The National Heritage Board (NHB) presents a rich tapestry of events and exhibitions celebrating Singapore’s heritage and cultural diversity.
MARCH / APRIL 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
● Battle for Singapore 2024
Date: 17 February – 3 March 2024
Venue: Various
Fees: Various
For more information, please visit here
In commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, NHB and Museum Roundtable members have partnered with academics, heritage enthusiasts, and interest groups to organize public events to remember Singapore’s experiences during World War II (WWII). The events will include guided tours, talks, exhibitions, and film screenings, which will highlight both familiar and lesser-known stories and places of Singapore during WWII, including specially curated visits to sites of historical significance that are usually not accessible by the public. With offerings in both physical and virtual mediums, Battle for Singapore 2024 encourages participants to explore and engage with Singapore’s wartime past; hear the testimonies of veterans, ask new questions about Singapore’s survival and resilience, and find a deeper appreciation of the significance of this period in our history. In this year’s edition, the signature programme will involve visits to multiple points of interest.
● Love, Kebaya Exhibition
Venue Partner: One Punggol
Date: 11 March – 31 March 2024
Time: All Day
Fee: Free
Love, Kebaya is a traveling exhibition that takes you on a journey to discover the iconic kebaya. The exhibition will showcase the significance of the kebaya to our region’s shared cultural identity and living heritage, and the multination nomination of kebaya by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand for inscription onto the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
● Monumental Hunt in the Civic District
Dates: TBA
Time: 9:30am – 12:00pm
Fees: $55 per participant
For Registration and Programme Details, click here.
Set off on a fun-filled puzzle hunt in the Civic District! Inspired by escape rooms and treasure hunts, participants go on an immersive outdoor expedition featuring nine National Monuments in the area. Facilitated and guided by a game master, get ready to put on your thinking caps to decode the puzzles and discover fascinating facts about these historic buildings and sites along the way!
Note: This Monumental Hunt will be recurring and will usually take place every 3rd Saturday of the month. Participants are encouraged to check the website regularly for the confirmed dates.
Programmes by Children’s Museum Singapore
● Story Time About Women Who Make A Difference: Forest Guardians
Venue: Children’s Museum Singapore
Date: 14 March 2024
Time: 2:30pm & 4:30pm
Fees: Free, participation is on first-come-first-served basis.
For more information, click here.
Sandy and Mindy are forest guides who have magical abilities to gather secrets from Nature with just a touch or whisper. They have discovered that the forest is falling ill, along with all the plants and animals that live in it! Help them restore the health of the forest with their two awesome friends – Han Sai Por and Yang Chang Man – and learn how they brought attention to sustainability in Singapore through art and conservation. This storytelling session is part of a series of interactive storytelling sessions called Story Time about Women Who Make A Difference brought to you by Project Awesome.
Recommended for 5 to 9 years old.
● The River That Brings Us Life by Sarah Ang
Venue: Children’s Museum Singapore
Date: 15 March 2024
Time: 2:30pm & 4:30pm
Fees: Free, participation is on a first-come-first-served basis.
For more information, click here.
There was once a vibrant river that flowed through the heart of Singapore. The river brought life and joy to everyone, but when people began to mistreat it, it lost its sparkle. Journey through the true story of the Singapore River and discover how the river gained its sparkle back once again.
Come learn about sustainability through an interactive, dramatized storytelling of “The River That Brings Us Life” and a fun sing-along session, by author and illustrator, Sarah Ang.
This storytelling session is presented by the Speak Good English Movement.
Recommended for 5 to 9 years old.
● A Musical Journey Back In Time by Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music
Venue: Children’s Museum Singapore
Date: 17 March 2024
Time: 2:30pm & 4:30pm
Fees: Free, participation is on a first-come-first-served basis.
For more information, click here.
On a starry night, Grandpa and Granny were telling their grandchildren stories of their childhood at the marketplace in the past, and tales of a giant water pump that was the beating heart of their kampung village. Suddenly, when the children are fast asleep, they wake up to find themselves transported back in time to the very same kampung that their grandparents were telling them about! There, they see the dried-up water pump and a severe lack of water. Without their water life source, they cannot survive. Join us on a mission to find a way to return to the present – where the children will have to collect different items from each booth to fix the village’s giant water pump, save the village, and time travel back to the present!
