Qixi Fest 2026 Brings Singapore’s Culinary Heritage to Life in Chinatown

Singapore’s food heritage will take centre stage at Qixi Fest 2026 as the contemporary celebration of the Qixi Festival returns to Kreta Ayer Square in Chinatown from 15 to 23 August 2026.

Now in its fourth edition, Qixi Fest will take place across two weekends under the theme “匠味传愿 Crafting Flavours That Inspire”. The festival celebrates the artisans, chefs and culinary practitioners who have helped preserve Singapore’s food traditions across generations, from Nanyang kopi brewing to Chinese culinary craftsmanship.

Organised by Singapore based heritage and experience design social enterprise Bridging Generations and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, Qixi Fest 2026 aims to encourage visitors to look beyond familiar dishes and discover the people, techniques and stories behind them.

The Qixi Festival, or 七夕节, is celebrated across China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Its origins are linked to the legend of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. Traditionally, the festival celebrates craftsmanship and artistry, with the belief that demonstrating skill through arts and handicrafts can help make wishes come true.

Qixi Fest draws on this tradition by using food as a way to explore craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Set in Chinatown, the festival will showcase culinary skills and traditions that have become part of Singapore’s multicultural food identity.

A key feature this year is a collaboration with the 150-year-old Ku So F&B Association Singapore and the 105-year-old Foochow Coffee Restaurant & Bar Merchants Association. Together, the two associations represent more than 250 years of collective culinary expertise and will bring together generations of kopi brewers, chefs and culinary practitioners.

The collaboration will feature immersive exhibitions, live demonstrations and masterclasses highlighting the techniques behind familiar Singaporean dishes, while recognising the individuals and communities who have helped keep these traditions alive.

Visitors can explore Become 食神, or God of Culinary, an interactive culinary exhibition focused on traditional knife skills, wok mastery, hand pulled noodles, sugar sculpting, flavour pairing and the techniques behind authentic Nanyang kopi.

The inaugural Nanyang Breakfast Challenge will also debut at the festival. Five finalists will compete live on 22 August for the title of Nanyang Breakfast Champion, with more than S$1,000 in cash prizes up for grabs.

Another highlight is Qixi Banquet Under the Stars, a one-night dining experience taking place on 19 August. Available exclusively through advance reservations, the banquet will feature a specially curated menu by renowned master chefs, combining traditional Chinese culinary techniques with distinctive Nanyang flavours.

Qixi Fest 2026 will be held at Kreta Ayer Square in Chinatown from 15 to 23 August 2026. Visitors can register for a complimentary festival ticket through Eventbrite and experience the stories, traditions and flavours behind Singapore’s culinary heritage.