{"id":49282,"date":"2026-05-03T01:17:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T17:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=49282"},"modified":"2026-05-03T01:17:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T17:17:45","slug":"singapore-heritage-fest-2026-sail-into-stories-and-communities-shaping-maritime-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=49282","title":{"rendered":"Singapore Heritage Fest 2026: Sail into stories and communities shaping maritime legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Sail down the river that brings life to Singapore at A Bump Through Time, SHF\u2019s first-ever theatrical bumboat experience. Photo courtesy: Singapore Heritage Fest 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Singapore Heritage Fest (SHF)<\/a> has returned \u2014 from 1 to 24 May 2026 \u2014 celebrating Singapore\u2019s rich maritime heritage with over 100 programmes across the island.<\/p>\n

Now in its 23rd edition and organised for the first time by HeritageSG (HSG), a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board (NHB), the festival brings to life the stories, trades, and communities that shaped the island nation\u2019s historic waterways and continue to define its island identity today.<\/p>\n

Qazim Karim, SHF 2026 Festival Director, said, \u201cSingapore\u2019s story is inseparable from the sea. From bustling ports and thriving trades to the communities who lived and worked along our shores, our maritime heritage is a living legacy that continues to shape our identity today. As a steward of Singapore\u2019s cultural and heritage ecosystem, SHF brings together partners across communities to present collaborative programmes that explore maritime heritage from multiple perspectives, deepening public engagement with our shared histories. Through these experiences, we invite everyone to journey through our maritime past and celebrate the shared heritage that connects us all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A scene from A Bump Through Time, the theatrical bumboat experience at Singapore Heritage Fest 2026. Photo courtesy: Marcus Lam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SHF 2026 comes alive through the passion and creativity of over 100 community partners and heritage practitioners, presenting programmes that range from innovative reimagining of port life to hands-on encounters with age-old seafaring traditions.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Singapore
Singapore Heritage Fest 2026 attendees on a voyage of discovery down the river. Photo courtesy: Marcus Lam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning supporters include YHS Singapore (Yeo\u2019s) as SHF\u2019s Official Partner for the third consecutive year; and Stellar Ace, marking their sixth consecutive year as Official Sponsor.<\/p>\n

New community partners, including Aroma Nostalgia, Kebon Dapor, Thong Siek Global, Singapore Navy Museum and more, add fresh perspectives to the line-up, offering festival-goers even more ways to explore Singapore\u2019s maritime heritage and its continued relevance.<\/p>\n

A festival highlight, HOMEGROUND @ ACM Green<\/strong>, brings visitors closer to Singapore\u2019s maritime heritage through exhibitions, performances, and workshops celebrating the importance of the nation\u2019s roots. In conjunction with its 30th anniversary, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is presenting a series of programmes, including guided tours, vessel visits, and maritime-themed trails.<\/p>\n

This year, festival-goers can embark on a captivating journey through Singapore\u2019s maritime past, exploring how trade, migration, beliefs and practices, and naval history have shaped the island everyone knows today.<\/p>\n

Return of festival favourites<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A signature SHF offering, HOMEGROUND<\/strong> returns as a vibrant marketplace reflecting how early migrants and their journeys shaped the nation. Set against the historic waterfront at the ACM, HOMEGROUND @ ACM Green<\/strong> brings together exhibitions, workshops, craft showcases and performances taking place on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the festival period.<\/p>\n

\"HOMEGROUND
HOMEGROUND returns as a vibrant marketplace reflecting how early migrants and their journeys shaped the nation. Photo courtesy: Singapore Heritage Fest 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anchoring the festival\u2019s highlight experience is the HOMEGROUND exhibition on maritime and migration. The exhibition is designed by local illustrator and visual artist HAFl. Festival-goers can expect new experiences at HOMEGROUND @ ACM Green<\/strong> each weekend, and can follow SHF\u2019s social channels to discover the latest offerings and plan their next visit.<\/p>\n

