National Heritage Board Happenings

This May & June, National Heritage Board (NHB) will be running an array of programmes and events for you and your family!  

So much is happening this February and March across the venues managed by the National Heritage Board! Here's a closer look at what you can expect in these two months:

Programmes by International and Museum Relations (IMR)

IMD Singapore Symposium 2026

Venue: National Community Leadership Learning Institute (NACLI), Auditorium
Date: 14 May 2026
Time: 10am to 5.30pm
Admission: Free

The theme for NHB’s International Museum Day (IMD) Singapore Symposium 2026, Museums Uniting a Divided World, recognises the important role museums play as social spaces for communities to build meaningful relationships, and to bond through shared histories and experiences.

To further explore the role museums play in relationship building, the Symposium will have three panels based on the sub-themes of Love, Conflict, and Unity. These sub-themes acknowledge that all civilisations and histories are told through relationships between people, and the sustenance of these relationships lie in the community’s tenacity and ability to rise above conflicts and prioritise unity amidst differences.

Programmes by Education and Community Outreach (ECO)

Board Games Travelling Exhibition

Venue: One Punggol
Date: 13 - 14 Jun 2026 - Public launch weekend, but exhibition will be at One Punggol from 13 - 30 Jun 2026
Programme Dates: 13 & 14 Jun, 20 & 21 Jun 2026
Admission: Free

This latest exhibition in NHB’s Heritage on the Move (HOTM) initiative explores how the playing of board games has built and bonded communities in Singapore. With a focus on board games played in Singapore, the exhibition showcases how board games are part of a shared collective memory of growing up Singaporean and explores what they mean to Singaporeans.

Designed to be self-guided and suitable for people of all ages, this marks the first time HOTM will be offering programmes accompanying the exhibition display at One Punggol. The launch at One Punggol will feature programming with local board game community partners, bringing the spirit of play and community to life.

Heritage Activation Nodes

Finding Uncle Who? Tracing Stories of Clementi by NHB’s Youth Panel

Venue: Clementi
Date: From 25 Feb 2026 to 30 Sep 2026
Time: 10am to 6pm
Fee: Free admission

"Finding Uncle Who? Tracing Stories of Clementi" is an interactive detective adventure developed by the National Heritage Board's Youth Panel in collaboration with Heritage Activation Node at Clementi, where participants uncover the story of Uncle Weng Fatt whilst exploring significant Clementi locations. The programme features a self-guided hybrid trail hosted on a webapp with 4 trails and accompanying storylines, running from 28 February 2026 to 30cat September 2026. Special guided tours led by the Youth Panel are scheduled for 7 and 14 March 2026 (10am to 12pm each day), starting from Clementi MRT Station Exit D. To encourage public participation, the programme includes a giveaway where the first 100 eligible participants who complete trails 1 and 2 and collect two postcards will receive a $20 Grab voucher. The giveaway runs from 28 February 2026 to 30 May 2026.

Info or registration details: go.gov.sg/uncle-who-clementi

Programmes by ArCH Square

[SHF2026] SHIPPED!: Memories from the Sea

Venue: ArCH Square
Date: 2 May to 31 Dec 2026
Fee: Free admission

This exhibition invites visitors to explore Southeast Asia’s maritime past through the fascinating world of underwater archaeology. Rather than presenting submerged finds as isolated relics, it brings them to life as evidence of movement. These objects are shaped by trade, craftsmanship, and the sea routes that connected the region to the wider world. Anchored by artefacts recovered from Singapore waters, including materials linked to the Empress of Asia and ceramics from the renowned Jingdezhen kilns, the showcase traces each object’s journey from production and exchange to submergence, discovery, and interpretation. Through stories, science, and conservation, the exhibition reveals how maritime archaeology works in practice while highlighting the cultural meanings and ethical questions involved in preserving and presenting shared underwater heritage today.

[SHF2026] Coffee Cultures: Maritime Routes and Everyday Rituals

Venue: ArCH Square
Date: 16 to 17 May 2026
Time: 10am to 12pm
Fee: $40

Discover Southeast Asia’s coffee cultures through stories, tastes, and hands-on play in this immersive, multi-sensory workshop. Journey across historic maritime trade routes to uncover how coffee travelled between ports, shaping regional flavours, brewing techniques, and the social rituals that continue to define everyday life in coastal cities. Participants will enjoy guided tastings paired with cultural and historical insights, deepening appreciation for the diversity within each cup. The experience culminates in a hands-on coffee-making session led by Kaffeign, featuring beans linked to historic sea routes and trade exchanges. Come curious, leave caffeinated — and experience coffee not just as a beverage, but as a living story of movement, encounter, and connection across Southeast Asia.

