Singapore's Lion Dance Heritage Exhibition at SCCC

SCCC Launches CNY Exhibition Celebrating the Rich Heritage and Modern Spirit of Singapore’s Lion Dance Culture

Singapore Lion Dance Heritage Exhibition Image credit: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) is proud to present Tradition in Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage, a special exhibition for the upcoming Chinese New Year that showcases the rich history, evolving customs, and contemporary expressions of lion dance in Singapore.

Tradition in Motion Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage

Featuring over 50 artefacts, photographs, posters and figurines, the exhibition highlights the enduring significance of lion dance in Singapore, its diversity, innovations, and achievements of local lion dance troupes. The exhibition is anchored by a display of eight lion heads, representing the variety of lion dance styles practised in Singapore including the familiar southern lion dance, and the less common Hainan Lion and the Fujian Green Lion.

Display of eight lion heads

Lion head display SCCC

Presented through three main thematic zones, the exhibition first explores the history, traditions, and customs of lion dance in Singapore. The exhibition also reveals the intricate craft of lion head making, featuring a handcrafted lion head made by Singapore’s last lion head craftsman, Henry Ng, shown in its first and final stages of production.

The second zone explores Singapore’s lion dance culture as it continues to thrive in Singapore today. In this zone, visitors can view the Genting World Lion Dance Trophies won by Yiwei Athletic Association in 2023 and 2025, and learn how our local troupes continue to embrace diversity by opening its doors to members of all ages and ethnicities, and adapting lion dance routines for senior performers.

SCCC Singapore's Lion Dance Heritage Exhibition

The final zone showcases pop-culture representations of lion dance that highlight contemporary culture’s ongoing fascination with lion dance. From vintage posters of films such as Once Upon a Time in China III to limited-edition collectibles like the Uniplay Fortune (Mer)lion Dance figurine, the exhibition showcases lion dance as an enduring source of inspiration for cultural offerings.

Singapore Lion Dance Heritage Exhibition SCCC

SCCC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alvin Tan, said, “Through the exhibition, we hope that visitors can learn more about lion dance, including its early roots, the unique traits of lion dance in Singapore, how it continues to be manifested through popular culture, and more. We also hope that visitors will not only feel proud of the achievements of our local lion dance troupes, but be inspired by their resilience and ongoing efforts to ensure that lion dance becomes not only an enduring artform but a cultural heritage that Singaporeans can be proud of.”

📅 11 Dec 2025 to 30 Apr 2026
🕙 9am – 10pm
📍 SCCC Concourse Level 1
🏷 Free

Singapore's Lion Dance Heritage Exhibition at SCCC

Visit Tradition in Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage to learn how the traditional art form of lion dance continues to innovate, and how it remains a vibrant symbol of culture, resilience, and community spirit.

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