Year after year, the Singapore HeritageFest continues to show us that although tiny, Singapore is more than meets the eye. And this year’s 21st run is no different. Taking place from May 1 to 26, 2024, the festival will offer a ton of workshops, tours, trails, exhibitions, among other exciting programmes for all to get better-acquainted with the city we call home.
This year’s theme will focus on ‘reliving the stories that connect us’ – you’ll be diving into untold stories of our city’s oldest buildings and landmarks. Embark on a walking tour hosted by leading design studio DP Architects where they’ll take you through the evolution of Singapore Downtown’s urban landscape and iconic landmarks such as St Andrew’s Cathedral, Fullerton Hotel, and Golden Mile Complex, to uncover Singapore’s city planning history. Or enter uncharted territories and take part in a guided walking tour through 37 Emerald Hill, an ‘abandoned’ building that was once the home to Singapore Chinese Girls’ School.
For those that prefer to keep their steps to a minimum, hop on the magic school bus at the Hop-On, Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus Experience for a relaxed tour where you will be driven through cultural neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam.
One of the main exhibitions at this year’s festival, Homeground: We Built This City, is also not to be missed. Visitors can learn about Singapore’s 75 national monuments, 7,000 conserved buildings, and several other sites and structures.
Venture east and step into the heart of Katong-Joo Chiat and go on the tour, Stories in Stone Katong-Joo Chiat Built Heritage and Historic Tour. This guided tour will enlighten you with fascinating stories behind the famous Peranakan shophouses along Koon Seng Road, the Red House Bakery, and the Former Joo Chiat Police Station.
Other spaces that are open for exploration tours include NUS Baba House, Battlebox, Kampong Kapor Methodist Church, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Masjid Hajjah Fatimah, and Masjid Jamae Chulia.
And true crime-fanatics, don’t miss the chance to gain access into the restricted areas of the former Supreme Court. Go behind-the-scenes to find out more about the courtroom, climb through a trapdoor into the prisoner’s dock, and hear stories about the highest-profile cases in Singapore’s history since 1939.
Check out the full list of programmes here.
