapore, the celebrations of the various festivals help to keep traditional values alive as well as remind the people of the unique myths, cultural beliefs and superstitions that are an indispensable part of Singapore multi-ethnic heritage.

In this stamp issue, we feature the four main festivals celebrated in Singapore in a set of eight stamps, four No-Value Indicator (NVI) stamps and four 50c stamps. The main four festivals are Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Christmas and Chinese New Year. In this series of "Festivals" stamps, familiar icons commonly associated with each individual festival are used to illustrate the stamps. The designs also create a strong visual link to the popular kolam outside the Indian doorstep, the traditional weaving of the ketupat, the Christmas tree decorations and the intricate Chinese paper cutting.

To bring out the vibrancy and exuberance associated with the festivals, holographic foil is used to emphasise the icons. This is the first time holographic foil is used on Singapore stamps.