Armenian Street Party 2026
- Rosette Media
- 22 minutes ago
- 3 min read
This March 2026, Peranakan Museum and Armenian Street will be transformed by art, performances, culinary pop-ups, workshops, and mystery-themed experiences inspired by Mediacorp’s English drama “Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights.”
The Peranakan Museum showcases the cross-cultural art of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. Housed in the former Tao Nan School, established in 1912, it features one of the world’s premier public collections of Peranakan artifacts. The museum’s three floors delve into Peranakan life through themes of origins, home, and style as elements of identity. Visitors can enjoy community interviews, recorded demonstrations, art commissions, and other modern expressions of Peranakan culture, prompting them to ponder: “what is Peranakan?”. The museum is a department of ACM, under the National Heritage Board.
The Peranakan Museum’s annual Armenian Street Party returns for its tenth year from 13 to 15 March 2026, transforming Armenian Street with performances, art installations, culinary pop-ups, workshops, and community programs celebrating the richness of Peranakan culture. This edition is presented in collaboration with the Peranakan Association Singapore, Gunong Sayang Association, Peranakan Indian (Chitty Melaka) Association of Singapore, and the Arab Network@Singapore.
Clement Onn, Director of Asian Civilisations Museum and Peranakan Museum, stated, “Armenian Street Party invites everyone to enjoy the vibrancy of Peranakan culture through food, fashion, performance, and craft workshops. Together with our community partners, we are excited to welcome visitors to the museum to experience and celebrate Peranakan culture in innovative and meaningful ways.”
Mixed media artist Dawn Koh’s 3.5 x 3 meter art installation Threads of Gathering, displayed in front of the Peranakan Museum facade, offers a living tapestry of art, heritage, and community. Inspired by the museum’s collection and the special exhibition Peacock Power: Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures, the installation includes butterflies, peacocks, birds, and other motifs symbolizing transformation and connection. Visitors are encouraged to interact with and contribute to the installation.
Under the direction of theatre veteran and Cultural Medallion recipient Alvin Tan, The Necessary Stage will debut a new work, Tapestry, reimagining three Peranakan stories for modern audiences. Other highlights include Hati Kampong Chorus, an expanded intergenerational community performance by the Peranakan Indian (Chitty Melaka) Association of Singapore, featuring local performers and migrant workers.
In collaboration with Singapore’s national media network, Mediacorp, the festival immerses visitors in the world of the English drama Aunty Lee’s Deadly Delights through a mystery-themed experiential takeover of the museum’s Ixora Room, along with cast appearances and meet-and-greet sessions. Based on Ovidia Yu’s popular literary series, the drama follows Rosie “Aunty” Lee, a Peranakan restaurant owner and amateur detective, as she solves local mysteries. It is currently available on mewatch and Mediacorp Drama on YouTube and airs Monday to Thursday at 8.30pm on Channel 5!
Cast members will participate in cooking demonstrations alongside Peranakan chef Nyonya Shirley Tay of Dapor Diva, and meet-and-greet sessions will feature stars Vernetta Lopez, Pierre Png, Norman Ishak, Alawdin Ali, Sheryl Ang, and Erika Maguicay.
Food programs include Kueh & Kopi, a picnic experience featuring a box of kueh crafted by chefs from Allspice Institute, in collaboration with the Peranakan Association Singapore, Peranakan Indian (Chitty Melaka) Association of Singapore, and Arab Network@Singapore. Each set comes with a special drink by suns Living Room, along with exclusive merchandise from the Peranakan Museum.
For the first time, the Armenian Street Party will also feature O’ My Darling, a food truck by Old Chang Kee offering a specially curated menu. Sweet Spot, a Peranakan dessert pop-up, presents sweets inspired by traditional Peranakan flavors.
Words, games, and art
Members of Baba Gabra, a community group focused on preserving the Baba Malay language, will spontaneously create personalized pantuns (poems in Baba Malay) with English translations for visitors. The museum is also reviving its popular Literary Showcase, featuring a curated collection of titles celebrating the written traditions and stories that continue to shape Peranakan identity, supported by the National Library Board. Various workshops inspired by the vibrant florals, fragrant herbs, and aromatic spices commonly used in Peranakan culture will also be available.
Adventure seekers can participate in the Armenian Street Party Bingo Challenge to win tasty rewards, or join a game of Peranakan: Tiles & Tactics! hosted by Genie Games. Visitors can enhance their experience by trying on a Baba Nyonya Dress Up! photo opportunity.
Armenian Street Party: A Peranakan Gathering runs from 13 to 15 March 2026. Admission to the festival is free, with some ticketed programs and activities requiring pre-registration.
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