[SHF2026] Framing the Sea: Maritime Heritage as Evidence and Interpretation with Dr. Michael Flecker

Venue: ArCH Square
Date: 16 May 2026
Time: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Fee: Free admission ($10 refundable deposit)

Dive beneath the waves and uncover the stories hidden in Southeast Asia’s waters. This lively conversation brings maritime heritage and archaeology to life through tales of shipwrecks, lost cargo, and underwater discoveries. Drawing on Dr. Michael Flecker’s extensive field experience, the session explores how submerged sites reveal ancient trade routes, seafaring technologies, and vibrant cultural exchanges across the region. Beyond the thrill of discovery, the discussion also touches on how maritime archaeology works in practice, namely, how sites are studied, protected, and shared with the public. From research methods to ethical questions, participants will gain insight into the challenges of working underwater. Framed within today’s heritage landscape, the programme highlights how underwater archaeology complements land-based histories and expands how we understand and present the past.

[SHF2026] Archaeology 101!

Venue: ArCH Square
Date: 21 & 28 May, 4 & 11 Jun 2026
Time: 10.00AM to 1.00PM
Fee: $60 for 4 sessions

New to archaeology? This four-week primer offers an engaging introduction to the field, designed especially for beginners curious about Singapore’s past. Across four structured sessions, participants will explore key archaeological concepts through a mix of accessible theory and hands-on post-excavation practice. Participants who successfully complete the full four-week workshop will be eligible to apply as volunteers at the ArCH Square archaeology lab, as the course serves as a prerequisite foundation for lab-based work and further hands-on involvement. Learn how archaeologists study artefacts, from identifying materials and ceramic vessels to recognising decorative motifs and cultural uses. Participants will also gain insight into Singapore’s archaeological landscape and the processes that take place after items are excavated. Each session includes guided, practical processing activities, culminating in six hours of supervised post-excavation experience. By the end of the course, participants will leave with foundational knowledge, practical skills, and a deeper appreciation of how archaeology uncovers and interprets history.

Monumental Hunt in the Civic District

Photo Credit: PSM

Date: TBC
Time: 9.30am to 12pm
Fee: $55 per participant | Register 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

Launch of PLAY + MAKE

Venue: Children's Museum Singapore, Discovery Room (Level 2)
Date: from Jul 2025
Time: 9am onwards (in accordance with museum timeslots)
Fee: Free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents; Admission fees apply for Tourists and Foreign Residents

From traditional family recipes to iconic hawker fare, food has always played a central role in shaping our identity and bringing communities together. Join us as we celebrate our food heritage with the launch of PLAY + MAKE, CMSG’s new maker’s space – a hands-on, creative environment where children can explore, experiment, and learn through  making!

Programme details: https://www.heritage.sg/childrensmuseum

Into the Hawkerverse Special Exhibition

Photo Credit: Children’s Museum Singapore

Venue: Children’s Museum Singapore
Date: Ongoing till 2026
Time: 9am, 11am, 2pm & 4pm (Please note that entry is by a timeslot basis)
Fee:

• Singaporeans / Permanent Residents: Free
• Foreign Residents/ Tourists: $10* (Child) | $15* (Adult) (*subject to prevailing GST rate)

The Children’s Museum Singapore’s (CMSG) new special exhibition, Into the Hawkerverse, introduces Singapore’s Hawker culture as an important part of Singapore’s food heritage and way of life to children (aged 12 and below). This exhibition is curated in consultation with children and aims to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Hawker Culture through play, activity and object-based learning.

For more information, please visit this link. For further enquiries, please e-mail: NHB_CMSG@nhb.gov.sg.

Children’s Season 2026

Programmes by Malay Heritage Centre

Pesta Pecah Panggung: Transcending Boundaries

Venue: Malay Heritage Centre
Date: 25 Apr - 3 May 2026
Fee: Free admission with some ticketed programmes

The Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) returns in 2026 with a Reopening Festival after an extensive revamp with enhanced spaces, expanded capabilities and exciting possibilities. The festival, titled “Pesta Pecah Panggung: Transcending Boundaries” will present an extraordinarily successful festival to generate massive excitement, akin to a “smash hit” or a “blockbuster”. This festival is also an opportunity to bring Singapore’s Malay heritage to life, foster meaningful connections that celebrate and preserve our rich cultural legacy for generations to come.

