The Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival 2025, a two-day cultural immersion event, is set to take place in Singapore’s Chinatown from 31 May to 1 June. The event, one of the oldest cultural celebrations in Chinese history, will feature stage performances, interactive workshops, thematic zones, and exclusive promotions from local tenants. The Chinatown Business Association organizes the event.
Ms Lim Yick Suan, Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Association, shared, “The Dragon Boat Festival is a cherished tradition that brings people together each year. This year, we’re proud to celebrate in Chinatown with a vibrant mix of cultural performances, hands-on experiences, and more. We invite everyone to join us in honouring this timeless celebration and rediscover the stories and spirit that make our community so special.”
One of the main highlights of the weekend is the vibrant stage performances along Smith Street.
Visitors can look forward to a mix of traditional Chinese arts throughout the festival, including a Lion and Dragon Dance by award-winning troupe Tian Eng Dragon and Lion Dance Centre, the thunderous beats of a Festival Drum Performance by students from Chung Cheng High School, and the dramatic flair of a Face Changing Show.
Audiences can enjoy a Chinese Traditional Dance performance, a Harmonica Performance by the Singapore Broadway Harmonica Ensemble, and a Teochew Opera Performance by Er Woo Amateur Musical & Dramatic Association.
Visitors can also participate in festive activities such as solving traditional Lantern Riddles, a much-loved pastime that challenges participants’ wit and cultural knowledge. The Dragon Boat Rowing Race will also return, bringing together teams and individuals in a spirit of friendly competition and community bonding. In this land-based race, participants compete on dragon-inspired rowing machines in 1-minute rounds, with the highest number of strokes winning a prize.
Soak in the atmosphere with hands-on cultural experiences for visitors of all ages!
The Bookmark Painting Workshop allows participants to create their dragon boat-themed bookmark. At the same time, those looking for a deeper creative experience can partake in the Dragon Boat Canvas Voyage Workshop to create a dynamic dragon boat scene on canvas. Experienced instructors guide the workshop, and it is perfect for beginners and art lovers.
Don’t miss the culinary star of the Dragon Boat Festival – join the Nyonya Chang Workshop and discover the art of wrapping and preparing Nyonya rice dumplings. From savoury rempah filling to the symbolic wrapping technique, participants will not only learn the cultural significance of these festive treats. They will also bring home two uncooked dumplings to share and enjoy.
Adding a thoughtful touch to the festival atmosphere is the Art Corner – a serene space within the bustling Smith Street where visitors are invited to pause, reflect, and learn more about the Dragon Boat Festival.
Visitors can browse through a curated selection of books on seasonal traditions, pen their thoughts or well-wishes in the Festival Reflections Journal, and explore symbolic items such as mugwort bundles, festive bookmarks, and greeting cards.
To mark the occasion, shops along Smith Street will be launching a host of exclusive promotions, including:
- Elegance of Nanyang (31 May – 1 June): Enjoy 50% off Nyonya Kebaya Set rentals for the second person onwards. Receive a complimentary mystery gift with every two sets rented, while stocks last.
- Killiney @ Smith Street (26 May – 1 June): Celebrate with festive bundles including a Kee Chang Set at $6.00 and a Bak Chang Set at $9.00, created exclusively for this festival.
- Gelato Garden (26 May – 1 June): Indulge in their Dragon Boat Festival special dessert – a Banana Split inspired by the shape of a traditional dragon boat, priced at $15.
- Boon Tong Kee (31 May – 1 June): All chicken rice dishes will be served with rice shaped like a traditional rice dumpling (zongzi), adding a festive touch to every meal.
Admission to the Dragon Boat Festival is free. Tickets for selected workshops can be purchased from Peatix here. More information about the programme rundown and festival can be found on Chinatown SingSingapore’s website, Instagram, and TikTok pages.
