Image: Little Ghost Explorer, SCCC’s interactive and immersive AR game created for Zhongyuan Festival 2026. 

SINGAPORE, 13 August 2026 – Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) presents its inaugural Zhongyuan Festival, which explores the history, customs, practices and cultural significance of the festival in Singapore. Taking place from 13 August to 10 September 2026, the festival aims to offer visitors of all ages a fresh and accessible way to learn more about how the festival is celebrated locally through traditional and contemporary offerings.

SCCC’s popular Mandarin and dialect singing programme Happy Sing-Along, will present a Zhongyuan special edition where banquet tables will be set up in the Multi-Purpose Hall in a traditional jiak tok (banquet) setting. Audiences will enjoy a feast while enjoying performances by popular getai singers. The ticketed programme will be held on 19 and 20 August 2026, with one session each day.

Another festival highlight is the Singapore premiere of 20-minute animated short film Egg Fried Rice from A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts, an upcoming anthology of animated horror tales by Robot Playground Media, the award-winning team behind The Violinist. The 4-episode series, inspired by traditional Chinese dishes, is adapted from a book by acclaimed author Ying Chang Compestine. Egg Fried Rice serves as the opening film and turns the humble fried rice into a powerful symbol of love, loss, and supernatural retribution. A total of four screenings will be available on 29 August 2026 and there will be a post-screening sharing by the creator/producer after the 4.30pm session.

For self-guided learning through game play, visitors can also engage in an immersive augmented reality (AR) game, Little Ghost Explorer, and go to various stations located within SCCC to learn more about the festival’s customs, beliefs and traditions through fun and interactive activities. Easily accessible via mobile and tablet devices, the AR game allows the public to learn about Zhongyuan together with their family and friends or even on their own. 

SCCC will also partner local radio station LOVE 972 for a special podcast episode of its popular radio programme Mr Zhou’s Ghost Stories to share more about the traditions, beliefs and practices of Zhongyuan Festival through engaging storytelling and conversations. 

SCCC Chief Executive Officer Mr Alvin Tan said, “The festival is part of SCCC’s ongoing efforts to showcase local Chinese festive celebrations, to spotlight vibrant local practices such as getai, and to promote greater public awareness of Zhongyuan traditions and customs while reminding Singaporeans of the importance of universal values such as filial piety and compassion.”

For more information on the above programmes and respective ticketing details, please visit this website or download media kit here.