From Kopi Culture to Culinary Mastery:
Qixi Fest 2026 Celebrates Singapore's Food Heritage
Qixi Fest (七夕乞巧嘉年华), Singapore's largest contemporary celebration of the Qixi Festival, returns to Kreta Ayer Square in Chinatown for two weekends from August 15 to 23, 2026, inviting visitors to rediscover the people, traditions, and craftsmanship behind the flavours that have shaped Singapore's rich culinary history.
Organised by Bridging Generations, a Singapore-based heritage and experience design social enterprise, and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the fourth edition of Qixi Fest is themed "匠味传愿 Crafting Flavours That Inspire" in celebration of the artisans and culinary practitioners who have preserved Singapore's food traditions across generations, from Nanyang kopi brewing to Chinese culinary mastery.
> 180,000
international visitors and locals,
including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong,
have attended Qixi Fest
In a city celebrated for its food, Qixi Fest invites visitors not simply to savour Singapore's favourite flavours, but to appreciate the people, traditions and craftsmanship that have quietly shaped them for generations.
"We are delighted to support Qixi Fest as part of Singapore's vibrant events calendar, offering both visitors and locals the opportunity to experience the richness of our cultural traditions. This year's edition of Qixi Fest, themed around culinary craftsmanship, brings together heritage, creativity and community. Presenting our traditions in fresh and imaginative ways, the celebration reinforces Singapore as a compelling destination for arts, culture and heritage, and encourages further exploration of the historic district of Chinatown.”
Ms Guo Teyi
Director, Leisure Events
Singapore Tourism Board
Reflecting this year's theme, the festival places two of Singapore's oldest culinary trade associations at the heart of the celebration. Marking the 105th anniversary of the Foochow Coffee Restaurant & Bar Merchants Association and the 150th anniversary of the Ku So F&B Association Singapore, this landmark collaboration brings together generations of kopi brewers, renowned chefs and culinary practitioners, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience more than 250 years of collective culinary craftsmanship through immersive exhibitions, live showcases and masterclasses.
"For generations, the members of both associations have quietly preserved the knowledge, techniques and values behind Singapore's culinary traditions. This year's Qixi Fest provides a meaningful platform to place these crafts centre stage—sharing not only the skills behind our work, but also the stories, friendships and traditions that have shaped Singapore's culinary identity for generations. We hope more people, especially younger generations, will be inspired to appreciate and carry these crafts forward."
Hong Poh Hin BBM
Chairman, Foochow Coffee Restaurant &
Bar Merchants Association Singapore
Eric Chua BBM
President, Ku So F&B Association Singapore
"Behind every flavour is a craft. Behind every craft is a story. When we enjoy a cup of kopi or a favourite dish, we rarely think about the decades of skill, dedication and tradition that brought it to our table. This year's theme, 匠味传愿 | Crafting Flavours That Inspire, celebrates the people who have quietly shaped Singapore's culinary identity—from kopi brewers and master chefs to the next generation of young innovators. Just as Qixi has always celebrated craftsmanship, we hope this festival inspires people to look beyond what they eat, appreciate the hands behind every flavour, and discover that our culinary heritage is something to be experienced, shared, and carried forward. "
Lynn Wong
Founder, Bridging Generations
“As I prepare to take on my new role at the Ministry of Education,
this is something that resonates with me. Learning does not happen only in classrooms. Our neighbourhoods can be classrooms. Our elders and practitioners can be teachers. And heritage can give young people opportunities to learn through curiosity, creativity and participation. Organisations such as Bridging Generations play an important role in creating these opportunities — connecting generations and nurturing young people not simply as audiences for heritage, but as the next generation of heritage co-creators.”
Shawn Loh
Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC
Acknowledgements
Become 食神 — An Immersive Interactive Culinary Exhibition
One of this year's signature experiences, Become 食神 invites visitors to journey through the many skills behind Chinese and Nanyang culinary traditions. Through interactive exhibition zones, hands-on activities and sensory experiences, visitors can explore the artistry behind traditional knife skills, wok mastery, hand-pulled noodles, flavour pairing, sugar sculpting and the secrets behind Singapore's distinctive Nanyang kopi culture. Along the way, visitors will uncover the craftsmanship, precision and creativity behind Singapore's favourite flavours—and discover what it truly takes to become a culinary master.
Singapore’s First Nanyang Breakfast Challenge
(南洋早餐达人争霸赛)
Celebrating one of Singapore's most iconic everyday traditions, the inaugural Nanyang Breakfast Challenge (南洋早餐达人争霸赛) invites participants to put their coffee knowledge, tasting skills, and breakfast expertise to the test. Following nationwide qualifying rounds, the Top Five finalists will compete live at Qixi Fest to crown Singapore's first Nanyang Breakfast Champion, celebrating the craftsmanship behind the nation's beloved breakfast culture.
Qixi Banquet Under the Stars
Held on the evening of the Qixi Festival itself (19 August), Qixi Banquet Under the Stars offers a rare opportunity to celebrate this traditional festival in its most meaningful way—through food, fellowship and the craftsmanship that has brought generations together around the dining table. Available by advance reservation only, the one-night dining experience features a specially curated menu by internationally acclaimed Chinese master chefs, showcasing the finest traditions of Chinese culinary artistry alongside Singapore's distinctive Nanyang flavours. Guests can also look forward to the ceremonial presentation of the legendary Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, revealing the remarkable skill, patience and heritage behind one of Chinese cuisine's most celebrated dishes. More than a dinner, it is an immersive celebration of craftsmanship, culture and tradition—where every course tells the story of the hands that perfected it and the generations that have kept it alive.
Witness Culinary Mastery in Action
Presented by members of the Foochow Coffee Restaurant & Bar Merchants Association and the Ku So F&B Association Singapore, visitors can witness generations of kopi brewers, renowned chefs and culinary practitioners—the living custodians of Singapore's culinary craft—bring their expertise to life through spectacular live showcases and exclusive masterclasses. Witness astonishing knife techniques, including precision cutting on a balloon, the creation of an intricate Qiqi sugar sculpture, and thoughtfully curated food and tea pairings that reveal the science and artistry behind taste. Each presentation offers a rare glimpse into the precision, creativity, and passion behind Singapore's favourite flavours.
What is Qixi Festival?
Qixi Festival is a “wish upon the stars festival" which falls on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. According to legend, the magpies will form a bridge on this day to help realise dreams. It is believed that wishes come true faster when you demonstrate skillfulness and mastery in the arts.
Qixi Fest (七夕乞巧嘉年华) is an initiative in collaboration with the community to revive Qixi Festival (七夕节) after its disappearance since the 1970s. We aim to make this effort a UNESCO case study for bringing back an important traditional festival that was dear to our foremothers who brought it to Singapore as early as the 19th century.
2026 Edition: 匠味传愿 Crafting Flavours That Inspire
Every flavour tells a story.
Every story begins with a craft.
This year, Qixi Fest celebrates the artisans, kopi brewers, chefs and culinary practitioners whose dedication has shaped Singapore's food identity across generations.
In collaboration with partners including the 105-year-old Foochow Coffee Restaurant & Bar Merchants Association and the 150-year-old Ku So F&B Association Singapore, discover more than 250 years of collective culinary craftsmanship brought to life through exhibitions, performances and immersive experiences.
