Chinese New Year Markets through Time

Explore the history of Singapore's Chinese New Year markets through this free travelling exhibition, available all year round for school and post-secondary students.

Last updated 13 August 2026

Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

“Chinese New Year Markets through Time” Travelling (Roving) Exhibition

This travelling (roving) exhibitions are curated by Wan Qing Yuan - Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Students can learn various aspects of Singapore’s history and values through this exhibition.

Details

The Chinatown Chinese New Year market has become a symbolic herald of the most important festival in the calendar of the Chinese community. This exhibition explores the development of Chinese New Year markets in Singapore, which started out as small-scale traditional markets and has taken on different forms through the years. The exhibition is available in both English and Mandarin.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the history of Chinese New Year markets in early Singapore
Explore scenes from a typical Chinese New Year market from the 1970s in this exhibition.

Target Audience: Pri 1 to 6, Sec 1 to 4/5, Post-Sec (JC/Poly/ITE)

Runtime: All year round

Fee: Complimentary

Modality: In-person

Duration: Loaning of exhibition - minimum 2 weeks

Mode of Registration: By email

Due Date for Registration: 2 months in advance

Contact Info: nhb_wqy@nhb.gov.sg

Outdoor display boards with colorful Chinese New Year illustrations and text outside Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.

Mock-up of the exhibitions