Explore the sites and stories of Singapore’s war-time past as part of Battle for Singapore 2026 with special programmes will take place between 21 February to 8 March 2026. These tell compelling stories of resilience to iconic wartime sites with this year’s line-up inviting participants to delve deeper into pivotal moments and experiences that have shaped the nation during its darkest days. This edition takes participants across land, sea and even “air”.
The Battle for Singapore 2026 activities are being held in commemoration of the 84th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore. Amongst the sites featured include Southern Islands, tracing the route of evacuatees, Tengah Air Base, Changi Chapel and Museum, Former Ford Factory, Kranji War Memorial, Kranji Reservoir and more.
Learn about the stories of resilience, sacrifice, and survival during one of the darkest chapters in Singapore’s past.
Battle for Singapore 2026 Event Highlights
This year, Battle for Singapore 2026 presents over 30 programmes with a wide range of tours, talks, workshops, and exhibitions by participating Museum Roundtable members, government agencies, and heritage organisations and researchers.
New Signature Programme – Passages at Last Light: Singapore’s WWII Maritime Evacuation Routes
A new signature programme for Battle for Singapore 2026 is the Passages at Last Light Tour, led by historian Dr John Kwok.
The journey starts at the Singapore Maritime Gallery, where participants learn about Singapore’s maritime history, including early records that describe the island as a place of trade from as early as the 3rd century, and its development as a regional port between the 14th and 20th centuries.
See artefacts from the RMS Empress of Asia – a WWII troop transport that was destroyed in Singapore waters in February 1942 while carrying Allied reinforcements to Singapore. The tour continues at Sisters’ Island, following the same maritime routes taken during the wartime evacuations.
Read more about the experience from our preview of Passages at Last Light: Singapore’s WWII Maritime Evacuation Routes.
When: : 21 February, 22 February, 28 February, 1 March, 7 March & 8 March 2026
Time: 5pm – 7.30pm
Price: $55 ($50 early bird from 12-20 Feb)
Location: Singapore Maritime Gallery
Meeting Point: Singapore Maritime Gallery
Changi Chapel and Museum
Changi Chapel and Museum commemorates Battle for Singapore 2026 with an evocative series of programmes that honour resilience, remembrance, and the lived experiences of prisoners-of-war and internees during the Japanese Occupation.
Through immersive storytelling and hands-on activities, visitors are invited to deepen their understanding of Singapore’s wartime history and the enduring human spirit behind it.
Voices from Changi: A Living History Dramatised Tour will be happening on 21 and 22 February providing a multi-sensory retelling of the events.
When: 21 & 22 February, 10 am, 11.30 am, 2 pm and 3.30 pm
Rebuild the Nation: Drop-in LEGO Activity is where young ones can get hands-on with heritage at Changi Chapel and Museum with LEGO block stations that allow them to “rebuild” Singapore by modelling iconic World War II sites.
When: 21 & 22 February, 10.30 am, 12 pm and 3 pm
Where: Changi Chapel and Museum
WW2 at Bukit Brown
Join Peter Pak on an exploration of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Learn about tragic events, such as the sinking of a ship that killed women and children, betrayal leading to a hero’s delayed burial, and stories of resistance ambushes and Chinese leaders forced to collaborate with the Japanese during WWII.
When: 7 March 2026, 9 am to 12 pm
Price: $10
Meeting Point: Bukit Brown Cemetery
Cashin House: Witness to Invasion
Join heritage veteran Jerome Lim on a trip to the sensitively reconstructed Cashin House, located at Lim Chu Kang Nature Park. The site witnessed some of the first landings of the invading Japanese forces during World War II. Learn about the perspectives of men on opposing sides as they engaged in battle, and explore the area’s historical landscape.
Read more about our experience visiting Cashin House.
When: 28 Feb 2026, 9 am to 10.30 am & 11 am to 12.30 pm
Price: Free
Meeting Point: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Wartime Walkback: Wear It. Taste It. Remember It.
How about a taste of “wartime” snacks? Wartime Walkback is a family-friendly experience featuring safe, nostalgic snacks like condensed milk crackers and plain biscuits. Children can join the fun with a “ration card” activity – collect stamps and redeem treats while learning about life during the Japanese Occupation.
This programme is presented by Heritage.sg – Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
When: 28 February & 1 March 2026, 10am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 4pm
Price: Free
Where: Reflections at Bukit Chandu (Multi Purpose Hall)
Exploring Pasir Panjang: A Heritage Trail
Discover Pasir Panjang’s storied past on this guided heritage trail. Walk through key World War II battle sites where Singapore’s defenders stood their ground during the Battle of Pasir Panjang.
