Celebrate Singapore’s 60th Birthday with Two New Exhibitions at the National Museum

From the waves of the sea to the currents of the Singapore River, and now flowing into the National Museum of Singapore — a powerful new exhibition charts Singapore’s evolution from a bustling maritime port to a dynamic global city. As part of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, the National Museum launches two exciting showcases starting 24 May 2025: a landmark exhibition titled Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City, and the much-loved Children’s Season with a fresh edition of Get Curious! Building Our Singapore.

Once Upon a Tide: A Voyage Through 700 Years of Transformation

Running until 9 October 2026, Once Upon a Tide invites you to embark on a journey through Singapore’s maritime beginnings and the powerful forces — trade, people, and innovation — that shaped its identity. Featuring over 350 artefacts from the National Collection, the exhibition unfolds across five immersive zones.

• Always on the Map explores Singapore’s historical importance long before 1819, featuring early maps and a wave-like digital projection that immerses you in the island’s past.
• The River Road traces the Singapore River’s evolution as the economic artery of early trade and shipbuilding. Try your hand at the interactive Sampan Challenge and navigate your way through this storied waterway.
• Expanding Horizons reveals how land scarcity sparked innovative urban planning, including artefacts like Raffles’ town planning letter and a skyline panorama from 1976.
• Flows of People pays tribute to the multicultural communities that built Singapore, featuring personal stories, tools of the trades, and media testimonies from construction workers to caregivers.
• Making Waves spotlights homegrown talents who have put Singapore on the global map — from Olympians and artists to trailblazing innovators. Test your Singlish chops in an interactive quiz and browse a compelling display of iconic local achievements.

To make your visit even more meaningful, collect an RFID wristband and answer reflective prompts throughout the exhibition. At the end, receive a personalised avatar representing your values — your contribution to a collective vision of Singapore’s future.

Younger visitors can follow along with 11 Waves of Wonder — family-friendly activity captions created with My First Skool — and enjoy hands-on learning with a special Programmes Cart designed for preschoolers and special needs groups.

Visitors can also pick up Once Upon a Tide: Stories of the Singapore River and Surrounding Seas, a beautifully curated book of essays and visuals, and look out for limited-edition avatar plushies launching in June 2025 at the museum shop.

Children’s Season Returns: Get Curious! Building Our Singapore

Running alongside the main exhibition, this year’s Children’s Season continues the journey of nation-building with an emphasis on community and shared heritage. Get Curious! Building Our Singapore offers kids a chance to explore how migrants and everyday Singaporeans helped shape our identity.

Little ones can dress up as early settlers, trace migration routes on a giant world map, and even write thank-you cards to modern-day migrant workers in partnership with Migrant & Me.

Don’t miss the charming Our Mama Shop showcase, where pre-schoolers from My First Skool and seniors from St Luke’s Eldercare collaborate on nostalgic artworks inspired by the quintessential corner store. Expect plenty of family-friendly fun, from storytelling sessions and meet-and-greets to The River Hunt, an interactive quest through Singapore’s history.

Admission Details

• Once Upon a Tide is free for Singaporeans and PRs.
• Children’s Season activities are free, though some programmes require tickets.

For full event details and registration, visit:

• Once Upon a Tide
• Children’s Season
• Or follow the National Museum on Facebook and Instagram.