Stories come alive in everyday moments. You can feel them in the scent of incense during a festival. They’re in the laughter shared over coffee at a corner shop and in the steady hands of those keeping old traditions alive. Every sound, every smell, every part of a celebration has something to say if you take the time to notice.
This May, Singapore transforms into a living, breathing storybook.
Welcome to Singapore HeritageFest 2025 (SHF) is a vibrant, city-wide celebration held from May 1 to 25. More than just a festival, it’s a soulful journey into the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) that shapes who we are.
Curated by the National Heritage Board since 2004, it combines the old and new through delightful, people-powered experiences. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or someone searching for meaning, SHF 2025 is where stories live and where you belong.
What Makes Singapore HeritageFest 2025 Special?
This isn’t just any festival. Celebrating its 22nd edition, SHF 2025 beautifully highlights Singapore’s dedication to cherishing its vibrant cultural legacy. And to celebrate, SHF 2025 is shining a light on something that’s close to every Singaporean’s heart: Spaces & Stories.
It’s all about the places we pass by every day and the wonderful people whose voices add meaning to those spots. You’re sure to discover something new at this year’s festival. Those are-
- Community-first programming: This year, the focus is on real stories, shared by the people who experience them in their everyday lives. From intimate neighborhood tours to grassroots-led performances, SHF 2025 is powered by locals sharing their perspectives, passions, and pride.
- Hybrid format: Whether you’re exploring heritage trails on foot or tuning in from halfway across the world, SHF 2025 comes to you. Physical events offer hands-on immersion, while digital experiences bring Singapore’s culture to global screens, inclusive, accessible, and far-reaching.
- Ties with SG’s bicentennial cultural milestones: SHF 2025 is part of a larger national effort to commemorate Singapore’s bicentennial. The festival highlights historical narratives while fostering contemporary cultural expression, creating a meaningful dialogue between Singapore’s rich history and dynamic present.
Must-See, Must-Do in The Heartbeat of SHF 2025
There’s a lot to go around whenever there’s a festival happening in Singapore. But the Singapore HeritageFest is more than that. So we have come up with all the places you must see and activities that you must take part in here.
HOMEGROUND: The Festival Hub at Gardens by the Bay
Step into HOMEGROUND, the beating heart of SHF 2025, tucked within the beautiful surroundings of Gardens by the Bay.
Video Courtesy @LittleTiger Adventure Vlog
Now, we don’t say this lightly, but this place feels magical. Here, the six pillars of ICH come alive: oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, food heritage, crafts, and social practices. All under one roof (well, canopy).
You’ll have the wonderful opportunity to experience:
- Artisan demos that transport you to another era
- Virtual reality storytelling booths where the past and present blur
- Interactive exhibits for kids (and curious adults like you)
If food tells stories, then Singapore’s hawker heritage is a novel you won’t want to end.
This year, SHF is teaming up with Song Fa Bak Kut Teh and Pek Sin Choon to bring you deeper into the soul of Singapore’s culinary roots. And trust me, this isn’t just eating, it’s experiencing.
You’ll have the chance to get hands-on:
- Brew your own Nanyang Tea and feel like a Teochew grandma for a moment
- Learn about the medicinal power of Bak Kut Teh, once the breakfast of tired coolies
- Sip, taste, and connect, because every sip of tea here tells a story
And the food trails? It’s mandatory to walk through Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam with your senses wide open. The scents of spices, sizzling satay, and nostalgia will guide you. Singapore’s hawker culture, recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, isn’t just food; it’s identity on a plate.
Traditional Arts Reimagined: “Out of the Red Box”
Ever seen Chinese opera, getai, and digital art collide in one unforgettable performance?
Photo Credit: www.roots.gov.sg/stories-landing/stories/Kreta-Ayer-Heritage-Gallery
“Out of the Red Box” brings it all together in a bold fusion of tradition and technology. Staged at the iconic Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre, this show reimagines heritage with a modern twist, where classical movements dance alongside neon visuals and 3D projections light up traditional face paint.
What makes it even more special is the chance to go beyond the stage. Audiences are invited backstage to meet the artists, try on the makeup, and discover the stories behind every gesture.
Peranakan Heritage Day at the Peranakan Museum
The Peranakan Museum always has a special charm, but on Heritage Day, it becomes a portal. Picture yourself learning beadwork from Nonyas, making jamu (herbal concoctions), and trying your hand at batik painting. If you have never tasted ayam buah keluak, here’s your chance, and the kueh that follows will melt your heart.
You’ll sit with elders sharing tales from a time when neighbors weren’t contacts on your phone, but family across the corridor. And don’t miss the night tours at the museum on lights low, stories high. You will be so emotional. It might just change how you see culture.
