Looking to make meaningful use of your time this weekend? Look no further: from 12 to 13 April 2025, dive into the art of batik with a weekend of family-friendly activities at the Peranakan Museum!
From 10am to 4pm, dance and sing along to music, try batik-inspired activities, and listen to folktales inspired by the Batik Nyonyas: Three Generations of Art and Entrepreneurship special exhibition–when you’re at the Batik Nyonas Weekend Festival, the choice of Peranakan programmes are as numerous as a Batik fabric’s patterns!
That’s not all! During programme hours, enjoy discounted admission into Batik Nyonyas: Three Generations of Art and Entrepreneurship, as well as exclusive merchandise alongside your admission ticket. However, if you’re wearing your favourite sarong kebaya or Batik outfits and are one of the first 50 visitors at the Peranakan Museum, you’ll get totally free entry into the special exhibition instead!
Now, as for the weekend festival itself, without further ado, let’s have a closer look at the myriad of activities offered!
Outdoor Installation
“In-Kueh-Dible” inflatables
First, start your cultural journey at the “In-Kueh-Dible” inflatables, a collection of colourful kueh designed by Bunch of Monkeys that’s perfect for little ones! Since these adorable snacks are right outside the doors of the Peranakan Museum, there’s no way you’ll miss them (and why would you?)
🗓️Date: 12 to 13 April 2025
📍Location: Outdoors
💲Price: Free
⏰Time: 10am to 4pm
Even if you think you’re too old to play with these loveable characters, they’ll surely add pops of colour to the Instagram post you’ll make from this visit, so come spend some time with the bouncy ang ku kueh, kueh lapis, and more anyways!
Drop-In Experiences
Little Crafts: Batik Motif Plushie
Once you’ve headed inside the museum, drop by the Batik Motif Plushie craft session in the lobby if you’re visiting on Saturday to create your own charming felt bird plushie.
🗓️Date: 12 April 2025
📍Location: Lobby, Level 1
💲Price: Free, while supplies last
⏰Time: 10am to 2:30pm
Whether you’re feeling inspired by the vibrant avian motifs of the batiks in the special exhibition or letting your imagination truly run free, this Little Crafts workshop is the perfect nest for all felt enthusiasts to flock together like birds of a feather!
Little Crafts: Mini Batik Painting
Meanwhile, if you’re here on a Sunday, bring out your inner artist at the Mini Batik Painting craft session instead, where you can design and paint your own mini batik.
🗓️Date: 13 April 2025
📍Location: Lobby, Level 1
💲Price: Free, while supplies last
⏰Time: 10am to 4pm
If you don’t feel like drawing, you can also pick from a selection of motifs inspired by batiks in the special exhibition–the choice is yours. Plus, even if it’s good enough for the museum, you’ll still get to keep it!
Bunga Rampay Making with The Peranakan Association Singapore
Moving on to an afternoon activity, discover the art of bunga rampay (“mixed flowers”)—a shared tradition among Malay, Indonesian, and Peranakan communities—by making it with none other than The Peranakan Association Singapore!
🗓️Date: 12 to 13 April 2025
📍Location: Ixora Room
💲Price: Free, while supplies last
⏰Time: 1pm to 4pm
In the process of selecting fresh flowers, pandan leaves, and other ingredients to scent your home, discover the cultural significance of this Southeast Asian tradition and come to find out what this unique art means to the Peranakans of Singapore as well.
Dress up at The Batik Shop
Here’s a programme that’ll run all day, though! At The Batik Shop, come dress up in the various vibrant Peranakan outfits and learn how to wear a sarong!
🗓️Date: 12 to 13 April 2025
📍Location: Exploration Zone, Level 3
💲Price: Free
⏰Time: 10am to 4pm
But that’s not all: for every friend and family you’re visiting with, you’ll each get to pose for your own Polaroid picture in your loveliest fits! This way, everyone gets a personal keepsake of this weekend, capturing both the tangible Peranakan heritage everyone has worn and the memories collectively made along the way.
MARACOSA Screening & Kueh Party
Going back to a Saturday event, experience the magic of MARACOSA, a non-verbal puppet performance by Papermoon Puppet Theatre! Set in a batik workshop, discover how young hearts find new ways to embrace tradition through the relationship between a grandmother and her grandchild.
🗓️Date: 12 April 2025
📍Location: Ixora Room
💲Price: Free
⏰Time: 2pm to 2:30pm
As this special screening is suitable for ages 4 and up, bring your whole family along to bond over this touching film whilst munching on the complimentary kueh together!
Sing Along with Peranakan Sayang
Additionally, don’t miss a joyful celebration full of beloved melodies with Peranakan Sayang, a singing group that has celebrated and promoted the Baba Nyona culture since its formation in 2017!
🗓️Date: 12 to 13 April 2025
📍Location: Lobby, Level 1
💲Price: Free
⏰Time: 1:30pm to 2pm
This sing-along promises a delightful journey through melodies such as Rasa Sayang, guaranteed to have you tapping your feet to the rhythms of their lively and refreshing renditions!
Sing & Swing with Gendang Akustika
Afterwards, do join Gendang Akustika for an afternoon of dondang sayang, a traditional Malay and Peranakan art form that combines music, poetry, and singing.
🗓️Date: 12 April 2025
📍Location: Lobby, Level 1
💲Price: Free
⏰Time: 3:30pm to 4pm
A music ensemble in Singapore that champions both the preservation and progression of urban-based Malay folk music, come and be transported through history with their traditional yet timeless songs!
