Once Upon A Tide at National Museum of Singapore
Although National Day is a good 3 months away, there’s no shortage of SG60 promotions to remind us that our nation’s hitting the big 60 this year. Events like Singapore Heritage Fest and i Light 2025 that commemorate the milestone are also aplenty, and now you can add a visit to the National Museum of Singapore (NMS) to the SG60-related list of things to do.
That’s because it’s playing host to the Once Upon A Tide exhibition, a family-friendly, maritime-themed experience that’s bound to delight visitors of any age. From learning about the Little Red Dot’s status as a bustling port city to an interactive scavenger hunt, here’s what visitors can expect.
What is the Once Upon A Tide exhibition at NMS?
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
Once Upon A Tide is an exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore that’s running from 24th May 2025 to 9th October 2026. Entry is free, but you’ll still need an admission ticket to NMS to access the exhibition. Singapore citizens and PRs can snag free tickets to the museum via the NMS website, while tickets for everyone else start from $7/pax.
The Once Upon A Tide exhibition also commemorates Singapore’s 60th year of independence, and will recount and pay homage to its history that’s so deeply rooted in maritime trade. It’ll feature over 350 artefacts, as well as interactive installations that not only hark back to Singapore’s humble beginnings, but also offer a glimpse into the island city’s future.
What to expect at the Once Upon A Tide exhibition?
Whether you’re a huge history buff or a couple planning a cute museum date, there’s much to see and do at the Once Upon A Tide exhibition. Also, consider swinging by during its opening weekend, as there’ll be even more programmes to immerse yourself in, such as free craft workshops and performances.
Fascinating artefacts like a letter from Sir Stamford Raffles & interactive exhibits
The Once Upon A Tide exhibition is split into 5 different sections, each showcasing Singapore’s evolution throughout the years via various immersive mediums.
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
Begin your journey in Always on the Map, where you’ll be greeted with the digitally projected waves, whose ebb and flow most likely welcomed the first settlers to Singapore. Here, lay your eyes on ancient maps that date all the way back to 1525. You can also give the Find Your Singapore digital experience a shot; see if you can pinpoint Singapore on these very archaic maps.
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
If you’d like to take to the waters yourself, you can also do so right here – virtually, that is. With oars in hand, sail through the history of the Singapore River in the River Road exhibit. Who knows, you might have made for an excellent Sampan captain back in the day as you navigate past other vessels and brave the elements to safely transport passengers.
Image credit: Aditi Kashyap
Another section worth spending more time in is where stories of immigrants to Singapore have been told through various artefacts such as appointment letters and photographs. You’ll get a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors who moved here and why they decided to call this place home.
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
We won’t spoil too much of the exhibition for you; it’s best experienced in person after all. But, some of the other fascinating artefacts among the over 350 on display to keep an eye out for include a 1822 handwritten letter by a certain Sir Stamford Raffles, and an impressive panoramic oil painting by artist Lai Kui Fang of the burgeoning Singapore skyline back in 1976.
Whose Singlish is better? Play a game to find out.
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
You can also put your knowledge of Singapore to the test at a gameshow-styled quiz which features Singlish phrases and iconic local dishes known far and wide. Speaking of which, Singaporean icons who’ve put the Lion City on the map will also have the spotlight shone on them. Think pianist Margaret Leng Tan, filmmaker Eric Khoo, and athletes like Loh Kean Yew, Shanti Pereira, Joseph Schooling, and Maximilian Maeder.
Take part in extra programmes such as craft workshops & a scavenger hunt
Don’t forget to check out the various extra programmes that you can complement your visit to the Once Upon A Tide exhibition with. Once again, a couple of them will only be taking place over the exhibition’s opening weekend, so do plan your visits accordingly.
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
One such opening weekend-exclusive is the free Swirls of the Sea: A Marbling Art Drop-In Craft Activity, where participants can try their hand at creating a marbled keychain that’s inspired by the tides and connections of Singapore’s past.
Swirls of the Sea: A Marbling Art Drop-In Craft Activity
Price: Free
Date: 24th-25th May 2025
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-5pm
Location: Reunion Social Space, Level 1
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
You can also take a breather during your visit by tuning in for the Voices Under the Dome live performance. Prepare to be serenaded by a local ensemble of young Singers from the Cantaré Children’s Choir.
Voices Under the Dome
Price: Free
Date: 24th May 2025
Time: 3pm-3.10pm, 3.30pm-3.40pm & 3.50pm-4pm
Location: Main Rotunda, Level 1
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
For the little ones, make a stop at the Children’s Season Information Counter before you head on inside the Once Upon A Tide exhibition to pick up The River Hunt activity sheet. It’s essentially a free scavenger hunt that the kids can embark on; follow clues and answer questions correctly, and they can redeem a prize for their efforts.
The River Hunt: A Mission-based Artefact Hunt Activity
Price: Free
Date: 24th May-29th Jun 2025
Time: 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-6pm daily
Location: Children’s Season Information Counter outside Gallery Theatre, Basement Level
Other activities you can sit in for include interactive storytelling sessions and performances, and even daily short film screenings at the museum’s Gallery Theatre. Head to the NMS website to view the full list of Once Upon A Tide’s programmes
Learn more about SG’s history at the Once Upon A Tide exhibition
Image credit: National Museum of Singapore
With SG60 quickly approaching, consider paying a visit to the Once Upon A Tide exhibition to learn more about Singapore’s storied beginnings. If you’re a Singapore Citizen or a PR, even better – you don’t have to spend even a penny for this trip down memory lane, so slot in a trip to NMS into your upcoming weekend plans.
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For more family-friendly things to do in Singapore:
- Children’s Festival 2025 at GBTB
- Stitch 626 Party at VivoCity
- Wiggle Wiggle in the Sky at Singapore Flyer
Cover image adapted from: National Museum of Singapore