National Museum of Singapore

Original Building

Building, 1887

The front block of the museum building dates back to 1887. It features an elegant neo-Palladian design, a European style of architecture characterised by a highly symmetrical façade and the use of pediments above windows.

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Deepavali celebrations
Deepavali celebrations

Deepavali 2019

19 Oct 2019
Various Venues
11am – 5pm
Free Admission
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with us at the National Museum of Singapore! Enjoy melodic tunes presented by our performers, learn about the significance of rangoli during Deepavali through a special workshop and create a keepsake to take home with you! Plus, don't miss this opportunity to catch our latest special exhibition An Old New World!
Youth Craft

Drop-in Craft Activity
11am – 5pm | Gallery Theatre Foyer, Basement Level

Design your own fabric with block prints, using Indian-inspired motifs and designs.

For visitors of all ages. While stocks last. Last admission at 4.50pm.

Tour by MV

Tour by Museum Volunteers
11am, 1pm, 2pm and 4pm | Meeting Point: Rotunda, Level 1

In this tour by our Museum Volunteers, learn about the stories and artefacts presented in our galleries which includes items related to the Indian community.

 

Rangoli

Rangoli Workshop by ACE Seniors
10.30am - 11.30am | Glass Atrium, Level 2

Rangoli, also known as Indian courtyard painting or floor art, is an art form in which patterns are drawn on the floor using materials such as coloured rice, sago, sand, and dry rice flour. Hear from renowned rangoli artist, Vijaya Mohan, about this special art form and join her in creating a special rangoli inspired by plants and animals found in the museum's prized William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings!

About the Artist
Vijaya Mohan is a renowned rangoli artist who holds the Guinness World Record and 28 Singapore Book of Records. She has drawn over 10,000 rangolis in Singapore, and has actively promoted this traditional Indian art form in Singapore over the past 20 years.

Oyilattam

Oyilattam Dance Appreciation
1.30pm, 3.45pm, 4.30pm | Gallery Theatre Foyer, Basement

In this special presentation, dancers perform Oyilattam to melodic Deepavali tunes. This elegant folk number which is usually held during festivals and important occasions, features dancers using handkerchiefs as part of the dance. Visitors are invited to participate using unique fabrics they have designed at the drop-in craft stations.

LSOH Sea of Cloth


A Lighter Side of History: Sea of Cloth – The Journey of Sari to Singapore
Sat, 19 October | Two show timings at 2pm – 4pm or 7pm – 9pm | The Salon, Level 1

As part of the Singapore Bicentennial commemorations, the non-profit organisation Singapore Indian Theatre & Film Explorers (SITFE) will be staging a cross-disciplinary production, titled SEA OF CLOTH – The Journey of Sari to Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore. This 80-min historical fiction production will pay homage to the textile industry and unravel stories that span across three time periods. SEA OF CLOTH will unearth the beauty of sari and its impact on Singapore’s history, her landscape, identity, cultures and  trade.

Limited spaces available. $32 per pax. Click here to register!

Image courtesy of SITFE.

Family Time

Visit our permanent galleries with your little ones and play spot-the-artefact! Our colourful Early Learning Resources introduce pre-schoolers to our artefacts according to the themes of Numbers, Colours, and ABCs. Available at $8 per set from the Museum Label shop. For more children's activity booklets, click here.

Museum guide

Download our museum guide (English, Chinese, Bahasa Melayu, Tamil) to find out about the many treasures in our various galleries. In this guide, you will also find the floor plan for easier navigation. Enjoy your visit!