Dancing Shadows: Tales from the Wayang Screen
Now, for the last drop-in experience, who’s ready to step into an enchanting world where shadows come alive? If you are, come witness the magic of wayang kulit with Sri Warisan, where vibrant batik-clad puppets perform tales from the Ramayana and local legends.
🗓️Date: 13 April 2025
📍Location: Ixora Room
💲Price: Free
⏰Time: 3:30pm to 4pm
As their narratives unfold to the melodies of a live gamelan experience, get ready to embark on an immersive journey through music and storytelling!
Registered Activities
The Amazing Sarong: A Sensory Storytelling Programme
Speaking of storytelling, embark on a lively sensory journey with your little ones as they explore The Amazing Sarong through movement and hands-on play.
Inspired by the rich heritage of Peranakan fashion, this interactive experience invites children aged between 18 months and 4 years to discover the vibrant colours, textures, and patterns woven into its cultural style.
🗓️Date: 12 to 13 April 2025
📍Location: Lobby, Level 1
💲Price: S$5 refundable deposit (parent-child pair)
⏰Time: 10:30am to 11:30am
Through playful exploration, they’ll uncover stories stitched into every fold–turning tradition into a tactile adventure!
Plant-to-Palette: Natural Dye Workshop
Next, go for the Plant-to-Palette natural dye workshop—perfect for those aged six and up— and discover the artistry of natural dyes and experiment with a floral-inspired wax stencilling activity on a paper canvas!
🗓️Date: 13 April 2025
📍Location: Ixora Room
💲Price: S$5 refundable deposit (parent-child pair)
⏰Time: 12:30pm to 2pm
This unique spin on the traditional wax-resist technique used in batik offers a reimagined experience of this classic craft, blending a new method with the same old materials!
Storytelling in the Galleries
Finally, jump into the world of Indonesian myth and legend with local storyteller Nadya Hashim, also known as The Storytelling Fairy.
🗓️Date: 12 to 13 April 2025
📍Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Levels 2 & 3
💲Price: S$5 (parent-child pair, includes admission to the special exhibition)
⏰Time: 11:30am to 12pm
With her infectious smile and glistening butterfly wings, Ms. Hashim is sure to make the myths of gods, heroes, and creatures come to life, creating captivating stories that are sure to capture the attention of those aged six and above!
Other Activities
Batik Revealed: What’s Your Batik Style? Mobile Quiz
However, though we’ve covered both the drop-in and registered experiences, we’re not done with everything just yet! For example, here’s Batik Revealed: What’s Your Batik Style?, a mobile quiz that’ll let you discover your favourite batik designs as you venture through the Batik Nyonyas exhibition.
🗓️Date: Now till 31 August 2025
📍Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Levels 2 & 3
💲Price: Free, but admission fees to the special exhibition still apply (S$5 for citizens/PRs, S$12 for foreign residents/tourists)
⏰Time: Museum opening hours
Once you’ve finished the quiz and gotten your personalised mood board as well as the special surprise at The Batik Shop, head over to the Visitor Services Counter on Level 1 and flash your QR code to receive a unique batik-inspired souvenir that’s been illustrated by Singapore-based artists!
A Tale of Three Nyonyas: Activity Trail Booklet
Furthermore, before exploring the exhibition, be sure to grab a copy of the activity trail booklet titled A Tale of Three Nyonyas.
🗓️Date: Now till 31 August 2025
📍Location: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Levels 2 & 3
💲Price: Free, but admission fees to the special exhibition still apply (S$5 for citizens/PRs, S$12 for foreign residents/tourists)
⏰Time: Museum opening hours
This interactive guide will take you through the story of three remarkable Nyonyas and their batik business in Pekalongan, Java, as their journey unfolds along the trail, showcasing their passion, artistry, and dedication to preserving this ancient craft along the way!
The Batik Shop
And in case I haven’t mentioned it enough, do pay a visit to the 1970s-inspired batik shop on Level 3, where you can immerse yourself in its sights and sounds.
Besides keeping your eyes peeled for the exciting surprise reveal awaiting you after completing the Batik Revealed mobile quiz, be sure to also interact with the displays, uncover fun facts, and unwind on a cozy stack of batiks!
🗓️Date: Now till 31 August 2025
📍Location: Exploration Zone, Level 3
💲Price: Free, but admission fees to the special exhibition still apply (S$5 for citizens/PRs, S$12 for foreign residents/tourists)
⏰Time: Museum opening hours
Most importantly, though, don’t forget to pose for photos here and share your experience with the Peranakan Museum by tagging them!
Plan Your Visit to the Peranakan Museum Now!
So, now you know, this isn’t just a festival–it’s a whole weekend of fun that brings culture and creativity together. From inflatable kueh to the Storytelling Fairy, there’s something for everyone at the Batik Nyonyas Weekend Festival!
🗓️Date: 12 to 13 April 2025
📍Location: Peranakan Museum, 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941
💲Price:
- Drop-in activities: Free
- Registered activities: S$5
- Other activities: Free, but admission fees to the special exhibition still apply (S$5 for citizens/PRs, S$12 for foreign residents/tourists)
⏰Time: 10am to 7pm daily except for Fridays (10am to 9pm)
Do sign up for the registered activities at the Perankan Museum’s official Peatix page, and check out their website and Instagram too for more information on the festival and other happenings at the museum. See you this weekend!
Visuals courtesy of Peranakan Museum, Papermoon Puppet Theatre, Gendang Akustika, Sri Warisan, Artground, Wild Dot, and Nadya Hashim.
