Step into the vibrant past of Chinatown at the Five Footway Festival 五脚基节! From 14 to 23 March 2025, dive into the heart of Chinatown for a feast of performances and activities.
Enjoy the classic charm of Cantonese Opera to the thrilling Lion Dance. There will also be interactive workshops, exhibitions and old school games.
Did you know that “five footway”originated from the Malay description of the footway that was five feet long? The Malay words “kaki lima” meant five foot, with early Malay-Hokkien interactions, the five footway was called “gho ka ki” in hokkien.
Five Footway Festival 2025: 14 to 23 March
This is the fourth edition of the Five Footway Festival and it is organised by the Chinatown Business Association in collaboration with programme partners.
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It will be held at various locations in Chinatown where the streets come alive with the hustle and bustle of the district in the 1900s.
Explore the history and past of Chinatown over the ten-day festival which also coincides withe March school holidays in Singapore. From captivating performances to interactive workshops, exhibitions, and traditional games, the Five Footway Festival 2025 offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural stories of yesteryear.
Embark on a journey into the history of the Five Footway and more. Here is a look at some of the highlights taking place during key dates of the Five Footway Festival 2025.
Highlights of Five Footway Festival 2025
Walking Tours
This year’s Five Footway Festival invites visitors to explore the rich history of Chinatown through four immersive walking tours, each offering a distinctive glimpse into the district’s lively past and present.
Chinatown Theatrical Tour – Letter Writer’s Lament
Among the highlights is the Chinatown Theatrical Tour – Letter Writer’s Lament, a storytelling journey that transports participants back to the 1940s.
Led by Let’s Go Tour, winner of Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards and a finalist in the 2024 Singapore Tourism Awards, this experience follows the journey of Ace Wan, a young immigrant who found his calling as a Chinese letter writer.
Through a blend of theatre and history, visitors will witness the struggles and aspirations of early immigrants, retracing the lives of early immigrants who once gathered along the bustling five-footways.
“Under One Roof” – An Immersive Guided Experience @ Chinatown Heritage Centre
“Under One Roof” – An Immersive Guided Experience @ Chinatown Heritage Centre offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Chinatown’s early residents. Housed within three shophouses, the centre recreates the 1950s interiors of its tenants, from family homes to tradesmen’s workshops to offer an authentic glimpse into the lives of Chinatown’s early residents.
OG Hustlers Walking Tour
The OG Hustlers walking tour celebrates the resilience of Chinatown’s pioneers, who transformed its narrow five-footways into thriving hubs of trade and community.
Step inside century-old establishments like Pek Sin Choon, one of Singapore’s oldest tea merchants, and beloved Cantonese pastry shop Tong Heng to uncover the enduring legacies of these family-run businesses.
Hey Bukit Pasoh! The Vibrant Yesteryears
For those eager to explore beyond the heart of Chinatown, Hey Bukit Pasoh! The Vibrant Yesteryears takes visitors through the charming enclave of Bukit Pasoh.
Discover hidden gems where the past and present of Singapore’s heritage scene come to life – from The Pioneers’ Memorial Hall (PMH), which honours the contributions of Singapore’s leaders, to the iconic filming locations of Crazy Rich Asians.
Cultural Performances
Smith Street comes alive with vibrant performances at this year’s Five Footway Festival! Meet and Greet Stilt Walkers in traditional wear and be amazed by show-stopping Lion Dances from renowned and award-winning troupes, including Singapore Tian Eng Dragon & Lion Dance Centre (新加坡天鷹龍狮学院) and Singapore Hok San Association (新加坡鶴山會館武術醒獅團), Singapore’s first lion dance troupe.
Look forward to an exciting lineup of performances, including Face Changing (变脸), traditional Chinese music featuring the guzheng (古箏) and pipa (琵琶), Street Storytelling, and Reverberations of Heritage, a lively performance featuring Chinese instruments.
Don’t miss the thrilling Monkey King Show and Wushu Performance by Choy’s Brothers Opera Troupe.
Bilingual puppetry theatre Paper Monkey Theatre presents a unique blend of traditional Chinese hand puppetry and modern theatrical techniques in their Hand Puppet Show: The Tiger Hero (武松打虎).
Inspired by The Water Margin, one of China’s great classic novels, this tale follows the courageous Wu Song as he bravely faces a ferocious tiger in a thrilling test of strength and wit. It will be a child-friendly rendition using lively puppets including a tiger with a “helicopter tail”.
Adding to the festivities, opera performances will take place every weekend, bringing to life beloved stories from Chinese folklore. Audiences can also enjoy a traditional Beijing Opera Performance by Ping Sheh and a Teochew Opera & Drums Performance by Nam Hwa Opera (南华潮剧社), one of Singapore’s most prominent and prolific Teochew Opera companies.
Featuring performers ranging from 10 to 70 years old, the performance will showcase the depth and vibrancy of this traditional art form through captivating storytelling, elegant movements, and the rich musical heritage of Teochew opera.
Interactive Workshops
Food plays a key role in Singapore’s cultural identity, both past and present.
In the Kaya Making Workshop, participants will learn step-by-step techniques to make traditional Gula Melaka Kaya. The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ang Ku Kueh workshop will provide insights into this iconic red pastry, allowing participants to make it the traditional way.
The Teochew Png Kueh Masterclass offers a chance to learn the art of creating the beloved savoury glutinous rice cake.
In the Get Prosperous with Egg Huat Kueh workshop, attendees will discover the history and varieties of Huat Kueh (prosperity cake) and learn to make traditional Egg Huat Kueh.
The Chinese Kung Fu Tea Workshop provides hands-on experience in the art of Chinese tea, where participants will explore the cultural significance of tea and learn to brew and serve traditional varieties.
The Sights & Sounds of Chinese Opera workshop offers an exploration into the world of Cantonese Opera, featuring insightful discussions, live demonstrations, and an excerpt from a traditional Chinese Opera performance, all accompanied by a soothing Chinese tea experience.
Visitors can also join the Plate Spinning Experiential Workshop, where they will learn the fundamentals of plate spinning, from balancing to keeping the plates in motion.
Additionally, there are free workshops such as the Chinese Ink Painting, Bamboo Pinwheel Making and Bamboo Windchimes Making, where visitors can try their hand at crafting these traditional items.
Exhibitions
In collaboration with Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, and students from Hwa Chong Institution, the festival will showcase an exhibition entitled “The Warmth and Bustle of The Five-Footway”, which explores the history of the five-footways, including the trades, occupations, and recreational activities commonly found along these iconic walkways.
Learn about the origins of the five footway which were found in front of traditional Singapore shophouses stipulated by Sir Stamford Raffles to be a continuous sheltered walkway of at least five feet wide. You can even sit on a bench five feet long!
Along Smith Street, visitors can also enjoy a Chinese Opera Roving Exhibition, as well as a Mini Food & Retail Bazaar, a Street Scene Photo Booth, and a Traditional Games Booth featuring nostalgic games such as pick-up sticks, five stones, marbles, and the eraser game – all taking place along the bustling Smith Street.
Five Footway Festival 2025 Details
Admission to the Five Footway Festival is free. Tickets for selected workshops can be purchased from Peatix.
More information about the programme rundown and festival can be found on Chinatown Singapore’s website.
