Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2025 at SAFRA Punggol! In partnership with SAFRA Punggol, join us to celebrate the spring festival with an exciting line-up of programmes and activities for all ages in this season of renewal and prosperity.
Ring in the Year of the Snake with us as we bring you activities such as snakelet pineapple tart making,
yuanxiao storytelling and
tangyuan (glutinous rice ball) making workshop, lion dance and festive drumming workshops, Chinese zodiac ink rubbing art, Chinese opera mask making and more! Bring the whole family and join us for free storytelling sessions, mini-games and craft activities, and a Lunar New Year-themed travelling exhibition to enrich your celebrations.
Lastly, don’t miss out on a spectacular line up of performances including the rare Hakka qilin dance, lion dance and wushu performance, Chinese string quartet music performance, and traditional Chinese opera performance - all set to wrap up your Lunar New Year activities with unforgettable experiences.
Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2025 @ SAFRA Punggol
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 11am - 5.30pm
Venue: SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free Admission with Ticketed Activities
Workshop
Parent-Child Snakelet Pineapple Tarts Making Workshop
(Supported by Genius R Us)
Date: 8 February 2025
Time: 11am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 3.30pm
Venue: Culinary Experience Studio @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: $60 per pair for SAFRA members, $66 per pair for non-members; purchase tickets via Peatix. Tickets are available from 10 January 2025, 10am onwards.
Recommended for children aged 4 - 12 years old with a parent. The workshop is conducted in English.
Learn to make adorable snake-shaped pineapple tarts at our Parent-Child Snakelet Pineapple Tarts Workshop! Guided by pastry chefs from Genius R Us, you’ll learn to mix buttery dough, shape it into charming snake designs, and fill them with sweet pineapple jam, symbolising prosperity and good fortune. Perfect for all skill levels, this hands-on session is a creative way to bond and share laughter with family. Take home sweet memories and delicious tarts to celebrate the new year!
The Legend of Yuan Xiao with a Rainbowl of Happiness – Parent-Child Mandarin Storytelling and Tangyuan Making Workshop
(Supported by BrookieKids and The Little Things)
Date: 9 February 2025
Time: 11am - 12.15pm, 2pm - 3.15pm
Venue: Culinary Experience Studio @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: $55 per pair for SAFRA members, $60.50 per pair for non-members; purchase tickets via Peatix. Tickets are available from 10 January 2025, 10am onwards.
Recommended for children aged 4 - 10 years old with a parent. The workshop is conducted in Mandarin and English.
When Olive and Kale stumble upon Snake, the Zodiac lead of 2025, they discover him busily preparing for the Lantern Festival — the grand celebration on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. Curiosity sparks among the children: Why do we light lanterns and eat tangyuan during Yuanxiao Festival?
Join us for an enchanting storytelling session by BrookieKids, where children will journey back in time to uncover the tale of a mystical bird, the Jade Emperor, and a kind fairy who helped villagers save their town.
After travelling through time, the adventure continues in the present day with a delightful hands-on session where children and parents will create rainbow-coloured tangyuan with the chefs from The Little Things, using natural Southeast Asian ingredients. Watch creativity come alive as little hands mix vibrant colours and roll sweet tangyuan balls — a perfect recipe for festive fun and family bonding!
Don’t miss this magical blend of storytelling, tradition, and hands-on fun as we celebrate the Lantern Festival together!
Children Lion Dance Workshop
(Supported by Martial House)
Date: 8 February 2025
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm, 4pm – 5pm
Venue: Tembusu Room @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: $20 per pax for SAFRA members, $22 per pax for non-members; purchase tickets via Peatix. Tickets are available from 10 January 2025, 10am onwards.
Recommended for children aged 6 - 12 years old only. The workshop is conducted in English and Mandarin.
Let your child get into the festive spirit with this interactive lion dance workshop! Warm up and learn basic dance movements from expert instructors, while having fun trying on miniature lion dance costumes. Participants will also take home a DIY lion head kit worth $7 to assemble and perfect the dance moves they’ve mastered during the workshop.
Children Festive Chinese Drums Workshop
(Supported by Martial House)
Date: 9 February 2025
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm, 4pm – 5pm
Venue: Tembusu Room @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: $20 per pax for SAFRA members, $22 per pax for non-members; purchase tickets via Peatix. Tickets are available from 10 January 2025, 10am onwards.
Recommended for children aged 6 - 12 years old only. The workshop is conducted in English and Mandarin.
Drum up a storm in this energetic musical workshop – your child will learn basic drumming techniques used for Chinese percussion instruments and experience a variety of rhythms and beats. Participants will also take home a 5-inch Chinese drum worth $7 to unleash their creativity and keep the vibrant rhythms alive at home.
Free Activties
Storytelling Sessions: Tales of Lunar New Year Festival
(Supported by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin Campaign)
Date: 8 February 2025 (Mandarin), 9 February 2025 (English)
Time: 11am – 11.45am, 2pm – 2.45pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Be swept away by 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: Chinese Zodiac Ink Rubbing Art
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 11am – 5.30pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Create your own Chinese ink rubbing art featuring your favourite zodiac animals and experience this traditional Chinese technique once used to document intricate stone carvings and other engraved objects.
