Singapore Festival 2025: A First-of-its-Kind Celebration of Culture, Community, and 60 Years of Nationhood

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SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 5, 2025--

Fueled by the passion and drive of Singaporeans and friends living in the United States, a team of dedicated volunteers is bringing an unprecedented cultural celebration to the Bay Area: the inaugural Singapore Festival 2025 will debut on Sunday, September 21 at the San Mateo County Event Center. The festival’s tagline, “Still Shiok at 60!”, reflects Singapore’s youthful energy and joy at 60, with shiok expressing the delight and satisfaction of every Singaporean experience. Organized by SingaporeConnect, a Bay Area-based nonprofit, this first-of-its-kind and most ambitious community-led Singaporean event held in the US, unites US-based Singaporeans to American and Asian communities, and showcases Singapore’s unique multicultural identity in America.

Singapore Festival 2025 will transform the event center into a vibrant celebration of food, music, art, and innovation—honoring six decades of independence and the enduring friendship between Singapore and the United States. The festival reflects the values that unite Singapore and the Bay Area: diversity, resilience, and forward-thinking creativity.

“Singapore Festival 2025 is more than a cultural celebration—it’s a bridge between communities, a platform for shared stories, and a spotlight on Singapore’s global identity,” said Mark Sin, president of SingaporeConnect. “From hawker food heritage to business innovation, the festival weaves a vibrant tapestry of Singapore’s journey while deepening ties with the Bay Area. And above all, our heartfelt thanks go to every volunteer—your passion and commitment turned this dream into reality.”

What to Expect: A Full Day of “Shiok” Moments

• Immersive Theater: Singapore’s Road to Independence —Step into pivotal moments in Singapore’s history through interactive, themed rooms and live storytelling. Relive the journey from self-rule to nationhood in a first-of-its-kind theatrical experience.
• Hawker Food Hall: Savor iconic dishes from 10 leading restaurants—from laksa and satay to Hainanese chicken rice—in a hawker-style setting that celebrates Singapore’s UNESCO-recognized food heritage. Featured food vendors and brands include: Annachi Kadai, Banana Leaf, Curry Leaves Bistro, DABAO Singapore, Dapoer Ngebul, Mochiholic, NUSA, Shiok, Kopi Bar, MYSelera Bistro, and MahaCo Dosa.
• Pasar Malam Marketplace: Discover and shop “shiok” crafts, products, services, art, demos, artisan creations, startups, at our varied marketplace. Featured vendors include: Bay Cities Solar Solutions, Canviart, CryoWerx, Donna Tam Real Estate, Li Fong Woo/GammaE in Action, Gullie, Hipster/Voncierge, Igloo, LingoAce, Louis Lim & Partners, Mamam, Mishapen Ceramics, Nanyang Technological University, New York Life, PFA, PicklePaddle, Power Down Semiconductor, Reprise Health, S.A.M. Singapore Math, Shaofen Labs, Shawna Chan, Time Generation, MAMAM, and more.
• Live Performances & Comedy: Enjoy multicultural rhythms, homegrown singers, mesmerizing dances, and stand-up comedy infused with Singaporean flavor. Entertainers include: Cheryl K, known for her hit “Money” in Crazy Rich Asians; Linying, named to Spotify’s 25 Most Influential Artists in Asia and DAZED 100; Yung Raja, Singaporean-Tamil rap sensation redefining hip-hop with a Tanglish flow; Elisha Tan, Singaporean comedian who headlined Punchline SF; Ethel Tan, Singapore-born, LA-based comedian; Akhila and Chenna, Indian classical vocalists, mridangist and violinist; Frances Tan, Singapore’s soulful singer-songwriter, and more.
• Games: Participate in interactive games for all ages, some with a Singapore twist. Add your mark to a collaborative art wall celebrating shared identity.
• Networking Pavilion & Fireside Chats: Connect with industry leaders and hear from prominent US-based Singaporeans in intimate conversations about culture, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community. Topics include: Born in Singapore, Building the Future: From Silicon Valley to the World, From Ports to Digital Ports: Singapore, ASEAN, and the Age of AI and more. Featured speakers include Andrew Ng, AI pioneer, Google Brain founding lead, and DeepLearning.AI founder; Jerene Yang, OpenAI’s Head of Runtime Engineering; Chade-Meng Tan, mindfulness leader and bestselling author; Kenji Yoshino, inclusion thought leader and constitutional law scholar; Samantha Ong, tech-for-good entrepreneur and GreenLoop founder; Anthony Chow, Igloo founder and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Chef Malcolm Lee, Michelin-starred culinary innovator; Tan Wei Ming, youth climate activist and UN delegate; Ravi Menon, digital finance strategist and policy expert, and many more.

Sponsors

Singapore Festival sponsors include Singapore Global Network, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Donna Tam Real Estate, Aurice Guyton Events, Hipster, Voncierge, Igloo, Razer, Spot On Productions, Squire Patton Boggs, and Khong Guan Corporation. Interested sponsors, marketplace vendors, partners, volunteers, and community contributors/kampong heroes can click here to explore opportunities with Singapore Festival.

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
• Time: 10 AM – 8 PM
• Location: San Mateo County Event Center, Fiesta Hall, 2701 S Delaware St, San Mateo, CA 94403

Register to Attend Singapore Festival 2025

Singapore Festival 2025 offers a true taste of home for the Singaporean community and an exciting cultural journey for all friends of Singapore. Get tickets here or visit the Singapore Festival’s website, Facebook, or Instagram for updates. For media interested in covering the event or in one-on-one interviews with SingaporeConnect and/or participating speakers, entertainers, artists, speakers, vendors, please contact Tanita Sandhu at media@singaporeconnect.org

Exclusive Media Invitation – VIP Pre-Event & Tour

Accredited media are invited to join a VIP pre-event reception at 9:30 AM on Sunday, September 21. This private briefing will include an exclusive first look at the festival, featuring a preview of the immersive theater, culinary food zone, and vibrant marketplace—all before doors officially open to the public. Attendance is capped and press passes are required. To request a media pass for the VIP pre-event or the Singapore Festival, please contact Tanita Sandhu at media@singaporeconnect.org

About SingaporeConnect

Founded in 2005, SingaporeConnect is a nonprofit corporation (pending 501(c)(4) status) based in the Bay Area comprised of passionate volunteers dedicated to building a vibrant and connected community of Singaporeans and fans of Singapore in the United States. SingaporeConnect aims to serve as a cultural and social bridge—celebrating Singaporean heritage, fostering meaningful connections with fans and friends of Singapore, and engaging the next generation of overseas Singaporeans. From family-friendly gatherings to professional networking and milestone celebrations, we bring the Singapore spirit to life abroad. www.singaporeconnect.org

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250905654341/en/

CONTACT: Media Contact

Tanita Sandhu/Mary Placido

Singapore Festival

(415) 218-3627

media@singaporeconnect.org

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES ASIA PACIFIC SINGAPORE SOUTHEAST ASIA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ARTS/MUSEUMS MEN ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS/CONCERTS FAMILY CONSUMER GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT OTHER ENTERTAINMENT TEENS THEATRE MUSIC WOMEN SENIORS

SOURCE: SingaporeConnect

Copyright Business Wire 2025.

PUB: 09/05/2025 09:16 PM/DISC: 09/05/2025 09:16 PM

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