Rediscover favourite meeting spots and childhood memories through nostalgic photo settings, stories from generations of visitors and creative workshops, as Marina Square brings families and old friends together for a celebration 40 years in the making.

Meeting on the steps. A movie with friends. A family meal that became a weekend tradition. For generations of Singaporeans, Marina Square has been the setting for moments that remain familiar long after the shops and surroundings have changed. This year, the mall marks its 40th anniversary with a celebration of the people, places and everyday experiences that have shaped its story since 1986.

Taking place from 23 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, the anniversary exhibition, 40 Years & Beyond: A Place That Grew With Us, invites visitors to take a walk through four decades of shared memories. Archival displays, nostalgic photo settings and opportunities to contribute personal stories will be complemented by creative activities inspired by the mall.

For those who grew up visiting Marina Square, the celebration offers a reason to gather old friends, bring the family and return to a familiar meeting place. For younger visitors, it opens a window into the Singapore their parents and grandparents remember.

Before the Bay Became the Skyline

When Marina Square first opened its doors in 1986, the Marina Bay waterfront was still taking shape. Built on reclaimed land as part of the emerging Marina Centre, the mall was envisioned as a landmark destination for shopping, dining and leisure. Designed by renowned architect John Portman, its distinctive architectural concepts are reflected throughout Marina Square and the three adjoining hotels, creating a cohesive identity.

Over the decades, Marina Square has evolved alongside Singapore, becoming a backdrop to generations of cherished memories. From the bustling department stores of Tokyu and Metro, movie outings at Eng Wah Cinema, its pioneering outdoor food court, to Golden Village and SuperBowl, the mall has continually brought people together. Beyond the shopfronts, the outdoor steps became a meeting point in their own right.

The 40th Anniversary Exhibition takes visitors on a journey through Marina Square’s past, present and future across three curated zones. The Bay Takes Shape traces the mall’s beginnings and the changing waterfront around it. The second zone explores the visits and routines that gave the mall a place in everyday life, while The Next 40 Together invites visitors to add their own memories and hopes for its future.

More than a celebration of milestones, the exhibition honours four decades of shared memories, architectural heritage and community connections, while looking ahead to the next chapter of Marina Square’s journey.

Familiar Places, Another Photo Together

Among the planned highlights are photo settings inspired by Marina Square’s nostalgic outdoor steps, distinctive octopus fountain and outdoor food court. Drawing on recognisable architectural details and settings, these installations will offer visitors a chance to step into scenes from the mall’s past.

Old friends can gather for another photograph, while families can introduce a younger generation to the places behind their stories. Visitors with photographs from earlier years may find inspiration to recreate a pose or revisit good memories together.

Archival imagery and displays recalling former shopfronts will add to the sense of rediscovery, encouraging conversations about the places people remember and the experiences they shared there.

A Celebration Shaped by 40 Years of Memories

At the heart of the exhibition is 40 Years, 4,000 Moments, a planned community installation featuring memories of Marina Square. Visitors will be invited to contribute their own recollections, allowing the collection to grow throughout the exhibition.

A photograph from a family album, a story about a regular meeting spot or a recollection of a favourite shop can each offer a different perspective on the mall’s history. These contributions will sit alongside curated memories, recognising the many people who have made Marina Square part of their lives.

All that visitors have to do is scan the QR code found on the touchscreen panel and upload their desired photo. Their photo will then be displayed on the screen that sits within the circular structure. This transforms Marina Square’s anniversary from a retrospective visit into a living public archive.

Memories Made into Keepsakes

A complementary creative programme, will extend the celebration through creative activities inspired by Marina Square’s architecture, tenants and shared memories. The proposed programme spans 27 activity days and 36 workshop sessions, with rotating activities offering different reasons to return throughout the exhibition period.

Planned activities include anniversary keepsakes decorated with wax seals, an A3 2027 calendar assembled from collage materials inspired by Marina Square, and ceramic coasters decorated using water marbling techniques.

For visitors keen to spend more time creating, the proposed workshops include weaving on a commemorative acrylic loom, making cyanotype postcards in blue and white using light and archival imagery, and adding embroidery to photographs of objects and details associated with the mall’s tenants.

Each activity offers a personal way to engage with the anniversary and a keepsake to take home.

Marina Square’s 40th Anniversary Photography Workshop

As Marina Square marks 40 years of iconic memories and milestones, the landmark retail destination invites the public to celebrate its architectural history through a hands-on special photography workshop on 14 November 2026 at 4pm, inviting participants to document the mall’s architectural heritage before its redevelopment begins from 1 April 2027.

The two-hour walk-and-learn workshop, led by trainer Gautami in collaboration with Cathay Photo, will begin at dal.komm COFFEE before guiding participants through the mall’s distinctive spaces, offering them an opportunity to preserve a visual record of this beloved Singaporean space. Open to everyone from smartphone beginners to advanced camera enthusiasts, the session will cover architectural photography techniques, including framing, exploring different perspectives and capturing the interplay of light.

Registration is priced at $25 per person, with places limited to 40 participants. Each participant will receive a complimentary celebratory treat comprising two drinks and a slice of cake, while the best photo will win a Canon EOS R50 kit worth $1,189. Interested participants can register via the official Marina Square website, with early registration recommended due to limited availability.

A Place to Meet, Once More

The anniversary arrives as Marina Square prepares for its next chapter, with the mall scheduled to close on 31 March 2027 for a comprehensive asset enhancement initiative. This is part of planned works for the partial redevelopment of the Marina Square complex, repositioning the landmark precinct as Singapore’s first hyper-mixed development. The celebration offers a timely opportunity to revisit familiar surroundings and record the memories they hold.

Across four decades, Marina Square has been a place where friends met, families spent time together and everyday outings became lasting memories. Its 40th anniversary invites visitors to return with the people who shared those moments, and make another memory together.

Exhibition updates and activity registration details will be available here.

40 Years & Beyond: A Place That Grew With Us – Exhibition Details

📅 23 Oct 2026 to 31 Mar 2027
🕙 10am to 10pm
📍 Marina Square, Level 2, Marina Foyer (opposite Turtle)

Workshops and creative activities will take place on selected dates. For more information, please visit Marina Square website or download the Marina Square Reward app.

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