Wan Qing Festival of Spring Open House 2024

📅 16 Jan to 25 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 7pm
📍 Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
🏷 Free Admission with some ticketed activities

Embrace the auspicious vibes at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH) with Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024! Join us for a spirited weekend as we celebrate the spring festival with an exciting line-up of programmes and activities, suitable for all ages.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with us as we summon the mythical creature for the festival!

Join us for hands-on workshops such as dragon lantern making, dragon’s beard candy making, mythical creatures bag making, temple tours and more, right here on the Memorial Hall grounds.

Expect other family-friendly offerings such as lion dance and festive drumming workshops, heritage trails, storytelling, mini games and craft activities for the little ones, food tasting and more! Spend the spring evening with us as we bring you melodious Chinese music performances by Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Chinese wind and percussion ensemble, Reverberance, to close the festival on a high note.

Finally, capture your Festival of Spring memories with us beside the ginormous inflatable installation of Dino, a character by local artist Ziqi with designs from Japanese artist Yasu (EBINEKOYA)! The fun never stops at SYSNMH.

For more information about the Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024, please visit SYSNMH’s website throughout the festival period.

Highlights:

Festive Installation

1. Lawn Installation: Prosperity All Year LONG (Supported by local toy designer and artist Ziqi)

📅 16 Jan to 25 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 7pm daily (Last admission at 6.50pm)
🏷 Free

One of the cherished customs associated with the Lunar New Year and widely practised by the Chinese community worldwide is the putting up of festive decorations at home and at the workplace to usher in the new year. Every year, SYSNMH honours this tradition by decorating its building and compound with auspicious decorations and plants, and its annual lawn installation.

Titled Prosperity All Year LONG, this year’s lawn installation is a collaboration between SYSNMH and local toy designer and artist Ziqi. It features the designer’s popular character, Dino, reimagined and redesigned in a collaboration with Japanese artist Yasu (EBINEKOYA).

Dressed in auspicious colours of red and orange, the Mononoke Dinos are a modern interpretation of the mythical dragon and as with dragons, they symbolise success, strength, nobility, abundance and good luck. Moreover, the presence of twin dragons represents a “doubling” of opportunities and good fortune in the year ahead.

This installation therefore conveys the Memorial Hall’s wish for success, abundance and good luck for our visitors, for Singaporeans, and for Singapore in the year 2024. It will be on display on the lawn of the Memorial Hall until 25 February 2024.

Festive Giveaway

2. Lunar New Year Hongbao Giveaway (Supported by National Heritage Board)

📅 From 12 Jan 2024 onwards
⏰ 10am – 5pm (closed on Mondays)

It’s time to usher in the Year of the Dragon with the Museum Roundtable (MR) and SYSNMH! Get ready to collect specially designed hongbaos from 43 participating museums and galleries.

Don’t miss the chance to get the limited edition SYSNMH hongbao for FREE! To redeem, simply visit the Memorial Hall, follow the SYSNMH Facebook or Instagram page, and verify at the visitor services counter from 12 January 2024 onwards. Limited to the first 50 visitors per day (1 pack per person) and available whilst stocks last!

Visit here for more information about the MR Lunar New Year Hongbao campaign 2024.

Lunar New Year Celebration

3. Auspicious Lion & Dragon Dance Performance

📅 10 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 11am
🏷 Free

Revel in the festivities and usher in the Lunar New Year at the Memorial Hall with our beloved annual lion and dragon dance performance on the first day of the Lunar New Year!

4. God of Fortune Visit

📅 10 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 12pm
🏷 Free

Rub shoulders with the God of Fortune for an auspicious year ahead! The God of Fortune will be at the Memorial Hall and giving away sweet treats for a bountiful year.

5. Lunar New Year Free Admission

📅 10 & 11 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 5pm (Last admission at 4.30pm)
🏷 Free

Come spend your time at the Memorial Hall as admission is free for all to SYSNMH on the Lunar New Year holiday.

Wan Qing Festival of Spring Open House

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 7pm
📍 Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
🏷 Free admission with some ticketed activities

Workshops

6. Dragon’s Beard Candy Making Workshop

📅 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.30am – 11.30am
🏷 $12 per pax; purchase tickets here. Tickets available from 19 January 2024, 10am onwards.

Recommended for participants aged 6 years and above. The workshop is conducted in English.

Embark on a sweet journey at our Dragon’s Beard Candy Making Workshop! Known for its silky threads and melt-in-your-mouth texture, participants will learn how to create this ancient Chinese delicacy and experience the process of pulling and stretching the candy to achieve the perfect consistency.