The Hidden Trails Experience: Stories in the Shadows
These aren’t just heritage walks. They’re emotional journeys through spaces steeped in memory.
Photo Credit: explorersg.com/history-behind-bukit-brown-cemetery/
At Bukit Brown Cemetery, stories are etched into weathered tombstones, offering glimpses into lives from generations past. The trail from Bras Basah to Bugis traces the transformation of a district shaped by art, faith, and cultural exchange. Further east, the Changi coast tells a quieter tale, where remnants of war and maritime life still linger in the air.
What makes these trails truly unforgettable are the guides. Often, offspring are those whose stories are being told. When a guide points to a home and says, “This was my grandmother’s house,” history suddenly feels close, real, and deeply human.
Youth & Heritage: The New Voices
There’s something exciting happening over there. Young Singaporeans are stepping up to keep heritage alive in fresh, creative ways. They’re not just learning history; they’re telling it through community podcasts that capture disappearing dialects, AR projects that let you see old Singapore through your phone. And student-made mini-documentaries featured on the SHF website, a new generation is giving tradition a modern voice.
It’s a reminder that heritage isn’t just about the past. It’s about who’s carrying it forward. And with these new voices, the future of heritage looks bright and full of heart.
Living Heritage in Daily Life
What does “living heritage” even mean? It’s a combination of all of the following:
- A songket weaver who hums while her hands dance with thread
- A ketupat braider who still remembers her first festival preparation
- A quiet puppet maker who tells stories through silk and strings
SHF 2025 is full of these moments. You’ll meet uncles at old-school provision shops who’ve been serving your favorite biscuits since 1972. Aunties who still pound their sambal the traditional way. It’s not about the past being perfect. It’s about the past being present, in their hands, their hearts, their routines.
Cultural Immersion for International Visitors
If you are flying from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, India, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, or nearby, you are not just landing in Singapore; you are stepping into something that feels surprisingly familiar.
Photo Credit: danamic.org/2025/04/27/singapore-heritagefest-2025-heres-a-sneak-peek-into-our-homeground/
At SHF, cross-cultural connection is at the heart of it all. Indian heritage is alive in the food, fabrics, and family ties. Chinese traditions carry a local twist. African guests will sense shared stories of strength and resilience. Before planning your HeritageFest adventure, remember that most travelers need a Singapore eVisa.
Once you arrive, a few simple things will go a long way:
- Brush up on local cultural etiquette (hint: remove your shoes indoors)
- Use the EZ-Link card for smooth transport
- Dress comfy but modestly for temple visits and festival walks
- Register online for SHF events early (spots fill up fast)
- Stay near key locations like Marina Bay, Bugis, or Chinatown for easy access
Note: If you are planning to travel with kids or seniors, don’t need to worry at all. SHF 2025 is family- and disability-friendly, with ramps, guides, and plenty of seating along the way.
Sustainable Heritage: Keeping Traditions Green
You’ll notice something this year: no paper flyers, no single-use plastics, and lots of recycled materials. SHF is going green.
Even the storytelling booths and installations are powered by low-energy systems. You’ll be encouraged to download digital maps and guides. And if you have a story to share, you can definitely join the oral history documentation teams. It’s a special chance to capture those special moments with your grandparents and cherish your unique family recipes. This is your living history, preserve it your way.
SHF Beyond Borders: Join From Anywhere
If you can’t make it to Singapore, no worries. The festival easily comes to you, with digital experiences you can join it from anywhere in the world. Tune in to livestreams of major performances, explore virtual museum tours, and download cultural packs for schools abroad.
You may join contests on Instagram with #SHF2025 and #MyHeritageMyStory. Share a photo of your grandma’s cooking, your first dance performance, or the story your dad told you every Diwali. You’ll be surprised how many people feel the same, across oceans.
How Personal SHF is For People
Let’s hear it straight from the people, because there is always a story that touches your soul:
These aren’t just testimonials. These are truths. This is what SHF does: it connects people.
A Journey That Stays With You
Singapore HeritageFest 2025 isn’t just about history. It’s about home, even if you’ve never been here before. It’s about laughing over shared dishes, listening to stories that sound like your own, and feeling goosebumps when you realize, “Wait, I know this tune…”
Whether you’re walking the streets of Chinatown or watching from your laptop in Cairo, SHF invites you to feel part of something bigger. To feel that heritage isn’t some distant idea. It’s you, now, here.
So come. Walk into Singapore’s living stories. Feel them in the steam of Bak Kut Teh, the beats of getai, the soft chant of a storyteller. Because in this little red dot, every corner has a tale, and every tale waits for you. And if you’re visiting from abroad, applying for a Singapore eVisa is quick and simple. Your journey into these stories is just a few clicks away.
