You know what is great about Singapore? It is a melting pot of cultures. Yes I know what you are thinking…
“oh man that is such a cliche statement!”
The reason why Singapore has so many different cultures living together harmoniously is not by chance. It is a concerted effort by the various groups of people from different races and religions coming together in celebration.
“ok, celebrate what?”
Well, I look forward to Hari Raya. It is a time when I order my customary Hari Raya goodies from Mdm Ling or visit the Hari Raya Bazaars. In comparison, I do not order Chinese New Year goodies and I do not visit the Chinese New Year bazaars. Oh and I am Chinese. If you have not figured out.
And guess what. My favourite comfort food is prata and naan.
So perhaps I somewhat epitomise what it is to be a Singaporean.
There is this event that is happening this weekend. From the 6th to 8th of December 2024. It is organised by the Asian Civilisations Museum. I believe it is generally free but there are ticketed activities as well.
Here is the Media Factsheet provided to us…
Crossing Cultures at ACM: FESTIVE WEEKEND
Friday-Sunday, 6-8 December 2024
4pm-9pm
Asian Civilisations Museum
Free and ticketed activities available
Join us for a festive weekend at the museum to celebrate the year’s end! Enjoy upbeat performances, wine and dining workshops, and celebrations inspired by Asian traditions.
For more details, visit www.nhb.gov.sg/acm/whats-on/programmes/2024-cc-dec-festive-weekend
About Crossing Cultures at ACM
Taking inspiration from objects in the galleries, Crossing Cultures explores ACM’s collection through performing arts, craftsmanship, food traditions, wellness practices, and other aspects of intangible cultural heritage – past and present. Dive deep into Asia’s rich heritage with these special weekend programmes. Learn, explore, and create with us at ACM.
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES
Join us for upbeat, festive performances at the ACM Green. Pack a picnic and join in the fun!
Bhangra Beats with Joshiley Bhangra
Friday & Saturday, 6 & 7 December 2024
7pm
ACM Green
Free admission
Join us at the ACM Green for an exciting performance by Joshiley Bhangra! Get ready for celebratory drumbeats, high-energy dance moves, and thrilling stunts!
Originally performed at harvest festivals in Punjab, bhangra has evolved into an energetic and vibrant dance form that has gained worldwide popularity, appearing at celebrations across the globe.
About Joshiley Bhangra
Founded in 2007, Joshiley Bhangra is a group of passionate dancers with performing arts experience both locally and internationally. The name Joshiley represents the high energy in their dance acts.
Rhythms & Rhymes: Dikir Barat with Kelana Purba
Saturday & Sunday, 7 & 8 December 2024
6pm
ACM Green
Free admission
Immerse yourself in the rhythms and harmonies of dikir barat. This captivating choral and percussion ensemble celebrates culture, unity, and expression, performed by award-winning troupe, Kelana Purba.
About Kelana Purba
Established in 1990, Kelana Purba is one of the most recognised dikir baratgroups in Singapore. Known for merging traditional elements with modern creativity, their dynamic performances have earned them prestige, especially within the Malay community. Their dedication to the art form and commitment to nurturing future generations have made them a beloved name in the dikir barat scene.
Pulse of Festivity with ZingO Festival Drum Group
Sunday 8 December 2024
7pm
ACM Green
Free admission
The Spring Festival is one of the most important Chinese festivals, marking the beginning of Chinese New Year and the first day of Spring, called Li Chun (立春). The drum, one of the oldest musical instruments, is traditionally used in ceremonies of prayer to the heavens. It is said that the sky is a drum, and its sound is thunder.
Join the ZingO Festival Drum Group for a thunderous performance and experience the vibrant rhythms of a traditional Chinese drum performance.
About ZingO Festival Drum Group
Established in 2004, ZingO means “People Awaken from Hibernation!”. Recognised as Singapore’s leading drum group, Zingo was awarded the Most Outstanding Performance at Chingay 2023 and the 5-Star Festive Drum Heritage Beholder award in 2024 by the Association of Festive Drum Malaysia.
DROP-IN ACTIVITIES
Participate in free drop-in activities or enjoy the extended gallery hours until 9pm.
Trivia Night: Festive Edition hosted by stand-up comedian Rishi Budhrani
Friday, 6 December 2024
7.30pm-9pm River Room
$10 refundable deposit/participant,
Limited walk-in tickets are available
Register here: https://trivianightfestiveedition.peatix.com
Join us for a night of challenging trivia at the museum, hosted by stand-up comedian Rishi Budhrani! Test your general knowledge and tackle bonus rounds on festive traditions and highlights from ACM’s collections. Winners will take home attractive prizes – and, of course, bragging rights!
Bring your friends or join fellow solo participants to form a team of 4 players. Feel free to bring your own food and beverages!
About Rishi Budhrani
After being fired from his father’s tailoring business, Rishi used all that leftover material to break into comedy, gaining recognition locally and globally. Creator of online news satire series The Rishi Report, he became the first Singaporean comedian to perform at The Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. Rishi also hosted an award-winning travel series Unexpected Journeys, and completed his one-man improvised comedic dramedy, Can I Make You a Suit, Mate?.
Filipino Christmas Corner with the Filipino Association of Singapore
Saturday & Sunday, 7 & 8 December 2024 4pm-8pm
ACM Lobby, Level 1
Free admission
Learn about the festive traditions of the Filipino community in our cultural immersion corner!