Through this musical journey, the children will explore different elements of music – pitch, rhythm, instruments, and timbre whilst also gaining insight into the importance of water supply and water conservation. This storytelling session is presented by students from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Recommended for 5 to 9 years old.
● Family Egg Hunt 2024
Venue: Children’s Museum Singapore, Fort Canning Park and Lewin Terrace
Dates: 16, 23, 30 March 2024
Time: 11:00am – 12:45pm
Fees: $20 per child; $15 per adult
For more information, click here.
Our annual Family Egg Hunt is back! This year, get ready for an egg-citing adventure that’s as green as can be! Join us for a day of fun where you’ll embark on an egg hunt while learning about the importance of sustainability through interactive activities, crafts, and a special themed bingo game. But that’s not all, there are plenty of prizes and surprises that await from Children’s Museum Singapore, Creta Class, and Schwan-STABILO Singapore Pte Ltd, making this a day of adventure, learning, and eco-conscious fun for the whole family!
Recommended for 5 to 10 years old.
● I Can Be A Water Hero!
Venue: Children’s Museum Singapore
Dates: 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 March 2024
Time: Whole day (*while stocks last)
Fees: Free, collect an activity sheet from the ticketing counter, while stocks last.
This drop-in programme is only for visitors who have booked their museum tickets here.
Embark on a journey to learn about the importance of water in our galleries. Spot the uses of water in our daily lives and how we can sustainably use water. Join WonderBot in this self-guided drop-in activity and you can be a water hero too!
Upon completion of the activity, redeem a token from our friendly staff at the Ticketing Counter. This free drop-in activity is a collaboration with the Public Utilities Board (PUB).
Recommended for 5 to 12 years old.
Programmes by the Indian Heritage Centre
● Indian New Year 2024
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 13 & 14 April 2024
Time: 10:00am- 5:00pm
Fee: Free admission
For more information, click here.
Join our Indian New Year celebration at the Indian Heritage Centre! The celebration will be filled with an array of complimentary lobby activities, programmes, and workshops for all. Don’t miss out on the excitement and be sure to keep a lookout for more information on our Peatix page!
● Katha & Kali – Interactive in special exhibition
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 25 November 2023 – 15 September 2024
Fee: Free
For more information, please visit IHC’s website here and Facebook page here.
Step into the world of Kathakali at our digital interactive exhibition. Discover the different characters that are commonly found in a Kathakali performance; learn a mudra or hand gesture demonstrated by these characters; transform into your favourite Kathakali character; snap a picture of yourself and send the saved image to your email! Don’t forget to post your picture on your social media account and tag us @Indianheritage_sg!
● Ente Veedu, My Home: Malayalees in Singapore
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Dates: 25 November 2023 – 15 September 2024
Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Fee: Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents
For more information, please visit IHC’s website here.
The Indian Heritage Centre’s sixth special exhibition and third community co-curated exhibition celebrates the Singapore Malayalee community. The tangible and intangible aspects of the rich history and heritage of the Malayalees will be showcased through a display of artifacts and stories, along with a variety of programmes offered in collaboration with the community.
● Young Explorer Special Exhibition guide on SMARTIFY
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 25 November 2023 – 15 September 2024
Fee: Free
For more information, please visit IHC’s website here and Facebook page here.
Empower your child’s cultural journey with the Indian Heritage Centre’s child-friendly exhibition guide for the special exhibition Ente Veedu, My Home: Malayalees in Singapore. This guide is designed to make cultural exploration accessible and engaging for young learners and an enriching experience for families. Download the SMARTIFY app and embark on an enriching adventure in Malayalee heritage together!
Programmes by the Malay Heritage Centre
● March Holiday Mural Activity: Paint by Numbers
Venue: Sultan Gate
Date: 9 & 10 March 2024
Time: 3:00-5:00pm
Fee: Free
Calling for volunteers! Join us this March school holidays to add vibrancy to Kampong Gelam by expressing your creativity! Register today together with your family and friends, to help the Malay Heritage Centre complete our giant paint-by-numbers mural.
