Experience reading like never before with immersive experiences where books come to life, recommended reads from 30 iconic Singaporean personalities and a special tribute to Singapore’s Presidents
Venue: Varies, check below for more details!
Date: 5 July - 2 September 2025
Admission: Free
Happening this July to celebrate NLB’s 30th anniversary, READ30 is inviting everyone to rediscover the joy of reading through interactive and immersive experiences with an engaging line-up of activities, in collaboration with partners, such as local authors, personalities, bookstores and more! The event will feature three exciting experiences for all. Check this out!
Explore 8 Vibrant Pop-up Reading Nodes Across the City (5–20 July)
From the National Library Building to Orchard Road, you’ll find eight pop-up “Nodes” featuring 90 in English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil personally handpicked by 30 iconic Singaporean personalities like Myle Yan Tay, Shabir Sulthan, Violet Oon, Haryani Othman, and Gemma Rose Foo.
Conveniently located near popular shopping spots — namely Shaw House, ION Orchard, The Paper Bunny at Ngee Ann City, Outside Mandarin Gallery, TRIFECTA, The Cathay, School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA), and Bynd Artisan at Raffles City — each Node brings to life a unique theme, from wellness and food to travel and more.
Each Node is themed (think food, wellness, travel and more!), packed with cozy reading corners, eBook browsing stations, and photo-worthy displays. It’s the perfect way to introduce your child to new stories while enjoying the city together. You can even score exclusive discounts on recommended books, thanks to local bookstore partners like Book Bar, Wormhole and Closetful of Books.
Step Into A Multi-Sensory Showcase at Worlds Within (5–27 July)
Experience something like never before! Get ready for a literary adventure at Worlds Within, where words leap off the pages to surprise and delight all five senses. Featuring quotes from 25 specially selected titles, this multi-sensory marquee experience offers a unique and immersive reading journey that you should try yourself.
This one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience brings stories to life through all five senses to create an unforgettable journey that ignites the imagination and makes reading a full-body adventure for the whole family. Here are the highlights of what you’ll find inside:
Touch Pod
Touch and run your fingers through a life-sized book installation crafted from textured materials inspired by books like The Great Reclamation by Rachel Heng and The Wandering Earth by Cixin Liu.
Scent Pod
Follow your nose to interactive cabinets, where curated scents evoke the worlds of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind, Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang and more.
Sight Pod
Lose yourself in a mesmerising medley of dazzling visuals paired with meaningful quotes from books such as Shantih Shantih Shantihby Daryl Qilin Yam.
Sound Pod
As a special homage to Sing Lit, close your eyes and listen to 2-minute excerpts from popular Sing Lit titles such as Nine Yard Sarees: a Short Story Cycle by Prasanthi Ram and The Formidable Miss Cassidy by Meihan Boey, voiced by the local authors themselves.
Check Out Recommended Reads From the Singapore Presidents (12 July to 2 September 2025)
Explore the favourite reads of Singapore’s past and present Presidents at Plaza Singapura: the Presidential Pop-up Library. It’s a fun, interactive way to learn about leadership, values, and history — all through the power of books.
Share How Do You Read — Your Way!
NLB is inviting you to snap a picture of your quirky reading pose with the launch of #HowDoYouRead. Whether it’s curled up on the sofa or sprawled across the floor, the campaign celebrates the joy and individuality of reading habits, building a collective story of Singapore’s rich reading culture, while extending the READ30 celebrations online. Look out for more details soon!
This is more than just a book festival — it’s a reminder that reading can be adventurous, surprising, and most of all, joyful. With READ30, the National Library Board is turning the act of reading into a shared family memory.
So grab your kids, pick your favourite books, and start exploring the city like never before! For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
