School Supplies SG

20 July 2026 · 48 days away

Racial Harmony Day

Racial Harmony Day is celebrated every 21 July. Students wear traditional dress to celebrate Singapore's multicultural society. Cheongsam, baju kurung, sari, sarong kebaya — and increasingly, costumes from any global culture are welcomed.

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Before you shop

What to expect on Racial Harmony Day

Racial Harmony Day is observed every 21 July to commemorate the 1964 communal riots and remind students of Singapore's multicultural fabric. Schools across primary, secondary and JC mark the day.

The day itself

  • Observed annually on 21 July (first introduced in 1997 as part of National Education).
  • Half-day or full-day school activity — costume parade, traditional games, food sampling, skits or oral history.
  • Pupils revisit the 1964 communal riots and discuss racial / religious harmony.

What schools usually allow

  • Traditional dress from any culture: cheongsam, baju kurung, sari, sarong kebaya, songkok, etc.
  • Most schools encourage costumes representing a culture other than the student's own — but this varies.
  • PE attire or school uniform is always a safe fallback if you can't get a costume in time.

What parents buy

  • One traditional costume (kids' sizes from S$20-70 online; mid-July sees stock shortage).
  • Cultural accessories: hair bindis, songkok, jasmine garland, headpieces.
  • Optional: a dish to share if your school's class is doing a food sampling activity.

Watch-outs

  • Order 3 weeks early. Common sizes (4-6 yrs and 10-12 yrs) sell out fastest.
  • Cheap costumes are hand-wash only — machines destroy them on the first cycle.
  • Check your school's specific theme — a few schools rotate cultures each year.

Frequently asked

  • Does my child have to wear a traditional costume?
    No school makes it strictly compulsory, but participation rate is high — most parents send their child in costume to avoid them being the only one in uniform. PE attire is a quiet alternative.
  • Can my child wear a costume from their own ethnicity?
    Yes. Some schools encourage cross-cultural dressing to deepen the lesson, but wearing your own culture is always fine.
  • What if 21 July falls on a weekend?
    Schools usually mark it on the closest school day — Friday before or Monday after. Confirm via the school portal.
  • Are food contributions expected?
    Varies by school and class. Some primary schools organise a class potluck; secondary schools rarely do. Wait for the class teacher's note before buying.

Racial Harmony Day · costume ideas

One outfit, four cultures. We pulled budget-friendly options across Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian traditional dress.

8 items

  1. Cheongsam / Qipao (girls)

    Chinese traditional. Goes up to S$80 for kids.

  2. Tang suit / Changshan (boys)

    Chinese traditional for boys.

  3. Baju Kurung (girls)

    Malay traditional. Long tunic + skirt.

  4. Baju Melayu (boys)

    Malay traditional for boys.

  5. Mini sari / lehenga (girls)

    Indian traditional. Lehenga is easier for kids than sari.

  6. Kurta + churidar (boys)

    Indian traditional for boys.

  7. Sarong kebaya (girls)optional

    Peranakan / Eurasian.

  8. Hair accessories / bindis / songkokoptional

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