Another signature SHF programme, Ride & Discover<\/strong>, returns to bring maritime heritage into the rhythms of daily life, transforming daily commutes into moments of discovery. By turning MRT stations and transit spaces into accessible heritage touchpoints, the activation meets people where they are, offering interactive panels, immersive displays, and bite-sized insights revealing the journeys, exchanges, and connections behind Singapore\u2019s maritime story.<\/p>\n

SHF 2026 mascot, Pitta the migratory bird<\/strong>, will also make surprise appearances across the island. Festival-goers are invited to keep their eyes peeled on their commute and snap a photo to share on Instagram with @sgheritagefest, #SGHeritageFest, #SHF2026 and #ISeaYou for a chance to win and redeem a limited-edition SHF keepsake at HOMEGROUND.<\/p>\n

SHF 2026 programmes are open for registration. Members of the public may visit https:\/\/www.heritage.sg\/sgheritagefest<\/a> for more information on the programmes, and how to register.<\/p>\n

New programmes within Singapore Heritage Fest 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Port of Dreams:<\/strong> Journey across time and immerse yourself in the lively tales of the 1930s to today with Port of Dreams<\/em>, a roving theatrical experience set against the backdrop of The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore and historic Clifford Pier.<\/p>\n

A Bump Through Time:<\/strong> Sail down the river that brings life to Singapore at A Bump Through Time<\/em>, SHF\u2019s first-ever theatrical bumboat experience, where festival-goers discover the Singapore River anew through interactive encounters along Clarke Quay and Marina Bay, revealing how trade, migration and storytelling shaped this vibrant crossroads of cultures.<\/p>\n

SHIPPED: Memoirs from Our Maritime World:<\/strong> Unearth Southeast Asia\u2019s seafaring past at SHIPPED: Memoirs from Our Maritime World<\/em> by ArCH Square, a special showcase of maritime archaeology featuring submerged treasures and underwater discoveries.<\/p>\n

Culture Beats @ CapitaLand:<\/strong> Feel the rhythms of the sea at Culture Beats @ CapitaLand<\/em>, a high-energy maritime-themed music showcase at Bugis+ and CQ @ Clarke Quay, featuring dynamic percussion, movement and multicultural sounds.<\/p>\n

Wave & Rave at RASA Space:<\/strong> Dance through time with DJ-spun contemporary hits and maritime beats in Wave & Rave at RASA Space<\/em>, where sounds are inspired by the diverse cultures that shaped our island and its seafaring past.<\/p>\n

Lecture series:<\/strong> Gain deeper insights into Singapore\u2019s maritime past with a lecture series, in collaboration with the National Library Board, featuring expert talks on how trade routes, port life, and migration shaped the island\u2019s growth and cultural landscape.<\/p>\n

Uncover the stories behind Singapore\u2019s bustling ports and global trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Unlocking Singapore\u2019s Port Legacy:<\/strong> Get an insider\u2019s look at one of the world\u2019s busiest ports, in Unlocking Singapore\u2019s Port Legacy: A Behind-the-Scenes Maritime Journey<\/em>, an exclusive experience that starts at MPA\u2019s Singapore Maritime Gallery and features a rare bus tour into PSA Singapore\u2019s container terminals, including those in the city centre that will be decommissioned by 2027, and Pasir Panjang Terminals.<\/p>\n

Spice to Meet You:<\/strong> Get a glimpse into the craft of spice-making with Spice to Meet You! Stories from The Spice Maker<\/em>, as Anthony the Spice Maker shares how his family\u2019s spice trade began and evolved across generations.<\/p>\n

\"Festival-goers
Festival-goers sample interesting spices as part of learning about the trade history of Singapore. Photo courtesy: Singapore Heritage Fest 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fish to Port:<\/strong> Step into Singapore\u2019s last remaining fishery port in Jurong, with Fish to Port \u2013 Fishery Port Tour by Pasar Fish<\/em>, a behind-the-scenes tour showing how fresh seafood makes its way from dock to table.<\/p>\n

