28 May - 2 Jun: Tua Pek Kong Festival

On the fourth month of the Lunar calendar, when the moon is full, Pulau Ubin bursts with celebrations!

Wayang shows go on during the day and night!

For six days and six nights, the birthday of Tua Pek Kong is honoured with colourful festivities. Ubin Jetty is decked out in colourful flags and lanterns, and Ubin Town is host to lavish rituals. The ancient Wayang Stage at Ubin Town comes alive with traditional opera in glittering costumes as well as more modern vibrant celebrations. Pilgrims and worshippers make their way to Ubin to celebrate.

The Tua Pek Kong Festival is organised by the Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple.


Thanks to the Singapore Heritage Society for providing this Pulau Ubin Tua Pek Kong temple & festival – a brief guide (pdf) in English and Mandarin including the full programme.

Free two-way ferry services between Ubin and Changi during the evening will be sponsored throughout the celebration.

Here's Victor Yue's rough translation of the programme.

click on image for larger view

28-May-2018 4M14 Mon
10:00 AM Invite Tua Pek Kong
Dragon and Lion Dance to invite Tua Pek Kong
01:00 PM Prayer ritual starts
03:30 PM Enhancing one's Luck/Fortune (First Session)
07:00 PM Enhancing one's Luck/Fortune (Second Session)
07:00 PM Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera performance
10:00 PM Invite Jade Emperor

29-May-2018 4M15 Tue
10:00 AM Prayer ritual starts
02:30 PM Distribution of Offerings (while stocks last)
03:30 PM Sending off Jade Emperor
07:00 PM Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera performance
07:30 PM Crossing of PingAn Bridge
08:00 PM Wei Tue Fa Gong's Tua Ya Pek, Li Ya Pek visits temple for celebration

30-May-2018 4M16 Wed
07:00 PM Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera performance

31-May-2018 4M17 Thu
07:00 PM Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera performance

01-Jun-2018 4M18 Fri
07:00 PM Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera performance

02-Jun-2018 4M19 Sat
10:00 AM Sin Sin Yong Hua Teochew Opera Singing
07:00 PM Getai

Wayang happens in the daytime during the festival, while island life goes on as usual.

Evening wayang at Pulau Ubin is magical!

Travel advisory!

The Tua Pek Kong Festival, as usual, coincides with Vesak Day. This year, Vesak Day falls on 29 May (Tue). Many pilgrims for the Tua Pek Kong festival plus the long weekend crowd is expected to result in more visitors to Ubin. So be prepared for travel delays: longer queues for the bumboats. And a parking crunch at Changi Village. Especially 8am onwards for travel from Changi to Ubin; and noon onwards for travel from Ubin to Changi, with peak congestion near sunset.

Dates: 28 May - 2 Jun
Venue: Ubin Town, 3 min walk from Ubin Jetty (map).
Websites:
Singapore Heritage Society: http://www.facebook.com/sgheritage/
Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple facebook page
Facebook event for the Tua Pek Kong Festival 2018.

No charge, the activity is free!
No registration required. Simply come to Pulau Ubin and experience the celebrations!

What happened (so far) ...

Facebook live on 28 May (Tue) by Victor Yue


The Lion leaves Pulau Ubin...


Photo by Lawrence Chong.


The Grand Finale is the Tua Pek Kong Festival Dinner. Photos thanks to MJ Photography.


More photos by the Temple.


With Getai!