Wondering what's the hype about the Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore? Find out in our handy guide to this annual fun fest promising a good time for the whole family!
Triangular rice dumplings, resounding drumbeats, and Dragon Boat races? Yes, make no mistake, the annual Dragon Boat Festival or Duan Wu Jie (端午节) is here again. Happening this year on 31 May, Saturday, this is an age-old traditional celebration that remains alive in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. Really, it’s so much more than the exciting boat races or the delicious glutinous rice dumplings. It’s also a celebration of tradition and honour, or perhaps, it’s just another excuse for the family to get together. We fill you in on its origins, fun activities to do, and more importantly, where to find those delectable rice dumplings!
The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival
As with any Chinese festivals or traditions, the origins story can vary by location and timeline. But one thing that stays the same is its date, the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. Some beliefs suggest that this was an “evil day and month”, and the celebration, with all its customs and rituals, was to drive bad luck away.
In some earlier records, the Dragon Boat Festival was a way to worship the river dragon to ensure good harvest during the summer solstice. Chinese provinces like Jiangsu and Zhejiang, share stories of Wu Zixu, a hero who sought revenge for his family’s unjust execution, but was tragically forced to his death on this very day. They also tell a story of a devoted daughter during the Eastern Han Dynasty (23 – 220 A.D.), whose filial piety has inspired temples and traditions in her honour.
But the most popular and known story is that of Qu Yuan (屈原). His association with the Dragon Boat Festival started only in the second century BC. He was a loyal official of the Chu State and a talented Chinese poet who left us with the poem Li Sao (离骚). During the Warring States period in China, his patriotism was mistaken for treason and he was banished. Seeing his motherland fall into the hands of the corrupt and overthrown by the Qin army, he threw himself into the Mi Luo river (汨罗江) of the now Northern Hunan province, in despair.
He was so well-loved by the locals that they raced out in their boats to save him. Without any success, they beat on drums to frighten the fishes away and threw rice dumplings into the river to prevent the fishes from eating his body. Over time, this evolved into the Dragon Boat Festival we know, complete with rice dumplings and thunderous sounds from the Dragon Boat races.
Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore 2025: Family-friendly events
1. Duan Wu Carnival 2025 @ SFCCA
This year, the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations and the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is pulling out all stops for Dragon Boat Festival 2025. Hop on a literary adventure through Chinese legends and myths with storytelling sessions, or get those little hands busy crafting a Chinese Mugwort Massage Hammer. Get hands-on and learn all about the festival at the Duan Wu Elements Match. Grab your Activity Kits on level two, when you Celebrate with Uncle Ting. If gaming is your thing, make sure to join the Dumplings Dash or Dumplings Taste Challenge game tournaments for a chance to win shopping vouchers. Note: You’ll need a team of four or three. With all the busking performances and exhibitions peppered around the venue, it’s a great place to soak in the festivities!
When: 25 May 2025, 9am – 2pm
Where: Duan Wu Carnival 2025 Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, 397 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319639
Price: Free
2. Of Thumping Drumbeats & Delicious Rice Dumplings
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall may be closed for renovations but they’re bringing a piece of Dragon Boat Festival to Chinatown. Find the travelling exhibition and learn all about the festival through the catchy illustrations and designs. Find them at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations too!
Where: Travelling exhibitions, Chinatown Smith Street
When: 27 May – 9 June 2025
3. Catch the Dragon Boat Race at Bedok Reservoir
One of the biggest highlights of the Dragon Boat Festival is the Dragon Boat Race happening at Bedok Reservoir. This is the oldest dragon boat race in Singapore and promises to be fun for the family, with a range of events to look forward to.
When: 21 – 22 June 2025
Where: PAssion Wave, Bedok Reservoir Park, 911 Bedok Reservoir Rd, Reservoir Park Bedok Reservoir Park, Carpark A, Nearest Car Park, Singapore 479311
4. Row a Dragon Boat
Nothing like being part of the tradition yourself. Feel the thrill of Dragon Boating at Singapore Sports Hub, guided by the professionals. Form a team of 12 or 22 to rent the boats for a vibrant bonding activity under the sun or book an orientation program – suitable for kids seven years and up – to learn basic paddling skills. It’ll make a great family time out too!
Where: Dragon Boat rental and Dragon Boat Orientation, Singapore Sports Hub, 1 Stadium Dr, #02-01 National Stadium, Singapore 397629
When: The next Dragon Boat orientation programme runs on 29 June 2025
Price: From $15 for kids, $18 for adults (includes flotation device, Dragon Boat, and paddle
5. Chinatown Dragonboat Festival 2025
Chinatown is set to come alive with culture, celebration, and community with workshops and activities for Dragonboat Festival 2025. Immerse in the vibrant performances, including lion and dragon dances, festival drumming, and even the ancient art of face changing. Try your hand at the Lantern Riddles or compete in a Dragonboat competition, on land! There’ll also be promotions at selected shops along Smith Street.
