The Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) ushers in the new year with its much-anticipated Pongal Open House 2026, held across two festive weekends on 10, 11, 17 and 18 January 2026. This year’s edition welcomes you into a village-themed celebration that captures the heart of Pongal — a time of gratitude, harvest and the enduring strength of community.
Pongal 2026 itself is celebrated from 13 to 17 January, traditionally beginning on the last day of the ninth month in the Tamil calendar. Observed over four days, Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil Hindu community to express gratitude to the Sun God, Surya, for a successful harvest and to welcome a bountiful new season.
It is also a time when cattle — especially the cow, which is considered sacred in Hindu belief — are honoured for their role in agriculture and daily life. Beyond its agricultural roots, Pongal is marked by temple offerings, lively social gatherings and new beginnings, as families don new clothes and carry out spring cleaning in their homes.
While we may be far removed from traditional harvest seasons in an urban city like Singapore, the Pongal Open House offers a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with these values. It is a chance to introduce children — and remind ourselves — of the importance of respecting nature and animals, while setting intentions for a fresh and hopeful start to the year.
Rooted in the warmth of rural life, the Open House brings together cultural performances, traditional crafts, hands-on workshops and a vibrant festive market, creating a welcoming space where generations and communities gather to celebrate the harvest season together.
Celebrating Community at the Heart of Pongal
Community takes centre stage at Pongal Open House 2026 through two meaningful initiatives that honour collective participation and shared traditions.
One of the highlights is the creation of the largest kolam made with harvest crops, an ambitious and symbolic artwork led by Mdm Vijaya Mohan. Created in collaboration with volunteers from Singapore’s migrant and domestic worker communities, this kolam will be showcased on 18 January 2026 from 11am to 1pm at the Indian Heritage Centre façade, and will be submitted to the Kolam Book of Records. Admission is free, and visitors are invited to witness this powerful expression of unity and tradition.
Running throughout the Open House period from 10 to 18 January 2026, the Centre will also present a community art installation created in collaboration with SunLove Active Ageing Centre, Serangoon. Displayed along the Level 1 Lobby Staircase, the installation features 30 hand-painted Pongal pots, lovingly crafted by seniors from the centre. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, the installation celebrates creativity, memory, and the passing down of cultural heritage across generations.
Experiencing Pongal Through Craft, Performance and Cuisine
Beyond its community showcases, Pongal Open House 2026 offers visitors an immersive journey into Pongal traditions through live demonstrations and performances.
Across all four event days, the Indian Heritage Centre façade will come alive with free live cultural performances from 11am to 4pm, featuring folk dances and dramatised storytelling inspired by village life. On 18 January, performances will begin from 2pm, inviting visitors to soak in the festive atmosphere alongside the community.
Visitors can also witness the artistry of traditional pottery through a live pottery demonstration by master potter Shri V.K. Munusamy from Villianur, India. Held on 10 and 11 January at the Level 1 Lobby from 10am to 5pm, the demonstration showcases the crafting of miniature Pongal pots.
*Selected visitors may even bring home one of these handcrafted keepsakes.
Adding flavour to the festivities, the live Pongal cooking demonstration takes place on 10 and 11 January from 2pm to 3pm at the Centre’s façade. Watch traditional Pongal come together live as chefs share the stories and significance behind this beloved harvest dish.
Hands-On Workshops and Guided Experiences
For those keen to explore deeper, a curated selection of workshops and guided programmes offers opportunities to learn, create and experience Pongal traditions firsthand.
*Registration is required via https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com.
The Pulli Kolam Workshop, held on 10 January from 10.30am to 12.30pm, introduces participants to this classical South Indian art form in a beginner-friendly setting. Conducted at the Indian Heritage Centre Office Seminar Room, the workshop is priced at $10 per participant.
On 11 January, the Tanjore Art Workshop invites participants to create their own Pongal-themed artwork using rich colours, gold foils and inlaid glass gems. This session runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm and is priced at $25 per participant.
Families can also join the Village Trail & Banana Leaf Pongal Meal on 10 January, a guided experience around Little India that explores how village customs live on in modern Singapore. The trail concludes with a village-inspired banana leaf lunch and runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm, priced at $30 per person.
For younger audiences, Mongal Pongal – Interactive Children Storytelling offers a playful and engaging session combining storytelling, craft-making and music. Conducted in Tamil and English, the programme takes place on 10 January from 11am to 12.30pm at the Level 2 Activity Room, priced at $20 per parent-child pair, and is suitable for children aged 4 to 12.
Free Family-Friendly Activities Throughout the Open House
Throughout the Open House weekends, visitors of all ages can enjoy a wide range of free activities designed for relaxed exploration and creative play.
Drop-in craft activities are available at the Level 2 Special Exhibition Gallery from 10am to 5pm on selected dates. These include decorating a DIY cattle toy inspired by Indian folk designs on 10 and 11 January, painting a Pongal pot pin on 17 and 18 January, and creating a personalised Pongal charm keychain across all four event days. Pongal-themed colouring sheets are also available, with completed artworks displayed on the Colouring Wall of Fame.
Young visitors can pick up the Pongal Special: Kids Activity Booklet from the Visitor Staff Counter at the Level 1 Lobby between 10 and 18 January, offering fun activities and easy-to-understand facts that introduce the festival’s meaning and traditions.
Additional lobby activities run across all four days, featuring interactive panels, games and festive booths that share bite-sized Pongal facts in an engaging way.
Festive Treats, Market Finds and More
A visit to Pongal Open House 2026 wouldn’t be complete without food and festive shopping. Complimentary Pongal snacks and beverages will be available at the Level 1 Lobby at 11am and 3pm on all four event days.
On 10 and 11 January, the Pongal Festive Market opens at the Level 2 Special Exhibition Gallery from 10am to 5pm, offering a curated selection of unique finds while supporting local Indian home-based businesses.
A Warm Invitation to Celebrate Together
With its village-inspired setting, strong community focus and a wide range of free and paid programmes, Pongal Open House 2026 at the Indian Heritage Centre offers a meaningful and welcoming way to celebrate the harvest season.
If you’re in the area for the festivities, it’s also worth spending time around Little India. From 13 to 17 January 2026, the neighbourhood comes alive with even more colour and energy for the Pongal Festival, featuring dazzling light displays at the Little India Pongal Light-up and the rare opportunity to see live cattle adorned with flowers at the Pongal Cattle Farm along Clive Street.
Whether you’re there for the performances, workshops, food, or simply to soak in the festive atmosphere, this annual celebration invites you to gather, give thanks and begin the year together in the spirit of community and renewal.
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