What is Nine Emperor Gods Festival?
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爷诞 / 九皇胜会) is an annual Taoist religious event that commemorates the birth of the nine sons (九皇星君/九皇大帝) of Big Dipper (斗母元君).
Devotees celebrate this festival for 10 days every year by observing a vegetarian diet, praying to the Nine Emperor Gods at the temples, performing rituals and processions to receive and send off the deities at the start and end of the festival.
These traditions were brought to Southeast Asia by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century and are still widely practiced in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. In Thailand, it is colloquially known as the Vegetarian Festival.
When is Nine Emperor Gods Festival in 2025?
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爷诞 / 九皇盛会) is observed annually for 10 days from the eve of first day to the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This year, it will take place from 20 – 29 October 2025 (农历八月廿九至九月初九).
How to celebrate Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Singapore?
During the 10-day festival, devotees will flock to shrines that house the Nine Emperor Gods to pray. Processions to invite (请水) and send off (回銮) the deities will be held on the eve of the first day and last day of the festival.
While celebrations and schedules may differ from one temple to another, the notable events during the festival include:
- 29th day of eighth month (八月廿九): Processions to invite the Nine Emperor Gods (请水)
- 1st day to 3rd day of ninth month (九月初一至初三): Various worshipping ceremonies
- 4th to 8th day of ninth month (九月初四至初八): Processions to parade the Gods (游神)
- 9th day of ninth month (九月初九): Send off the deities (回銮)
During the festival, Getai (歌台) and Chinese opera performances will also be held at selected temples to keep the deities as well as visitors entertained.
The highlight of the festival is the sending-off ceremony on the last day of the festival. During the ritual, a dragon ship (龙船) crafted from paper and filled with incense paper, joss sticks, salt, oil, rice and notes bearing the names of devotees and their families is ceremoniously set ablaze while being pushed out to the sea. This act symbolises the removal of bad fortune, casting it away into the sea.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to actively engage and observe the festival at various shines and temples.
List of Nine Emperor Gods temples and celebrations in Singapore 新加坡九皇法会节目表
Photos via Kew Ong Yah Temple (Upper Serangoon) / Facebook
Kew Ong Yah Temple / Tou Mu Kung Temple 后港斗母宫
- Date: 20 – 30 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Dragon Ship Burning, Lamp Lighting, Hokkien & Teochew Operas, Getai, Fireworks Show 🎆
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 7:30pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:30pm
- Address: 779A Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534648 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE13) Kovan
- Notes:
- The invitation and send-off ceremonies will begin at the temple, followed by a procession to the seaside along Seletar North Link on Punggol Timor Island [Map].
- Getai will be held on 29 October 2025 (Wednesday) on Punggol Timor Island and 30 October 2025 (Thursday) at the temple’s compound. Click here for details.
- Fireworks show will take place on 29 October 2025 (Wednesday) at the end of the send-off procession on Punggol Timor Island.
- A free shuttle bus service to the temple will be available from 8:00am to 5:00pm at Kovan MRT Exit C on 25 and 26 October 2025 (Saturday and Sunday).
Singapore Yu Huang Gong / Temple of the Heavenly Jade Emperor / Taoist Mission (Singapore) 新加坡玉皇宫 / 新加坡道教协会
- Date: 19 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invocation of Divinity Rites, Sending Off Divinities Ritual, Confession to Jade Emperor, North Dipper Ritual, Scripture Transcription, Free Vegetarian Meals, Buns Distribution
- Invite Date/Time: 19 October 2025 (Sunday), 2:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 8:00pm
- Address: 150 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068608 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT18) Telok Ayer
Photos via Kew Ong Yah Temple (Upper Serangoon) / Facebook
Hong San Temple 凤山宫
- Date: 15 – 30 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Teochew Opera, Lamp Lighting, Dragon Ship Burning, Bridge Crossing Ritual
- Invite Date/Time: 16 October 2025 (Thursday), 8:15pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 8:45pm
- Address: 49 Defu Lane 12, Singapore 539142 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC11) Tai Seng (1.8km or 26-minute walk)
- Notes:
Kim San Tze / Jin San Si 金山寺斗山宫
- Date: 19 – 30 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Prayers & Rituals
- Invite Date/Time: 19 October 2025 (Sunday), 7:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 30 October 2025 (Thursday), 10:00am
- Address: 25 Jalan Ulu Siglap, Singapore 457182 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW5) Bedok (1.5km or 20-minute walk)
- Note: Invite and send-off ceremonies will be held at the temple premise before moving to East Coast Park, Car Park F2 [Map].
Long Shan Yan Dou Mu Gong 龙山岩斗母宫
- Date: 20 – 30 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Deities, Taoist Prayers, Island-wide Temple Visits, Celebratory Dinner
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 6:00pm
- Address: 791 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Singapore 569974 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS16) Ang Mo Kio
- Notes:
- The invite and send-off rituals will begin at the event venue before proceeding to Punggol Marina Country Club [Map].
