We’re well over a quarter of the way into 2025, and I’m sure all of us have heard the hubbub over this year’s edition of National Day. From SG Culture Pass credits to the landslide of SG60 deals, there’s no shortage of things to look forward to as we approach Singapore’s 60th year of independence.
Adding on to the excitement, the Singapore Heritage Fest 2025 is currently underway, and it has returned with a slew of programmes for all to immerse themselves in our nation’s rich cultural history. Here’s all you need to know about its multicultural festivities, which include a whole host of workshops, walking tours, and exhibitions across the Little Red Dot.
Singapore Heritage Fest is an annual event organised by the National Heritage Board to celebrate Singapore’s diverse culture and heritage. Singapore Heritage Fest 2025 will be taking place from 1st to 25th May 2025 as part of the SG60 celebrations, and will feature over 100 programmes for participants of all ages to dabble in.
Highlights include a HOMEGROUND experience at Gardens by the Bay, walking tours of neighborhoods and landmarks in Singapore, and culinary workshops that teach you how to whip up traditional bites. For those looking for affordable date ideas, there’ll also be a couple of free activities to try your hand at too at Singapore Heritage Fest 2025.
Singapore Heritage Fest 2025 isn’t held at one fixed location, as its programmes are organised by cultural practitioners, heritage businesses, and other partners all over Singapore. But, you’ll find a healthy mix of fun yet educational activities at the HOMEGROUND installation over at Gardens by the Bay. The best part is, it’s completely free, and no registration is required to partake in the activities here.
Image credit: Singapore Heritage Fest
Located at GBTB’s Silver Garden, HOMEGROUND is a bustling hub that’s open from now till 25th May 2025, and will play host to several cultural performances and workshops over the weekends. For instance, learn to craft a paper version of a traditional Malay Tanjak headgear, and catch a special Bangsawan, a Malay opera performance that’s accented with dance movements.
Paper Tanjak Making by Nadi Singapura
Date: 4th May 2025
Time: 5pm-8pm
Location: Indian Garden
Bangsawan in Dance by Sri Warisan
Dates: 17th-18th May 2025
Time: 8pm-8.30pm
Location: Silver Garden
Other activities to pin on your calendars include a lively community Rangoli-making session where you can contribute to creating a large-scale rangoli design, as well as enthralling story-telling sessions that’s bound to captivate audiences of all ages.
Community Rangoli Making with Ms Vijaya Mohan
Dates: 4th, 10th-11th, 17th-18th, 24th-25th May 2025
Time: 5pm-8pm
Location: Indian Garden
Storytelling Sessions by Pepperdog Press
Dates: 17th-18th May
Time: 5pm-6pm
Location: Silver Garden
Most of the other Singapore Heritage Fest 2025 programmes are paid ones, but they’re definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re interested in taking a first-hand look into Singapore’s multicultural roots.
For fashionistas, pick up the art of rattan weaving to put together a pair of stylish kicks at the Rattan Knot Weaving x anothersole Belle Mary Janes workshop ($80). Those looking for some family-friendly fun can sign up for the Making Traditional Lanterns workshop ($30/2 pax), where you’ll be taught how to craft glowing lanterns using classic techniques.
Rattan Knot Weaving x anothersole Belle Mary Janes workshop
Admission: $80/pax
Date: 24th May 2025
Time: 2.30pm-4pm
Location: 261 Victoria Street, Bugis Street, Level 2, Singapore 189876
Making Traditional Lanterns workshop
Admission: $30/2 pax
Date: 27th May 2025
Time: 2pm-3.30pm, 4pm-5.30pm
Location: 39 Armenian Street, Peranakan Museum, Ixora Room, Singapore 179941
If you’ve always wanted to expand your repertoire of dishes, you’re in luck, as there are also a multitude of culinary workshops to take part in. Highlights include the intriguing Gin Tasting & Ang Ku Kueh Workshop where you get to whip up tipple-infused Ang Ku Kuehs. Meanwhile, The In-Kueh-Dible Rainbow Ondeh Ondeh workshop is another kid-friendly activity where you can take to the kitchen with your little one to prepare colourful, chewy goodies.
Gin Tasting & Ang Ku Kueh Workshop
Admission: $60/pax
Date: 10th May 2025
Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm
Location: 261 Victoria Street, Bugis Street, Level 2, Singapore 189876
The In-Kueh-Dible Rainbow Ondeh Ondeh workshop
Admission: $16/adult, $28/child
Dates: 1st, 3rd-4th, 10th-11th May 2025
Time: 11am-12.45pm
Location: 23B Coleman Street, Children’s Museum Singapore, Lewin Terrace, Singapore 179807
When you’d like to stretch your legs while learning more about the past of some of our country’s most storied neighbourhoods, go on one of Singapore Heritage Fest 2025’s walking tours.
The Echoes of 1959, Singapore River Tour 2025 reveals that Clarke Quay’s not just a haven for frequent club-goers, as it used to be a pivotal spot in Singapore’s river trade industry in the past. On the other hand, go on an adventure off the shores of mainland Singapore with the Malay Kampong Heritage Tour, where you’ll tour Pulau Ubin’s last surviving Malay kampong with the help of a local descendant.
Echoes of 1959, Singapore River Tour 2025
Admission: $45/pax
Dates: 1st, 15th, 29th May 2025
Time: 3.30pm-6pm
Meeting point: Read Street drop-off point
Malay Kampong Heritage Tour
Admission: $25/pax
Dates: 10th-11th May, 17th-18th May 2025
Time: 10am-11.30am
Meeting point: 51 Lorong Bekukong, Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Singapore 499172
It would pretty much take us forever to go over each and every one of the festival’s offerings, but if you’d like a comprehensive list of all the programmes, do head to the Singapore Heritage Fest 2025 website. If you see any that catches your eye, you can also register via their website.
With over 100 programmes to choose from, you can’t say you’ll be bored throughout the month of May, thanks to Singapore Heritage Fest 2025. From insightful walking tours that impart nuggets of information about Singapore’s history to hands-on workshops to flex your creative muscles, there’s bound to be something for you.
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Cover image adapted from: Singapore Heritage Fest
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