I am a Little Jewellery Designer

Photo Credit: Malay Heritage Centre

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.

Pssst.. redeem a specially designed sticker at the MHC if you flash your creation- while stocks last!

Access this online game here for free.

Programmes by the Indian Heritage Centre

IHC 11 – After-Hours Curator’s Tour

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 8 & 9 May 2026
Time: 7pm - 8.30pm
Admission: $25/pax

Join us as the Indian Heritage Centre marks 11 years of celebrating Singapore’s Indian and South Asian heritage! Our curators invite you on exclusive, private after-hours tours that delve deep into untold stories of our Permanent Galleries.

The tour uncovers lesser-known insights, from fascinating stories behind the artefacts to how they are cared for, as well as the curation of their displays. Designed for a general audience (both within and beyond the Singapore Indian community), the tours will be conducted in English and offer an exclusive insider’s perspective on IHC’s permanent galleries.

Sign up at https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en today!

Singapore Heritage Festival 2026 — River Trade Trail and Stories

Venue: Starts at Indian Heritage Centre (Little India)
Date: 9 May 2026
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Admission: $30/pax

Discover how the sea shaped the story of Little India and Singapore’s rise as a global trading hub. In conjunction with the Singapore Heritage Festival, participants will journey through the lives of early Indian traders, Chettiar moneylenders, Spice Merchants, Textile Dealers, and Cattle Traders through interactive storytelling at various sites around Little India! This trail ends with a Fish Head Curry & Banana leaf “River Trade” inspired meal at Gayathri Restaurant.

Info or Registration details: https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en

Cooking with Jalaja Menon — A Maritime-Inspired Experience

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 10 May 2026
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Admission: $10/pax

Ms. Jalaja Menon, a culinary enthusiast and expert in Kerala cuisine, is set to take you on a delightful gastronomic journey with this unique cooking demonstration. Known for her passion for preserving and promoting traditional recipes, Ms. Menon brings a wealth of culinary expertise and cultural insight to this interactive and informative session, held in conjunction with the Singapore Heritage Festival!

Info or Registration details: https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en

Introduction to Kalbeliya

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 10 May 2026
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Admission: Free

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Kalbeliya, a "snake-like" folk dance that incorporates graceful bends and whirlwind spins. This high-energy session explores the artistry of the Kalbeliya community, where dance is a celebration of life and heritage. Led by a professional dance artiste, participants will learn an authentic choreographed piece synchronised to traditional live music. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, come and discover the grace and agility of this enchanting art form!

Info or Registration details: https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en

Children’s Season - Open House

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 16 & 17 May 2026
Time: 10am - 6pm
Admission: Free

Children’s Season is back at the Indian Heritage Centre! With the theme of sustainability, enjoy a whole host of programmes, sensory experiences, and free activities for our young ones!

The celebrations kickstart with our FREE Children’s Season Open House on the 16th and 17th of May! Enjoy hands-on storytelling, sensory play, and interactive discovery, at our Great River Adventure exhibition! Head to our lobby for fun-filled arts & crafts activities where little ones can create, explore, and get hands-on. The first 100 children will also stand to receive a limited edition keepsake!

For more information, head to https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en today!

Children’s Season - Great River Adventure

Venue: Level 2, Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 16 May - 26 July 2026
Time: 10am - 6pm
Admission: Free

Drift into a river of stories this Children's Season, where imagination, sustainability, and adventure flow together in one unforgettable journey! This FREE interactive maze experience comprises multiple stations for our young ones to adventure through. Pen down your own eco-promises and hang them on the Banyan Tree, snap photographs with our fellow adventurers, Arul, Meera and Paati, and experience hands-on storytelling, sensory play, and interactive discovery!

Info or Registration details: https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en

Children’s Season - Theatrical Performance by Zip Zap Zoom Collective

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 30 & 31 May 2026, 5 & 6 Jun 2026
Time: 10.30am - 11.30am
Admission: Free

In this theatrical performance, journey with Raja, an enthusiastic museum-lover, as he stumbles upon a mysterious journal that changes everything in his course! Raja and the Lost Journal invites you on a journey uncovering the lives, travels, and memories of Singapore's early migrants. Through playful games and boundless imagination, come experience Singapore's history through an engaging theatrical display!

