Come together for a host of fun and exciting activities to celebrate Chinese arts, culture, and heritage at the Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2024!
Discover the story and traditions behind Dragon Boat Festival, one of the oldest cultural festivals in the world. Revel in the rich historical and cultural significance of the festival through a line-up of activities including rice dumpling and mocktail making workshops, live performances, walking tours, storytelling sessions, and more during the weekend open house.
Workshops
Chinese Mugwort Scented Candle Making Workshop
(Supported by Sing Kong Whee Candles)
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 10am – 11.30am
Admission: $25 per pax; purchase tickets via Peatix from 15 May 2024, 6pm onwards.
Recommended for participants at least aged 6 years and above. The workshop is conducted in English.
Discover the cultural significance of Chinese mugwort which was traditionally hung during the Duanwu festival for its natural repellent properties, and learn how to make a Chinese mugwort-scented candle in this hands-on workshop! The workshop is facilitated by Simple Kindle, the lifestyle brand of Sing Kong Whee Candles, a heritage brand since the 1950s. Join us to gain a unique cultural insight as well as a natural, earthy, and herbal aromatic addition to your home. In this 90-minutes workshop, participants will learn the finer art of candle-making and craft a 200ml candle from scratch.
Parent-Child Tri-colour Quinoa Rice Dumpling Making Workshop
(Supported by Bak Chang Queen)
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 1pm – 2.30pm
Admission: $38 per parent-child pair; purchase tickets via Peatix from 15 May 2024, 6pm onwards.
Recommended for children aged 8 years and above. The workshop is conducted in Mandarin.
Valued in ancient times for its taste and perceived health benefits, rice dumplings were served as a nutritious and balanced meal for good health and vitality during the summer season. In this parent-child workshop, you and your child will work together to make a healthier rice dumpling filled with quinoa, savoury meat, mushrooms, and other flavourful ingredients. May Lin from Bak Chang Queen will guide participants through each step of the process, providing helpful tips and insights on making rice dumplings. Participants will bring home the dumpling that they have made and a cooked dumpling to enjoy at home.
Build & Power Your Own DIY Dragon Boat Workshop
(Supported by Terra Minds Education)
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 3pm – 4pm, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
Admission: $20 per pax; purchase tickets via Peatix from 15 May 2024, 6pm onwards.
Recommended for participants aged 6 – 9 years old only. The workshop is conducted in English.
Learn and explore the different ways a boat can be powered in this STEAM workshop! Children will get to build and decorate their own DIY dragon boat and experiment with testing the elastic power of various materials. Using the significance of dragon boating during Duanwu Festival, Terra Minds brings science and heritage together in this fun, water-filled activity.
Hakka Aicao Kueh Making Demonstration Class
(Supported by Cui Nyona Kueh)
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 1pm – 2.30pm
Admission: $10 per pax; purchase tickets via Peatix from 15 May 2024, 6pm onwards. Tickets are sold in pairs.
Recommended for participants aged 13 years and above. The activity is conducted in English and Mandarin.
Join Cui Nyona Kueh in this workshop to learn the art of making Hakka Aicao Kueh. The aicao, also known as the Chinese mugwort, bring a wealth of health benefits when consumed and is even said to help rheumatism. With helpful tips and insights, participants will learn how to make the aicao kueh from scratch in this cooking demonstration class. Participants will also get to sample two different types of aicao kueh with different fillings, freshly made from the class.
Tea-infused Mocktail Making Workshop
(Supported by W XYZ Bar)
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 4pm – 5.30pm
Admission: $38 per pair; purchase tickets via Peatix from 15 May 2024, 6pm onwards. Tickets are sold in pairs.
Recommended for participants aged 5 years and above. Workshop will be conducted in English.
Come beat the heat with healthy, refreshing tea-infused mocktails in this workshop. With the fifth lunar month typically being the hottest month of the year, join our Tea-infused Mocktail Making Workshop and learn to create your very own mocktails . Learn from the mixologist of W XYZ Bar to create refreshing Zesty Zeros, a mocktail created specially for this workshop, and build your own mocktail with a selection of herbs and fruits. Each pair of participants will also bring home a cocktail shaker to continue making their own mocktails.