Heritage Spice Trail:<\/strong> Learn about the rich legacy of the spice trade with The Fullerton Heritage Spice Trail<\/em> by the Fullerton Hotel Singapore, an exclusive walking tour that reveals how the spice routes shape the port city\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n

A Cocoa Bean Adventure:<\/strong> Follow the journey of a cocoa bean across oceans to become the world\u2019s finest chocolate in A Cocoa Bean Adventure: Discover the Wonders of Global Trade <\/em>by ONE, a lively picture book reading of Jean-Pierre Travels the Seven Seas<\/em>, where young audiences can also take part in an onsite art contest.<\/p>\n

Voyages that brought people, cultures, and flavours to Singapore<\/strong><\/h2>\n

From Port to Plate:<\/strong> Discover how port life shaped what Singaporeans eat today and the rise of street hawkers on a family-friendly trail with From Port to Plate<\/em> by Chewy Collective, complete interactive missions, and finish with a hands-on craft experience inspired by Singapore\u2019s enduring hawker culture.<\/p>\n

Popiah workshop:<\/strong> Craft your own popiah at the Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah Workshop<\/em>, learning key techniques and ingredient secrets from local makers while exploring how this beloved delicacy reflects generations of cultural exchange and shared food traditions.<\/p>\n

Scents of the Nusantara:<\/strong> Blend your own perfume in Scents of the Nusantara: Perfume-Making Workshop<\/em> by Aroma Nostalgia, using resins, woods, florals, and spices carried across Southeast Asian ports to craft a fragrance shaped by shared histories.<\/p>\n

Cherita Singapura:<\/strong> Experience the rhythm of the expressive Indian classical dance form of Kathakali in Cherita Singapura<\/em> by Bhaskar\u2019s Arts, a performance retelling the fabled sea voyage of Sang Nila Utama and the naming of Singapore.<\/p>\n

Tastes of the Tides:<\/strong> Discover Singapore\u2019s coastal heritage through all five senses at Tastes of the Tides: Laksa Siglap<\/em> by Changi Chapel and Museum, as you see, smell and touch traditional ingredients to recreate the rare, rich flavours of Singapore\u2019s coastal kampongs.<\/p>\n

\"A
A public space in Singapore is turned into an open-air gallery celebrating the island nation\u2019s ties to the sea. Photo courtesy: Singapore Heritage Fest 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beliefs and practices that shaped maritime life in Singapore<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mazu Heritage Tour:<\/strong> Embark on the Mazu Heritage Tour: Goddess of the Sea<\/em>, An ICH Journey Through Singapore\u2019s Maritime Past<\/em>, an immersive trail from Thian Hock Keng Temple to traditional wooden vessels, uncovering how maritime beliefs anchored early settlers and continue to shape Singapore today.<\/p>\n

Haunting Tales of Ubin:<\/strong> Venture into Singapore\u2019s last kampong with Haunting Tales of Ubin<\/em> by Supernatural Confessions, an immersive night tour exploring the island\u2019s beliefs, practices, and the captivating human stories behind its hauntings.<\/p>\n

Tides of Heritage:<\/strong> Join the folk extravaganza in Tides of Heritage<\/em> by ATAM, where diverse multicultural folk arts groups use music, dance, stagecraft, and storytelling to bring to life Singapore\u2019s connection to the sea.<\/p>\n

Woven Waves:<\/strong> Discover the meanings behind traditional batik motifs like clouds and waves, once used by seafarers across Southeast Asia, and stamp your own maritime story-cloth to take home at Woven Waves: Reading Stories in Batik<\/em> by Children\u2019s Museum Singapore.<\/p>\n

Tied to the Tides:<\/strong> Join Tied to the Tides<\/em> by Reflections at Bukit Chandu for a hands-on family adventure, learning more about the coastal fishing traditions and the kelongs that once shaped life along Singapore\u2019s shores.<\/p>\n

Battleships and Bunkers:<\/strong> Step back in time with Battleships and Bunkers<\/em> by Hidden Heritage, a guided walk exploring Sembawang\u2019s coastal and naval history, from kampong life and long-lost shorelines to wartime defences and naval life.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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