Usher in the Year of the Ox at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s Lunar New Year celebrations!
Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2021 presents an exciting line-up of family-friendly offerings such as lion dance and festive drum workshops, heritage walking trails, and craft activities for the little ones. The memorial hall’s annual thematic installation, Double Prosperity, also promise to make for great photo moments with friends and family this festive season.
Online programmes will also be available on the memorial hall’s Facebook page. Fans can learn hacks on how to huat their homes to usher in the new year, the dos and don’ts when it comes to watching a lion dance performance, as well as a step by step demonstration on how to make fried nian gao, a sweet rice cake made from glutinous rice flour. Children can find out more about the story of the Ox and characteristics of the zodiac.
Programmes
Festive Installation: Double Prosperity (Supported by Blackbox)
- Date: 5 January – 28 February 2021
- Time: 10.00am - 7.00pm (daily)
A collaboration between the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and artists Tan Yizi and Lee Hsieh-Lung of Blackbox, a design and collectible label based in Chengdu, China, Double Prosperity is an outdoor installation featuring two large 'Foo Dou' Guardian Lions. It comprises one male guardian lion with its paw on an embroidered ball and one female guardian lion restraining a playful cub. Traditionally installed in front of imperial Chinese palaces to protect the buildings and their residents, these guardian lions can also be found in other parts of Asia including Japan, Korea, Tibet, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos and Singapore.
Double Prosperity reiterates the belief that ‘good things come in pairs’ and serves as an expression of the memorial hall’s wish for protection against the trials and tribulations brought about by Covid-19, and for ‘double’ blessings in the form of economic recovery for Singapore and personal protection for Singaporeans against Covid-19 and future challenges. It also embodies our hope for more prosperous years to come, and gives thanks as we enter Phase 3 of Singapore’s circuit breaker period. The installation will be on display on the lawn of the memorial hall from 5 January to 28 February 2021, from 10.00am to 7.00pm daily.
Lunar New Year Red Packet Giveaway (Supported by National Heritage Board)
- Date: 21 January – 10 February 2021
- Time: 10.00am - .00pm (closed on Monday)
Calling all ang pow collectors – the Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Collection returns with exclusive red packet designs for its participating museums and galleries! Starting from 1 February, visitors who ‘Follow’ the memorial hall’s Facebook page will be able to receive one set of limited edition red packets, whilst stocks last. Visit all 32 participating museums and galleries to complete your collection! For more information on redemption terms and conditions, visit www.museums.com.sg
Balestier Heritage Trail
- Date: 20 February 2021
- Time: 10.30am – 11.30am; 11.30am – 12.30pm
- Admission: $5.00 each. Purchase tickets here
Behind every business lies a treasure trove of stories we don't often think about when we drop by the neighbourhood tau sar piah shop, or dabao our favourite chicken rice. Embark on our best-selling Balestier Heritage Trail to uncover the rich history and origins of Balestier from as early as 1835. Delve into the architectural and cultural developments of Balestier as you visit heritage stops such as Loy Kee Chicken Rice and Lam Yeo Coffee Powder Factory, and discover the unknown stories behind these places.
Children’s Lion Dance Workshop (Supported by Martial House)
- Date: 20 – 21 February 2021
- Time: 11.00am – 12.00pm
- Admission: $10 per pair. Purchase tickets here.
Recommended for children aged 5 years and above.
Lion dance performances are a common sight in Singapore during festive occasions, as they are believed to be bearers of good luck. Get into the festive spirit with this interactive children’s lion dance workshop that promises unforgettable fun for the whole family! Limber up with a series of full-body stretches, learn basic dance movements from expert instructors, have fun trying on miniature lion dance costumes, and discover the origins behind this well-loved artform.
Festive Chinese Drums Workshop (Supported by Martial House)
- Date: 20 – 21 February 2021
- Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
- Admission: $10 per pair. Purchase tickets here.
Recommended for children aged 5 years and above.
Dong dong chiang, it’s time to celebrate Lunar New Year! Drum up a storm in this energetic musical workshop – team up with your child and learn basic drumming techniques used for Chinese percussion instruments and experience a variety of rhythms and beats.
Craft Station: Zodiac Animal Coaster Painting
- Date: 20 February 2021
- Time: 11.00am – 11.30am; 12.00pm – 12.30pm; 1.00pm – 1.30pm; 2.00pm – 2.30pm; 3.00pm – 3.30pm
- Admission: $Free registration. Reserve tickets here
Are you a fearless dragon, a docile rabbit, or even a charming snake? Have some fun designing your very own zodiac coaster in this hands-on craft station, and never worry about leaving unsightly water marks on your coffee table again!
Craft Station: Zodiac Animal Clay Painting
- Date: 21 February 2021
- Time: 11.00am – 11.30am; 12.00pm – 12.30pm; 1.00pm – 1.30pm; 2.00pm – 2.30pm; 3.00pm – 3.30pm
- Admission: $Free registration. Reserve tickets here
Create your very own zodiac charm in this interactive craft station! Select your favourite zodiac animal clay figurine and express your creativity with our selection of colourful paints. Use your new charm as a paperweight or simply as a piece of festive décor!
Permanent Galleries Guided Tour
- Date: 20 – 21 February 2021
- Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Chinese); 3.00pm – 4.00pm (English)
- Admission: No registration
Join us for a guided tour of Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and hear the stories behind this century-old villa that trace Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia. Gain valuable insights on the impact of the 1911 Revolution on Singapore, as well as Singapore’s contributions to the Revolution.
Image Credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Age
3+
Price
Free
Telephone number
+65 6256 7377
Links
Address
Singapore12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874
How to get there?
By Bus
Bus service nos. 21, 130, 131, 139, 139M, 145, 186 (to alight at Zhongshan Mall)
Bus service nos. 139, 139M: Opp EASB (to alight at East Asia Institute of Management)
By Train
Toa Payoh Station (NS19)
Take bus service nos. 139, 145 from Toa Payoh Bus Interchange (to alight at Zhongshan Park)
Novena Station (NS20)
Take bus service nos. 21, 131 from Novena Church (to alight at Zhongshan Park)
Alternatively, the Memorial Hall is a 20 minute walk from Toa Payoh Station (NS19) or Novena Station (NS20)
By Car
Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), from Changi Aiport towards Tuas
Take Exit 17 (Balestier Road/Thomson Road/Upper Thomson Road) onto Jalan Datoh. Turn left at Balestier Road, then turn left at Ah Hood Road.
Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), from Tuas towards Changi Airport
Take Exit 17D (Thomson Road/Toa Payoh) onto Jalan Toa Payoh. Turn right to stay on Thomson Road. Turn left to Balestier Road, then turn left at Ah Hood Road.
Parking
The Memorial Hall does not offer parking spaces. Visitors may park at Zhongshan Mall, HomeTeamNS-JOM Clubhouse, or Ah Hood Gardens housing estate.