Our Joyous Vesak 2026 by Thekchen Choling

Seven days of celebration, animal blessings and community giving in the heartlands, open to all at NEX Open Field from 25 to 31 May

Our Joyous Vesak 2026

Thekchen Choling Singapore brings its largest Vesak festival yet to the heartlands this May, as the temple commemorates its Silver Jubilee in 2026. Our Joyous Vesak runs from 25 to 31 May at the open field beside NEX, extending last year’s three-day run with a full week of cultural celebrations, animal blessings, wellness programmes, family activities and community giving, open to all, regardless of background or belief. Speaker of Parliament Mr Seah Kian Peng will also grace the festival on Vesak Eve and Vesak Day.

Emmeline Ang, CEO of Thekchen Choling Singapore, said, “Thekchen Choling has always been about opening our doors to everyone. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, we’re taking that further by bringing our Vesak celebrations directly into the community in a bigger way than ever. We hope people of all backgrounds will come, experience something new, and leave feeling a little more connected – to themselves, and to one another.”

This year’s festival takes inspiration from the Buddhist parable of the Four Friends, a story of harmony and mutual respect that runs through the design, programming and spirit of the week. As Official Transport Partner of Our Joyous Vesak, Ryde will also be providing pet-friendly rides to the festival, making it easier for everyone to travel to the celebrations. Visitors can redeem $5 RydeCoins with the code RYDEXTCCL5 when booking a ride to the event, or scan and earn RydeCoins on-site at the Animal Blessing Ceremony on 26 May.

SOUTHEAST ASIA’S LARGEST SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA THANGKA

The first day of Our Joyous Vesak will open with the unveiling of its Giant Wish-Fulfilling Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka at 7pm. Four storeys tall and entirely hand-sewn from silk brocade, beads and sequins, it is the largest Shakyamuni Buddha appliqué thangka in Southeast Asia. The unveiling will be accompanied by chanting, a gong ceremony and light-up, creating a magical atmosphere unlike anything the temple has staged before.

The festival will also feature a 16-foot replica of the Bodhgaya Stupa, modelled on the UNESCO World Heritage site in India marking the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment 2,600 years ago.

Our Joyous Vesak Giant Wish Fulfilling Thangka

SINGAPORE’S LARGEST ANIMAL BLESSING CEREMONY

Now in its fifth year, the Animal Blessing Ceremony on 26 May at 7pm is one of the festival’s most beloved traditions. With over 1,000 pets and their owners attending each year, the ceremony will see Venerable Sanghas blessing animals, wishing them happiness, good health and a bright future. A Dharma Sharing talk, You Are Your Pet’s Guru, will precede the ceremony at 6pm, exploring what it means to be a mindful, caring presence in an animal’s life.

Throughout the week, pets and their owners can also take part in merit-making activities together, including bathing the Buddha, offering flowers and circumambulating the stupa. Visitors can also stop by the Paw-traits booth, where Dharma Youth volunteers will sketch hand-drawn portraits of their pets.

Our Joyous Vesak Buddha Robe Offering

A MILESTONE PARTNERSHIP WITH BRADDELL HEIGHTS CONSTITUENCY

On 30 May, Thekchen Choling will co-organise the Heart of Giving Market with Braddell Heights Constituency, distributing fresh food and household essentials to lower income families, with Mr Seah as Guest of Honour. The partnership carries additional significance this year, as both organisations celebrate milestone anniversaries – Thekchen Choling its 25th and Braddell Heights Constituency its 50th.

THE HEART OF VESAK

The week’s most sacred moments culminate on Vesak Eve and Vesak Day itself. On 30 May at 8pm, Singha Rinpoche, Spiritual Director of Thekchen Choling, will lead the Grand Dharma Light Circumambulation, a candlelit procession symbolising the transmission of the Buddha’s teachings across generations.

The following morning at 9.30am, devotees can join in the Vesak Day Prayer for World Peace & Harmony. Led by Singha Rinpoche, the guided prayer will be dedicated to healing and harmony for all aff ected by confl ict, separation and suff ering. Speaker of Parliament Mr Seah will also attend the ceremony as Guest of Honour, delivering a speech before the prayer commences.

EXPLORE, REFLECT AND CONNECT

From interactive game booths to guided meditation, Our Joyous Vesak has something lined up for everyone across the entire week. The young ones and the young at heart can try their hand at Whack-A-Worry and Shoot Your Shot, two play-based games where learning becomes play. With themes of mindfulness and focus woven into every round, participants can learn more about the Dharma, and take home mystery gifts as joyful reminders of wisdom and togetherness.

For those seeking a quieter moment, Singha Rinpoche will lead an open meditation session on 29 May at 8pm, offering practical insights on cultivating calm and inner balance in everyday life. Mind Transformations, Singapore’s most established training provider in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Neuro-Linguistic Enneagram and ICI Coach certification programmes, will host a free public talk, You Are Worthy of Being Well!, on cultivating positive mental wellbeing on 30 May at 11.30am.

As Thekchen Choling marks 25 years of togetherness, Our Joyous Vesak is an open invitation to all to come together and share in the spirit of Vesak.

📅 25 to 31 May 2026
📍 NEX Open Field, 23 Serangoon Central Singapore 556083
🏷 Free. No registration required for most programmes

In addition to the scheduled events, the festival tentage will be open daily from 25 to 31 May, featuring game booths, a Paw-traits drawing booth, merit-making stations and more. For more information, visit here.

🎭🎪 JUNE SCHOOL HOLIDAY 2026 🎪🎭

Welcome to the June school holidays! Make the most of the break with your little ones – explore our curated list of fun, engaging, and family-friendly activities happening across Singapore during the June School Holidays in Singapore 2026.