12-23 May: Tua Pek Kong Festival

On the fourth month of the Lunar calendar, when the moon is full, Pulau Ubin bursts with celebrations! The birthday of Tua Pek Kong is honoured with colourful festivities.

Wayang shows go on during the day and night!

Ubin Jetty is decked out in colourful flags and lanterns, and Ubin Town is host to lavish rituals. The ancient Wayang Stage at Ubin Town comes alive with traditional opera in glittering costumes as well as more modern vibrant celebrations.

All are welcomed to experience this authentic village festival at Pulau Ubin!

This year, a special Tua Pek Kong Festival at Pulau Ubin for the 150th anniversary of the Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple! It begins a week earlier than usual, on 12 May (Sun) to 23 May (Wed), overlapping 19 May (Sun) and 20 May (Mon) Vesak Day holidays

The Tua Pek Kong Festival is organised by the Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple.

Thanks to the Singapore Heritage Society for providing this Pulau Ubin Tua Pek Kong temple & festival – a brief guide (pdf) in English and Mandarin including the full programme.

Wayang happens in the daytime during the festival, while island life goes on as usual.

Evening wayang at Pulau Ubin is magical!

Programme details thanks to Victor Yue

18 May (Sat)
2pm: Enhancing Luck ritual
7pm: Enhancing Luck ritual
7pm: Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera
10pm: Inviting the Jade Emperor to the celebration

19 May (Sun)
10am: Praying Ritual and Ceremony starts
11am: Dragon and Lion Dance
1pm: Free Offerings (while stocks last)
3.30pm: Sending off Jade Emperor
7pm: Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera
7.30pm: Crossing the Ping An Bridge
8pm: Tua Ji Ya Pek come for the Gathering

20 May (Mon)
7pm: Sin Sing Yong Hua Teochew Opera

21 May (Tue)
7pm: Sin Sing Yong Hua Teochew Opera

22 May (Wed)
10am: Sin Sing Yong Hua Teochew Singing
11am: Dragon and Lion Dance
7pm: Tua Pek Kong Temple Dinner

23 May (Thu)
10am: Sin Sing Yong Hua Teochew Singing
7pm: Getai
10.30pm: Sending Tua Pek Kong. Tor De Kong, Hor Ya Kong back.

Free evening bumboat travel (look for the bumboats with the festival flag): 18 - 23 May 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Travel advisory!
The Tua Pek Kong Festival, as usual, coincides with Vesak Day. This year, Vesak Day falls on 19 May (Sun), 20 May (Mon) a public holiday. Many pilgrims for the Tua Pek Kong festival plus the long weekend crowd is expected to result in more visitors to Ubin. So be prepared for travel delays: longer queues for the bumboats. And a parking crunch at Changi Village. Especially 8am onwards for travel from Changi to Ubin; and noon onwards for travel from Ubin to Changi, with peak congestion near sunset.

Dates: 12 May - 23 May
Venue: Ubin Town, 3 min walk from Ubin Jetty (map).
Websites: Singapore Heritage Society and Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple
No charge, the activity is free!
No registration required. Simply come to Pulau Ubin and experience the celebrations!

For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Also check out the Pulau Ubin Tua Pek Kong Festival 2019 event page.