Through rich storytelling and historical insights, gain a deeper appreciation of the area’s transformation from a rural settlement to a heritage landscape that embodies resilience, culture, and memory.
This is a group hike of moderate-hard difficulty involving steep slopes, uneven terrain and proximity to a body of water. Participants should be in good health and reasonably fit. It is not recommended for those with serious medical and/or physical conditions without doctor’s clearance. Children (under 12 years old) are not recommended to participate due to the physical demands, steep sections, and safety considerations near water bodies.
Meeting point is at Seah Im Food Centre.
When: 28 February 2026, 8.30 am to 11.30 am
Price: $35 per pax
Where: Reflections at Bukit Chandu, Faber Fire Command, Gold Bell Mansion, Labrador Battery
Website: Reflections at Bukit Chandu Pasir Panjang Trail
Bravery Through Toys: Remembering the Battle of Singapore
Learn about the Battle of Singapore through vintage toys – toys that tell powerful stories of courage, propaganda, and resilience.
At the heart of this guided tour is a rare highlight from the Museum’s Second World War collection: collectible figurines of Sikh soldiers who served valiantly as part of the Allied Defence Forces. The miniature representations honour their bravery and vital contribution to defending Singapore during the battle.
When: Daily between 21 February – 8 March 2026 (except 23 February and 2 March 2026 as the museum is closed), 11am & 2pm
Price: Adult – $38, Child – $28, Senior – $28
Where: MINT Museum of Toys
Japanese Occupation Guided Walk: Living in Syonan-To
Presented by Lion Heartlanders, the programme takes you through key locations in the city connected to the Japanese Occupation. Learn the lessons from the period through untold stories of resilience, sacrifice and survival.
The starting point of the walk is at Dhoby Gaut MRT Exit A and ends at Civilian War Memorial.
When: 21 February 2026, 10 am to 1 pm
Price: Free
Where: Dhoby Ghaut and Civic District
Defence Collective Singapore Special: Memories of War
Seize the opportunity to discover the lives of Allied POWs during the Japanese Occupation through visits to Selarang Camp* and Changi Chapel and Museum on this tour led by Dr John Kwok.
*Singaporeans and Permanent Residents only for entry to SAF Selarang Camp. Security clearance required 1 week in advance.
When: 21 February & 28 February, 10 am to 12 pm, 7 March (PM session only), 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Pickup/dropoff at EXPO MRT Station
How much: $10 per adult ticket, $5 per student ticket
Website: DCS Battle for Singapore 2026
Singapore Air Force Museum Feature Tour: War over Singapore
The programme provides an exclusive access into Tengah Air Base, the site which came under the control of the Japanese and become Yamashita’s first command centre during World War II. This bus tour will cover Tengah Air Base and Singapore Air Force Museum.
When: 7 March, 8 March, 9 am / 11 am / 1 pm
Price: $10 per adult ticket, $5 per student ticket
Meeting Point: Yew Tee MRT pick-up
Website: DCS Battle for Singapore 2026
This bus tour explores spaces featured in Singapore’s early defences such as the significance of names like Fullerton and Battery Road, the development of the harbour and its importance to Singapore, the development of the volunteer forces in general, shipping (and the Straits Steamship Co — which provided many of the evacuation ships) and also the site of the SSNVR and stories of the evacuation.
The tour will be led by heritage enthusiast Jerome Lim and will cover Clifford Pier, Ocean Financial Centre, Cavenagh Bridge and Singapore Navy Museum.
When: 21 February, 28 February, 8 March, 2 pm to 4.30 pm
Price: $15 per adult ticket, $8 per student ticket
Meeting Point: Pickup: Raffles Place MRT Station Exit B, Dropoff: Expo MRT Station
Website: DCS Battle for Singapore 2026
Day Zero
Relive the fear and chaos upon first contact with Japanese invasion forces. Find out how poor leadership and miscommunication quickly brought about the capitulation of the whole of western Singapore. This bus tour will be led by volunteer guide Dr John Kwok and will cover Singapore Discovery Centre, the Sarimbun Beach Landing and Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre.
When: 8 March 2026, 10.30 am or 1 pm
Price: $15 per adult ticket, $8 per student ticket (for children above 7)
Meeting Point: Singapore Discovery Centre
Website: DCS Battle for Singapore 2026
Registration for Battle for Singapore 2026 Programmes and Tours
Visit Battle for Singapore 2026 website for the full set of Battle for Singapore 2026 programmes and tours and to sign up them.
Registration for Battle for Singapore 2026 tours and programmes commences 12 February 2026 (Thursday) at 12 pm, on a first-come first-served basis. Singaporeans will be able to use their SG Culture Pass credits for paid programmes.