Free Activities
Public Talk – Dragon Boat Festival: Beyond the Rice Dumplings
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
Admission: Free
The talk is conducted in Mandarin.
First introduced with the migration of Chinese to Singapore, the traditions of Dragon Boat Festival have simplified over time. Practices such as wearing perfumes sachets and hanging calamus leaves and mugwort leaves to ward off evil may have faded, but eating rice dumplings and dragon boat racing have endured through time. This public talk dives into the festival’s origins, the evolution of its customs, related children’s songs, delicacies, and dragon boat racing in Singapore.
About the Speaker
Mr Lee Kok Leong
Lee Kok Leong was educated both in Singapore and the United Kingdom. Over time, he set aside his expertise in naval engineering, and delved deeply into the exploration of local history and heritage. He has published many books including Dan Yan Ji Yue Yang Ren (大眼鸡·越洋人) and Guang Dong Ma Jie (广东妈姐). His publications were nominated for the Singapore book prize (non-fiction) and Lianhe Zaobao Top Ten Books of the Year. He is currently also the curator and researcher for Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Heritage Gallery and Peck San Theng Heritage Gallery.
Storytelling Sessions: Tales of Dragon Boat Festival
(Supported by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin Campaign)
Date: 8 June 2024 (Mandarin), 9 June 2024 (English)
Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 3pm
Admission: Free
Be swept away with enthralling tales in our popular storytelling sessions! Discover the legends and myths behind well-loved Chinese stories as local authors and veteran storytellers bring you on a literary adventure.
Drop-in Craft Station: DIY Duanwu Scented Sachets
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free
In ancient times, it was common for people to carry with them sachets filled with Chinese mugwort during dragon boat festival to protect against venomous animals due to the herb’s natural repellent properties. Come make your own scented sachets at our drop-in craft station to experience this traditional practice.
Drop-in Craft Station: DIY Duanwu Five-colour Bracelet
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free
The five different coloured threads in a five-colour bracelet are said to represent the elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. According to Chinese folklore, it is believed that wearing a five-colour bracelet can help children to ward off evil spirits and diseases during the Duanwu period. Parents craft these bracelets for their children in hopes of protection for their children against the evil spirits and misfortunes during the dragon boat festival. Come make your own five-colour bracelet at our drop-in craft station today!
Drop-in Activity Station: Rice Dumpling Wrapping Station
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free
From folding of leaves, filling the rice and wrapping the rice dumpling on a string, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to wrap a rice dumpling at our Rice Dumpling Wrapping Station.
Drop-in Activity Station: Duanwu Mini Games
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free
Explore the rich traditions of the dragon boat festival at our mini game booths! Engage in interactive games that educate and entertain, offering insights into the festival's history and customs.
Drop-in Activity Station: Robot Dash the Dragon Boat
(Supported by Terra Minds Education)
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: from 10.30am – 5.30pm, at 15mins interval.
Admission: Free, limited slots available, pre-registration onsite required.
Recommeded for participants aged 4 – 12 years old only.
Children, help save Qu Yuan from being eaten by the fishes! Inspired by the legend of Qu Yuan, this drop-in activity uses modern robotics to engage children to develop their navigation skills and exercise sequential thinking through programming. Children will control Robot Dash the Dragon Boat to send rice dumplings into the river to save Qu Yuan from being eaten by fishes.
Live on the Lawn: Dragon Boat Festival Family Fun Contest
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Admission: Free
Gather your family for a Dragon Boat Festival Family Fun Contest on stage! Engage in friendly rivalry as you join other families in a series of exciting Dragon Boat Festival themed games. It’s a session of bonding and fun! Limited spots available, register your interest on the day to reserve your spot.
