Dumpling Festival, also known as Dragon Boat Festival or Duan Wu (“double fifth”) Jie, is an important festival for Chinese communities around the world. Festive practices associated with Dumpling Festival include the sport of dragon boat racing, the consumption of dumplings, as well as the hanging of charms and pouches filled with herbs to ward off insects in the summer heat of the fifth lunar month.
Organised by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, Wan Qing Dumpling Festival 2018 presents an exciting weekend of offerings including dumpling making sessions, craft workshops, dramatized storytelling and evening music performances ranging from the traditional to the contemporary. Join us at Wan Qing Dumpling Festival 2018 to learn more about the history and cultural significance of this much-loved festival!
Activities are free unless otherwise stated.
Make Your Own Dumplings!
Learn to make glutinous rice dumplings the traditional way at the Memorial Hall this Dumpling Festival. Stuff, wrap and tie your own dumplings, and be treated to delicious bak zhang!
Date: 16 & 17 June
2018
Time: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Admission: Available on a first-come, first-served basis
“Little Carp’s Adventure” Heritage Hunt @ SYSNMH
(by ITE College Central)
The dragon gate is waiting for you to accept the challenge! Test your resilience as the "Little Carp" and brave through the hurdles for your chance to become a legendary dragon! Learn important values from a well-known Chinese legend and discover the auspicious meanings of fishes in Chinese culture through this treasure hunt.
Date: 16 & 17 June
2018
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Admission: Free. Register here.
Festive Fun: Creative Sand Art
Get messy and have some fun at our drop-in sand art workshop, and create colourful masterpieces using our adorable festive templates!
Date: 16 June
2018
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Festive Fun: Kite Painting
Let your imagination soar! Design your very own paper kite, adorned with stencils of dumplings and dragons. Don’t forget to use bright colours to let your masterpiece stand out from the rest.
Date: 17 June
2018
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Under the Sea: Stories for Children
(Supported by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin Campaign)
Discover the legends and myths of fishes in Chinese culture in our interactive storytelling sessions conducted by local authors and veteran storytellers! Each session will feature a different story and craft activity.
Date: 16 & 17 June
2018
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm (English); 5:30pm – 6:30pm (Chinese)
#InstaWorthy 3D Photowall
Say ‘cheese’! Snap unlimited pics with our friendly dragon and dumpling mascots and get your free photo printouts at our #InstaWorthy 3D Photowall.
Date: 16 & 17 June 2018
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Festive Activity Booths
Collect your activity passport at our Reception Desk and try your hand at our activities booths to win a mystery prize! Activities include miniature clay figurine, fishing frenzy game, traditional ice cream, dragon’s breath candy, and a ‘live’ Betta splenden (Siamese fighting fish) contest.
Date: 16 & 17 June 2018
Time: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Roving Balloon Artist
Fancy yourself a colourful crown, sword, or flower? Spot our roving balloon artist and bring home a festival souvenir!
Date: 16 & 17 June 2018
Time: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Balestier Heritage & Food Trail
Uncover the history of Balestier and embark on the Balestier Heritage & Food Trail to explore heritage sites and sample delicious local delights along the way.
Date: 16 June 2018
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Admission: $5.00 (includes bottled water and a traditional snack). Registration required. Available in English or Mandarin.
Beauty of Betta Photography Workshop with Visarute Angkatavanich (by Nikon)
Join us for an enriching morning with Nikon Thailand photographer, Visarute Angkatavanich. Commercial photographer, Visarute is best known for his striking images of the Siamese fighting fish. In this one-off session, learn and watch him shoot these ferocious fishes.
Date: 16 June 2018
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
Admission: Free. Register here.
Meet & Greet: Visarute Angkatavanich
Betta Paradiso: The Art of Siamese Fighting Fish features a collection of commercial photographer Visarute Angkatavanich’s striking images of the Siamese fighting fish. Purchase your copy of Betta Paradiso and have it signed by Visarute during this exclusive meet and greet session.
Date: 16 June 2018
Time: 11:30am – 12:00pm
Introduction to Portrait Photography Workshop (by Nikon)
Learn tips and tricks on how to shoot SNS-worthy pictures of your family from professional photographer, Kai Tan. In this workshop, you will pick up tricks of the trade to capture that precious moment and put them to the test thereafter.
Date: 16 June 2018
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Admission: Free. Register here.
Interactive Craft Workshop by River Valley High School
Join us in this interactive programme and learn more about the value of resilience as displayed by our Chinese pioneers.
Bring back your very own origami carp at the end of the session!
Date: 16 – 17 June 2018
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Admission: Free.
Chinese Fan Painting Workshop
Have fun painting your own fan in this Chinese painting workshop and learn more about the auspicious meanings of various fish symbols in Chinese culture.
Date: 17 June 2018
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Admission: Free.
Breeding Bettas: Caring for Siamese Fighting Fish (by iBetta)
In conjunction with SYSNMH’s “Beauty of Betta” photography exhibition, the Memorial Hall is proud to join hands with iBetta to present a sharing session on Betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish). Join this free talk to learn more on how to properly breed and care for these magnificent fishes.
Date: 17 June 2018
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
Evening Concert
Experience wonder and delight in this dynamic showcase of cultural and contemporary arts! Performances include LED dragon dance, stand-up comedy show, Abracadabra! magic show, chinese acrobatic performances, Chinese drums, live music performances and more.
Date: 16 & 17 June 2018
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm