It’s a hot and sunny day here at the Singapore HeritageFest (SHF) 2025’s HOMEGROUND Village–but frankly, I’m sweating more from the anticipation than the heat! That’s because with over 100 programmes islandwide featuring in total more than 90 community partners and intangible cultural heritage practitioners, this year’s SHF is shaping up to be bigger and more vibrant than ever before.
So, in the spirit of last year, come along with me as we explore the essence of Singapore’s community-based traditions in this year’s HOMEGROUND Village! From clapping along to Swarupaka’s fusion performance to discovering nasi ulam with Sendok Rakyat, trust me, there’s something for everyone this SHF 2025!
Introduction
What’s Special About SHF 2025?
Our immersive journey into the HOMEGROUND experience first begins with a warm welcome by Mr. Qazim Karim, Head of Festivals & Precinct Development at HeritageSG, who then takes the time to get into the heart of the festival.
Building upon Singapore’s latest UNESCO successes–the inscription of Hawker Culture in 2020 and the kebaya in 2024–and in conjunction with the SG60 celebrations, Singapore HeritageFest 2025 holds a special significance as a prime opportunity to further celebrate our rich and diverse intangible cultural heritage, including the individuals that actively keep said heritage alive.
As Mr. Karim highlights, this includes a wide spectrum of people ranging “from hawkers and craftspeople, to performers and community groups,” underscoring the festival’s commitment to showcasing the human element behind Singapore’s living traditions.
Furthermore, he goes on to emphasise that “as [the festival connects] these makers with their crafts and stories, [he hopes that it’ll] foster greater appreciation, especially amongst the younger generations, for their skills, knowledge and passion that have helped sustain our living heritage and sense of belonging to Singapore.”
Why the Silver Garden?
Next, Mr. Karim took a moment to explain how we’ve ended up where we are. For SHF 2025, HOMEGROUND Village will be taking place at the Silver Garden in Gardens by the Bay, a beautiful section renowned for its silvery, grey, and white-hued plants.
Well, for starters, since this edition of the SHF is exceptionally special, a spacious and naturally accessible environment was sought after to ensure that both locals and foreigners would have an easy and enjoyable time celebrating these milestones together.
Moreover, due to its proximity to the Chinese, Malay, and Indian Gardens, the Silver Garden was deliberately chosen to serve as a befitting multicultural hub–one where visitors could explore first before branching out into the other cultural zones and their respective activities.
Thus, while the scenic appeal of the Silver Garden certainly adds to the charm of the village, the reasons for its selection go far beyond its aesthetics. Specifically, its features truly reflect what the festival is all about: making heritage accessible to all and celebrating unity in diversity, both of which are key in preserving the rich cultural tapestry of our island.
What Other Festival Highlights Are There?
Finally, Mr. Karim highlighted a few key SHF 2025 events that, while unfortunately not part of our preview, are definite must-sees.
This includes Out of the Red Box, a vibrant theatrical production jointly presented by Nam Hwa Opera and The ETCeteras that reimagines Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry with a lively blend of traditional Chinese opera, modern getai, and contemporary music.
🗓Date: 16 to 18 May 2025
📍Location: Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre, 30A Kreta Ayer Rd, Singapore 088997
💲Price: S$25 (Solo), S$100 (Bundle)
⏰Time:
- 8pm to 9:30pm (16 and 18 May 2025)
- 3pm to 4:30pm (17 May 2025)
Presented in Mandarin and various dialects with English subtitles, tickets for this truly unique stage experience are now available for purchase, so get them on the production’s Peatix page today!
Additionally, it also includes the month-long showcase of Singapore’s living heritage happening at the Cultural Hub @ Peranakan Museum, featuring workshops and sharing sessions about jamu-making, tea brewing, calligraphy, flower tying, and more–all led by the communities that keep them alive.
So, if you’re ready to make your May a little more meaningful by diving into these heritage practices, head to the SHF’s dedicated webpage now for a full list of programmes and their details, including how you can sign up. As Mr. Karim put it, the festival’s goal is to create platforms for exploring the unseen and unfamiliar, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new!
Dragon Dance by Shi Cheng Jin Yong Dragon and Lion Dance Centre
Now, with the introduction neatly wrapped up, it’s officially time for the HOMEGROUND experience–and what better way to kick it off than with the furious and rousing rhythms of drums, gongs, and cymbals?
Still unsure of what I’m referring to? Here’s another hint: it’s a vibrant spectacle usually only seen during Chinese New Year and grand openings, but no, it’s not a lion dance! Indeed, it’s a dragon dance, one expertly performed by the skilled Shi Cheng Jin Yong Dragon and Lion Dance Centre!
