Immerse in Singapore’s multicultural heritage at a three-week festival packed with hands-on workshops, vibrant performances, nostalgic games, and interactive exhibitions.
Experience Singapore’s cultural diversity as Culture Shiok returns for its fourth edition, running from 2 to 24 November 2024 at HomeTeamNS Khatib. This year, we’re celebrating the vibrant heritage of Peranakan, Malay, Indian, and Chinese cultures through the lively themes of Eat, Make, Play, Watch, and Learn. Look forward to a packed schedule of family-friendly activities that bring our shared traditions to life in exciting, hands-on ways.
Participate in workshops where you can create traditional crafts, sample iconic snacks, and relive childhood memories with classic games like flag erasers. Discover exhibitions filled with interactive and photo-worthy elements, and enjoy cultural performances that will get everyone moving to the beat.
The exclusive Culture Shiok Passport is back for HomeTeamNS members! Collect all nine stamps across three categories — workshops, performances, and food — answer a few simple questions about the exhibitions and earn a complimentary pass to the popular indoor playground T-Play or the exhilarating Adventure HQ!
Culture Shiok Passport stamps can only be redeemed on Culture Shiok weekends, from 10am to 6pm; and three of the stamps can only be collected on 10 and 23 November 2024.
Explore Singapore’s cultural richness through creative activities that bring traditions to life.
Channel your creativity by painting a Chinese opera mask, learning about the characters and stories from these colourful street performances introduced by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century.
Next, discover the beauty of Kolam through an interactive two-part workshop. First learn to draw intricate traditional patterns by hand, connecting dots that transform into captivating shapes. Then, apply your newfound skills to create a personalised Rangoli design card that you can take home.
Explore Malay tradition with Bunga Rampai (“assorted flowers”), a fragrant floral potpourri given to guests on special occasions. Assemble your own scented medley and appreciate the symbolism of purity and goodwill that this tradition embodies.
Finally, celebrate Peranakan heritage by painting pre-printed tiles inspired by vibrant motifs in neighbourhoods like Katong. These distinctive patterns capture the unique identity of Singapore’s Peranakan community, offering a glimpse into its rich history and influence.
Registration for workshops opens from 2 November 2024. Tickets are priced at $5 per pax for HomeTeamNS members and $10 per pax for non-HomeTeamNS members. Prices are inclusive of 9% GST.
Music and dance are key parts of our diverse heritage, with each culture bringing its own instruments and styles. Enjoy free, vibrant performances at Culture Shiok at the HomeTeamNS Khatib Thoroughfare.
Be mesmerised by the soothing melodies of the guzheng, a traditional Chinese string instrument as performed by the talented team from Eight Tones Music.
Feel the energy of Sangam, a lively modern Indian dance blending classical, folk, and Bollywood genres, performed by dance troupe NUS Naach.
Then, experience the charm of Malay music with Akustiq’s acoustic renditions of popular songs, featuring the gambus (a fretless lute) and rebana (a tambourine used in devotional music), showcasing the beauty and versatility of traditional Malay instruments.
Food is central to Singapore’s culture, and Culture Shiok offers a taste of tradition with nostalgic snacks and sweet treats from our multi-ethnic heritage.
Sample the traditional ang ku kueh, a bright red Chinese pastry filled with mung bean paste. Known as “red turtle cake” in Hokkien, its vibrant colour, chewy texture, and symbolism of longevity and fortune makes it a favourite at celebrations.
Delight in the delicate putu mayam, or string hoppers — a rare treat nowadays. Watch as fresh rice flour noodles are prepared at a live station, served with grated coconut and jaggery for a sweet, traditional Indian treat.
Indulge in ondeh ondeh, soft green coconut-coated spheres with a burst of molten gula melaka inside. In Malay culture, this snack represents family togetherness and unity, adding sweetness to festive gatherings.
Finally, try kueh pie tee, a Peranakan favourite featuring crispy pastry cups filled with braised turnips, vegetables, and prawns, topped with tangy sauce. This savoury treat reflects Singapore’s blended heritage, influenced by Malay, Chinese, and colonial flavours.
Snacks are free for HomeTeamNS members. Simply show your digital card to redeem. Non-members can enjoy these treats with a minimum $8 spend at any outlets in the HomeTeamNS Khatib clubhouse.
Remember the fun of playing games like hopscotch, flag erasers, five stones, and congkak with friends at school? Take a trip down memory lane with daily free play of these popular childhood games — no form teacher here to confiscate your ‘prizes’ this time!
Challenge your agility with hopscotch, making sure to avoid hopping into the square with an item in it. Battle for victory in Flag Erasers by flipping or nudging your rubber rectangle onto your opponent’s. Then, test your strategy in congkak as you aim to collect the most “seeds”, or see how well your hands fare in tossing and catching Five Stones.
Between workshops, performances, food, and games, take a moment to explore the interactive exhibitions — a great way for all ages to learn more about Singapore’s heritage. These fun 3D installations also make fantastic photo spots for family pictures.
Deliciously Singaporean by the National Heritage Board showcases five pushcarts tracing the journey of Singapore’s street food, from humble roadside stalls to modern-day favourites. Through photos, artifacts, and interactive stations, the exhibition celebrates Singapore’s rich culinary heritage that unites us across cultures.
Explore universal values at The Good Hood: Where Values Come Home by the Singapore Chinese Culture Centre. This mini cityscape introduces values like filial piety, kindness, and perseverance through charming characters and interactive stories inspired by cultures worldwide.
Finally, visit Tiny Island, Many Stories by the Malay Heritage Centre for folklore from the Nusantara (Malay World) and Singapore. Dive into folktales and ponder questions about Singapore’s history, like whether Sang Nila Utama truly saw a lion — or perhaps a tiger. Traditional artifacts, such as the ceremonial dagger Keris, add depth to these fascinating narratives.
Join us at HomeTeamNS Khatib this November for Culture Shiok. Create unforgettable memories, while celebrating Singapore’s diverse heritage together with family and friends. Don’t miss out on this unique cultural journey!
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