Singapore has gained a reputation among tourists for being a shopping paradise, but there’s more to be said about the Lion City, including it being a country with a diverse and rich history. Spanning five weekends from April 17−May 18, the National Heritage Board of Singapore will hold Singapore HeritageFest, a festival that invites visitors to appreciate familiar places in a new way by discovering little-known, sometimes forgotten past. In its 12th year running, Singapore HeritageFest will be the largest edition to date, with events including guided tours of old neighborhoods, open houses of historical landmark, film screenings, talks, and exhibitions. Some of the weekends’ highlights include a guided tour Clarke Quay, a food tour through Balestier, and the Great Town: A Tale of Three Campongs exhibition in Chintatown. Although most events are free, some do have fees or require pre-registration, so be sure to scope out the events on HeritageFest’s website beforehand.

For more information and a complete calendar of events, visit Singapore HeritageFest.