Thekchen Choling Singapore Celebrates 25 Years with Biggest Ever Our Joyous Vesak Festival

Thekchen Choling Singapore is set to hold its largest-ever Vesak celebration this May as it marks its Silver Jubilee in 2026 with a week-long edition of Our Joyous Vesak at the open field beside NEX.

Running from 25 to 31 May, the expanded festival builds on last year’s three-day event with a full week of cultural activities, wellness programmes, family-friendly experiences, animal blessings, and community outreach initiatives open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Seah Kian Peng is also expected to attend the festival on Vesak Eve and Vesak Day.

This year’s edition draws inspiration from the Buddhist parable of the Four Friends, a story centred on harmony, respect, and cooperation, themes reflected throughout the festival’s design and programming. Official transport partner Ryde will also provide pet-friendly rides to the event. Visitors travelling to the festival can redeem S$5 worth of RydeCoins using the code RYDEXTCCL5, while attendees at the Animal Blessing Ceremony on 26 May can also scan on-site to earn additional RydeCoins.

One of the festival’s main highlights will be the unveiling of a Giant Wish-Fulfilling Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka on 25 May at 7pm. Standing four storeys tall, the hand-sewn appliqué thangka is made from silk brocade, beads, and sequins, and is believed to be the largest Shakyamuni Buddha appliqué thangka in Southeast Asia. The unveiling ceremony will feature chanting, a gong ceremony, and a special light-up segment.

Visitors will also be able to view a 16-foot replica of the Bodhgaya Stupa, modelled after the UNESCO World Heritage site in India that commemorates the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2,600 years ago.

Returning for its fifth year, the Animal Blessing Ceremony on 26 May at 7pm is expected to once again attract more than 1,000 pets and owners. During the ceremony, Venerable Sanghas will bless animals and offer prayers for their health, happiness, and well-being. Earlier that evening, a Dharma Sharing session titled “You Are Your Pet’s Guru” will explore mindful and compassionate pet ownership.

Throughout the festival, pet owners can also participate in merit-making activities alongside their pets, including bathing the Buddha, offering flowers, and circumambulating the stupa. A Paw-traits booth staffed by Dharma Youth volunteers will also offer hand-drawn sketches of visitors’ pets.

The festival will also feature a new partnership between Thekchen Choling and Braddell Heights Constituency through the Heart of Giving Market on 30 May. The initiative will distribute fresh food and household essentials to lower-income families, with Seah Kian Peng attending as Guest of Honour. The collaboration is particularly meaningful as Thekchen Choling celebrates its 25th anniversary while Braddell Heights Constituency marks its 50th anniversary this year.

The spiritual centrepiece of the festival will take place on Vesak Eve, 30 May, when Singha Rinpoche leads the Grand Dharma Light Circumambulation at 8pm. The candlelit procession symbolises the passing down of Buddhist teachings across generations.

On Vesak Day itself, devotees can join the Vesak Day Prayer for World Peace & Harmony at 9.30am, also led by Singha Rinpoche. The prayer session will focus on healing, peace, and compassion for those affected by conflict and suffering around the world. Seah Kian Peng is expected to deliver a speech before the ceremony begins.

Beyond religious observances, the festival will also include interactive games, meditation sessions, and wellness talks for visitors of all ages. Guests can take part in activities such as Whack-A-Worry and Shoot Your Shot, designed to introduce Buddhist teachings through play while offering mystery gifts as keepsakes.

For those seeking quieter reflection, Singha Rinpoche will host an open meditation session on 29 May at 8pm focused on cultivating calm and inner balance. On 30 May at 11.30am, Mind Transformations will also conduct a free public talk titled “You Are Worthy of Being Well!” centred on positive mental well-being.