7. Parent-Child Mythical Creatures Bag Making Workshop (Supported by A2+rt Studio)

📅 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 1pm – 2.30pm
🏷 $24 per parent-child pair; purchase tickets here Tickets available from 19 January 2024, 10am onwards.

Recommended for children aged 4 years to 12 years old. The workshop is conducted in English.

Under the guidance of Andy from A2+rt Studio, team up with your child for a creative needlework bonding session to sew and decorate small crossbody bags of Chinese auspicious mythical creatures such as a dragon and a phoenix. Participants also get to assemble a revolving lantern accessory during the workshop. Each parent-child pair will get to sew two bags and assemble one revolving lantern.

8. Dragon Lantern Making Workshop (Supported by traditional craftsman, Jimm Wong)

📅 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 12.30pm
🏷 $18 per pax; purchase tickets via https://wanqingyuan.peatix.com. Tickets available from 19 January 2024, 10am onwards.

Recommended for participants aged 13 years and above. The workshop is conducted in English.

Ignite that spark for crafting this Wan Qing Festival of Spring at our Dragon Lantern Making Workshop! Guided by Jimm Wong, one of Singapore’s last traditional Chinese lantern makers, feel the satisfaction as you make and personalise your very own dragon lantern masterpiece from scratch.

9. Children Lion Dance Workshop (Supported by Martial House)

📅 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 3.30pm – 4.30pm, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
🏷 $12 per pax; purchase tickets here. Tickets available from 19 January 2024, 10am onwards.

Recommended for children aged 6 years and above. Workshop will be conducted in English and Mandarin.

Let your child get into the festive spirit with this interactive lion dance workshop! Limber up with a series of full body stretches, learn basic dance movements from expert instructors, have fun trying on miniature lion dance costumes, and discover the origins behind this well-loved artform.

10. Children Festive Chinese Drums Workshop (Supported by Martial House)

📅 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 3.30pm – 4.30pm, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
🏷 $12 per pax; purchase tickets here. Tickets available from 19 January 2024, 10am onwards.

Recommended for children aged 6 years and above. Workshop will be conducted in English and Mandarin.

Drum up a storm in this energetic musical workshop – your child will learn basic drumming techniques used for Chinese percussion instruments and experience a variety of rhythms and beats.

Free Activities

11. Storytelling Sessions: Tales of Lunar New Year Festival (Supported by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin Campaign)

📅 17 Feb 2024 (Mandarin), 18 Feb 2024 (English)
⏰ 11.30am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 3pm
🏷 Free

Be swept away with enthralling tales in our popular storytelling sessions! Discover the legends and myths behind well-loved Chinese stories as local authors and veteran storytellers bring you on a literary adventure.

12. Drop-in Craft Station: Lunar New Year Festival Inspired Crafts (Supported by River Valley High School)

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.30am – 6.30pm
🏷 Free

Get crafty as you make crafts inspired by Lunar New Year festival at our drop-in craft stations.

13. Drop-in Craft Station: Chinese Calligraphy Try-Out

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.30am – 6.30pm
🏷 Free

Experience the elegance of Chinese calligraphy at our drop-in craft station and learn to write festive greetings for the occasion.

14. Drop-in Activity Station: CNY Mini Games

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.30am – 6.30pm
🏷 Free

Are you familiar with the Chinese family tree or an expert at spewing Lunar New Year greetings in lighting speed? Put your knowledge of Chinese culture and heritage to the test with our mini games suitable for the young and the old!

15. Live on the Lawn: Hakka Qilin Dance by Yan Wong Cultural Troupe Singapore

📅 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 1.45pm – 2pm
🏷 Free

The Hakka Qilin dance is a traditional Chinese folk dance characterised by vibrant movements and colourful costumes, symbolising the mythical Qilin, a legendary creature believed to bring good fortune and prosperity. Catch this rare performance by Yan Wong Cultural Troupe Singapore as they showcase this traditional Chinese folk dance on the grounds of the Memorial Hall.

16. Live on the Lawn: Lunar New Year Family Fun Contest

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 2.30pm – 3.30pm
🏷 Free

Gather your family for a Lunar New Year Family Fun Contest on stage! Engage in friendly rivalry as you join other families in a series of exciting Lunar New Year themed games. It’s a session of bonding and fun! Limited spots available, register your interest on the day to reserve your spot.

