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Singapore’s historic Campbell Lane will transform into a vibrant street festival on August 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., honoring the artisans, merchants, and communities that have shaped Little India for generations. Co-created by the Indian Heritage Centre and the Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA), the free event blends heritage installations, live performances, hands-on crafts, street food, and a marketplace that reimagines old-school trades for a modern audience.
What to Expect: A Lane Transformed
The festival’s centerpiece is a large-scale street installation inspired by the colorful shophouses that line Campbell Lane. It will highlight long-standing businesses—from textile and jewelry sellers to flower shops, spice merchants, barbers, and eateries—that have anchored the neighborhood for decades. Visitors can wander through this immersive tribute to the precinct’s roots while engaging with a full day of programming.
Hands-On Activities and Interactive Exhibits
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., attendees can try their hand at a variety of crafts. Activities include painting shophouse magnets, traditional-inspired block printing, and making paper versions of Indian ornaments. For younger visitors, the interactive “Let’s Try a Trade” traveling exhibition introduces historical occupations once central to the local Indian community, encouraging kids to explore heritage through play.
Live Performances All Day
Campbell Lane will host a continuous lineup of performances blending tradition and contemporary energy. Expect Indian classical and folk dance, multicultural showcases, youth performers, and live music. Local band Infinity will make its festival debut with a set combining classic and contemporary Indian songs. The diverse program aims to reflect the evolving cultural tapestry of Little India.
Heritage Bazaar and Street Food
Bring your appetite and wallet. The Heritage Bazaar, organized by Tekka.sg, features nine contemporary businesses reinterpreting trades traditionally associated with Campbell Lane. Stalls will offer incense, spices, jewelry, textiles, beauty products, food, and sweets. Meanwhile, LISHA vendors will dish out street food, snacks, desserts, and drinks throughout the day—perfect for grazing while exploring.
Ticketed Workshops for Deeper Dives
For a more immersive experience, the Indian Heritage Centre is offering ticketed workshops. Options include a Tanjore Art Workshop, where participants learn the gold-leaf painting technique, and Discover Little India: A Kids’ Sensory Adventure, which guides children through the precinct’s textiles, spices, sounds, and flower-garland traditions. These sessions provide a deeper connection to the neighborhood’s cultural heritage.
Bonus Stops Around the Precinct
Festival-goers can also take advantage of two extra attractions. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., head to Little India MRT’s North-East Line Exit C for a complimentary mini flower garland. Alternatively, stop by the Narpani Pearavai booth at the Indian Heritage Centre to test your knowledge of Indian culture and heritage through three levels of quizzes—a fun challenge for trivia lovers.
Practical Details and Broader Impact
The Little India Street Festival takes place on August 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. around Campbell Lane and the Indian Heritage Centre. Entry and all free programs are complimentary; food and selected workshops are chargeable. This event not only celebrates the community’s past but also reinforces Little India’s position as a living, breathing heritage district—one that continues to evolve while honoring its roots. As Singapore looks to preserve its cultural precincts, festivals like this offer a blueprint for engaging residents and visitors alike in meaningful, hands-on heritage experiences.
For more information, visit the Indian Heritage Centre’s Instagram page.