We may be a little red dot, but always new things to do in Singapore!
This September is another exciting month with lots of new events, exhibitions, and activities for everyone in the family! School holidays are here too, so pack your sunnies and start exploring! 😎
Here’s what you can look forward to this month:
What’s New in Singapore
1) Yeo’s Drinkable Garden now blooming at Gardens by the Bay
If you grew up in Singapore, you’d probably be familiar with Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea — always there during family gatherings or house visiting. In a collaboration with Gardens by the Bay, Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s) has launched Yeo’s Drinkable Garden as a homage to the humble chrysanthemum flower that has become such an iconic Singaporean drink.
Located inside the Flower Dome, the multi-sensorial display will take visitors through the tea brewing process. It’s also a visual delight, with installations made up of thousands of yellow, white and pink chrysanthemum flowers.
The floral installations are inspired by the different Yeo’s chrysanthemum brews — the OG Chrysanthemum Tea, the newly launched Snow Chrysanthemum Tea and the yet-to-be-launched Rose-Infused Chrysanthemum brew!
They’re also giving out special edition Lee Kuan Yew Chrysanthemum Tea packets for free! The commemorative packets celebrate his legacy of transforming Singapore into a green city and aren’t available for sale — so this is your sign to swing by before they run out.🏃💨
Entrance fee: Free (Admission charge to Flower Dome applies)
Opening hours: 9AM – 9PM
Event period: 16 Sep – 13 Oct 2023
How to get there: 15min walk from Bayfront MRT Station (Exit B) (Google Maps)
2) Celebrate a “Panda-stic” Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Reunion Festival
Photo credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Celebrate the season of moons and mooncakes at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023. Expect a month-long celebration of Chinese arts, culture and heritage, organised by various clan associations!
Several exciting workshops and activities like lantern-making and an escape room are planned throughout the month of September, so do sign up before slots fly away like Chang’er to the moon.
Photo credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall via Facebook
Also, don’t miss the special outdoor installation titled a Mid-Autumn Pawtrait, featuring two giant panda lanterns — so cute!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 10AM – 9PM
Event period: 29 Aug – 1 Oct 2023
How to get there: From Novena MRT Station, walk 5mins to Opp Novena Church bus stop. Take Bus 21 for three stops and alight at Zhongshan Mall, then walk 4mins (Google Maps)
3) Lantern Displays at Garden by the Bay
Photo credit: Gardens by the Bay via Facebook
Gardens by the Bay shines a little brighter in the evenings of September as colourful lanterns illuminate the outdoor areas of Supertree Grove.
Something special about this year’s Mid-Autumn displays is Our Secret Garden, a collection of whimsical lantern displays created by students from ART:DIS Digital Art Programme. ART:DIS is a non-profit organisation that creates opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts.
Besides the lantern displays, visitors can also look forward to cultural performances, carnival games and delicious treats at the food street.
Photo credit: Gardens by the Bay via Facebook
There’s also an Instagram Reels Workshop happening on 23 September, where parents and children can get together and put their creativity to work. Participants can stand a chance to win a Gardens by the Bay x The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore’s mini Mooncake gift set!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 6PM – 10PM
Event period: 15 Sep 2023 – 1 Oct 2023
How to get there: 15min walk from Bayfront MRT Station (Exit B) (Google Maps)
4) Cheong Soo Pieng: A Retrospective Art Exhibition
Photo credit: artcommune gallery
Looking for new museums to explore on the weekend? Check out artcommune gallery, a centre that celebrates Singapore’s Modern art. This month’s featured exhibition is Cheong Soo Pieng: A Retrospective, a renowned artist in the local arts scene and a pioneer in the Nanyang style of art.
You might not be familiar with his name but you’ve definitely seen his work — his painting “Drying Salted Fish” is featured on the back of Singapore’s S$50 note! View over 80 works from his career that span four decades.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 12PM – 7PM
Event period: 16 Sep – 1 Oct 2023
How to get there: From Tanjong Pagar MRT station, take bus 80 or 145 for four stops to Opp Former Railway Stn, walk 6mins (Google Maps)
5) Clay Camp Ceramics Festival
Photo credit: Mud Rock Ceramics
For something a little more hands-on, join Mud Rock Studios’ 10th Anniversary Clay Camp! This week-long celebration of pottery takes place across four venues — from free exhibitions of esteemed artisans at the Arts House (28 Sep – 3 Oct) to masterclasses with award-winning ceramists at Mud Rock Studios (28 Sep – 30 Sep).
Photo credit: National Heritage Board
On 1 October, join an exclusive guided tour of the Tang Shipwreck exhibit at the Asian Civilisations Museum, followed by a breakfast picnic on the museum’s lawn. Then, head to Jalan Bahar Clay Studios for a Campfire in the Jungle — visit Singapore’s original dragon kiln and watch a live demonstration by firing Master Zhang!
