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If you have ever wondered how a tiny island nation became one of the world’s busiest ports, Singapore HeritageFest 2026 is your chance to find out.

Now in its 23rd edition, the festival runs from 1 to 24 May 2026 and is organised for the first time by HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board. This year’s theme focuses squarely on maritime heritage, exploring how trade, migration, coastal communities, and seafaring traditions have shaped modern Singapore.

With over 100 programmes spread across the island, from experiential theatre on actual bumboats to restricted-access port terminal tours, there is plenty to fill your May calendar. Here is our curated guide to the standout experiences worth booking, plus practical advice to help you plan.

This Year’s Theme: “Sail the Currents that Shape Us”

Singapore’s identity has always been tied to the sea. The festival’s tagline captures this deep connection, inviting visitors to trace how centuries of maritime activity have influenced everything from food and faith to language and livelihoods.

Festival Director Qazim Karim notes that the programmes are designed to be collaborative and multi-perspective, meaning you will encounter stories told by community partners, heritage practitioners, and the voices of those who lived and worked along Singapore’s historic waterfronts.

Headline Programmes: The Ones You Should Book First

Some programmes are ticketed and expected to fill up quickly. Here are the absolute highlights to prioritise.

A Bump Through Time: Theatrical Bumboat Experience

This is the festival’s most talked-about debut. “A Bump Through Time” is an immersive theatre performance that takes place on a moving bumboat cruising the Singapore River between Clarke Quay and Marina Bay.

Two actors portraying a boatman and a port official guide you through the river’s history, recreating the sights and sounds of its trading heyday. Expect interactive elements: participants may get pulled into live auctions or be asked to help a “customs officer” identify suspicious vessels. It is part history lesson, part performance, and unique to this year’s festival.

♥ Where: Singapore River (Clarke Quay to Marina Bay)

♥ Ticketed: Yes, paid. Tickets available from 22 April.

♥ Payment: SG Culture Pass credits are accepted for this programme.

Port of Dreams: Roving Theatre at Clifford Pier

Set against the grand backdrop of The Fullerton Bay Hotel and historic Clifford Pier, this roving theatrical experience takes audiences across different eras of port life, from the 1930s to the present day.

You will move through staged scenes featuring dockworkers, traders, and travellers, offering an intimate glimpse into the human stories behind Singapore’s rise as a global maritime hub. This is one of the more cinematic experiences on the programme.

♥ Where: Clifford Pier and The Fullerton Bay Hotel area

♥ Ticketed: Yes, paid. Tickets available from 22 April.

♥ Payment: SG Culture Pass credits are accepted for this programme.

Tides of Time: Exploring Singapore’s Maritime Story

For those curious about Singapore’s rich maritime history, this guided experience at the Singapore Maritime Gallery offers a deep dive into over a thousand years of seafaring heritage. Organised in collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), this programme is led by dedicated gallery volunteers who bring Singapore’s maritime journey to life.

The tour traces Singapore’s evolution from ancient trading vessels to today’s sophisticated global supply chains. You will hear about world-changing events, including how the 1603 Santa Catarina incident off Singapore’s shores became a pivotal moment that influenced modern international maritime law. The gallery also features rare archaeological artefacts from shipwrecks that reveal Singapore’s crucial role in regional trade long before colonial times.

As MPA marks its 30th anniversary in 2026, this programme is part of a broader series of maritime heritage activities curated for the festival.

Key Details:

♥ Date: Sunday sessions on 3, 10, 17, and 24 May 2026, plus a Saturday session on 16 May 2026

♥ Time: 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm

♥ Meeting point: Singapore Maritime Gallery, 31 Marina Coastal Drive, Level 2, Marina South Pier, Singapore 018988

♥ Nearest MRT: Marina South Pier Station, Exit B

♥ Tickets: Free but limited; tickets go live on 22 April 2026

♥ Registration: Via Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.sg/e/tides-of-time-exploring-singapores-maritime-story-tickets-1982854425965

More Programmes Worth Exploring

Homeground @ ACM Green: The Festival Village

Returning as the festival’s central hub, Homeground is a waterfront marketplace set up at the Asian Civilisations Museum Green. Across the festival weekends, you will find exhibitions, craft workshops, art installations, and live performances all connected to maritime traditions.