Info or Registration details: https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en

IHC Special Thematic Tours

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane
Date: Every last Friday of the month
Time: 11am
Fee: Free (Admission fees to gallery applies for non-Singaporeans)

Embark on a free, thematic guided tour of the Indian Heritage Centre’s permanent galleries! Led by our passionate docents, this immersive experience takes you on a journey exploring the history of the Indian Diaspora in Singapore, including its pioneering figures and rich heritage.

Limited to 20 participants per session (first come, first served)

Info or registration details: https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en

Step into Play at the Indian Heritage Centre!

Venue: IHC
Date: Level 3 and 4 of Indian Heritage Centre
Time: 10am – 6pm (closed on Mon)
Admission: Admission charges to galleries may apply

Step into Play - Discover Two New Children’s Spaces! Bring your little ones on an adventure through The Little Town of Trades – Lost & Found, our newly launched children’s space on level 3 of IHC, where they can uncover 10 hidden trades that once kept early Singapore bustling. On level 4, experience interactive fun—from shadow-puppet storytelling and a festival Story Wheel to flip-panels on lively folk dances.

To deepen the experience, pick up our two complementary activity booklets along the way, designed specially for pre-schoolers and primary school children.

More info: https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/

IHC10 & SG60 Gallery Refresh

Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Date: 25 Mar 2025 onwards
Time: 10am to 6pm
Fee: General Admission fees apply

In commemoration of IHC’s 10th anniversary and SG60 celebrations in 2025, IHC will embark on a special refresh at its Permanent Exhibition. In line with the SG60 theme, 60 new artefacts—many of which are being displayed for the first time—will be introduced across the galleries in March and September 2025. This refresh will also feature the addition of new digital content and child-friendly interactive spaces to further enhance the visitor experience.

Don’t miss the first phase of the refresh, showcasing 30 new artefacts in Galleries 1 & 2 at Level 4 from 25 March 2025 onwards. Artefact highlights include the vibrant Bommai Golu (Court of Dolls) – a colourful arrangement of dolls and figurines displayed during the Navaratri festival.

Programmes by Changi Chapel and Museum

Photo Credit: Changi Chapel and Museum

Photo Credit: Changi Chapel and Museum

Address: 1000 Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm, Tue to Sun (Closed every Mon except Public Holidays, Last admission at 5pm)
Fee: Free admission for Citizens & PRs

The Changi Chapel and Museum tells the story of the prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation. Managed by the National Museum of Singapore, the Changi Museum was revamped and reopened in May 2021. The revamped museum features new content and artefacts, including stories and personal objects collected from families of former internees, presented in an intimate and engaging format. The museum’s narrative is centred on remembrance and reflection, encouraging visitors to contemplate both the hardships that the internees underwent, as well as their courage and resilience in the face of difficulties.

[SHF2026] Hidden Critters of the Coast

Venue: Changi Chapel & Museum
Date: 1 to 24 May 2026
Fee: Free admission

Hidden Critters of the Coast is an interactive colouring and discovery activity designed to spark curiosity about marine and coastal life. Suitable for families and young visitors, this self-guided programme combines art, observation, and light learning in an engaging way. Participants will receive a detailed coastal design colouring sheet featuring a lively shoreline scene filled with hidden and unique sea creatures. As they colour, they are encouraged to carefully search for the different creatures tucked within the landscape - turning the activity into a fun “Where’s Wally” challenge.

Programmes by Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Photo Credit: Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Photo Credit: Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Address: 31-K Pepys Road, Singapore 118458
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 5pm, Tue to Sun (Closed every Mon except Public Holidays, Last admission at 4.30pm)
Fee: 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 artefacts 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. 

[SHF2026] Build Your Own Jong Boat

Venue: Reflections@Bukit Chandu
Date: 1 to 24 May 2026
Fee: Free Admission

Build Your Own Jong Boat is a self-guided hands-on parent-and-child craft activity inspired by traditional maritime heritage. Using the craft boat template, scissors and glue provided, participants can assemble their own Jong-inspired boat. Designed for young visitors, this simple drop-in boat-making activity introduces children to the Jong boat through fun facts sharing, sparking curiosity and conversation between parent and child.