Live on the Lawn: Chinese Orchestra Music by Bukit Batok Chinese Orchestra
(Supported by Bukit Batok Chinese Orchestra)
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 5pm – 5.30pm
Admission: Free
Join us for a mesmerising Chinese orchestra performance presented by the Bukit Batok Chinese Orchestra as they capture the essence of traditional Chinese narratives and the beauty of natural landscapes through their performance. Be delighted with the diverse repertoire, from powerful rousing melodies to enchanting pieces that conveys the peacefulness of the countryside.
Live on the Lawn: 24 Festive Drums Performance by RE:SOUND
(Supported by RE:SOUND)
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 5pm – 5.30pm
Admission: Free
Join us for a captivating Chinese drums performance by RE:SOUND, a drum team comprising of alumni members of the Nanyang Technological University Chinese Drums Club. Experience the traditional art of Chinese percussion in a mesmerising display of skill and rhythm under the backdrop of the Memorial Hall.
Live on the Lawn: Lion & Dragon Dance Performance by NTU Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe
(Supported by NTU Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe)
Date: 9 June 2024
Time: 5.30pm – 6pm
Admission: Free
Be enchanted by ever-popular lion and dragon dance at Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2024. Don’t blink an eye as the performers showcase their agility and coordination in this crowd-puller act by NTU Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe.
Live on the Lawn: Mini Dragon Boat Racing
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 5.30pm – 6pm (Sat), 4.15pm - 4.45pm (Sun)
Admission: Free
Recommended for children at least 100cm in height.
Get your little ones in on the action and join in the fun with our mini dragon boat racing event at the Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2024! Join us to race across the Memorial Hall’s lawn on mini dragon boat toy rides and end the festival on a high note!
Festive Food & Herbal Tea Tasting
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free, limited quantities available.
Savour a taste of tradition and sample yummy festive delicacies such as rice dumplings and freshly brewed herbal tea. Enjoy these festive delicacies as you learn more about the Dragon Boat Festival!
Festive Snacks Pop-up Booth by Yue @ Aloft
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Admission: Free, limited quantities available.
Experience the flavours of Yue @ Aloft at the Festive Snacks Pop-up Booth! Sample yummy snacks such as Mushroom with Yue’s Signature Creamy Milk and Salted Egg Lime Sauce or indulge in other light bites such as the Popcorn Chicken and Glutinous Rice Ball with Truffle Chicken. Spice things up with Chilled Sze Chuan Mala Lotus Root and lastly, savour the sweetness of Mango Sago or enjoy some refreshing drinks like the Cinnamon Apple Tea and Sunrise Sparkling Jasmine Tea right here at Wan Qing Dragon Boat Festival 2024.
Let’s Celebrate with Uncle Ting: Dragon Boat Festival Activity Kit
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 10am – 6pm
Kids, pick up a free activity kit to discover more about the Dragon Boat Festival! Join Uncle Ting to learn more about the legends and popular customs associated with Dragon Boat Festival through a series of fun activities such as origami rice dumpling folding! Activity kits are given out one per child on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
Guided Tours & Trails
Balestier Heritage Healthcare Trail
Date: 8 June 2024
Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Admission: $12 per pax; purchase tickets via Peatix from 15 May 2024, 6pm onwards.
Trail is conducted in English.
Uncover the rich history and lesser-known stories of the Balestier precinct which is home to some of Singapore’s earliest healthcare institutions in this walking trail! From landmarks such as the former Tan Tock Seng pavilion wards and the former nurses’ quarters (now Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine), delve into the architectural developments of Balestier and its significance to Singapore’s healthcare history. Tours are brought to you by our Heritage Volunteers.
Permanent Galleries Guided Tour
Date: 8 & 9 June 2024
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Chinese), 3pm – 4pm (English)
Admission: Free; limited spaces available
Join us for a guided tour of Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and hear the stories behind this century-old villa that trace Dr Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia. Gain valuable insights on the impact of the 1911 Revolution on Singapore, as well as Singapore’s contributions to the Revolution.