This is also where you can spot Pitta, this year’s official festival mascot. Pitta is a green bird with a yellow crown and red belly. If you find Pitta installations around the island and upload a photo to Instagram tagging @sgheritagefest with the designated hashtag, you can redeem limited-edition festival merchandise at Homeground.

Family-Friendly Activities

Several programmes are designed with children and families in mind. The “Coastal Life: Stories of the Sea” trail combines a Children’s Museum craft workshop with outdoor exploration. Kids can try batik painting of coastal landscapes, then visit sites to hear food stories about laksa and the historic sea villages (kampongs) that once dotted Singapore’s shores.

There is also a Batik Storytelling Workshop where children work with local designers to create fabric art inspired by waves, clouds, and marine life, learning the myths and meanings woven into traditional batik patterns.

Maritime Archaeology and Talks

For those who prefer a quieter experience, the festival has collaborated with the National Library Board on lecture series and showcases. “SHIPPED: Memoirs from Our Maritime World” explores maritime archaeology and the region’s underwater heritage.

Food Heritage Trails and Workshops

Food lovers are not left out. The festival includes spice-making workshops, Jurong Fishery Port tours, and chocolate and cocoa-themed storytelling sessions that trace how globally traded goods end up in local kitchens. Heritage walks linked to maritime deities explore the spiritual traditions that seafaring communities brought to Singapore’s shores.

Pulau Ubin Folklore Tours

For a more rustic experience, guided walks on Pulau Ubin delve into island folklore, traditional fishing practices, and the coastal way of life that persists on one of Singapore’s last remaining kampong islands.

Practical Tips for Festival-Goers

Book Early, Book Fast
Tickets for all programmes open on 22 April 2026 at 12 pm. The headline experiences, especially the PSA terminal tour and “A Bump Through Time,” are expected to sell out quickly. Set a reminder and have your SG Culture Pass credits ready if you are eligible; selected programmes accept this payment method.

Plan Your Transport
Many venues are spread across the island. The PSA tour departs from Marina South Pier MRT, while the bumboat experience runs between Clarke Quay and Marina Bay. Pulau Ubin tours require a short ferry ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Check the festival website for specific venue addresses and factor in travel time between stops.

Dress Smart for Port Tours
If you are attending the PSA terminal tour, note the strict dress code: no open-toed footwear whatsoever. Parts of the tour are air-conditioned, so a light jacket is advisable. You will also need a photo ID that matches your registration details.

Bring the Kids on Weekends
Most family-friendly workshops and the Homeground marketplace operate on weekends. Check the programme schedule on the official website to plan a full day around the ACM Green area.

Look Out for MRT Installations
The festival extends beyond event venues. Maritime-themed installations in MRT stations bring stories into daily commutes, a signature touch that HeritageFest has become known for.

Follow Pitta for Merch
Keep an eye out for Pitta installations around the island. Snap a photo, post to Instagram with the required tags, and collect your limited-edition souvenir at Homeground.

Why This Year’s Festival Matters

Singapore HeritageFest 2026 arrives at a fitting moment. The MPA is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and the maritime industry remains a cornerstone of Singapore’s economy, with 80 per cent of the world’s trade carried by sea. Beyond economics, the festival invites Singaporeans and visitors alike to reconnect with the waterways, coastlines, and harbour communities that have shaped national identity for over 700 years.

Whether you board a bumboat, explore a container terminal, or simply wander through Homeground with a gelato in hand, there is a maritime story waiting to meet you this May.

Tickets and programme registrations open on 22 April 2026 at 12 pm via the official festival website at www.heritage.sg/sgheritagefest. Some programmes are free; others are ticketed with selected experiences eligible for SG Culture Pass credits.