Jiu Huang Dian 玉封九皇殿协会
- Date: 20 October – 3 November 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremony, Religious Rituals Led by Taoist Priest, Lamp Lighting, Dragon Boat Burning, Lion and Dragon Dance Performances, Electric-Techno Dance Performance (电音三太子舞蹈), Celebratory Dinner (联欢晚宴), Prayer Offerings Distribution (分发贡品), Free Vegetarian Meals
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 6:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:30pm
- Venue: Hardcourt beside Yuhua Place Market
- Address: Blk 347 Jurong East Avenue 1, Singapore 600347 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW25) Chinese Garden
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off processions will commence at the event venue before proceeding to Changi Beach.
- Free vegetarian meals will be served daily at 7:00pm from 21 – 28 October 2025 (Tuesday to Tuesday).
Ling Lian Bao Dian Kew Ong Yah Temple 凌莲宝殿斗母宫
- Date: 19 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremony, Heritage Carnival, Lion Dance Performances, Island-wide 9 Emperor Gods Temple Tour, Crossing Peace Bridge Ritual (过平安桥)
- Invite Date/Time: 19 October 2025 (Sunday), 5:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 8:00pm
- Venue: Open field beside Tampines N4 Neighbourhood
- Address: Blk 473 Tampines Street 43, Singapore 520473 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT33) Tampines East
- Notes:
- Opening ceremony, featuring lively lion dance performances, will take place on 19 October 2025 (Sunday), from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
- A heritage carnival with with cultural displays, old-school food delights, kids’ performances, and a magic show will be held from 11:00am – 2:00pm on 26 October 2025 (Sunday).
Tao Bu Keng Temple 蔡厝港斗母宫
- Date: 20 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Free Vegetarian Food, Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Getai, Island-wide Temple Visits, Bridge Crossing Ritual, Praying Rituals, Bursary Awards
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 5:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:30pm
- Address: 2 Teck Whye Lane, Singapore 688799 [Map]
- Nearest LRT station: (BP5) Phoenix
- Nearest MRT station: (DT1) Bukit Panjang (1.4km or 20-minute walk)
- Notes:
- The invite and send-off processions will begin at the temple and proceed to the beach at Tuas South Avenue 4.
- Getai on 22 & 23 October 2025 will be held at the Blk 146A multi-storey carpark.
- Free vegetarian food will be available on 21, 24, 25, and 27 October 2025 (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday) from 8:00pm onwards.
Leong Nam Temple / Long Nan Dian 龙南殿
- Date: 19 – 30 October 2025
- Activities: Deities Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Lamp Lighting, Dragon Ship Burning, Crossing Bridge Ritual, Street Procession, Free Vegetarian Meals, Fireworks Show
- Invite Date/Time: 19 October 2025 (Sunday), 5:30pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:30pm
- Address: 70 Sengkang West Avenue, #01-01, Singapore 797651 [Map]
- Nearest LRT station: (SW5) Fernvale
- Nearest MRT station: (NE16) Sengkang (3km or 41-minute walk)
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off ceremonies will start at the temple before moving on to East Coast Park, Car Park F3 [Map].
- Free vegetarian food, snacks, and drinks will be available daily from 19 – 29 October 2025 (Sunday – Wednesday), between 8:00am and 10:00pm.
- A street procession will take place on 26 October 2025 (Sunday), starting at 10:00am.
- Fireworks displays will light up the sky at around 8:30pm to 8:45pm on 28 & 29 October 2025 (Tuesday & Wednesday).
Charn Mao Hern Kew Huang Keng 葱茅园九皇宫
- Date: 19 October 2025 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off ceremonies, Street Processions
- Invite Date/Time: 19 October 2025 (Sunday), 3:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 3:00pm
- Address: 28 Arumugam Rd, Singapore 409965 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC10|DT26) Macpherson
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off ceremonies will commence at the temple before proceeding to East Coast Park, Car Park C1 [Map]
Xuan Wu Shan 玄武山翰林院
- Date: 20 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Prayers, Prosperity Bridge Crossing Ritual
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 11:00am
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 6:00pm
- Address: Beside Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre, Blk 252 Jurong East Street 24, Singapore 600252 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW25) Chinese Garden
- Note: Invite and send-off rituals will commence at the event venue before proceeding to Changi Beach.
Jing Shui Gang Dou Mu Gong 汫水港斗母宫风山寺
- Date: 20 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Island-wide Nine Emperor Gods Temple Tour, Tour Around All Temples in Yishun, Distribution of Gift Packs to Seniors in Nee Soon
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 7:30pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:30pm
- Address: 561 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 768682 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS13) Yishun
- Note: The invite and send-off rituals will take place at the event venue before proceeding to Sembawang Beach at 8:00pm.