Where: Chinatown, along Smith Street
When: 31 May – 1 June
Price: Free and ticketed events (from $25 onwards)
Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore 2025: Where to find rice dumplings
Rice dumplings, or Zong Zi (粽子).are a must-have during the Dragon Boat Festival. Wrapped in bamboo leaves, these glutinous rice balls are filled with meats like pork, Chinese sausage, salted duck egg, or even sweet beans. They are held together by strings which sometimes denotes its fillings, and steamed. Depending on the region, Southern Chinese tend to prefer savoury flavours, while those up North prefer the sweet version. These days, restaurants offer innovative takes which can include premium ingredients like truffles or unique ones like ice cream!
Here are some of our favourites!
1. Traditional dumplings from Thye Moh Chan
You won’t go wrong with the veteran of Teochew pastries, Thye Moh Chan. For Dragon Boat Festival, they’ve brought back their range of Teochew Bak Chang which includes the best-selling Teochew Double Delight Bak Chang. Delightfully sweet and savoury, the dumpling is filled with pork belly, mushrooms, and toasted chestnuts – all our favourites in a dumpling – and sweetened with tau sar (mung beans). The Teochew Salted Egg Bak Chang features a whole salted egg yolk in the middle and has dried shrimps for extra umami! They even have a meatless option with the Teochew Mushroom Chang, that’s also free from pork lard and eggs. Each dumpling is priced at $7.50, buy more for more discounts. The six or 10 pieces bundle even comes with a limited-edition gift bag.
Where: Thye Moh Chan or selected BreadTalk and Toastbox stores
2. Fun “rice dumpling” ice creams from Swensen’s
Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with Swensen’s fun rice dumpling ice creams! This year the crowd-favourite Pulut Hitam ($19.60 for two) is back in all its sweetm purple-y glory. Think purple rice ice cream speckled with black glutinous rice bits, all encased in a chocolate shell with salted egg bonbons.
Where: Order online for delivery or collection in-stores. Please refer the website for location details.
3. Dumplings all- year-round from Joo Chiat Kim Choo
Joo Chiat Kim Choo is the veteran of rice dumplings in Singapore. They may be available all-year-round but come Dragon Boat Festival, you’ll find exquisite gift sets that taste as good as they look. The Five Royal Stars gift set ($56+) pays tribute to Singapore’s Chinese ethnic groups with Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka Pork Belly, and Nyonya dumplings. The Emperor’s Heirloom ($228+) comes in an elegant two-tiered gift set with six pieces of the Emperor’s Rice Dumplings, made from their secret recipe and a blend of 22 spices.
Where: Order online for delivery or collection in-stores. Please refer the website for location details.
4. Sweet red bean dumplings from Din Tai Fung
Enjoy the iconic Din Tai Fung’s exquisite red bean rice dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival. Made with top-grade glutinous rice and wrapped in fragrant bamboo leaves, these sweet treats are perfect for kids.
Where: Din Tai Fung outlets around Singapore. Please refer the website for location details.
5. Tradition meets luxe in dumplings from Shang Palace
Shang Palace spotlights handcrafted rice dumplings with ingredients such as Barbecued Pork, Yunnan Ham and Conpoy, and dried scallop. Enjoy five dumplings, including Truffle Pork with Salted Egg, Sweetened Purple Rice with Kaya, in the Rice Dumpling Gift Set ($82.71). Experience Asia with the Heritage of Asia Gift Set ($65.61) which sees unique flavours like Hainanese Chicken Rice Dumpling, Sambal Pork Floss Rice Dumpling, and even a Rose Petal and Lychee Rice Dumpling.
Where: Order online for delivery or collection at Shang Palace, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Shangri-La Singapore, Singapore 258350.
6. Gourmet creations at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant
Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant offers gourmet dumplings for all ages. Handcrafted Cantonese-style dumplings which includes returning favourites such as the Signature Pork and Salted Egg ($20+) and the sweet Pandan Gula Melaka with Shredded Coconut & Quinoa Glutinous Rice ($18+). Don’t miss out on this year’s new addition, the Pork Trotter & Peanut with Szechuan Green Peppercorn Rice Dumpling ($25+), that’s slow-braised to perfection.
Where: Order online for delivery or collection at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865.
7. Fan-tastic premium offerings at Madame Fan
The contemporary Chinese restaurant, Madame Fan, takes things up a notch this year with two new, unique flavours. Love chilli crab? Savour them as part of the Singapore-style Chilli Crab Rice Dumpling ($22+). Or reach for the American Ginseng, Black Bean and Wolfberry Rice Dumpling ($18+) for a nourishing twist. Definitely go for the Dumpling Gift Set ($98+) which includes three classic flavours and The Madame’s XO Sauce!
Where: Available for takeaway and delivery from Madame Fan at The NCO Club, 32 Beach Road, The NCO Club, Singapore 189764
Wishing you and your little ones a fun-filled and delicious festive season this Dragon Boat Festival!
