Step Back in Time: The Five Footway Festival 2025 Celebrates Chinatown’s Rich Heritage

Five Footway Festival

From 14 to 23 March 2025, the Chinatown Business Association proudly presents the fourth edition of the Five Footway Festival, a vibrant celebration of Singapore’s iconic five-footways and the rich heritage of Chinatown. The festival offers an immersive experience that will take visitors on a journey through the past, where they can explore the history, culture, and traditions that have shaped this dynamic district. With a host of new and exciting activities, the Five Footway Festival in Singapore promises to captivate the hearts and minds of all who attend.

As Ms. Lim Yick Suan, Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Association, shared, “The Five Footways of Chinatown are more than just physical spaces – they are a living testament to the rich heritage, resilience, and spirit of the community that have shaped Singapore, especially as we celebrate SG60 this year.” This year’s festival provides an opportunity to explore Chinatown’s vibrant past through engaging cultural experiences, offering a chance to immerse oneself in the sights, sounds, and tastes that bring Chinatown’s history to life.

Walk Through Chinatown’s Storied Past

One of the highlights of the festival is the Chinatown Theatrical Tour – Letter Writer’s Lament, a storytelling experience that transports participants back to the 1940s. Led by the award-winning Let’s Go Tour, this journey follows the life of Ace Wan, a young immigrant who became a Chinese letter writer. Through a blend of theatre and history, visitors will relive the struggles and hopes of early immigrants, retracing their steps along the bustling five-footways where they once gathered.

For a deeper dive into Chinatown’s past, Under One Roof offers an immersive guided tour at the Chinatown Heritage Centre. This experience provides a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Chinatown’s early residents, where the centre recreates the interiors of 1950s homes and workshops. Visitors will step into a world of family life and traditional crafts, learning about the trades and customs that defined this iconic community.

Another exciting walking tour, The OG Hustlers, takes visitors through the heart of Chinatown’s bustling five-footways, uncovering the stories of pioneers who turned these narrow paths into thriving hubs of trade. Along the way, participants will visit century-old establishments like Pek Sin Choon, Singapore’s oldest tea merchant, and the beloved Cantonese pastry shop, Tong Heng. These family-run businesses continue to preserve the traditions of Chinatown, providing a living connection to the past.

For those who wish to explore beyond the heart of Chinatown, the Hey Bukit Pasoh! tour offers a fascinating look at this charming enclave. Visitors will discover hidden gems, including The Pioneers’ Memorial Hall and the iconic filming locations of Crazy Rich Asians, where the past and present of Singapore’s heritage come alive.

Cultural Performances that Bring Chinatown to Life

Five Footway Festival

Throughout the festival, Smith Street will come alive with a dazzling array of cultural performances. The streets will be filled with the graceful movements of traditional lion dancers from renowned troupes, including the Singapore Tian Eng Dragon & Lion Dance Centre and the Singapore Hok San Association. Visitors will also be treated to a captivating performance of Face Changing (变脸), as well as Chinese music featuring traditional instruments like the guzheng and pipa.

One of the festival’s highlights is the Hand Puppet Show: The Tiger Hero, presented by the bilingual Paper Monkey Theatre. Inspired by the classic Chinese novel The Water Margin, this thrilling tale follows the heroic Wu Song as he faces off with a ferocious tiger. The show is a perfect blend of traditional Chinese hand puppetry and modern theatrical techniques.

Opera lovers will delight in the performances of Beijing Opera and Teochew Opera, showcasing captivating storytelling, elegant movements, and rich musical heritage. These performances highlight the depth and vibrancy of traditional Chinese art forms, providing a window into the cultural traditions of Chinatown’s Chinese community.

Interactive Workshops for a Hands-On Cultural Experience

The Five Footway Festival also offers a chance for visitors to dive deeper into Chinatown’s heritage through a range of interactive workshops. Food lovers can participate in the Kaya Making Workshop, where they will learn the art of crafting traditional Gula Melaka Kaya, a sweet coconut spread that is a beloved part of Singaporean cuisine. Another popular workshop, the Ang Ku Kueh Masterclass, teaches participants how to create these iconic red pastries, a symbol of prosperity in Chinese culture.

Five Footway Festival

For those eager to explore more of Chinatown’s culinary traditions, the Teochew Png Kueh Masterclass offers a chance to learn how to make savory glutinous rice cakes, while the Egg Huat Kueh workshop teaches participants how to make the traditional prosperity cake. The Chinese Kung Fu Tea Workshop provides an in-depth look at the cultural significance of tea, where attendees will learn the traditional methods of brewing and serving various types of Chinese tea.

For a unique artistic experience, visitors can take part in the Sights & Sounds of Chinese Opera workshop, which offers an exploration into Cantonese Opera through live demonstrations and an excerpt from a traditional performance. Attendees can also enjoy a soothing Chinese tea experience as part of the workshop.

Those interested in traditional crafts can try their hand at making Bamboo Pinwheels or Bamboo Windchimes, while the Plate Spinning Experiential Workshop invites visitors to learn the fundamentals of this entertaining art form.

A Festival for All to Enjoy

The Five Footway Festival 2025 is more than just a celebration of Chinatown’s heritage – it is a chance for visitors to connect with the vibrant community that has shaped Singapore into the global city it is today. In collaboration with Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, the festival will showcase an exhibition entitled The Warmth and Bustle of The Five-Footway, which explores the history of the five-footways, shedding light on the trades, occupations, and recreational activities that have been central to Chinatown’s identity.

Along Smith Street, visitors can enjoy a Mini Food & Retail Bazaar, a Street Scene Photo Booth, and nostalgic traditional games like pick-up sticks, five stones, and marbles. The festival also offers insightful talks on topics like The Beauty of the Hokkien Language and traditional Chinese medicine, covering health topics such as cholesterol levels and eye health.

Admission to the Five Footway Festival is free, with tickets available for selected workshops through Peatix. For more details on the festival and the complete program lineup, visitors can visit Chinatown Singapore’s official website.

The Five Footway Festival 2025 is not just a celebration of Chinatown’s past – it is a living, breathing experience that invites everyone to explore, learn, and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of this iconic district.