Get festive at ACM! Indulge in food and fun as we journey from Manila to Mexico and beyond.
Immerse yourself in stories from the Mexican and Filipino communities, try smashing a traditional piñata, learn about our oceans and go on a ship ride, and dance along to performances at the Tree of Life!
Galleon Ship Ride
- Saturday and Sunday, 24–25 Feb, 10am–5pm
- ACM Hardcourt
- Free
Put on your finest captain’s hat and step aboard! Our mini galleon ship promises a thrilling ride for the young and young at heart.
For safety, children must be accompanied by parents or guardians. Children below the height of 0.9m will not be permitted on this ride.
Piñata Smash!
- Saturday and Sunday, 24–25 Feb, 10.30am, 2pm and 5pm
- Foyer, Level 2
- Free, no registration required
Participate in a beloved Mexican tradition and smash a piñata at the museum! Made of paper and filled with sweets, piñatas are part of every birthday and Christmas celebration in Mexico. Join the fun and see if you can be the first to break open the piñata!
Suitable for ages 5 and above with parental guidance.
Get Crafty! Make a Floating Boat
- Saturday and Sunday, 24–25 Feb, 10am–5pm
- Lobby, Level 1
- Free, no registration required
Take on the challenge of crafting your own galleon-inspired boat in this hands-on activity and test how well your boat sails in our mini pools at the ACM Green!
Suitable for ages 7 and above with parental guidance.
Limited to 1 per child. While supplies last.
Community Corners: Explore Mexico and the Philippines
- Saturday and Sunday, 24–25 Feb, 11am–1pm and 3–5pm
- River Room, Level 2
- Free, no registration required
Discover the cultures of Mexico and the Philippines with members of the Mexican and Filipino communities in Singapore. Enjoy specially prepared dishes,* try local crafts, and dress in traditional attire for photos! At the Mexican Community Corner, experience the aroma, texture, and flavours of various Mexican chillies, then sample freshly made salsas with tortilla chips. At the Filipino Community Corner, learn about the ingredients that go into the beloved Filipino dessert, Halo-halo, and try a tasting portion.
*While supplies last.
About the Mexican Association in Singapore:
The Mexican Association in Singapore (Mexasing) is a non-profit organisation focused on supporting the Mexican community in Singapore and promoting Mexican culture.
About the Filipino Association of Singapore:
Established in 1937, the Filipino Association of Singapore is the oldest Philippine organisation in Singapore. It strengthens and promotes the integration of the Filipino community within Singapore's multicultural and racially diverse society.
Dance at the Tree of Life
- Saturday, 24 Feb, 2.30pm and 4.30pm
- Sunday, 25 Feb, 4.30pm
- Foyer, Level 2
- Free, no registration required
Grab a spot around the Tree of Life installation and enjoy vibrant dance performances from Mexico and the Philippines. Join in as the dancers show off their dazzling outfits and foot-tapping moves. Mexican dances will be presented by Mitote, and Filipino dances will be presented by Filipino Dance Club.
About Mitote:
Mitote, meaning “dancer” in Nahuatl, is a Mexican folkloric dance group that unites amateur enthusiasts from diverse cultures. Bound by their shared passion for promoting Mexico’s rich heritage, Mitote showcases the country’s profound cultural essence through their spirited performances.
About Filipino Dance Club:
Filipino Dance Club brings together Filipino dance enthusiasts, including professionals, students, and friends, who share a passion for dancing. The club performs at national events, private gatherings, and competitions.
Chocolate Storytelling: The Legend of Maria Cacao with The Chocolate Chamber
- Saturday, 24 Feb, 1.30pm and 3pm
- Discovery Room, Basement
- $5/parent-child pair
- Register here
Join the chocolate queen Raquel Choa, as she retells the legend of Maria Cacao, a folk story from Cebu about the origins of chocolate in the Philippines. Learn about Filipino chocolate-making in this session and taste some traditional hot chocolate! Each child will be able to take home a special Maria Cacao kit.
Suitable for ages 6 and above.
About The Chocolate Chamber
The Chocolate Chamber is an artisanal chocolate company that focuses on transforming locally-produced cacao beans into internationally acclaimed creations through its various products and services showcased in its cafés, boutiques and other platforms.
Special Giveaways: Ice Cream & Manila Galleon Plushie
- Saturday and Sunday, 24–25 Feb, 10am–5pm
- ACM Porch
Did you know that avocado and chocolate were brought to Asia on the Manila galleons? Try this sweet and delicious dessert combination! Present your Manila Galleon admission sticker to enjoy a free Avocadoria ice-cream on us.*
Don’t have a sweet tooth? Just follow us on Instagram or Facebook, post a picture with the Tree of Life installation, tag @acm_sg, and you could walk away with a free limited-edition Manila Galleon plushie!*
*Limited to 1 per person. While supplies last.
Drop-in Craft: Tansan Tambourine with Campfire Crates
- Saturday, 24 Feb, 10am–5pm
- Foyer, Level 2
- Free, no registration required
What’s a festival without music? Get creative and make your very own tansan tambourine. Traditionally made for Christmas in the Philippines, this fun musical toy will brighten up your festivities! Then, join us at the Community Corner in the River Room to learn more about the Philippines and its cultures!
