Organised by the National Library Board, All Things Singapore invites visitors to uncover the myths, legends and hidden stories woven into Singapore’s past. This programme is being held in conjunction with the Singapore Night Festival 2026 and features immersive art installations, interactive experiences, live performances and hands-on activities across the National Library Building and National Archives of Singapore.
NLB’s All Things Singapore 2026
In line with the theme of the Singapore Night Festival 2026, All Things Singapore 2026 is centred around the theme “Myth and Legends” from 21 August to 5 September.
The activities and activations take place at the National Library Building at Victoria Street and the National Archives of Singapore at Coleman Street.
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Lovebug by ART-ZOO
ART-ZOO is back with a specially commission outdoor inflatable that reimagines the long tradition of local myths shaped by animals and native plants.
Lovebug by ART-ZOO at the National Library Building is inspired by the endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur and the iconic red saga seed. The installation reimagines these local natural icons through a whimsical lens.
Visitors can wander through a playful world of mythical plants and creatures that encourages a meaningful connection to Singapore’s biodiversity and stories.
Keep the curiosity flowing at the nearby book kiosk – browse through a small, curated selection of books and resources from NLB’s collections, featuring nature, legends and timeless tales that continue this rich storytelling tradition.
Two inflatables double up as casual reading seats to encourage lingering.
Islands of Memory and Myth
Over at the Level 3 Atrium, National Archives of Singapore, step into a navigable landscape of stories and set off on an island-hopping adventure across Singapore’s offshore islands.
The Islands of Memory and Myth display transforms the atrium into an interactive map where every stop reveals a different local legend.
Visitors will encounter gripping place-based folktales and stories paired alongside authentic historical records from the National Archives collections, inviting them to examine the boundaries between community oral traditions and documented history.
The exhibition also features an old-school vinyl records jukebox soundscape playing archival sounds of local shores from the NAS collection.
The Legend of the Garfish (Phygital Adventure Hunt)
Race against time to save Hang Nadim in a Phygital Adventure Hunt around the National Library Building! In this interactive adventure is adapted from historical materials in the National Library Board’s collection.
Participants join the legendary boy Hang Nadim as he flees an enraged king after saving the villagers of ancient Temasek from deadly garfish attacks.
Participants must solve puzzles, decode clues on microfilms, and navigate hidden challenges stretching across multiple building levels to alter his tragic fate.
This adventure hunt takes place on 21, 22, 28, 29 August & 4, 5 September 2026 from 7 pm to 11 pm at the National Library Building. Admission is free with no registration required.
Complete the hunt and survey via FormSG to redeem a custom linoprint tote bag.
Sister’s Island – Meena & Leena (Roving Sensory Performance)
This is a live roving theatrical performance produced in collaboration with the Children’s Museum Singapore.
Travelling across the surrounding precinct from Lewin Terrace straight into the archive spaces, the script follows the classic legend of Sisters’ Island. Watch Meena risk her life to save Leena as they give themselves to the sea, using a distinctive shadow play stage setting to bring their enduring bond to life.
Catch this performance on 21, 22, 28, 29 August & 4, 5 September 2026 at 8 pm to 8.30 pm at the National Archives of Singapore, L2 Archives Reading Room. Admission is free with walk-in seating.
The Borrowed Storybook: Tabletop RPG Live Play
When an enchanted children’s book is accidentally checked out of the library stacks, Singapore’s forgotten myths begin slipping out into the real world.
In this real-time open stage performance, watch a specialised team of librarians unravel a chain of magical mishaps in an investigation taking them through historic landmarks, hidden city corners, and live encounters with remnants of regional legends.
Catch this performance on 22 August 2026, 8.30 pm to 10 pm at the National Library Building, L1 Lobby.
Drop-In Activities
There will also be drop in activities such as a creative, hands-on workshop where participants design their own imaginative, historical maps (28 Aug, 7 pm to 10 pm, NLB Building).
Also look forward to a collaborative activity challenging participants to step into the storyteller’s seat and remix familiar myths and legends from across the region (29 Aug, 7 pm to 10 pm, NLB Building), and a treasure hunt through the “Islands of Memory and Myth” display at the National Archives of Singapore (21, 22, 28, 29 Aug & 4, 5 Sep 2026, 7 pm to 11 pm).
All Thing Singapore 2026
For more details on all the activities and programmes, including film screenings and more, taking place as part of NLB’s All Things Singapore 2026, visit the website here.
