The Pongal 2026 celebrations being organised by the Little Indian Shop Owners and Heritage Association, is as an inclusive, multicultural celebration that reflects the diverse communities that have contributed to Singapore’s growth, its organisers said. Beyond its Tamil harvest roots, this year’s festival in Little India is paying specific focus on bringing together people of different ethnicities, religions and age groups through shared cultural experiences.
LISHA Honorary Secretary Mr Ruthirapathy Parthasarathy, elaborated: “We are trying to include and to bring together different groups of people,” he said, noting that programmes have also been designed for a broad cross-section of the community, including students and migrant workers.
The Pongal festival programmes have been designed for a broad cross-section of the community, including students and migrant workers.
Performance by Makoolam Dance Group at LISHA’s Pongal Festival press conference
Active participation by religious institutions
A key feature of this year’s celebrations is the involvement of religious institutions across faiths. Mr Parthasarathy said 15 Hindu temples are participating not only as sponsors and vendors, but as active partners in the festival. “What is very interesting is that we also have Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple, which for the last 20 years has been contributing and taking part in Pongal,” he added. Abdul Gafoor Mosque is also involved, underscoring the festival’s cross-cultural character.
“It is very nice to see them all coming together for this event,” Mr Parthasarathy said. “Pongal does not belong to one ethnic group or one religious group – it belongs to all Singaporeans.”
Support for local talent
Chairperson of LISHA’s Pongal Organising Committee, Mr Karthigayan Venkatesan, said that supporting local talent was another core pillar of the festival. “Most of the artists performing – the dancers, musicians and Patti Mandram speakers – are local artists,” he said. “We want to give them a stage and promote our local creative community.”
Youth engagement is also a priority, with educational programmes designed to introduce younger audiences to the meaning and traditions of Pongal. “We want more youth to learn what Pongal is and how it is celebrated,” Mr Venkatesan said. “During the school sessions, we have a short skit that teaches students what Pongal means and how it is celebrated today.”
To reach an even wider audience, the organisers are also adapting elements of the programme for non-Tamil and non-Indian participants. “We want to share this Pongal experience and our culture with other races,” Mr Venkatesan said, adding that the skit will be performed in English and that local bloggers have been invited to help share the celebrations across Singapore. “As a multicultural society, this is something we want everyone to experience together.”
To reach an even wider audience, the organisers are also adapting elements of the programme for non-Tamil and non-Indian participants.
The monthlong programme of LISHA’s Pongal festival includes the following activities:
Grand Arrival of the Cattle
Friday, 9 January 2026 | 5:00–6:00 PM
The festival will open with a ceremonial cattle parade through Clive Street, marking the official start of Pongal 2026. Organised with Vicknesh Dairy Farm, the procession will feature decorated cattle accompanied by traditional percussion and stilt walkers. The parade will stand out for placing cattle – rather than performers – at the centre of the spectacle, underscoring Pongal’s agrarian roots in the middle of urban Singapore.
Registration: Not required. Open to the public.
Cattle Farm Experience (Public Viewing)
10–18 January 2026 | Daily, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
A temporary cattle farm exhibition will be set up in Little India, allowing visitors to view and learn about animals traditionally honoured during Pongal. The exhibit will include a bull, cows, calves and goats, with trained caretakers on-site. The experience will offer rare, extended public access to a living symbol of Tamil agricultural heritage in a city setting.
Registration: Not required. Free admission.
Grand Opening Ceremony & Street Light-Up
Saturday, 10 January 2026 | 6:30–9:00 PM
Little India’s month-long light display will be inaugurated with a ceremonial switch-on, followed by traditional lamp lighting and cultural performances at POLI @ Clive Street. The highlight will be the scale and duration of the light-up, which will continue nightly along Serangoon Road for an entire month.
Registration: Not required. Open to the public.
Pongal Experience Programme for Schools
12–14 January 2026 | Multiple sessions daily (2:00–5:30 PM)
This structured educational programme will guide students through five interactive stations covering music, dance, storytelling, crafts and festival traditions. Designed as an immersive learning experience rather than a passive tour, the programme will position Pongal as both cultural celebration and educational resource.
Registration: Required. Advance booking through LISHA for schools and educators.
Pongal Distribution for Public & Tourists
15–17 January 2026 | 5:00–7:00 PM daily
Traditional sweet Pongal will be distributed free to the public over three evenings outside Little India Arcade. The dish will be prepared according to customary recipes and offered with prayers. The event will emphasise Pongal’s core value of sharing abundance, extending a sacred community practice to visitors and tourists.
Registration: Not required. Free distribution while stocks last.
Pongal Sharing with Seniors
Thursday, 15 January 2026 | 3:30–5:00 PM
A dedicated Pongal meal will be hosted for senior citizens at POLI, with volunteers facilitating interaction and assistance. The event will focus on inclusion and care, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on gratitude and intergenerational respect.
Registration: By invitation / through partner senior organisations.
Mann Vaasanai Cultural Show
Sunday, 11 January & Thursday, 15 January 2026 | 7:00–10:00 PM
This cultural showcase will present traditional Tamil folk dances and music celebrating village life and harvest traditions. The programme will distinguish itself through its emphasis on rural folk forms rather than classical stage productions.
Registration: Not required. Open to the public.
Mattu Pongal Prayer Ceremony
Friday, 16 January 2026 | 4:00–6:00 PM
A sacred prayer ceremony dedicated to cattle will be conducted at POLI, led by the Vicknesh Dairy Farm team. Rituals will include traditional chants and offerings. The ceremony will offer a rare public glimpse into Tamil agricultural spirituality in an urban environment.
Registration: Not required. Open to the public.
Children’s Colouring & Art Contest
Saturday, 17 January 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Children from pre-school to secondary levels will take part in age-segmented art activities inspired by Pongal themes, including colouring, drawing and clay pot painting. The contest will use creativity as a gateway to cultural learning, with selected artworks displayed publicly.
Registration: On-site participation; limited slots may apply.
Mass Pongal Making
Sunday, 18 January 2026 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Fifty teams will come together at the Singapore Indian Association to cook Pongal using traditional brick stoves and clay pots, guided by experienced cooks. This participatory event will stand out for allowing attendees to actively practise, rather than observe, a core Pongal tradition.
Registration: Required. Advance booking; limited to 50 teams. Fee applies ($5 per pax / $8 per pair).
Pongal Patti Mandram (Traditional Debate)
Sunday, 18 January 2026 | 7:00–10:00 PM
A live Tamil debate will bring the Patti Mandram tradition to Singapore, featuring local orators discussing contemporary social themes. The event will highlight Tamil intellectual culture through structured debate, humour and audience engagement.
Registration: Not required. Open to the public.
Big Bus Pongal Light-Up Tour
Selected dates: 16, 17, 23, 24 January & 5–8 February 2026 | 7:00 & 8:00 PM departures
An open-top double-decker bus tour will offer guided views of Little India’s illuminated streets, with live cultural commentary and a dining voucher included. The tour will provide elevated, curated perspectives of the festival lights not accessible from street level.
Registration: Required. Ticketed event; advance booking recommended due to limited capacity (50 seats per tour).
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