Celebrate the Indian New Year at the Indian Heritage Centre 2026

Mark the season of new beginnings at the Indian Heritage Centre’s (IHC) Indian New Year Open House 2026, taking place on 18 and 19 April 2026. Anchored by the theme of “Renewal”, this year’s Open House brings together traditions observed by Singapore’s diverse Indian communities. Through a lively weekend of performances, workshops, craft activities, and shared cultural experiences in the heart of Little India, visitors can discover how traditions of renewal are expressed through food, rituals and celebrations.

Indian Heritage Centre’s (IHC) Indian New Year Open House 2026

This season is marked by joyous celebrations across the Indian sub-ethnic communities in Singapore, each with its own rich traditions and cultural practices. Tamil families celebrate Puthandu – or Tamil New Year – on the first day of the Tamil calendar month of Chithirai; the Malayalee, Telugu and Bengali communities observe Vishu, Ugadi and Pohela Baishakh respectively. The Sikh community observes Vaisakhi, which commemorates the founding of the Khalsa. Across these communities, the new year is marked by visiting, festive meals, symbolic rituals, and acts of giving and gathering. IHC’s Indian New Year Open House brings together these rich traditions and shared practices through programmes centred on food, performances, crafts and communal experiences.

IHC Indian New Year Image: Indian Heritage Centre

Food takes centre stage in Festive Rice Cooking Demo and Stories with Chef Sowmiya Venkatesan, founder of Kechil Kitchen, who will explore unique rice varieties and festive dishes inspired by various Indian culinary traditions. Visitors can also discover the evolving food landscape of Little India through Traditions of Little India: Trail & Banana Leaf Lunch, a guided experience through heritage businesses and historic sites that have taken centre stage in new year celebrations, and ends with a curated F&B stop that celebrates reinvention in Indian cuisine.

IHC Indian New Year Open House Image: Indian Heritage Centre

Families can catch Garden of New Beginnings – Storytelling about Indian New Year, a lively bilingual children’s theatrical storytelling performance presented in Tamil and English, also in celebration of the Tamil Language Month. The session features interactive activities such as mini obstacle courses, jigsaw puzzles, and catchy songs, inviting children to discover the spirit of Indian New Year in a fun and engaging way.

Beyond storytelling, visitors can learn more about traditional performance through the (Tholpaavai Koothu) Shadow Puppetry workshop by ATAM under the Nam Marabu series. Led by sixth-generation Tholpaavai Koothu artists Mr. Muthuchandran and Mr. Muthumurugan, the workshop introduces participants to the storytelling traditions and craftsmanship behind this classical art form.

IHC will also be presenting a vibrant line-up of live cultural performances from 11am to 4.30pm, featuring classical and folk dance presentations, Bhangra, and musical performances by community groups, to enliven the precinct and share our rich performing arts traditions. There will also be special performances by recent “Outstanding Youths in Intangible Cultural Heritage” award recipients Banupriya Ponnarasu and Niranjan Pandian.

This year’s Open House will feature a Festive Market, with over 15 first-time vendors. Visitors can discover a curated mix of offerings, with a refreshed line-up each day, ranging from textiles to crafts, as IHC provides a platform for them to showcase their products and connect with the community.

Other programmes include complimentary craft activities. One new addition is the Community Gratitude Tree, an interactive installation inspired by mango leaf garlands where visitors can contribute their own expressions of gratitude.

📅 18 & 19 Apr 2026
🕙 10am – 5pm
📍 Indian Heritage Centre
🏷 Free admission to the museum for Singaporeans & Permanent Residents (PRs) + Paid Programmes & Workshops

To book a slot for ticketed programmes, please visit Indian Heritage Centre’s ticketing page.

For more information, visit here.

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