Suitable for ages 7 and above with parental guidance.
While supplies last.
About Campfire Crates:
Campfire Crates is a multicultural content company that creates quality Filipino learning resources. They bring language, customs, and values of the Philippines to Filipino kids around the world through easy and engaging activities.
Drop-in Craft: Mexican Featherwork Mask with the Mexican Association in Singapore
- Sunday, 25 Feb, 10am-5pm
- Foyer, Level 2
- Free, no registration required
Learn traditional Mexican craft from members of the Mexican community in Singapore! Create a mask inspired by the Aztec and Mayan deity, Quetzalcoatl, using feathers. Then, visit the Community Corner in the River Room to learn more about Mexico and its cultures.
Suitable for ages 7 and above with parental guidance.
While supplies last.
About the Mexican Association in Singapore:
The Mexican Association in Singapore (Mexasing) is a non-profit organisation focused on supporting the Mexican community in Singapore and promoting Mexican culture.
Swashbuckle and Sail! Dress-up and Photo Booth
- Saturday and Sunday, 24–25 Feb, 11am–5pm
- River Room, Level 2
- Free, no registration required
Drop by our photo booth and try on some galleon-inspired sailor clothing or traditional attires from the Philippines or Mexico. Capture the moment and take photo prints home as a memento of your day at ACM.
Move it! Drama Performance
- Sunday, 25 Feb, 11.30am and 2.30pm
- River Room, Level 2
- Free, no registration required
Go on a global journey with ACT 3 International, as they bring to life three folk tales from Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines in this entertaining and interactive drama performance!
Suitable for ages 4 and above.
About ACT 3 International:
ACT 3 International is Singapore’s leading arts company for the young with the vision of touching young lives through the arts, beyond Singapore’s shores.
Story Time in the Galleries!
- Sunday, 25 Feb, 1.30pm
- Lobby, Level 1
- $5 refundable deposit/parent-child pair
- Register here
Join storyteller Hafiz Rashid on a quest for objects with birds in the Manila Galleon special exhibition. Listen to the captivating story of the Ibong Adarna, a magical bird known for its healing songs.
Admission to the special exhibition is required to participate in this programme.
Suitable for ages 6 and above.
Let’s Dive In! Meet a Marine Biologist
- Saturday, 24 Feb, 11am
- Contemporary Gallery, Level 1
- $5 refundable deposit/parent-child pair
- Register here
Curious about the treasures that lie beneath the water? Dive into the wonders, beauty, and fragility of Singapore seas with marine biologist, Sam Shuqin! Discover the rich marine life in our coral reefs, the threats they are facing, and how you can protect them.
Suitable for ages 7 and above.
About Sam Shuqin
Sam is an avid diver, educator, and a coral scientist. Her research centres around the restoration of coral reefs in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore. She co-founded Our Singapore Reefs, a community initiative that connects like-minded marine enthusiasts through diving and educational programmes.
Chocolatey Goodness: Truffles Workshop with Fossa Chocolate
- Saturday, 24 Feb, 11.30am
- Discovery Room, Basement
- $18/parent-child pair
- Register here
Join Fossa Chocolate, a local chocolatier, to learn about the process of chocolate making. Experience the taste of chocolate at different stages, explore various flavours of cocoa beans, and roll your own box of chocolate truffles to bring home in this session.
Suitable for ages 7 above with parental guidance.
About Fossa Chocolate:
Fossa Chocolate is a small bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer based in Singapore. They source fine cacao globally, process, and package each chocolate bar by hand. Collaborating with farmers, they aim to bring forth the best flavours.
Film Screening: YAKUQÑAN - Water Paths (PG)
- Sunday, 25 Feb, 3.30pm
- Ngee Ann Auditorium, Basement
- Free; registration required
- Register here
Join us for a special screening of YAKUQÑAN - Water Paths, a Peruvian documentary about the relationship between Peru’s people and water. Peru's pre-Columbian civilisations were built on a foundation of respect for water and land. The film questions how people of Peru’s coast, highlands, and jungle relate to it today, and the significance of water in their lives.
Supported by the Embassy of Peru in Singapore.
Craft and Voices: Collaboration and Community Engagement
- Saturday, 24 Feb, 1.30–4pm
- Ngee Ann Auditorium, Basement
- Free; registration required
- Register here
Join in this symposium to hear from Cándida Fernández de Calderón, director of the Fomento Cultural Citibanamex. A.C., Mexico, as she discusses her work with craftsmen to preserve and promote Mexican heritage. Other speakers include Lidia Riveros, Tracy Tang, and Denisonde Simbol, who worked with diverse communities to amplify their voices in the Manila Galleon: From Asia to the Americas exhibition.
Image Credit: Asian Civilisations Museum
Age
4+
Telephone number
+656332 7798
Links
Address
Singapore1 Empress Place Singapore River, South S179555
How to get there?
By public transport: The ACM is a 5-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT station (Exit H).
By car: Can be reached via a road behind Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, off Fullerton Road near Anderson Bridge.
Parking: At the basement car park of the New Parliament House, at Six Battery Road and at One Fullerton across from the Fullerton Hotel.