Entrance fee: From S$315/adult (additional costs for selected activities)
Event period: 27 Sep – 3 Oct 2023
How to get there: Various locations
6) Chinatown Lights up with Mid-Autumn Lanterns
Photo credit: @ongwill via Instagram
Chinatown is bustling all of September for Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, with the highlight being the eight-metre-tall centrepiece at Eu Tong Sen Street. Besides the usual street light-ups and lantern displays, Chinatown will also come alive at night with exciting stage performances, and festive and food fairs.
Stage Performance
Hours: 7PM – 9PM
Event period: 23 – 24 Sep 2023
Location: Kreta Ayer Square
How to get there: 2 minutes walk fr Maxwell MRT station or 4 minutes walk fr Chinatown MRT station (Google Maps)
Street Light-up
Hours: 7PM – 12AM
Event period: 15 Sep – 14 Oct 2023
Locations: New Bridge Road / Eu Tong Sen Street / South Bridge Road / Upper Cross Street
How to get there: Chinatown MRT station (Google Maps)
Festive Fair
Hours: 10PM – 10PM
Event period: 15 Sep – 14 Oct 2023
Location: Open space in front of People’s Park Complex
How to get there: One minute walk from Chinatown MRT station exit C (Google Maps)
Food Fair
Hours: 2PM – 10PM
Event period: 15 – 29 Sep 2023
Location: Smith Street (Former Chinatown Food Street)
How to get there: Three minutes walk from China MRT station exit A (Google Maps)
7) Amex Support Local Pop-Up Event at Suntec City
Photo credit: American Express
#Supportlocal businesses by visiting Amex’s first-ever Shop Small Pop-Up Market at Suntec City! It’ll feature 16 local businesses like Creamier, Cat Socrates and Woods in the Books, as well as exciting activities (candle-making and jewellery-making workshops), and performances by buskers Sheng Li, Daniel Sid and Fyrdauz Macbeth.
Plus, Amex Card Members who spend S$50 or more on their American Express® Card will receive a goodie bag with exclusive merchandise worth over S$130!
*Note: Qualifying spend must be made in a single day and it’s limited to one goodie bag per person. While stocks last.
Entrance fee: Free
Event period: 25 Sep – 1 Oct 2023
How to get there: 6min walk from Promenade MRT Station (Exit C) (Google Maps)
8) New Sports Complex for Surf, Snow, and Skate Opening at Somerset on 28 Oct 2023
Photo credit: Trifecta Singapore
Come October, thrillseekers can head over to Trifecta at Somerset, a brand-new sports complex with a range of sports facilities. We’re talking about a skate bowl, a surfing simulator, and even a virtual reality (VR) snowboarding and skiing simulator.
There are three main sections of Trifecta (“Tri” for “three”, ya?), namely “surf”, “snow”, and “skate”. For watersports enthusiasts, Trifecta is a surfers’ paradise with the Citywave deep-water surf pool that emulates the perfect setting for real surfing.
Photo credit: Trifecta Singapore
And if you’re looking for a place to try out winter sports or practise snowboarding or skiing before the season starts, Trifecta also has a Ski Simulator with a ski carpet that replicates the thrills of real mountain skiing.
Photo credit: Trifecta Singapore
In addition, the hybrid skate bowl is designed for both novice and advanced skaters, and there will be beginner and intermediate classes launched soon by Trifecta. The skate bowl is also free-to-use for the public, and is suitable for both skateboard and surfboards!
Cost: From S$54/pax (early bird pricing)
Opening hours: 7AM – 12AM
Opening date: 28 Oct 2023
How to get there: 5min walk from Somerset MRT Station (Exit D) (Google Maps)
9) Halloween 2023: The Ghost Ship Infirmary Onboard the Royal Albatross
Photo credit: Tall Ship Adventures
Forget haunted houses, take Halloween up a notch by hopping onboard The Ghost Ship Infirmary — a spooky combo of an abandoned hospital and ghost ship!
For one week, the Royal Albatross will transform into a haunted ship with tattered sails, creepy cabins and serve up a unique five-course dining meal (hint: cursed crustaceans and blood stews are on the menu).
Also, it may be a ship of the damned but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your furry friends behind! On 24 and 31 October 2023, there will be a special Meow-o-Ween and Howl-o-ween theme respectively, so you can bring your cats and dogs onboard 😉
Cost: S$225/adult for a 2-3hr cruise
Event period: 24 – 31 Oct 2023
How to get there: 13min walk from Harbourfront MRT Station (Exit E) (Google Maps)
10) Sanrio Characters at “Garden of Lights” —VivoCity till 1 October
Photo credit: @vivocitysingapore via Instagram
Cute Sanrio characters have arrived at VivoCity just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Situated at VivoCity’s Sky Park on level 3, the larger-than-life displays are perfect photo spots during the day and at night.
The highlight of the event is a 7-meter-tall Hello Kitty display within the four themed zones. Other lovable Sanrio characters on display are My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, and more.
Photo credit: @vivocitysingapore via Instagram
Aside from the Sanrio-themed photo zones, there’s also a Sanrio pop-up store featuring a selection of merchandise and collectables.
