Katong Kultura at i12 Katong
Katong has long been known for its deep-rooted Peranakan culture, from its iconic colourful shophouses to galleries and museums paying homage to Straits Chinese culture. This July, that heritage comes alive at i12 Katong with Katong Kultura, a new annual festival that celebrates the district’s storied past with a modern, family-friendly twist.
From 4th till 20th July 2025, the mall will be decked out with photo-worthy Peranakan exhibits, free craft workshops, and performances – all to help you and your little ones live out your Emerald Hill fantasies.
You’ll want to block out a weekend or two for this event, as there’s a whole line-up of activities waiting to be discovered. Here are some of the highlights you can expect at Katong Kultura 2025:
An opening ceremony with a Peranakan tea party
Image credit: @peranakanmuseum via Instagram
Katong Kultura officially kicks off with an opening ceremony on 5th July, from 3pm to 5pm. Special guests of honour include a local MP, making this community celebration much more significant.
Come dressed to impress in batik or a kebaya, and enjoy free access to a Peranakan-themed tea party, where guests will be served a selection of traditional food, including kueh pai ti, laksa, popiah and many others.
Also, look forward to a theatrical performance titled A Tapestry of Peranakan Stories, which brings the Straits people’s rich legacy to life on stage.
Peranakan exhibitions with photo ops
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: i12 Katong
The Peranakan exhibitions are a mainstay at Katong Kultura, happening throughout the festival’s run. From 4th to 20th July, visitors will see the atrium of i12 Katong transformed into a visual feast, with fun activities and photo ops aplenty.
Snap pics at a Baba mansion replica, admire a colourful Peranakan feast showcase, and browse an elegant fashion display featuring authentic ensembles from the wardrobe of the 2025 Mediacorp series, Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story.
Don’t miss the chance to try on a traditional kebaya or batik outfit – with sizes available for kids too, this is your chance to snap a family photo to remember.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: i12 Katong
The exhibition isn’t just fodder for your phone’s camera – it offers a deeper look into specific facets of Peranakan culture too.
For example, the interactive Nyonya Rempah (Spice) Garden spotlights the aromatic herbs and spices used in Peranakan cuisine, from butterfly pea flowers to lemongrass.
Make sure you collect stamps as you explore the various exhibits. Once you’ve completed the full set, you’ll be able to redeem a complimentary scoop of ice cream to wrap up your visit on a sweet note. Limited redemptions are available daily.
Meet & greet the stars of Emerald Hill
Image credit: Mediacorp
Speaking of Emerald Hill, the Little Nyonya sequel recently made waves for being the first local Chinese-language series to reach #1 on Netflix Singapore.
Fans of the hit series will be delighted to know Sheila Sim and Chantalle Ng, stars of the hit series, will be making a special appearance at i12 Katong for an exclusive meet-and-greet session on 12th July, from 3pm to 4pm.
Attendees can look forward to fun games, a dance segment, and a live interview with the stars, as well as opportunities to nab autographs and selfies with their fave actress.
The event is free and open to all. Lucky ones can snag limited-edition autograph cards, mall vouchers, and exclusive merchandise.
Free arts & craft workshops and live performances
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: i12 Katong
On weekends during the festival, i12 Katong will be hosting complimentary Peranakan arts and craft workshops for all ages.
Try your hand at air-clay crafting and shape your very own adorable miniature ang ku kueh to take home.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: i12 Katong
You can also paint Peranakan-style Majolica tiles that will be added to the Community Mural Wall. Your beautiful tile mural will be displayed alongside others’ artistic contributions, forming a vibrant, communal piece of art.
Come back throughout the festival to witness the mural’s transformation and see how it evolves to highlight the beauty of Peranakan crafts!
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: i12 Katong
There’s also bead art keychain-making inspired by iconic Nyonya motifs, so you can leave with a meaningful, handmade keepsake.
Seats are limited each hour, so swing by early to secure your spot!
Image credit: i12 Katong
Foodies should also register for the Peranakan Food Demo, held in collaboration with ToTT and Chilli Api. Only on 6th July, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, the demo is where you’ll learn to prep Nyonya specialities like chap chye and curry chicken, all under the tutelage of an expert chef. Sign up via the ToTT website.
One of the best ways to familiarise yourself with a culture is through their musical traditions. When it comes to Peranakan music, the festival offers the Katong Culture Singing Competition Finals.
Happening on 19th July, from 2pm to 5pm, the finals will spotlight talented singers from the East, as they take to the stage with renditions of popular folk songs.
Katong Kultura offers Peranakan activities for the whole family
With its colourful blend of local heritage and family-friendly fun, Katong Kultura is more than just a mall event – it’s a celebration of what makes the East side so special.
Image credit: i12 Katong
P.S. This event is just one reason to head down to i12 Katong. Known as the Heart of Katong, the elevated heartland mall offers a well-rounded mix of dining, shopping, and lifestyle experiences, hitting every spot when you want to go jalan jalan.
Just imagine: at the mall, you could go from brunch at PS. Café to bouldering at ClimbUp, before ending off with a plush movie-going experience at Golden Village’s Gold Class theatre, then dinner at SG Hawker – a bustling food court.
What’s more, there are plenty of rewards and promos to make your visit even sweeter. Throughout Katong Kultura, visitors can spend $100* to redeem an exclusive Rooster Ceramic Bowls & Spoon Set (worth $15) – reminiscent of traditional tableware.
If you swing by from Monday to Thursday, you’ll also enjoy an extra $5 mall e-voucher tossed in with the same spend, limited to the first 500 redemptions.
Image credit: IHG Hotel
Each qualifying spend of $100* also gives you a shot at the lucky draw, with prizes worth up to $1,500, including luxe staycations. Spending from Monday to Thursday gets you double the chances to win. Terms and conditions apply.
First-time i12 Katong Rewards+ members can enjoy an extra treat too. With a minimum spend of $50*, you’ll receive a handy i12 Katong foldable umbrella – a must-have in Singapore’s unpredictable weather.
With so many activities packed under one roof – from photo-worthy installations and free craft workshops to exclusive rewards and shopping perks – Katong Kultura is a fantastic reason to take a trip down to the East this July.
*Combination of a maximum of 3 same-day receipts. Double spending applies to supermarket and enrichment receipts.
Find out more about Katong Kultura
This post was brought to you by i12 Katong.
Cover image adapted from: i12 Katong.