Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2019

Images adapted from: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

We all know what the annual Lunar New Year calls for; visiting relatives, getting decked out in various shades of red and pink or pigging out on copious amounts of pineapple tarts. 

But if you’re looking for an added element of fun this year, Wan Qing Festival of Spring is bringing you day-long programmes with activities like Miniature Mask Painting and even an LED Lion Dance Performance. And good news, we’ve picked out some key events for the whole family to enjoy. 

1. Upsize your luck by taking part in the mass Lo Hei

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Come CNY and many of us treat our individual Zodiac forecasts like a handbook for the year. Whether it’s for wealth, happiness or having romantic luck, we’re always hoping for all the huat we can get for the year ahead.

This is where the Mass Lo Hei segment comes in. You’ll be able to toss and mix lo hei with everyone and bust out the blessings. Plus, there’s no need to nag at the kiddos (or adults) who make a mess – in fact, the higher your toss, the more prosperous!  

Mass Lo Hei
Date: 16th February 2019
Time: 6.15PM-6.30PM
Admissions: Available on first come first served basis.

2. Watch traditional meet modern through an LED Lion Dance Performance

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

From the loud rhythmic drumming to the cute ‘lions’ peeling oranges or throwing sweets, Lion Dance performances are a Chinese New Year must-have. But at this year’s Wan Qing’s Spring Festival takes it up a notch with an LED light-pimped lion dance show. 

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

The segment falls under their Evening Concert and will treat you to a psychedelic display of colour that works wonders to bring the traditional lion dance costumes to life.

Evening concert
Date: 17th February 2019
Time: 7.30PM-9.30PM
Admissions: No registration required.

3. Get festive with some face paint

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

We all know kids love experiencing new things and even better if they’re packed full of vibrant colours. Well, at Wan Qing Festival of Spring, children and even adults can get festive face painting done to spruce up your outfit instead of just adding red on red and end up looking like an angbao. 

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

These Festive Face Painting services will give you a fresh and fun makeover, great for a family photo at the Instant Photobooth too!

Festive Face Painting
Date: 16th and 17th February
Time: 11AM-8PM
Admissions: No registration required. Available on first come first served basis.

Instant Photobooth
Date: 16th and 17th February
Time: 11AM-8PM
Admissions: No registration required. 

4. Upcycle your old clothes into festive pouches

As CNY rolls in, it’s time for the yearly affair of out with the old and in with the new: spring cleaning. But not everything has to go. Learn how to turn those clothes that no longer ‘spark joy’ into practical pouches that do at the Festive Pouch Making workshop. Marie Kondo would be proud! 

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Feel free to bring along your old clothes and fabrics to transform them during the workshop. 

Festive Pouch Making by Mama and Misse
Date: 17th February 2019
Time: 11AM-12PM, 4PM-5PM
Admissions: No registration required. Available on first come first served basis.

5. Satisfy your hunger for knowledge with trails and tours

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Balestier is known for many things like its old school eateries and dozens of light shops – but there’s so much more to this estate. On the Balestier Heritage Trail, you’ll get to learn more about the neighbourhood’s rich cultural history and visit architectural landmarks like Tan Tock Seng Hospital that lend to Balestier’s unique charm. 

Plus, you’ll even get to stop by some delicious food stops where to get something to fill your hungry tummies. 

Fun fact: Balestier has one of the best Bak Kut Teh (333 Bak Kut Teh) and Chicken rice stores (Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice) in Singapore!

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Other tours include the Permanent Galleries Guided Tour where you’ll be transported back in time to rediscover some of Singapore’s historical moments – one of which is how Singapore had a role to play in the 1911 Xinhai Revolution.

Fun fact: The 1911 Xinhai Revolution brought forth the establishment of the Republic of China, putting an end to the imperial dynasty.

Balestier Heritage and Food Trail

Date: 16th and 17th February 2019
Time: 10.30AM-12PM
Admissions: $5 (Includes a bottle of water and snacks)
Register here.

Permanent Galleries Guided Tours
Date: 16th and 17th February 2019
Time: 230PM-330PM (Chinese), 3PM-4PM (English)
Admissions: No registration required.

6. Unleash your inner artist with miniature mask painting

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

I’m sure anyone who’s seen traditional mask changing performances have been fascinated with the speed at which performers change their masks – and the intricate paintings on each mask are equally as fascinating. 

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

From vibrant colours to lines that shape the face in different ways, you’ll get to experience first hand how to design and paint a mask. After you’re done, feel free to bring the masks home to add that little dose of traditional flavour to your home decor. 

Miniature Mask Painting
Date: 16th February 2019
Time: 1PM-4PM
Admissions: No registration required. Available on a first-come-first-served basis.

*Bonus* Festive CNY Installations

We all have a special place in our hearts for festive decorations like those that line the streets of Orchard during Christmas. To ride on those sentiments, the Wan Qing’s Spring Festival is bringing a wide display of Festival Installations throughout the entire CNY period.

The cute animal pop-ups make for a great CNY photo instead of the usual #ootd. And after you’re done posing, drop by the Zodiac character forecasts to see what 2019 has in store for you!  

Date: 7th January – 24th February 2019
Time: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall lawn
Admissions charge: No registration required.

Learn more about Chinese heritage at Wan Qing Festival of Spring this CNY

Image credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

If you are looking for a new way to celebrate this Chinese New Year, Wan Qing Festival of Spring will treat you with an eventful day for family and friends – at almost no cost at all. So you can save all your angbao money and still have a great time this new year.

Find out more about Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2019

Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2019 Festival Weekend
Date: 16th and 17th February 2019
Time: 10.30AM-9.30PM
Location: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Admissions charge: Free*

*Selected activities are chargeable and require pre-registration.

This post was brought to you by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
Original photography by: Geron Sum