Every element—from their effortless spins to their energetic leaps—beautifully underscored the enduring continuity of this traditional Chinese practice being passed down through generations.
It was also particularly heartwarming to see the younger performers truly enjoying the chance to showcase their culture as well, their beaming smiles and heartfelt laughter throughout a true testament to their joy. All in all, this dragon dance stood as a symbol of hope, reassuring me that this ancient art form will be preserved for at least another generation.
However, if I may express a hint of disappointment, it’s a shame I didn’t get to experience the dragon at night. Because that’s when the mythical beast truly comes to life with a dazzling display of LEDs, transforming the spectacle into an electrifying performance.
🗓Date: 4, 10 to 11, 17 to 18, and 24 to 25 May 2025
📍Location: Silver Garden,18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
💲Price: Free, no registration required
Fortunately for you, though, if you head down to the Silver Garden on weekend evenings from 4 May 2025 onwards, that’s exactly what you’ll get–completely free of charge with no registration required. So, be sure to mark your calendars!
Swarupaka by Bhaskar’s Arts Academy
Following that intense performance, I was definitely in the mood for something more soothing whilst still keeping the vibrant energy of the festival alive–and wouldn’t you know it, Swarupaka by Bhaskar’s Arts Academy fills this niche desire perfectly!
Even before the five musicians played their first note, the cultural confluence was already visually striking in their instruments: while some, such as the Carnatic violin and flute, bore a familiar resemblance to their Western counterparts, others, like the veena and mridangam, possessed a distinctly Eastern elegance.
Then, the music began. From the haunting cries of the violin and veena to the resonant thumps of the mridangam, each instrument intertwined so seamlessly that it shook me to my core–it was a soundscape unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
And how could I not mention the man behind it all? Introducing Dr. Ghanavenothan Retnam: a 2024 Cultural Medallion Receiver, the visionary and leader for Swarupaka, and one of the Carnatic flutists for this performance. Beyond his musical prowess, he’s also a surprising natural at crowdwork–encouraging us to clap along to the rhythm before playfully challenging us to keep pace with him by raising the tempo too!
🗓Date: 17 and 18 May 2025
📍Location: Silver Garden,18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
💲Price: Free, no registration required
⏰Time: 7pm to 7:30pm
Even though I could only catch a sneak peek of this captivating performance, you can catch Dr. Retnam and the rest of the Swarupaka crew in all their musical action at their upcoming performances—live and free—at the Silver Garden on 17 and 18 May 2025. Don’t miss it!
The HOMEGROUND Villages
Makers Village
Making Traditional Lanterns with Francis Tan
And just like that, the delightful lineup of cultural performances was gone too soon, but fear not! For the energy continued to remain high as familiar local tunes like Teresa Teng’s《月亮代表我的心》(The Moon Represents My Heart), S. Jesudassan’s Munnaeru Vaalibaa, and folk song Di Tanjong Katong filled the air like they once did decades ago, signalling our transition to the next exciting segment of the HOMEGROUND experience: exploring the village themselves!
At Makers Village, I first come across Francis Tan, a self-taught master craftsman who will be hosting a workshop about Making Traditional Lanterns. However, this programme won’t just be interactive–it’ll also be educational, as alongside the classic techniques used to build them, participants will also get to learn about the rich history and symbolism of these colourful creations.
For now, though, Mr. Tan enthusiastically shares some interesting insights about his craft whilst sculpting the skeleton of a fish lantern. These include the fact that lanterns can be made with only wicket wire, masking tape, and cellophane, as well as that in his own opinion, the hardest part about making lanterns is transforming the 2D design into a 3D object.
🗓Date: 17 May 2025
📍Location: Entrance of Peranakan Museum, 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941
💲Price: S$30
⏰Time: 2pm to 3:30pm, 4pm to 5:30pm
Therefore, whether you’ve seen these glowing animals at the Lantern or Mid-Autumn Festival, learn how to make your own cellophane fish lantern at Mr. Tan’s workshop, now available for registration at his programme’s dedicated Peatix page!
Malik Mazlan’s Ink Rubbing Workshop
Next, if the art of printmaking also sparks your interest, then consider joining the programme of the following artist I met: Malik Mazlan.
Classically trained in Chinese calligraphy and holding a big passion for batik, Mr. Mazlan will be running an Ink Rubbing workshop where, through a blend of the two art forms, will have participants transferring elaborate batik cap motifs onto pieces of calligraphy paper using a Chinese ink rubbing technique.
🗓Date: 4, 10 to 11, 17 to 18, and 24 to 25 May 2025
📍Location: Silver Garden,18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
💲Price: Free, no registration required
Nevertheless, if you’re interested in making art with antique batik tools from Indonesia and Singapore’s Chinatown using an innovative method, be sure to visit Mr. Mazlan’s workshop at the Silver Garden on the weekends from 4 May 2025 onwards to get in on this beautiful fusion of cultures!
