By The Eye desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
As of October 2026, Singapore Citizens and PRs enter the Peranakan Museum’s permanent galleries free, or pay S$6 for an all-access ticket that includes the special exhibition (free for resident concession holders). Foreign residents and tourists pay S$18 for all access, or S$12 concession, and children six and under are free. The museum at 39 Armenian Street, about a 10-minute walk from City Hall, Bras Basah or Bencoolen MRT, opens daily 10am to 7pm, and to 9pm on Fridays, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Its three floors, themed Origins, Home and Style, hold more than 800 objects in the former Tao Nan School, built in 1912.
This is one of Singapore’s most charming museums: small enough for an afternoon, rich enough to change how you see kebayas, beadwork and the dishes on your table.
Quick facts
- Address: 39 Armenian Street, Singapore 179941.
- Hours: daily 10am to 7pm; Fridays to 9pm; last entry 30 minutes before closing.
- Singaporeans and PRs: permanent galleries free; all access S$6 for adults.
- Foreign visitors: S$18 adult, S$12 concession, all access.
- Children six and under: free for everyone.
- The museum reopened on Friday 17 February 2023 after a major renovation.
Ticket prices
| Visitor | Permanent galleries | All access (with special exhibition) |
|---|---|---|
| Singaporeans and PRs, adult | Free | S$6 |
| Singaporeans and PRs, concession | Free | Free |
| Foreign residents and tourists, adult | — | S$18 |
| Foreign residents and tourists, concession | — | S$12 |
| Children six and under | Free | Free |
The special exhibition changes. Peacock Power: Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures was listed to run until 30 August 2026, so check the museum’s What’s On page to see what the all-access ticket currently includes.
A worked example
Two adult tourists visit with their five-year-old: S$18 + S$18 + S$0 = S$36. A Singaporean couple taking the same trip pays nothing for the permanent galleries, or S$12 between them for all access.
What to see: Origins, Home and Style
| Theme | What it explores | Look out for |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | Who the Peranakans are, and how mixed heritage shaped identity across the region | Family stories and objects that trace roots and trade |
| Home | Domestic life, rituals and celebrations | Wedding traditions, furniture and porcelain made for Peranakan households |
| Style | Dress, adornment and design | Kebayas, beadwork and jewellery, with contemporary work by regional artists and designers |
Since the 2023 reopening, the museum mixes traditional objects with newer work by artists, designers and craftspeople, so Peranakan culture reads as living rather than past. Look up at the building too: the former Tao Nan School is a fine example of early 20th-century Straits Settlements architecture.
Plan your visit
- Check What’s On for the current special exhibition and decide on permanent galleries or all access.
- Bring NRIC for resident entry, or ID for concessions.
- Allow about 90 minutes; longer if you read every label.
- Pair it with Fort Canning Park, a short walk away, or a Peranakan meal.
- Flying out? The free Peranakan Gallery at Changi Airport Terminal 4 is open 24 hours.
The WahLiao Verdict
For Singaporeans and PRs, the permanent galleries are a free afternoon of real delight, and the S$6 all-access ticket is good value when the special exhibition appeals. For visitors, S$18 buys one of the most distinctive cultural experiences in Singapore. Go on a Friday evening, take your time on the Style floor, and finish with a plate of Peranakan food nearby.
Questions people ask
Is the Peranakan Museum free?
The permanent galleries are free for Singapore Citizens and PRs, and children six and under go free. Foreign visitors pay S$18 for adults or S$12 concession.
Who are the Peranakans?
Communities of mixed heritage in Southeast Asia whose cultures blended local and immigrant traditions. The museum’s Origins floor explains the different Peranakan communities.
How do I get there?
It is about a 10-minute walk from City Hall, Bras Basah or Bencoolen MRT stations.
Is there something free at the airport?
Yes. The Peranakan Gallery at Changi Airport Terminal 4 offers a free, 24-hour introduction to Peranakan culture.
Sources: Peranakan Museum, admissions, hours and directions; Peranakan Museum, about the museum, building and galleries; National Heritage Board, free admission for citizens and PRs; Time Out Singapore, Peacock Power exhibition dates. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: Peranakan Food Explained: The Dishes and What to Order First · The Kebaya: Why It’s on UNESCO’s Heritage List, and Singapore’s Part in It · Back to The Eye
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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