Cost: Free
Opening Hours: 10AM – 10PM
Decor Light Up: 6:30PM – 10PM
Event period: Until 1 Oct 2023
How to get there: 13min walk from Harbourfront MRT Station (Exit E) (Google Maps)
11) Immersive Disney Animation at MBS Sands Theatre from 18 Nov
Photo credit: @lhimmersive via Instagram
Disney fans, get ready for yet another immersive experience of your favourite Walt Disney Animation Studios movies!
Coming to Southeast Asia for the first time this November, the Immersive Disney Animation is a 360-degree multi-sensory interactive exhibition that brings classic Disney movies to life with the use of responsive projectors.
Photo credit: @lhimmersive via Instagram
Besides the immersive displays, visitors can also take a peek at the behind-the-scenes of how Disney animated films are created.
Cost: From $33/pax
Event period: 18 Nov – 31 Dec 2023
Show timings: Various
How to get there: 7min walk from Bayfront MRT Station (Google Maps)
Ongoing Events & Deals in Singapore
12) Open Systems – Virtual Exhibition Exploring the Relationship between the Real and Virtual
The pandemic pushed the entire world to a standstill in 2020, and that’s when mankind started seeking normalcy in another world – the metaverse, a shared virtual reality space. Though semblance of digital life has been around in the last two to three decades, it was super-accelerated within the last three years where every and anything imaginable can be turned virtual.
Right now, Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is hosting an exhibition titled Open Systems that explores the relationship between real and virtual worlds through video games and digital culture. And nope, you don’t have to make your way to SAM as this exhibition is fully virtual and accessible via opensystems.sg. Take a look and interact with specially curated artworks by artists from different countries who reimagine digital realms and through films, music videos, video essays and computer games.
And for exhibition-goers who still prefer actually stepping into a physical art museum for the experience or ✨aesthetics✨, SAM is launching three different contemporary art exhibitions on 18 May 2023 — Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun, Lila: Unending Play by Jane Lee, and SAM Contemporaries: Residues & Remixes.
First up there’s Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun, a showcase by German filmmaker and artist, Hito Steyerl. At the centre of the installation is a film that blends truth and fiction through a montage of video footage. This is also the first time Factory of the Sun is presented in Southeast Asia.
Next, Lila: Unending Play by Jane Lee is the Singaporean artist’s first solo exhibition.
Jane Lee is widely known for her unique exploration of the core elements of painting, going beyond traditional techniques and forms to extend the boundaries of the art form into its surrounding environment.
Besides the above two independent exhibitions, happening at the same time is SAM Contemporaries, a biennial project that showcases new and developing trends within contemporary art in Singapore.
This year, SAM Contemporaries is titled Residues & Remixes, and it looks at how objects from the past and the influence of new technologies impact how we view the world. The exhibition features six Singapore-based artists Yeyoon Avis Ann, Anthony Chin, Fyerool Darma, Priyageetha Dia, Khairulddin Wahab and Moses Tan.
Beyond SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, audiences can also experience two other artworks by Yeyoon Avis Ann and Fyerool Darma on SAM’s hoardings along Bras Basah Road and Queen Street.
Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun
Exhibition period: 18 May – 24 Sep 2023
Location: Gallery 2, SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark.
Lila: Unending Play by Jane Lee
Exhibition period: 18 May – 24 Sep 2023
Location: Gallery 1, SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark
SAM Contemporaries: Residues & Remixes
Exhibition period: 18 May – 24 Sep 2023
Location: Gallery 1, SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark
SAM hoardings along Bras Basah Road and Queen Street will be up till 29 Oct 2023
How to get there: 13min bus ride from Shenton Way MRT (Google Maps)
12) Benchmarks — a new semi-permanent public art trail in the Civic District
Watch out for where you’re sitting the next time you’re out around town because it might just be a work of art! The Arts House Singapore just launched a brand new public art trail, Benchmarks, an alliance between the Asian Civilisations Museum, Esplanade, National Gallery Singapore, The Arts House and Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall.
Located around the Civic District, the trail features six works by Singapore-based artists, which take on unique interpretations of benches — and yes you can sit on them!
Using the term ‘benchmark’ as a point of reference for measurement and comparison, the artworks on the trail serve as markers for visitors to take a seat and reflect on the history and cultural significance of the district.
Our personal favourite is This is Note a Bench by Lua Boon Ka for its fun and humorous take on benches — plus it’s surprisingly ergonomic!
The trail begins at the Arts House but you can always flip the order and start at the Esplanade — plus, the Singapore city views are an added bonus!
Event period: 2 Aug 2023 – 31 Jul 2026
How to get there: Varies
13) USS Halloween Horror Nights
Photo credit: Resorts World Sentosa
Halloween Horror Nights is back with five haunted houses! This year’s themes include Netflix’s All Of Us Are Dead, Pied Piper’s Grimm Encounters, and The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Nightmare that’s a collaboration between the Canadian singer-actor with Universal Studio.
