5 Must-try Programmes at My Community Festival 2022

Island-hopping, learning about Singapore’s smallest religious community, and fixing chou chous? Here are our top picks for this year’s My Community Festival.

Photo credit: My Community Festival

Island-hopping, learning about Singapore’s smallest religious community, and fixing chou chous? There are so many things to do at this year’s My Community Festival!

Running from 5 to 21 August, the theme for the festival’s third iteration is “My Home Sweet Home”; where visitors will learn about what home means to different individuals.

With more than 64 programmes and experiences to explore, we at The Honest People have collated five must-try experiences for you to learn more about our tiny red dot! Our 5 Must Try Experiences:

Learn about Singapore’s smallest religion

Photo credit: My Community Festival

Did you know that there are 10 official religions in Singapore? One of them is Zoroastrianism, the first monotheistic faith in the world which originates from Iran.

(Monothetsic means the belief that there is only one god.)

With about 600 worshippers in Singapore, Zoroastrianism is one of the smallest religious communities in Singapore. As such, many have not seen the rituals, practices or places of worship associated with Zoroastrianism.

Now, you will get a chance to step into the “inconspicuous” shophouse in Litlle India where the Zoroastrianism place of worship is located and learn more about the religion!

Date: 6 August, Saturday

Ticket price: $10 excluding service fee

Book here

The Real-life Doc Mcstuffin

Photo credit: My Community Festival

Meet Singapore’s Doc Mcstuffin (For those who aren’t Gen Z, Doc Mcstuffin is a Disney Junior show about a child that fixes stuff toys), “Doctor” Jane Cher!

In this workshop, you will step inside the Stuff Toys Hospital, where Doctor Jane will be demonstrating how to perform surgery on a Teddy Bear in order to extend its lifespan.

P.S. you can also bring your own chou chous for a much-needed check-up!

Date: 7, 14, 21 August, Sundays

Ticket price: $30 excluding service fee

Book here

An Exclusive Trip to an Off-limits Island (no it’s not Tekong)

Photo credit: My Community Festival

Unlike Tekong, the chances of knowing someone who visited Jurong Island is rare (unless they work there). And the chances of knowing someone who works at a power plant is even more rare (again, unless they work there).

Located in the far west of Singapore, Jurong Island houses many important infrastructures such as power plants and chemical plants. Some companies include Shell, Exxonmobil, and Pacific Light.

Due to how important and dangerous these infrastructures are, there is a heavy security presence on the island; making it not just some island you can plan a trip to.

But look no further as in this programme, you will be brought on an exclusive tour of the Pacific Light Power Station located at Jurong Island and learn about how the facility keeps our city up and running.

Date: 19 August, Friday

Ticket price: $30 excluding service fee

Book here

A Home away from Home

Photo credit: My Community Festival

The topic of our migrant workers’ living conditions was heavily discussed in 2020 when COVID-19 spread like wildfire in the dormitories and pictures showed how cramped their living areas were.

Two years on, how have their living conditions changed?

Usually located on the outskirts of Singapore, you’ll now be able to step inside one of these dormitories and hear from foreign workers about their experiences during the pandemic.

Date: 7, 14 August, Sundays

Ticket price: $20 excluding service fee

Book here

A Home-cooked African Meal

Photo credit: My Community Festival

When you think of a home-cooked meal, what dish do you think of? The answer will differ from person to person depending on their culture and heritage.

In one of 21 programmes where you’ll get to learn about a different culture through food, we think that trying out Bunny Chow would be a unique experience. This is especially since the number of restaurants in Singapore selling South African cuisine is few and far between.

In this programme, Candice Nicole Pretorius will be cooking Bunny Chow (which does not include bunnies inside, phew) a curry that originates from Durban, South Africa.

Over dinner, you’ll also learn about the significance of Bunny Chow during apartheid and Candice’s life in South Africa through the programme!

Note: The food is non-halal and not vegetarian

Date: 21 August, Sunday

Ticket price: $25 excluding service fee

Book here

Honourable mention

3 Festival Villages

Photo credit: My Community Festival

An honourable mention goes to the three festival villages this year. Through a self-guided tour, you will be able to rediscover Changi Village, Alexandra Village and Chinatown.

As a history junkie, I’ve been on one of the past tours before, and I really like how the tours give a whole new perspective to our unassuming neighbourhoods.

Given the festival is organised by My Community, you can expect a deep dive into the neighbourhood’s rich history and the stories of the people who live in it.

You can find out more here.

Overall, all of these activities are a great way to rediscover Singapore during this month as we celebrate our nation’s 57th birthday!

Seats are limited for some activities so do book your slots ASAP and check out the festival’s website for the latest information.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for other things to do this August? Why not check out our review of the Singapore Garden Festival here! Have a place you want us to check out? Email us at Getahonestreview@gmail.com.