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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Performances

NMS 131st Anniversary Celebrations

13 Oct 2018 - 14 Oct 2018
Various Venues
11am - 5pm
Free Admission
On Wednesday 12 October 1887 at 5pm, the 14th Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Frederick Weld, ceremoniously opened the Raffles Library and Museum at Stamford Road. At the time, the museum was established to spur intellectual inquiry in the region. It grew alongside the country, survived the Japanese Occupation and has transformed into a socio-history and cultural institution that is well-loved by many. Today, the National Museum of Singapore is the oldest of its kind in Singapore, and continues to excite and inspire visitors with its innovative ways of presenting history and the national collection.

This 13 & 14 October, celebrate the 131st birthday of one of Singapore’s beloved and iconic cultural institutions! Discover the National Museum through “dialogues” with artefacts in engaging theatrical acts! Enjoy live music performances, building tours, craft activities, delectable food offerings and more as you reacquaint yourself with the National Museum of Singapore.
#Happy131NMS
Set yourself a reminder for this event here!
Time, Face

FaceTime with History
13 & 14 Oct, Sat & Sun | 11am - 5pm | Life in Singapore Galleries, Level 2

Every visit to the museum is like a trip back in time. But only true Time Travellers get to interact with people and objects from the past in real life - and real time. Join us to celebrate the National Museum's 131st anniversary and get the chance to FaceTime with History.

Cupcake giveaway

Birthday Cupcake Giveaway
13 & 14 Oct, Sat & Sun | 11am - 5pm | Visitor Service Counter, Level 2

Enjoy a Cedele cupcake when you visit the museum on our birthday weekend! Here's how:

  • Grab an activity log sheet for FaceTime with History. 
    (Visitor Service Counter, Level 1)
  • Collect four stickers from each of the four Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years galleries.
  • Present the completed log sheet at the giveaway booth to get your cupcake, while stocks last.

The Birthday Cupcake Giveaway is supported by:

cedele, logo

Building Tour

National Museum Building Tour for Families
13 Oct, Sat | 2pm - 2.45pm

Join us on a learning journey around the museum and discover more interesting gems about this 131-year-old building.

Limited to 15 pairs of parent and child, on first come, first served basis. On-site registration starts from 1.30pm at the museum's Visitor Services counter.

Gran, stories

Gran's Short Stories
13 Oct, Sat | 3.30pm - 4.30pm | The Salon, Level 1

In this special edition of Gran's Short Stories, author Linda Locke will conduct a reading of her children's book, Agnes and Her Amazing Orchid, accompanied by live sketching by the book's illustrator Muhd Nor. Come learn about how the Vanda Miss Joaquim became Singapore's national flower and take part in a colouring competition. The winner gets to take home Muhd's unique sketch!

Limited to 20 children aged 7 to 12 years old, on a first come, first served basis. On-site registration starts from 3pm outside the Salon.

Glass magnet

Drop-in Craft Activities

Glass Magnet Activity by Tinkle Arts
13 & 14 Oct, Sat & Sun | 11am - 5pm | Create Room, Level 3

Scratch Art Magnet Activity by Lollibox
13 Oct, Sat | 11am - 5pm | Rotunda, Level 1

Colour Your Peranakan Tile
13 Oct, Sat  | 11am - 5pm | Open Space, Level 3

Museum Wooden Keychain by Lollibox
14 Oct, Sun  | 11am - 5pm | Rotunda, Level 1

Work with your child to create special keepsakes to celebrate the museum's 131st birthday! Bring home your very own magnet creations, Peranakan tiles and wooden keychains inspired by the museum's iconic facade!

No registration required. While stocks last. Last admission at 4.45pm.

Performances

Live Music Performances
Platform in front of escalators, Level 2

13 Oct, Sat  

2.30pm - 3pm Piano Minion
3.30pm - 4pm Boon Lay Garden Primary School
4.30pm - 5pm SHINE Music

14 Oct, Sun 

2.30pm - 3pm Suzuki Talent Education Association Singapore
3.30pm - 4pm Suzuki Talent Education Association Singapore
4.30pm - 5pm Klassique Music School

 
Food

Food Trucks and Dessert Pop-up
13 & 14 Oct, Sat & Sun | 11am - 5pm | Front Lawn

Take a break and indulge in delectable treats with selection of wholesome meals, snacks and desserts from food trucks and unique dessert pop-up stalls.

Bak Ku Teh, Chicken

Magic & Menace Set Menu by Food for Thought
Available from 8 Oct - 30 Nov
Food for Thought, Level 1

In celebration of the National Museum's 131st anniversary, indulge in specially-designed menu inspired by the museum's Magic & Menace exhibition! Tuck into a hearty bowl of Chicken Bak Kut Teh, served with a refreshing glass of Jasmine Lemonade Spritz with Ground Nutmeg, and finish off with a Jasmine Panna Cotta.

To celebrate the Museum's birthday, 20% of proceeds from this menu will be donated to the National Museum!

Janice Wong, Chocolates

The Magic & Menace Collection in conjunction with the National Museum's 131st birthday
Available from 12 Oct - 30 Nov
Janice Wong Singapore, Level 1

Treat yourself to a box of hand-crafted specialty chocolates inspired by a selection of flora and fauna from the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, featured in the Magic & Menace exhibition at the Goh Seng Choo gallery.

Get your chocolates today at our Janice Wong outlet in the museum or online!

To celebrate the Museum's birthday, 40% of proceeds from the sale of these chocolates will be donated to the National Museum!

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!