There are also two live shows — Judgement Day (Scaremony) and The Hacker: Game Over — as well as three scare zones scattered around Universal Studios Singapore. If you can stomach even more horror, opt for the Die-ning in Hell special experience! It’s a multi-sensory three-course dinner featuring King Yama and his demons.
Entrance fee: From S$89 — not incl. Universal Studios Singapore entry ticket
Opening hours: 7:30PM – 1:30AM (Peak), 7:30PM – 12:30AM (Non-peak) — Check the schedule for peak and non-peak dates
Event period: Select nights from 29 Sep – 4 Nov 2023
How to get there: Take the Sentosa Express from VivoCity to Resorts World Station and walk 5min (Google Maps)
14) Encounter the Upside Down at the Stranger Things immersive pop-up at Bugis+
Photo credit: Mighty Experiences
Get ready for things to turn uʍop ǝpısdn because Stranger Things – The Encounter is finally in Singapore! If you’ve been keeping up with the Netflix series, this is your chance to join the Hawkin’s High Hellfire Club and be transported back to the 80s.
Visit iconic locations like the Palace Arcade, Joyce’s House, The Upside Down, and more — you might just run into a handsome stranger that’s actually a monster in disguise!
Photo credit: Mighty Experiences
The pop-up will feature six rooms over two floors and visitors will be treated to a trip to Starcourt Mall at the end. Ever wanted to eat the food on screen? Try Scoops Ahoy and Surfer Boy Pizza, while also doing a little retail therapy.
*Pro-tip: Purchase the VIP Entry (S$109/pax) to skip queues and get exclusive merch!
So prep your Vecna wake-up song and head down with your loved ones for an unforgettable journey through the Stranger Things Universe at Bugis+
Entrance fee: From S$39/pax
Opening hours: 2PM – 10PM (Mon – Thu), 10AM – 10PM (Fri – Sun)
Event period: Until 1 Oct 2023
How to get there: Level 2 of Bugis+, 9mins walk from Bugis MRT station (Google Maps)
15) TaiWan Night Markets open at Cineleisure
Photo credit: TaiWan Night Markets
No visit to Taiwan is complete without a trip to one of its glorious night markets. Now, Singapore’s food scene gets glorified with the opening of TaiWan Night Markets in Cathay Cineleisure Orchard. The Taiwanese street food concept food court will have 24 street food kiosks from several night markets in Taipei’s Datong District.
Photo credit: TaiWan Night Markets
Some iconic Taiwanese night market snacks and food that can be found at TaiWan Night Markets include Sweet Potato Balls, Big Sausage Wrapped in Small Sausage, Scallion Pancake, Salty Crispy Chicken, and Peanut Roll Ice Cream!
Opening hours: 11:30AM – 10:30PM (Sun – Thu & PH), 11:30AM –12AM (Fri, Sat & eve of PH)
How to get there: 5min walk from Somerset MRT, Basement level of Cineleisure (Google Maps)
16) Last Chance to Ride Singapore Cable Car’s Pokémon Experience
Calling all Poké fans! Singapore Cable Car has been taken over by your favourite Pokémons in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Each cabin has been transformed into a mystery Poké Ball, with a surprise character awaiting on the inside.
There are five different cabins featuring iconic characters like Pikachu and Eevee, and newer ones like Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly!
Want to catch ’em all? You can top up S$10 for one day of unlimited rides! Stand to receive a free Pokémon sun visor, while stocks last when purchasing tickets over the counter.
We recommend coming at sunset to catch the gorgeous golden hour glowing over Sentosa Island — the perfect backdrop for making memories with your loved ones.
Cost: From S$35/pax (book online for 20% off Mount Faber Line – Round trip)
Event period: Until 30 Sep 2023
Cable car operating hours: 8:45AM – 10PM
How to get there: Board the cable car from HarbourFront Tower 2. 7mins walk from Harbourfront MRT (Google Maps)
17) Singapore Art Museum Launches New Public Art Trails in Tanjong Pagar and the Rail Corridor
Singapore Art Museum (SAM) has launched two new public art trails Port/raits of Tanjong Pagar: Encounters with Art in the Neighbourhood and Singapore Deviation: Wander with Art through the Rail Corridor. As part of its long-term public art initiative, The Everyday Museum, the trails will feature works by local artists Aki Hassan, Space Objekt, Hilmi Johandi and more.
The trails will feature public art installations in the Tanjong Pagar area and Rail Corridor respectively, engaging with familiar spaces and transforming them anew. What better way to clock in your daily steps than by going on a mini-hike and encountering art like a ✨mysterious local✨?
While we recommend going on the full trail, you can also check out the individual artworks located at Duxton Plain Park, Everton Park, Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Kampung Bahru Bus Terminal, and Wessex Estate.