17. Live on the Lawn: SCO goes to Wan Qing Yuan (In collaboration with Singapore Chinese Orchestra)

📅 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 5.30pm – 6.30pm
🏷 Free

For the first time, Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) will be performing at Wan Qing Yuan! Under the baton of Associate Conductor Moses Gay, SCO will perform a blend of traditional and contemporary melodies, such as Full of Joy, Welcome Spring and Good Fortune, Gong Xi Gong Xi, Nocturnal Peace, Journey to Suzhou, Longing for the Spring Breeze, The Spring Breeze Kisses My Face, Winter Jasmines, Here Comes Fortune, Celebrating the New Year, New Year Greetings and Gong Xi Fa Cai as part of Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024. Mark your calendars and extend this invitation to your friends and loved ones to join us in welcoming the Lunar New Year! Not to be missed!

18. Live on the Lawn: Chinese Wind & Percussion Music by Reverberance (Supported by Reverberance)

📅 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 5.30pm – 6.30pm
🏷 Free

Comprising of top award winning and youthful local musicians, Reverberance will be bringing you lively Chinese wind and percussion music pieces to celebrate the Spring season and to close the Wan Qing Festival of Spring on a high note. Don’t miss the opportunity to try out the Chinese drums and perform with the musicians during this performance.

19. Festive Snacks, Mandarin Oranges & Tea Tasting

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.30am – 6.30pm
🏷 Free, limited quantities available.

Savour a taste of tradition and sample yummy festive delicacies such as new year goodies, pineapple tarts, mandarin oranges and freshly brewed aromatic Chinese tea. Enjoy these festive delicacies as you learn more about the Lunar New Year!

20. Let’s Celebrate with Uncle Ting: Lunar New Year Activity Kit

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 7pm

Kids! Come pick up an activity kit to discover more about the Lunar New Year! Join Uncle Ting to learn more about the legends and popular customs associated with this festival through a series of fun activities including red packet making! Activity kits are given out on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last and one per child.

Guided Tours & Trails

21. Touring Temples: In Search of Dragons and other Mythical Creatures

📅 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 10am – 1pm
🏷 $20 per pax; purchase tickets here. Tickets available from 19 January 2024, 10am onwards.

Tour is conducted primarily in English, with partial Mandarin explanations.

Image: Sar Kong Mun San Fook Tuck Chee

Have you heard of the Nine Sons of the Dragon or seen a Fire Dragon in Singapore? Where can we find them? Join us in search of the Chinese mythical dragons and other creatures as we explore local temples in this temple tour. Starting off from the Memorial Hall, participants will visit Sar Kong Mun San Fook Tuck Chee (沙冈万山福德祠), the only temple in Singapore with the Fire Dragon tradition and learn more about the temple and this fiery tradition. Next, participants will visit Thian Hock Keng (天福宫) to learn more about the history of the temple and understand the significance and symbolism of the various Chinese mythical creatures that are donned all over the temple including the Nine Sons of the Dragon, Phoenix and many more.

22. Balestier Heritage Food Trail

📅 17 Feb 2024
⏰ 10.30am – 11.30am
🏷 $12 per pax; purchase tickets here. Tickets available from 19 January 2024, 10am onwards.

Trail is conducted in English.

Go on a gastronomic journey around Balestier with our ever-popular Balestier Heritage Food Trail! Delve into the architectural and cultural development of Balestier as you visit and sample bites from heritage shops such as Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory and Sweetlands Confectionery and Bakery and discover the rich food history behind these places. The tour is brought to you by our Heritage Volunteers.

23. Permanent Galleries Guided Tour

📅 17 & 18 Feb 2024
⏰ 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Mandarin), 3pm – 4pm (English)
🏷 Free; limited spaces available.

Join us for a guided tour of SYSNMH and hear the stories behind this century-old villa that trace Dr Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia. Gain valuable insights on the impact of the 1911 Revolution on Singapore, as well as Singapore’s contributions to the Revolution. The tour is brought to you by our Heritage Volunteers.

Photos credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall unless stated otherwise

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2024

Feeling adventurous and hoping to soak in the Chinese New Year atmosphere? We have compiled a list of Where to go during Chinese New Year 2024, especially for our readers.

Looking for CNY goodies for your home? Here’s where to buy pineapple tarts and bak kwa in Singapore.

Want to shower your family and friends with blessings and bountiful gifts this CNY? Here is a list of unique CNY gifts and hampers to consider gifting!

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