Indian New Year Open House 2026: Fun Family Activities at Indian Heritage Centre

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Little India
Date: 18–19 April 2026 from 10am onwards
Admission: Free with selected activities are ticketed  

Celebrate Indian New Year at the Indian Heritage Centre’s Open House 2026. Happening from 18 to 19 April 2026, look forward to a lively weekend of performances, food, workshops, craft activities, and meaningful cultural experiences for the whole family.

Celebrate New Beginnings at the Indian New Year Open House 2026

Mark your calendar for a weekend of culture, community, and celebration at the Indian New Year Open House 2026. Held at the Indian Heritage Centre in the heart of Little India, this event is anchored by the theme of “Renewal,” reflecting the spirit of fresh beginnings observed across various Indian communities. 

Tamil families celebrate Puthandu (Tamil New Year) – on the first day of the Tamil calendar month of Chithirai; the Malayalee, Telugu and Bengali communities observe Vishu, Ugadi and Pohela Baishakh respectively. The Sikh community observes Vaisakhi, which commemorates the founding of the Khalsa. Across these communities, the new year is marked by visiting, festive meals, symbolic rituals, and acts of giving and gathering.

What to Expect: Performances, Workshops & Family Activities

Enjoy a lively showcase of traditional and contemporary live cultural performances from 11am to 4.30pm, including classical and folk dances, Bhangra, and musical acts by community groups. There will also be special performances by recent “Outstanding Youths in Intangible Cultural Heritage” award recipients Banupriya Ponnarasu and Niranjan Pandian.

And that’s not all! This year’s Open House will feature a Festive Market, with over 15 first-time vendors. You can discover a curated mix of offerings, with a refreshed line-up each day, ranging from textiles to crafts. 

Don’t forget to take part in the Community Gratitude Tree, a meaningful interactive installation inspired by mango leaf garlands where you can contribute messages of gratitude, creating a collective symbol of hope and renewal.

Special Activities for Kids and Families

Families with young children shouldn’t miss Garden of New Beginnings, a bilingual storytelling experience in Tamil and English. This engaging session combines theatre with fun activities  such as mini obstacle courses, jigsaw puzzles, and catchy songs, inviting children to discover the spirit of Indian New Year in a fun and engaging way.

Beyond storytelling, you can learn more about traditional performance through the (Tholpaavai Koothu) Shadow Puppetry workshop by ATAM under the Nam Marabu series. Led by sixth-generation Tholpaavai Koothu artists Mr. Muthuchandran and Mr. Muthumurugan, the workshop introduces participants to the storytelling traditions and craftsmanship behind this classical art form.

And to make your celebration even more memorable, take the kids to the Craft Corner where you can do hands-on craft to design your own traditional items like potli bags—a unique door gift often found in Indian weddings and a mini hanging bell, both are perfect keepsakes to bring home. Best of all, it’s free!

Dive Deeper Into the Indian Culture Through Food

Food lovers can join a special cooking demo to explore festive rice dishes from different Indian traditions as Food takes centre stage in Festive Rice Cooking Demo and Stories with Chef Sowmiya Venkatesan, founder of Kechil Kitchen, who will explore unique rice varieties and festive dishes inspired by various Indian culinary traditions. 

Take a guided journey through Little India’s heritage sites and businesses, and end the experience with a curated banana leaf meal that celebrates traditional flavours with a modern twist.

Plan Your Visit With The Family

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, Little India
Date: 18–19 April 2026 from 10am onwards
Admission: Free with selected activities are ticketed  

As some programmes are ticketed, we recommend booking your slot in advance. Visit the Indian Heritage Centre’s ticketing page to secure your spot.

For more information, visit http://indianheritage.org.sg or IHC’s Facebook and Instagram page.

Pictures credit to Indian Heritage Centre