Port/raits of Tanjong Pagar: Encounters with Art in the Neighbourhood
Event period: 29 April 2023 – 9 March 2025
Starting point: Tanjong Pagar Distripark Facade. 13min bus ride from Shenton Way MRT (Google Maps)
Singapore Deviation: Wander with Art through the Rail Corridor
Event period: 29 April 2023 – 9 March 2025
Starting point: Kampung Bahru Bus Terminal (Google Maps)
18) Singapore’s Bird Paradise and Mandai Wildlife West opens
The new Bird Paradise at Mandai will welcome visitors from 8 May this year, and visitors can pre-book tickets from 24 April. Home to 3,500 birds of 400 species, the new park features eight outdoor walkthrough aviaries where the birds fly freely — each inspired by different parts of the world.
Visitors can also get up close and personal with the birds by signing up for feeding sessions, keeper-led interactions and bird presentations at the Sky Amphitheatre. If you’re a bird fanatic, sign up for the exclusive ‘backstage passes’ that will take you behind the scenes to learn how the park’s feathered residents are being cared for.
From casual eateries to themed dining, refuel at one of the many F&B options. For those looking for a unique dining experience, Crimson Restaurant and the Penguin Cove Restaurant offer specially curated fine dining menus, while serving views of avian wildlife and their respective habitats.
Enjoy a special-priced entrance fee ($38/adult instead of $48/adult) to Bird Paradise when you pre-book your tickets from 24 April 2023. To get even more savings, join the Friends of Wildlife membership (from S$195) that provides year-round access to all four of Singapore’s wildlife parks — Bird Paradise, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Wonders.
Entrance fee: S$48/adult, S$33/child
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM
How to get there: Take the Khatib Shuttle Bus from Mandai MRT Station Exit A (Google Maps)
19) Love the Last March — Witness the World’s Longest Sculpture to Save Wildlife
Photo credit: Love the Last
Did you know that every third Friday in May is known as National Endangered Species Day?
This year it falls on 19 May and to celebrate it, Singapore will be hosting the longest sculpture in the world at 192m long! Love the Last March will be displayed at Gardens by the Bay and is meant to highlight the issue of wildlife extinction, as well as how we can play our part to help.
Designed by international artists Gillie and Marc, the sculpture features 45 endangered species around the world like gorillas and elephants. Plus, it’s interactive too — visitors can scan QR codes on the animals to learn more about their diets, behaviours and why they’re at risk.
You can also use an app to scan a QR code to unlock an augmented reality feature, with 3D animals looking as though they are actually marching together for their lives.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24hrs
Event period: 19 May 2023 – 18 May 2024
How to get there: Near Flora Clock, 8min walk from Gardens by the Bay MRT stn (Google Maps)
20) Changi Airport’s Retired Analogue Flip Board on Display at National Museum from 27 May 2023
Calling for all passengers — we are Now Boarding: Experiencing Singapore through Travel, 1800 – 2000s! Held at the National Museum of Singapore from 27 May to 19 November, this travel-themed exhibition showcases Singapore as a travel destination throughout the years.
Get ready for a wave of nostalgia as you’ll be greeted by Changi Airport’s now-retired analogue flip board at the entrance, with the signature clacking sound to boot! Once you head in, there are four different sections to explore: Getting Around, Place to Stay, Sights and Shopping, and Eating Out.
Some of the really cool highlights we saw were the actual Singapore Airlines A380 Suites cabin seat from 2007 (with sliding doors and window blinds for privacy), an impressive collection of old MRT card designs (ahem Taiwanese boy band Little Tigers fans?), and old menus of iconic restaurants like A&W and Swensens.
Remember when Zouk bade farewell to Jiak Kim Street in 2016? Yup, they have the signature sign here too. Those a little older may also remember the Neptune Theatre Restaurant from the 1970s to 2006 — it’s now on display and lit up with its original neon!
After reminiscing about old-school Singapore, we got our dance pants on at the pop-up disco room right outside the exhibition room. Scan a QR code to create your own National Heritage ID and choose from three different tracks to get boogey with.
Since there was no one in the queue, we went for all three rounds 😛 You can even download the dancing video via the QR code too!
Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore
From August, there are also two more pop-up rooms offering visitors a glimpse into some of the popular sights around Singapore in the 1980s.
Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore
The pop-up rooms are the Travel Lounge that’s inspired by Singapore Airlines’s Raffles Lounge, as well as the Hotel, which is modelled after Goodwood Park Hotel in the 1980s. Visitors will be able to explore the pop-up rooms on an audio tour that features engaging dialogues and soundscapes.
Entrance fee: S$15/pax (Free for SC and PR)
Opening hours: 10AM – 7PM
Event period: 27 May – 19 Nov 2023
Address: National Museum of Singapore, 10mins walk from City Hall MRT (Google Maps)
21) Sensory Odyssey — A New Immersive Exhibition at ArtScience Museum
Photo credit: Marina Bay Sands
Sensory Odyssey is a new immersive exhibition that focuses on nature. Created by Sensory Odyssey Studio in collaboration with the French National Museum of Natural History in Paris, it’s making Singapore its first stop on a global tour!
