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Singapore’s longest-running celebration of shared cultural identity returns this May with the 22nd edition of Singapore HeritageFest 2025. As part of Singapore’s 60th anniversary of independence (SG60), this year’s festival proudly showcases the nation’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) or “living heritage” through over 100 thoughtfully curated programmes across the island from 1 to 25 May 2025.

Understanding Living Heritage

The Singapore HeritageFest 2025 focuses on living heritage-the rich customs, traditions, practices, and stories that connect Singaporeans across generations. This intangible cultural heritage encompasses six key categories: oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, and traditional craftsmanship.

Living heritage is woven into the fabric of everyday Singaporean life, from morning kopi and kaya toast at hawker centres to the beats of kompang at Malay weddings, the tossing of yusheng during Chinese New Year, and the Thaipusam procession. These cultural expressions aren’t static relics but dynamic traditions that continue to evolve while maintaining their cultural significance.

HOMEGROUND: The Festival Centrepiece

The signature offering of Singapore HeritageFest 2025 is HOMEGROUND, set against the iconic backdrop of Silver Garden at Gardens by the Bay. Running from 25 April to 25 May, this immersive month-long exhibition invites visitors to delve into Singapore’s rich living heritage.

Weekend programmes (4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 May) from 4pm to 10pm feature enhanced offerings, including:

Cultural performances showcasing traditional arts
Hands-on workshops to learn heritage skills
Heritage food booths celebrating culinary traditions
Retail experiences with artisanal products

The exhibition space is divided into two primary zones: Makan Village and Makers Village. At Makan Village, visitors can sample heritage-inspired eats, including crispy vadai from The Original Vadai and innovative vegetarian creations from Origanics such as Caramelised “Char Siew.” All HOMEGROUND activities are free, with no registration required.

Creative Hub @ Peranakan Museum

Another highlight of Singapore HeritageFest 2025 is the Creative Hub at Peranakan Museum, offering a month-long showcase of Singapore’s living heritage through workshops and sharing sessions throughout the weekends in May. Participants can learn heritage practices including:

Jamu-making (traditional herbal medicine)
Traditional tea brewing techniques
Calligraphy
Flower garland tying

These sessions are led by the very communities who keep these traditions alive, providing authentic learning experiences that bridge the past and present.

Ride & Discover: Heritage on the Move

Singapore HeritageFest 2025 brings culture to commuters through the innovative Ride & Discover initiative, which transforms MRT stations into exhibition spaces. From 1 to 28 May, travellers passing through Somerset and Bayfront Circle Line stations can learn about Singapore’s unique Hawker Culture and celebrate the inscription of Kebaya on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Visitors are encouraged to snap pictures with the exhibition panels and share them on social media with the hashtag #SGHeritageFest.

Performances That Cross Boundaries

A standout performance at Singapore HeritageFest 2025 will take place at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre on 16-17 May (8:00 pm) and 17-18 May (3:00 pm), featuring a unique blend of Getai and Teochew opera. This vibrant performance reimagines Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry, showing how traditional art forms can evolve while maintaining their cultural significance.

Another noteworthy event is the Kathakali Festival 2025, which offers behind-the-scenes demonstrations and interactive workshops conducted by master artists from India, showcasing this elaborate performance tradition.

Marina Central District Events

The Marina Central district joins the festivities with a range of programmes from 1 to 25 May. These include tea appreciation sessions, guzheng performances, culinary classes, heritage crafts demonstrations, and a self-guided Asian Art tour.

A special highlight at Conrad Singapore Marina Bay is the Heritage-Inspired Sunday Buffet Dinner, priced at $60++ in honour of Singapore’s 60th year of independence. Diners can relish traditional recipes while exploring the hotel’s self-guided audio art tour featuring 21 curated works by renowned Singaporean artists.

Peranakan Museum Special Programme

The Peranakan Museum invites visitors to “Mari Mari to the Peranakan Museum” throughout the festival period. Guests can follow an interactive gallery trail, complete fun challenges to win exclusive merchandise, and “joget” to a community music jukebox featuring popular Peranakan tunes. The museum also offers daily guided tours by volunteer docents.

Coinciding with Singapore HeritageFest 2025, visitors can view the special exhibition “Batik Nyonyas: Three Generations of Art and Entrepreneurship,” which runs from 11 October 2024 to 31 August 2025. This exhibition explores the lives and works of three visionary Peranakan women from Indonesia who produced impressive batiks from the 1890s to 1980s.

Family-Friendly Activities

Singapore HeritageFest 2025 offers numerous family-friendly activities, making it an ideal event for introducing children to their cultural heritage. From hands-on craft workshops to interactive exhibitions, families can spend quality time together while learning about traditions that have shaped Singapore’s identity.

The festival programming ensures that cultural heritage is accessible to all ages, helping to pass traditions on to the next generation in engaging and meaningful ways.

Planning Your Visit

With over 100 programmes spanning the entire month of May, planning your visit to Singapore HeritageFest 2025 requires some strategy. Most events are free, though some may require pre-registration. The festival website (sgheritagefest.gov.sg) offers comprehensive information on all programmes, including dates, times, venues, and registration details.

Weekend events tend to draw larger crowds, particularly at popular venues like Gardens by the Bay’s HOMEGROUND. Consider visiting exhibitions on weekdays if possible or arriving early for weekend programmes to secure your spot.

Preserving Culture for Future Generations

Singapore HeritageFest 2025 does more than celebrate cultural traditions-it plays a vital role in preserving them. By engaging communities in cultural practices and creating platforms for heritage practitioners to share their knowledge, the festival ensures that Singapore’s living heritage continues to thrive in an increasingly globalised world.

As Singapore marks 60 years of independence, Singapore HeritageFest 2025 serves as a reminder of how far the nation has come while honouring the cultural foundations that have shaped its identity. Through this month-long celebration, Singaporeans are invited to not just observe but actively participate in keeping their heritage alive for future generations.