The Ngee Ann Teochew Cultural & Food Festival returns to Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza in Orchard Road from 2 to 4 October 2026. Fully sponsored by The Ngee Ann Kongsi, the festival is a free but ticketed event presented by the Ngee Ann Cultural Centre and co-organised by Teochew Federation (Singapore).
Ngee Ann Teochew Cultural & Food Festival in the Heart of Orchard Road
The three-day Ngee Ann Teochew Cultural & Food Festival once again brings Teochew heritage, cuisine and performing arts to the heart of Orchard Road.
This reflects the presenting organisations’ shared commitment to preserve and promote authentic Teochew culture, keeping its traditions alive for generations to come.
The Teochew food fair will run over two four-hour sessions daily: 10 am to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 9 pm.
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With public interest in Teochew culture, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre is expecting more than 12,000 attendees this year.
On 1 September 2026, the Ngee Ann Cultural Centre opened 1,000 complimentary coupons for the festivals to the public via online reservation, and they were snapped up within the hour of their release, reflecting the strong appetite for this celebration of Teochew identity.
For those who don’t yet have tickets, there will be 300 complimentary food coupons distributed to member of the public at each session on a first-come-first-served basis, split into batches of 100 coupons per hour, while stocks last.
Take note that there will be no sale of coupons onsite. The food at the food fair is only obtainable through the complimentary food coupons. Guests will not be able to pay cash for the food
Highlights of This Year’s Event
Among the highlights at this year’s food fair is bo bi kueh (无米粿), the humble chive-filled kueh that features prominently in Dear You.
Festival-goers will be able to sample the very same kueh that captured hearts on screen.
In addition to continuing the food elements from previous Cultural Food Festivals, the Ngee Ann Cultural Centre will bring a variety of classic Teochew delicacies to guests over the three-day event.
This year’s event will also introduce several new Teochew dishes for the first time, including Kityang stir-fried kway teow with bamboo shoots (揭阳竹笋炒粿条), Nam Ao Seaweed Fried Rice (南澳紫菜炒饭) and luo tang qian (glutinous rice mochi with peanut and sesame) (落汤钱).
Visitors will also be able to savour the rich Teochew culture through Teochew opera, music and more.
The festival will showcase Teochew opera and music by five local Teochew opera and music troupes, several of which trace their roots back more than a century in Singapore.
These include the Er Woo Amateur Musical & Dramatic Association and the Thau Yong Amateur Musical Association — among the earliest Teochew music societies formed in Singapore — alongside Nam Hwa Opera, The Teochew Drama Association, and the Chui Huay Lim Teochew Opera Group.
This marks the first time all five troupes will be putting up a joint performance to showcase traditional art forms.
Performances will be held daily from 11 am to 1 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm.
For members of the public who are unable to secure an event coupon, a separate viewing area with a live video feed of the Teochew Opera performances will also be available, so that no one has to miss out on the show.
The event will also include demonstrations of the Teochew Gongfu Tea ceremony, a centuries-old brewing tradition from Chaozhou. It is a tradition that reflects the values of hospitality, respect and harmony deeply woven into the Teochews. It is a tradition that remains integral to their daily lives.
Giving Back to the Community
As part of The Ngee Ann Kongsi’s efforts to promote the Teochew culture and heritage and give back to the community, complimentary tickets will be given to distributed to the Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation seniors, as well as some families from multiple civic organisations.
The Teochew Cultural & Food Festival 2026
When: Opens on Friday, 2 October 2026, with an Opening Ceremony from 10 am to 12 pm (by invitation only), till Sunday, 4 October 2026.
The Teochew food fair will run over two four-hour sessions daily: 10 am to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 9 pm.
Get more details about Teochew Cultural & Food Festival.
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