Makan Village
Origanics
Meanwhile, over on the other side of the garden at Makan Village, I spotted an array of food at Origanics, a restaurant redefining how plant-based food is enjoyed by serving up Asian-inspired vegetarian dishes.
Unfortunately, I only had enough space in my stomach to try the Caramelised Char Siew Don and Buttermilk Plant-Based Chicken Beehoon–but honestly, both dishes were more than enough to leave me absolutely gobsmacked. Till this moment, I genuinely have no clue how Origanics managed to make the meat taste exactly like the real deal without using any, well, meat!
That’s not all they’ve got on the menu either! Let me know how their vegetarian take on seaweed chicken—the Crispy Oyster Mushrooms with Nori Seaweed—tastes, along with their Otah and Caramelised Char Siew Bun Bites.
🗓Date: 4, 10, and 11 May 2025
📍Location: Silver Garden,18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
⏰Time: 4pm to 10pm
It should be easy enough to do that out anyway, since the store will be open all day from 4pm to 10pm on selected dates, so do check them out for lunch or dinner!
Gotong-Royong! Nasi Ulam Recipe Crafting Workshop
Now, when I arrived at a session of the Gotong-Royong! Nasi Ulam Recipe Crafting Workshop, there was no need for any taste bud scepticism. After all, the term nasi ulam literally means ‘herb rice!’
Led by Murni and Aqid of Sendok Rakyat, this dynamic crafting and tasting experience seeks to provide participants with a multisensory experimental journey—one inspired by the many the couple themselves have undertaken whilst exploring the world of Malay food–while imparting the traditional techniques and intricate flavours that define this iconic dish.
Specifically, get the chance to taste-test a wide range of native herbs and spices, ranging from familiar to rare, before getting involved in a gotong-royong (mutually-helping) session where everyone chips in to prep the ingredients, mix the rice, and share their unique recipes (along with their nasi ulam) at the end. Plus, there’ll be home-cooked lauk!
🗓Date: 24 and 25 May 2025
📍Location: Ixora Room, Peranakan Museum, 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941
💲Price: S$27.31 (inclusive of Eventbrite fee)
⏰Time: 2pm to 4:30pm
Tickets for Gotong-Royong! Nasi Ulam Recipe Crafting Workshop are available for purchase on Eventbrite right now, but do be quick: the workshop is nearly full.
Yeo’s Orchid Chrysanthemum Tea and Singaporean Starter Kit
Last but not least, to bring this extensive and intensive experience to a refreshing close, I cooled down from the Singapore heat with a few packets of Yeo’s Orchid Chrysanthemum Tea–a special edition flavour that, dare I say, with its nuanced sweetness and floral aftertaste, might just surpass the original!
While this special SG60 drink isn’t out just yet, be sure to keep your eyes peeled at leading retailers nationwide—it’ll finally be available for purchase starting this June!
Also, be sure to check out the Asian Drinks stall also presented by Yeo’s every weekend as well, where, in addition to purchasing its iconic drinks, you can also receive a complimentary packet of Orchid Chrysanthemum Tea by scanning a QR code to follow and tag them!
🗓Date: 4, 10 to 11, 17 to 18, and 24 to 25 May 2025
📍Location: Silver Garden,18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
⏰Time: 4pm to 10pm
Finally, from 1 to 31 May 2025, visitors to HOMEGROUND Village can also take part in a giveaway contest to win an exclusive Yeo’s Singaporean Starter Kit–a tingkat-inspired media kit packed with not just food, but also an element that forms the Singaporean identity waiting in each tier.
All you have to do is to simply check out Yeo’s Instagram when the time comes, and if you’re one of the lucky ones, expect your tingkat subscription for the day shortly!
So, that was everything I experienced at the HOMEGROUND Village during Singapore HeritageFest 2025! Do note that some of these programmes—especially those from Makers and Makan Village—previewed here will not be available at the Silver Gardens, so if you’re unsure, check out the SHF’s website for more information and the latest updates on programme details!
HOMEGROUND Village
🗓Date: Now to 25 May 2025
📍Location: Silver Garden,18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
💲Price: Free, no registration required
⏰Time: 5pm to 10pm
Additionally, do follow the Singapore HeritageFest on Instagram and Facebook, and remember to use the hashtag #SGHeritageFest when uploading all your favourite people, practices, and passions behind Singapore’s living heritage! With that, see you at SHB 2025!
Photos by Heng Yu Cheng of the DANAMIC Team. Additional visuals courtesy of SHF.