MHC's Teroka Raya Festival 2025: Experience the Malay world

This Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) invites all to experience the warmth and cultural richness of the Malay world through our Teroka Raya Festival 2025. Discover our Living Heritage with an exciting array of programmes that unpack the stories behind cherished customs, traditional crafts, and delectable cuisines of the Malay world.

MHC Teroka Hari Raya 2025

As part of MHC’s ongoing Teroka Raya campaign, an Open House will be held on 26 April 2025 at the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC). This vibrant celebration brings everyone on an immersive experience through interactive exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities, inviting visitors to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of our Living Heritage that is not just shared in Singapore but also across the Nusantara region.

Visitors can explore the Fitri Fiesta: Culture Bazaar, where cultural booths will showcase Hari Raya traditions from different communities, the Hari Raya Pop-Up Exhibition that offers insights into festive customs and captivating performances by Dikir Barat and dance groups that bring traditional arts to life. Families can also enjoy Tales from the Nusantara, an interactive storytelling session, and participate in hands-on workshops such as Syawal Swirls: Henna Party and Mari Berkain: Malay Fabric and Styling Workshop, which highlight the intricate craftsmanship of the Nusantara.

Teroka Raya Festival 2025 Main Programmes
by Malay Heritage Centre (MHC)

📅 26 April 2025
🕙 10am – 6.30pm
📍 Indian Heritage Centre (5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924)
🏷 Free Admission with some ticketed activities

Workshops

1. Tales from the Nusantara: Hang Nadim’s Journey to India

🕙 11am – 12.30pm
📍 Special Exhibition Gallery
🏷 $16 per parent-child pair ($8 for additional child)
👥 3 years old and above Registration: Peatix

Join storyteller Hafiz Rashid as he tells the tale of Admiral Hang Nadim’s journey to India in search of textile makers. He successfully finds makers to create 40 designs requested by the Sultan of Melaka. Find out what happens to him and the 40 pieces of textiles when he gets caught in a thunderstorm on the way back home! During this session, design and personalise your own paper doll complete with textile outfits – a special keepsake to bring home.

2. Syawal Swirls: Henna Party

🕙 2pm – 3.30pm
📍 Special Exhibition Gallery
🏷 $20 per pax Registration: Peatix
👥 8 years old and above

Discover the rich tradition of henna art, a cherished custom shared by the Malay and Indian communities in Singapore and beyond. Hosted by SyraSkins, a henna duo founded by two sisters, join this henna party to explore the origins, traditional motifs, preparation techniques, modern applications as well as myths and misconceptions about henna. Participants will learn tips and tricks for henna application and practise their skills on ceramic tiles.

3. Mari Berkain: Malay Fabric and Styling Workshop

🕙 4.30pm – 6.30pm
📍 Special Exhibition Gallery
🏷 $10 per participant Registration: Peatix
👥 10 years old and above

Join designers, Kebaya Societe in this immersive session for a quick introduction to the rich heritage of Malay fabrics and textiles, from their intricate motifs to their cultural significance.

Participants will also enjoy a hands-on styling experience, learning how to drape and wear traditional Malay menswear, including the sarong and samping, in various traditional and contemporary styles. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or a culture lover, this workshop is your chance to explore the artistry and culture behind Malay textile heritage.

Free Activities

1. Fitri Fiesta: Culture Bazaar

🕙 10am – 6pm
📍 Lobby
🏷 Free

Explore the vibrant celebrations of Hari Raya across Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia at Fitri Fiesta. Through chats, displays, and hands-on activities, visitors will explore various Hari Raya practices in the region.

Join us in various complimentary family-friendly activity booths and engage in craft-making such as making coasters using traditional Malay songket fabric to creating ketupat-shaped pencil toppers. What’s more, discover your baju raya colours compatibility at our colour analysis stations.

For the first time, MHC is bringing together various partners across the Nusantara such as the Forum Komunikasi Masyarakat Indonesia di Singapura (FKMIS), IMYouth (Indian-Muslim Youth) and Malaysian Association in Singapore (MASIS) who will engage with visitors.

2. Hari Raya Pop-up Exhibition

🕙 10am – 6pm
📍 Lobby
🏷 Free

Enrich your visit to the Indian Heritage Centre with our Hari Raya Pop-up exhibition! Through this fun and interactive display, visitors can explore a bazaar pushcart to learn about the significance of Ramadan and step into a living room setting to experience Hari Raya celebrations at home.

3. Tea-Time Giveaway

🕙 3pm – 5pm
📍 Lobby
🏷: Free

Don’t miss this limited tea-time giveaway with signature snacks from the Little India precinct.

4. Riang Raya: An Afternoon of Dikir Barat and Dance

🕙 3.30pm – 4.30pm
📍 Street Stage
🏷 Free

Experience the joy of Hari Raya through a traditional arts showcase featuring vibrant dikir barat and dance performances. In the spirit of togetherness of Aidilfitri, shows will be put up across tertiary students and professional groups.

Join celebrated Malay performing art groups, Azpirasi and Lembayu Sari, alongside performing arts clubs from ITE College Central’s Tra’Irat and NUS Dikir Barat in this enchanting afternoon of cultural celebration!

5. Teroka Raya Redemption

🕙 10am – 6pm
📍 Lobby
🏷 Free

Participate in the drop-in activities in the lobby, and receive a stamp for each completed activity, and redeem our Teroka Raya 2025 limited edition money packets.

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