Photo credit: Marina Bay Sands
The exhibit aims to bring visitors into seven different naturescapes through more than just the usual visual elements. Visitors will be able to see, hear, smell, and feel nature via large screens projecting ultra high-definition 8K videos, together with the use of scents and sound effects.
Exhibition-goers will also be able to “encounter” a variety of virtual plants, animals, bacteria, and mushroom species through this immersive expedition.
Entrance fee: From S$17/pax
Opening hours: 10AM – 7PM
Event period: 27 May – 29 Oct 2023
Address: ArtScience Museum, 11min walk from Bayfront MRT station (Google Maps)
22) ORTO Yishun Moves to West Coast
Photo credit: @prawningatorto via Instagram
ORTO Leisure Park in Yishun may have closed down in June this year, but don’t fret as some of ORTO’s original tenants will be moving to the West Coast of Singapore.
Located just opposite Haw Par Villa, the new ORTO West Coast is currently operational, and the original tenant Prawning at ORTO has already resumed business in the new premise, together with other F&B outlets. So, visitors can still enjoy a leisurely day of prawning and eating with their homies!
Eateries that are currently in operation include 88 SGMY Seafood Restaurant, RedDot BrewHouse, Mo’s Grill & Bar, Coastal Acoustic, Kinn Derm and Volta Bistro. Plus, visitors can also look forward to The Mermaid Bar & Restaurant and a fencing facility in the future.
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: 3min walk from Haw Par Villa MRT (Google Maps)
23) Learn more about Early Chinese Mutual Aid Organisations at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Most Singaporean Chinese are descendants of immigrants from southern China during the 19th and 20th centuries. The migration was not unique to only Singapore. Many people left China then and went to different places around the world, mostly to Southeast Asia and North America. And that’s when mutual aid organisations, or “clan associations”, came into existence — for the Chinese to help and support each other when the local governments could not.
From now till 10 December, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH) is presenting the exhibition titled Connections Across Oceans: Early Chinese Mutual Aid Organisations, showcasing the amplitude of Chinese clan associations and welfare organisations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Besides showing the extent of the reach of the associations in Singapore, the exhibition also sheds light on early Chinese mutual aid organisations in San Francisco, which was another sought-after destination among Chinese migrants in those periods.
Entrance fee: S$8/pax (Free for SC and PR)
Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM, closed on Mon
Event period: Until 10 Dec 2023
How to get there: 17min walk from Toa Payoh MRT (Google Maps) or 18min walk from Novena MRT (Google Maps)
24) Rink @ Punggol East — SG’s Largest Indoor Roller Sports Rink
Photo credit: Rink at Punggol East via Facebook
Rollerblade to your heart’s content at Rink @ Punggol East — Singapore’s largest indoor roller sports rink spanning more than 12,000 sqft. Other than rollerblading, you can also skateboard, longboard and even ride a scooter or a pedal go-kart here!
Go free and easy, and take it slow at your own pace or learn from a professional by signing up for in-line skating lessons. The Rink is also connected to the Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, where you can bring out the rental equipment for a ride to Coney Island and Punggol Waterway Park 😉
Currently, there’s a limited promotion with tickets priced at S$16 (instead of S$21), inclusive of equipment rental. No end date has been stated yet, so do check their website for any updates!
Cost: S$16 (limited promo) for 2-hour pass, S$21 (usual price)
Opening hours: 10AM – 8PM (Fri – Sun), Closed from Mon – Thu
How to get there: 4min walk from Riviera LRT station (Google Maps)
25) Tiny Houses at Lazarus Island for a Weekend Getaway
Staying overnight at Lazarus Island will finally be an option come May 2023. Best known for its clean white sandy beach and C-shaped lagoon, visitors to Lazarus Island can have a chance to catch the starlights at one of Escape @ Lazarus‘ five Tiny Homes units.
The Tiny Homes fit two persons each and come with an attached bathroom, air-conditioning, a queen-sized bed, a television, a small functional kitchen, and a workspace.
Besides just chilling in the tiny homes, guests can also engage in fun outdoor activities like fishing or non-motorised watersports for a fee starting June 2023. Bicycles are also available for rent on the far side of the island.
If you’re looking for new staycation ideas or just want a different kind of island getaway, try Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island.
Cost: From S$199 per night (promo)
Booking Starts: April 2023
Stay From: 1 May 2023
26) STEM-themed Escape Rooms at Science Centre Singapore
Photo credit: Science Centre Singapore
Are you a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) geek who also loves solving escape room mysteries? Here’s where you can have the best of both worlds. Escape @ Science Centre is a newly opened STEM-themed escape room where you’ll be tested for knowledge, skills and tenacity. So if you’ve always been solving escape room puzzles with sheer luck, you might wanna put on all six thinking caps for this, or bring friends in the STEM department to help with the thinking.
Photo credit: Science Centre Singapore
And unlike most other escape rooms, Escape @ Science Centre allows participants to bring along their phones, so not only can you use your phones to help solve the puzzles, you can even snap photos within the escape rooms for memory’s sake.