Things to note:
● If you’re registering as a group, please indicate the total group size when registering. MHC
will reach out to you via email to confirm the personal details of all participants.
● Recommended for ages 7 years and above. MHC reserves the right to deny participation to
children aged 6 years old and below.
● The minimum expected duration of volunteering is 2 hours, 3.00 – 5.00 pm.
● Volunteers will need to attend a briefing at 2:30pm before the start of each volunteering
day. More details will be shared closer to the date.
● Please note that photographs and videos of attendees taken at this event may be used for
publicity and outreach purposes.
● Personal particulars of participants will be collected to administer the delivery of e-certificates
to an email of the participant’s choice.
● MHC x LTA Collaboration – Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri from MHC
Venue: Various MRT stations, trains & buses
Date: 27 March – 7 May 2024
Soak in the Hari Raya vibes when you travel on public transport this festive season! Catch our colourful Hari Raya-themed designs on various trains and buses from 27 March 2024 onwards.
In collaboration with Land Transport Authority.
● AidilFEASTri Raya Festival 2024
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 27 & 28 April 2024
Time: Various timings
Fees: Various
Organised by the Malay Heritage Centre, AidilFEASTri Raya Festival 2024 is a vibrant celebration of Hari Raya food and culture both online and offline, with an open house set to take place at the Indian Heritage Centre on 27 and 28 April 2024. This exciting event will showcase the rich culinary traditions of Hari Raya, featuring a diverse array of traditional and modern dishes that hold significance during this festive season.
AidilFEASTri Raya Festival 2024 aims to be a delightful convergence of flavours, aromas, and cultural experiences, inviting attendees to indulge in the spirit of Hari Raya through its delectable culinary offerings. Join us for a celebration that honours tradition and our intangible cultural heritage, fosters a sense of community, and embraces the joy of the festive season.
● My First Wayang Kulit Show
Online game – accessible anytime for free here
Explore the wonders of wayang kulit together with Laila in this interactive online game! Get a chance to be a little dalang (puppeteer), put up your first Ramayana performance and get a chance to learn what goes on behind the screen in a wayang kulit show.
● Tales from the Nusantara Storytelling Video Series
Video series – accessible anytime for free here.
Staying home can be a lot of fun with our storytelling series showcasing folktales from the Nusantara (Malay world)! Check out our YouTube Channel for pre-recorded storytelling videos that you can tune in at home or in school.
Activity sheets in both Malay and English are available for download for selected videos.
● I am a Little Jewellery Designer
Online game – accessible anytime for free, at https://go.gov.sg/littlejewellerydesigner Did you know that a diamond village called “Kampong Intan” used to exist in Singapore? It was bustling with diamond traders and jewellery designers!
Join our friends Laila and Oreo in this interactive video game where you can harvest your own intan (diamond), polish it and set it in a beautiful piece of jewellery. Your creation will also be available for download as an image file to keep forever.
● Changi Chapel and Museum
Address: 1000 Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707
Tel: 6242 6033
To visit, click here.
Opening Hours:
9:30am to 5:30pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
Closed every Monday except Public Holidays
Last admission at 5:00pm.
Free admission for Citizens & PRs
The Changi Chapel and Museum tells the story of the prisoners of war and civilians interned in the Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation. Managed by the National Museum of Singapore, the Changi Museum was revamped and reopened in May.
● Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Address: 31-K Pepys Road, Singapore 118458
Tel: 6250 6675
To visit, click here.
Opening Hours: 9:30am to 5:pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
Closed every Monday except Public Holidays
The last admission is at 4:30pm.
Free admission for Citizens & PRs
Reflections at Bukit Chandu is a World War Two interpretative centre that commemorates the battle of Pasir Panjang and the men of the Malay Regiment who fought in it, as well as the history of Bukit Chandu itself. Housed in a bungalow that is closely connected to the site’s history, the interpretative centre uses immersive experiences and contextual artifacts to present a multi-faceted look at Bukit Chandu and Pasir Panjang, while inviting visitors to reflect on our nation’s wartime experience and the brave sacrifice of the soldiers.