Nan Bei Dou Mu Gong 南北九皇斗母宫
- Date: 18 – 30 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremony, Prayers & Rituals, Crossing Bridge Ritual, Song & Dance Performances
- Invite Date/Time: 18 October 2025 (Saturday), 7:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:00pm
- Venue: Tien Sen Tua Temple, 146C Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409040 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC10|DT26) Macpherson
- Notes:
- The invite and send-off rituals will take place at the event event before proceeding to the seaside.
- Nightly song and dance performances will take place from 18 – 29 October 2025 (Saturday – Wednesday), running from 5:30pm to 10:30pm each evening.
- Date: 18 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Rituals, Prayers, Light Blessing Lamps (斗灯)
- Invite Date/Time: 18 October 2025 (Saturday), 1:00pm
- Send-off Date: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday)
- Address: 82 Changi Road, Singapore 419716 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW7) Eunos (600m or 9-minute walk)
- Notes:
- The temple committee will head to the seashore at 12:00pm on 18 October 2025 (Saturday) to welcome the arrival of the Nine Emperor Gods.
- The temple’s opening hours will remain unchanged during this period, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Shin Sen Keng 神仙宫
- Date: 20 October – 1 November 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Rituals, Prayers, Puppet Shows, Dragon & Lion Dance Performances, Island-wide Temple Visiting, Gala Dinner
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 7:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:00pm
- Address: 1 Bukit Batok Crescent, #09-26, WCEGA Plaza, Singapore 658064 Singapore, Singapore [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS2) Bukit Batok
- Note: Free round trip shuttle buses will be provided from the event venue to seaside for the invite and send-off rituals.
Jee Hai Tung Kwan Im Welfare Society 玉皇殿玉海棠观音堂 (Teck Hai Keng Temple)
- Date: 18 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Dragon Ship Prayer (九皇爷祈福法船), Lamp Lighting, Chinese Teochew Opera Performances
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 8:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 8:00pm
- Address: 30 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 479230 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT28) Kaki Bukit
- Note: Invite and send-off rituals will start at the temple before proceeding to East Coast Park, Car Park G [Map].
Nan Shan Hai Temple 玉封南山海庙
- Date: 20 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Street Procession
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 7:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 7:00pm
- Address: Blk 701 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 470701 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT29) Bedok North
- Note: Invite and send-off rites will be held at the temple before moving off to Changi Beach, Car Park 2 [Map]
Jiu Tian Gong Singapore 顺阴坛九天宫
- Date: From 18 – 27 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Prayers & Rituals, Islandwide Temple Visits, Vegetarian Dim Sum
- Invite Date/Time: 18 October 2025 (Saturday), 5:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 27 October 2025 (Monday), 7:00pm
- Address: 7030 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, Northstar @ AMK, #03-47, Singapore 569880 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE15) Buangkok
- Notes:
- Invite and send-off rites will be held at the temple before moving off to the seaside.
- Island-wide temple visits will take place from 7:00pm on 23 October 2025 (Thursday).
- A vegetarian dim sum luncheon has been scheduled for 26 October 2025 (Sunday) at 11:00am.
Yu Bao Dian 御宝殿
- Date: 20 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Prayers
- Invite Date/Time: 20 October 2025 (Monday), 7:00pm
- Send-off Date/Time: 29 October 2025 (Wednesday), 5:45pm
- Address: Blk 34 Upper Cross Street, Chin Swee View, #02-166, Singapore 050034 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT19|NE4) Chinatown (220m or 3-minute walk)
Ah Nam Gong 阿南公
- Date: 19 – 28 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Prayers
- Invite Date: 19 October 2025 (Sunday)
- Send-off Date: 27 October 2025 (Monday)
- Address: Blk 513 Bedok North Avenue 2, Singapore 461513 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (DT30) Bedok Reservoir (1.5km or 21-minute walk)
- Note: Invite and send-off rites will be held at the temple before moving off Changi Beach Carpark 6 [Map].
- Date: 16 – 29 October 2025
- Activities: Invite & Send-off Ceremonies, Prayers & Rituals
- Venue: Field beside Rivervale Plaza
- Address: Blk 118 Rivervale Drive, Singapore 540118 [Map]
- Nearest LRT station: (SE3) Bakau
- Nearest MRT station: (NE16) Sengkang (1.4km or 19-minute walk)
Common rituals and taboos to observe
During the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, devotees will observe a vegan diet from the first day to ninth day of the ninth month. Vegan is more restrictive than vegetarian, as it excludes not only meat but also eggs and all dairy products.
If you intend to visit one of the Nine Emperor Gods’ temples, it is advisable to observe a vegan diet for the day, even if you don’t plan to continue it for the entire nine days.
While there is no specific dress code, always wear modestly when visiting any temples as a sign of respect.
