Singapore (Commonwealth Union)_ There is exciting news for both festivalgoers and tourists! The Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival is back in Singapore this weekend. From 31 May to 1 June 2025, Smith Street in Chinatown will come alive with colour, culture, and community spirit as the Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival 2025 takes centre stage. Presented by the Chinatown Business Association, the two-day event promises a vibrant showcase of heritage and tradition, blending ancient customs with modern celebration. Running daily from 1 pm to 7 pm, the festival invites both locals and tourists to immerse themselves in one of the most storied celebrations in Chinese history. Known for its deep cultural roots, the Dragon Boat Festival is traditionally observed to honour Qu Yuan, a revered poet and patriot. At the Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival 2025, this age-old tradition is reimagined through lively performances, hands-on activities, and thematic experiences, all aimed at bringing the community together.
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Cultural Performances on Smith Street
A key highlight of the festival is the series of stage performances along Smith Street. Festivalgoers can expect a dynamic programme that includes a Festival Drum Performance by Chung Cheng High School, a captivating Face Changing Show, and a Harmonica Performance by the Singapore Broadway Harmonica Ensemble. Additionally, traditional Chinese arts also take centre stage with performances in Chinese dance and Teochew opera by the Er Woo Amateur Musical & Dramatic Association. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere is a Lion and Dragon Dance performance by the award-winning Tian Eng Dragon and Lion Dance Centre, offering both visual spectacle and cultural depth.
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Interactive Activities and Workshops
Beyond performances, the festival provides numerous opportunities for attendees to actively participate. Visitors can challenge their minds with Lantern Riddles, a beloved festive activity that tests wit and cultural knowledge. Furthermore, the popular Dragon Boat Rowing Race returns in an exciting land-based format. Using dragon-inspired rowing machines, participants race in one-minute rounds, with the highest number of strokes earning prizes. This fun, competitive event encourages community bonding and friendly rivalry.
Art enthusiasts can explore their creativity through various Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival Workshops. The Bookmark Painting Workshop and Dragon Boat Canvas Voyage Workshop offer hands-on art experiences, while the Nyonya Chang Workshop teaches the traditional craft of wrapping and preparing Nyonya rice dumplings, a culturally rich experience complete with a take-home treat.
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Reflective Spaces and Exclusive Promotions
For those seeking a quieter moment, the Art Corner offers a contemplative space featuring a curated selection of books, symbolic items like mugwort bundles and festive bookmarks, and the opportunity to contribute personal reflections to the Festival Reflections Journal. Shoppers will enjoy special promotions from local businesses along Smith Street. These include discounts on Nyonya Kebaya rentals at Elegance of Nanyang, festive dumpling sets at Killiney @ Smith Street, a Dragon Boat-themed banana split at Gelato Garden, and themed meals at Boon Tong Kee, where rice is served in the shape of zongzi.
Join the Celebration
Admission to the Chinatown Dragon Boat Festival 2025 is free, though workshop participation requires ticketed entry. This year’s event embodies the festival’s spirit as a true celebration of culture, celebration and community. For the full programme and updates, visit Chinatown Singapore’s Facebook page.