Cost: S$25/pax (10% discount with 3 or more tickets purchased for the same room; 20% discount with 6 or more tickets purchased for the same room)
Activity slots: 10AM – 9:15PM
How to get there: 13min walk from Jurong East MRT (Google Maps)
27) World’s 1st NFT Hotel Comes to Singapore — Hotel by Wassies
Photo credit: Hotel by Wassies
We’re sure you would have heard of what an NFT (non-fungible token) is by now. But do you know that there’s an NFT hotel in Singapore now? The pop-up hotel is the first of its kind in the world, and will only be accepting guests till September 2023 in Singapore.
The 55-room pop-up hotel is located at 5 Hong Kong Street, with rooms furnished in shades of Wassie-themed purple, featuring selected art pieces created by the global Wassie community.
So if you’re looking for yet another unique staycation in Singapore or are visiting Singapore from abroad, you may wanna consider a fuss-free stay at Hotel Wassie. Though this is a stay you probably can’t tokenise.
Cost: From S$148.75/night (sleeps 2 pax)
How to get there: 5mins walk from Clarke Quay MRT (Google Maps)
28) Free airport tours for visitors in transit are back
Changi Airport has brought back its Free Singapore Tour for travellers who are transiting through Singapore with a layover of at least 5.5 hours. As of now, there are three tours available, each lasting for 2.5 hours.
Transit travellers can choose from three tour itineraries, three are bus tours and one is a walking tour to Jewel Changi Airport. The three bus tours include a Changi Precinct Tour, a City Sights Tour to Singapore’s Civic District and Downtown areas, and the *Heritage Tour around Chinatown and Kampong Gelam.
Travellers who are interested in participating in the Free Singapore Tours will need to register at the Free Singapore Tour service counters at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 Transit halls.
29) Changi Airport opens rock-climbing and bouldering facility at T3
Photo credit: Climb@T3
Changi Airport has, for a while, been more than just an airport. And from 3 March, its directory board saw a new entry — Climb@T3, a rock-climbing and bouldering facility.
Featuring an 8m-tall High wall and a 12.5m-long Bouldering Wall, Climb@T3 is not only for climb enthusiasts but also welcomes people without prior experience to try their hands, and feet, on rock climbing. There are guided hour-long sessions for participants who are less confident and would require safety supervision from the instructors. There’s even a Rock Tots session for children as young as two!
Photo credit: Climb@T3
If you have experience with rock walls and would prefer unguided climbs, there are also free & easy sessions on both the boulder and high walls. Children up to the age of 12 will need to have a supervising adult.
Cost: S$15/2-hour Climb and Play (Unguided) session, S$25/1-hour Climb and Play (Guided) session, and S$30/1-hour Rock Tots session. Registration required.
Opening hours: 12PM – 9:30PM (Mon – Fri), 10AM – 9:30PM (weekends & PH)
How to get there: 15min walk from Changi Airport MRT. Changi Airport Terminal 3, #B3-01/02. Next to Slide@T3 (Google Maps)
30) Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Art lovers would want to bookmark this — Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is heading to Singapore for the first time!
The 360° multi-sensorial exhibition will combine both art and virtual reality (VR) in showcasing over 300 artworks by well-known Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, such as the famed Starry Night and Sunflower.
For something a little more unique, you can even take a VR tour to sneak a peek into “A Day in the Life of the Artist” and find out the inspirations behind his iconic works.
Entrance fee: S$24/adult (early bird tickets on sale at 4PM on 19 Jan)
Exhibition date: From 1 Mar 2023
Opening hours: Varies
How to get there: Take the Sentosa Express from Harbourfront to Waterfront Station, 3min walk to Van Gogh Immersive Experience (Google Maps)
31) Gardens By The Bay — 1-For-1 Flower Dome tickets
Photo credit: Gardens by the Bay
The season of blooming is here again. Some would say that spring is best spent chasing cherry blossoms in Japan, but if that sounds too extravagant an activity for you, how about a visit to Gardens by the Bay‘s Flower Dome?
Spring all year round, Flower Dome houses a variety of flowering plants from a range of unique habitats — from the Mediterranean region to South African savannas and arid deserts.
Right now, there’s also a 1-For-1 Flower Dome ticket promotion happening till 10 December 2023.
How it works is, you’ll receive an additional free ticket if you purchase via a PAssion-POSB or HomeTeamNS-PAssion-POSB Debit Card on the 10th day of every month. But, it’s only limited to the first 100 tickets and cardholders can only purchase up to four tickets per transaction.
*Note: The deal is only valid for Singaporean residents (Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents) and holders of a Work Permit, Employment Pass, or Dependent Pass.
Cost: S$12/pax
Event period: 10 Feb – 10 Dec 2023
32) The Peranakan Museum reopened 18 February
Photo credit: Peranakan Museum Singapore via Facebook
As the saying goes: out with the old and in with the new — the Peranakan Museum reopened on 18 February after almost four years of closure for renovation works!