Drop-in Craft Station: Design your own Chinese Opera Mask
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 11am – 5.30pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Design your own Chinese opera mask and discover the four main roles in traditional Chinese opera, such as sheng (the class of male roles), dan (the class of female roles), jing (the painted faces) and chou (the comedic roles) through this engaging craft activity.
Chinese woodblock print depicting the legend of Madame White Snake
Collection of the National Museum of Singapore
Drop-in Activity Station: Multi-layered Stamp Printing Fun - Legend of Madame White Snake
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 11am – 5.30pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Have you heard the legend of Madame White Snake? Discover more at the drop-in activity station and create your own multi-layered print, depicting a tale of love and devotion, in celebration of the Year of the Snake.
Drop-in Activity Station: Lunar New Year Mini Games
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 11am – 5.30pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Are you an expert at reciting Lunar New Year greetings at lightning speed or a master of Chinese opera? Test your knowledge of Chinese culture and heritage with our mini-games, perfect for all ages!
Live at the Atrium: Hakka Qilin Dance by Yan Wong Cultural Troupe Singapore
Date: 8 February 2025
Time: 1pm – 1.15pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Catch the Yan Wong Cultural Troupe Singapore at the Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2025, as they perform the rare Hakka Qilin dance — a traditional Chinese folk dance featuring vibrant movements and colourful costumes, symbolising the mythical Qilin, a legendary creature believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
Live at the Atrium: Martial Arts Performance by Martial House
Date: 8 February 2025
Time: 1.30pm – 1.45pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Watch a captivating martial arts performance by Martial House, as they demonstrate the strength, agility, and techniques of wushu, showcasing the precision and discipline of traditional fighting styles through dynamic choreography and fluid movements, symbolising an energised and powerful start for the new year.
Live at the Atrium: Lion & Dragon Dance by Singapore American School
Date: 9 February 2025
Time: 1.15pm – 1.25pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Enjoy an exciting lion and dragon dance performance by the talented students of Singapore American School, as they bring this traditional Chinese art form to life with vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumming, and energetic movements, showcasing skill, teamwork, and cultural heritage this Spring Festival.
Live at the Atrium: Chinese String Quartet Performance by Stringanza
Date: 9 February 2025
Time: 1.25pm – 1.55pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Formed in 2009 by four friends, Stringanza is a Chinese string quartet that blends the traditional sounds of the erhu, gaohu, and zhonghu with a Western cello. Catch them as they bring you spring-inspired tunes to celebrate the Lunar New Year, offering a captivating fusion of Chinese and Western musical traditions.
Live at the Atrium: Lunar New Year Family Fun Contest
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Gather your family for a Lunar New Year Family Fun Contest on stage! Engage in friendly rivalry as you join other families in a series of exciting Lunar New Year-themed games. It’s a session of bonding and fun! Limited spots are available, register your interest on the day to reserve your spot.
Live at the Atrium: Chinese Opera Performances by Traditional Arts Centre
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 4.15pm – 5pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
English and Chinese surtitles are available during the performance.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a traditional Chinese opera performance featuring excerpts from the Hainanese Opera “Madame White Snake - Lake Tour” and the Huangmei Opera “Hu Family Village” performed by a young opera artist, presented by the Traditional Arts Centre. The performance also includes an interactive segment where you can try out basic opera movements and learn more about this intangible cultural heritage with guidance from the Traditional Arts Centre.
Let’s Celebrate with Uncle Ting: Lunar New Year Activity Kit
Date: 8 & 9 February 2025
Time: 11am – 5.30pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free, limited quantities available.
Kids! Come pick up an activity kit to discover more about the Lunar New Year! Join Uncle Ting to learn more about the legends and popular customs associated with this festival through a series of fun activities, including red packet making! Activity kits are given out on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last, and one kit per child.
Travelling Exhibition
Uncovering the Enduring Festive Flavours of Chinatown – Lunar New Year Travelling Exhibition
Date: 17 January – 12 February 2025
Time: 9am – 9pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
For generations of Singaporeans, one of the most common customs in preparation for Chinese New Year is to visit Chinatown to purchase festive goods. Apart from purchasing festive goods, Singaporeans young and old also visit Chinatown to soak in the festive atmosphere (nian wei, 年味), where a blend of sights, sounds, and sensations from the bustling crowd, busy stalls, and auspicious decorations combine to create an ambience of festivity.
This travelling exhibition explores the development of Chinese New Year markets in Singapore, which started out as small-scale traditional markets and have since taken on different forms through the years.
Drop by the travelling exhibition to learn about the history of Chinese New Year markets in early Singapore and explore scenes from a typical Chinese New Year market in the 1970s.
Wan Qing Yuan: A Journey Through History and Heritage – Travelling Exhibition
Date: 8 – 12 February 2025
Time: 9am – 9pm
Venue: Atrium @ SAFRA Punggol
Admission: Free
Did you know that Wan Qing Yuan was originally known as the Bin Chan House? Or did you know that the villa once served as the residence of prominent local figures and has witnessed significant historical events? This exhibition offers an opportunity to explore Wan Qing Yuan's role in history and its place within the broader context of the Balestier precinct's heritage. Visitors can also walk away with a multi-layered stamp print postcard of Wan Qing Yuan that they can create themselves!