*Sample traditional Christmas rice cakes called Bibingka, try decorating parols (decorative Christmas lanterns from the Philippines), and make your own sustainable carolling instruments – perfect for festive singalong!
Limited quantities available daily; while supplies last.
About the Filipino Association of Singapore Established in 1937, the Filipino Association of Singapore is the oldest Philippine organisation in Singapore. It strengthens and promotes the integration of the Filipino community within Singapore’s multicultural and racially diverse society
Christmas Carolling with the PsalmiDeo Chorale
Sunday, 8 December 2024 5.30pm
ACM Lobby, Level 1
Free admission
Join Singapore-based Filipino choir, PsalmiDeo Chorale, for a community singing session of festive favourites.
Festive Pagoda Corner
Friday-Sunday, 6-8 December 2024 4pm-9pm
ACM Lobby, Level 1
Free admission
Add a festive touch to paper pagoda models! Decorate your own mini pagoda or contribute to a collaborative community display.
FESTIVE WORKSHOPS
Learn various ways to celebrate and create some festive cheer!
Tea Party: Kueh-making Workshop with Kueh Ho Jiak
Saturday, 7 December 2024 4pm-5.30pm
Discovery Room, Basement
$15 per participant
Register here: https://kuehmakingworkshop.peatix.com
Join this hands-on workshop with Kueh Ho Jiak and learn to make sweet potato ang ku kueh from scratch! Pair it with a yuzu drink for a perfect high tea party with your friends and family!
This activity is conducted by a halal-certified vendor.
Eurasian Cuisine: Demonstration & Dinner with Chef Quentin Pereira
Saturday, 7 December 2024 6pm
River Room, Level 2
$18 per participant
Register here: https://eurasiancuisinedemodinner.peatix.com
Join Chef Quentin Pereira for an exclusive cooking demonstration of curry debal, a signature Eurasian dish traditionally served at Christmas. Learn to prepare this rich, flavourful curry while discovering the cultural heritage behind it. The session concludes with an authentic Eurasian dinner spread – a night of culinary heritage and delicious flavours await!
This ticketed event includes a cooking demonstration and a buffet dinner. It is not hosted by a halal-certified vendor, and dietary restrictions may not be accommodated.
About Chef Quentin Pereira
Chef Quentin Pereira, founder and executive chef of Quentin’s Singapore, is one of the leading figures in preserving and promoting Eurasian cuisine in Singapore. His dedication to authenticity and tradition has earned him recognition both locally and internationally, including praise from the President of Singapore and visiting diplomats. Quentin’s Singapore has become a culinary hub for those seeking to experience the rich heritage of Eurasian dishes, many of which have been passed down through generations.
Festive Ornament Workshop with Tinysnips
Sunday, 8 December 2024
4pm-5.30pm
Discovery Room, Basement
$12 per participant Register here:
https://festiveornamentworkshop.peatix.com
Get into the festive spirit with a special hands on workshop by Tinysnips, where you will learn the art of miniatures and create ACM-inspired miniatures. To make it even more special, take home your creations in a bauble for the festive season!
About Tinysnips
Tinysnips is an art studio in Singapore specialising in custom handmade miniatures, created by founder Rui. The studio celebrates the art of handcrafting while promoting Singaporean food, design, culture, and heritage. Through their workshops, they invite participants to explore their creativity, sharing their knowledge and passion for handmade art.
Celebratory Cocktail Workshop with Native
Sunday, 8 December 2024
6pm-7.30pm
Discovery Room, Basement
$18 per participant Age restrictions apply
Register here: https://celebratorycocktailworkshop.peatix.com
Join us for a festive cocktail workshop led by expert mixologists from Native. This hands-on session will explore seasonal cocktails with an Asian twist. You will explore various festive ingredients and cocktail-making techniques and learn how to use garnishes to elevate the drinking experience. Whether you are a cocktail enthusiast or a beginner, this workshop is the perfect way to celebrate in style.
About Native Bar
Native is a homegrown culinary concept that occupies a three storey shophouse on Amoy Street – a restaurant on the first floor, cocktail bar on the second, and fermentation lab on the third. Their philosophy emphasises local and regional ingredients while searching for a balance between the familiar and the unknown.
Festive Weekend Thematic Tours
Sat and Sun, 7–8 Dec
5–6pm
Meeting Point at Lobby
$10 refundable deposit; register on Peatix
Register here: https://festiveweekendtours.peatix.com
Explore the ACM galleries with thematic tours led by the museum docents.
– 7 Dec, 5pm: Wine & Dining Objects
– 8 Dec, 5pm: Christianity in Asia
ABOUT THE ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM
The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is Singapore’s national museum of Asian antiquities and decorative art. As the only museum in Asia with a pan-Asian scope, ACM is devoted to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia through our outstanding collection of masterpieces, and through ground-breaking special exhibitions. Opened in 1997 and in its present building by the Singapore River since 2003, the museum traces its roots to the Raffles Museum, founded in the mid-19th century. ACM focuses on the many historical connections between cultures and civilisations in Asia, and between Asia and the world.
ACM presents the history and art history of Asia through the lens of Singapore as a cosmopolitan Asian port city – connecting people and cultures in Asia and beyond. ACM celebrates Asian aesthetic, craft, and imagination through four broad, cross-cultural, and pan-Asian themes – Maritime Trade, Faith and Belief, Materials and Design, and Peranakan heritage and culture.
For more information, visit www.acm.org.sg or follow the museum on Facebook (@asiancivilisationsmuseum) and lnstagram (@acm sg).