The refurbished building (former Tao Nan School) now features permanent galleries with a fresh new design.
Photo credit: Peranakan Museum Singapore via Facebook
Look forward to nine galleries with showcases, objects, interactive displays and programmes spanning three grand themes of the Peranakan identity — “Origins”, “Home”, and “Style”.
During the hiatus, the museum also worked closely with Peranakan communities to explore different aspects of the culture. So if you’re a Peranakan yourself, you might even find one of your family’s stories mentioned here.
Entrance fee: S$12/pax (Free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents)
Opening hours: 10AM – 7PM (Sat – Thu), 10AM – 9PM (Fri)
How to get there: 6mins to Bras Basah MRT (Google Maps) or 8min walk from City Hall MRT (Google Maps)
33) Find hidden giant statues by Copenhagen artist Thomas Dambo at Sentosa
Photo credit: Sentosa Development Corporation
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure — and this is what Copenhagen-based artist Thomas Dambo aimed to present with four giant statues purposefully hidden around Sentosa.
Made out of 5.5 tonnes of reclaimed wood material — such as pallets and floorboards — donated by local enterprises, Dambo’s upcycled creations encourage people to rethink the value of trash.
Photo credit: Sentosa Development Corporation
Don’t know where to start? Here’s a hint: Seach along Palawan Beach and don’t miss out on any nooks and crannies!
Cost: Free
Exhibition period: Until 2024
How to get there: 8min walk from Beach Station, Sentosa (Google Maps)
34) HomeTeamNS clubhouse opens at Bedok Reservoir
Photo credit: HomeTeamNS
In the west, we have a new SAFRA clubhouse but in the east, we have… a new HomeTeamNS Clubhouse! It’s located within Bedok Reservoir Park, giving yet another reason why the east side is clearly the better side 😉
The clubhouse is packed with a range of facilities such as a water adventure centre, an indoor obstacle playground, a cross-fit gym, and an infinity pool.
Photo credit: HomeTeamNS
The three-storey indoor water adventure centre houses Singapore’s longest indoor water slide at a whooping 114m long, as well as a wet obstacle-rope course and rock climbing walls!
Photo credit: HomeTeamNS
Hold fun team-bonding activities with your peers and colleagues here, or consider one of the ten well-furnished and equipped villas for your next staycation.
Cost: Varies
Opening hours: 10AM – 8PM (Mon – Thu), 9AM – 9PM (Fri – Sun)
How to get there: 10min walk from Bedok North MRT (Google Maps)
35) New Installations at ArtScience Museum’s Future World Exhibition & MBS’ Digital Light Canvas Show
Photo credit: teamLab
ArtScience Museum’s Future World exhibition has recently unveiled three new permanent installations by teamLab — its most extensive refresh since its debut in 2016!
Autonomous Abstraction: Continuous Phenomena From The Universe To The Self
Photo credit: teamLab
Inspired by the spontaneous order phenomenon, this artwork features colourful dots blinking in individual cycles and synchronising when near each other. But when touched, they disperse with a sound.
Aerial Climbing Through A Flock Of Coloured Birds
Photo credit: teamLab
Step onto this 3D installation of colourful hanging bars and watch as they become brighter and emit a sound unique to their colour. The bars are all linked so as people navigate across them, it affects other people’s interaction with the artwork too.
Sketch Flight
Photo credit: teamLab
Lastly, Sketch Flight allows you to see the world from the perspective of a hawk, butterfly, or aeroplane (whichever you prefer). All you have to do is sketch it on paper and watch it come to life on the screen.
Cost: S$23/adult
Opening hours: 10AM – 5:30PM
How to get there: ArtScience Museum, 11min walk from Bayfront MRT station (Google Maps)
36) Singapore’s First Children’s Museum Opens
Photo credit: Children’s Museum Singapore
Singapore’s first-ever museum dedicated to children of ages 12 and below has opened its doors. The Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG) will function as a “starter museum” for young visitors to the museum-going experience.
Children can get to learn about Singapore’s heritage and culture through the hands-on interactives at the museum.
Photo credit: Children’s Museum Singapore
The CMSG features a permanent exhibition — A Voyage Back in Time, which spans four galleries on the ground floor. There are also three special galleries that will be refreshed regularly.
Cost: $15/pax, free for SC and PR (Pre-booking required)
Opening hours: 9AM – 1PM & 2PM – 6PM, Tue – Sun
How to get there: 8min walk from City Hall MRT (Google Maps)
37) The Bearbrick Stay Package at M Social Singapore from S$210/night
Photo credit: M Social Singapore via Facebook
If you’re a BE@RBRICK fan, an un-bear-ably relaxing staycation awaits at M Social Singapore. This playful collaboration includes an art jamming session where you can unleash your creativity by pouring paint and creating a one-of-a-kind bear figurine — basically priceless 💅.
Aside from the art therapy, the stay also includes complimentary breakfast and dining credits so you can escape the city and relax indoors for the entire day — an introvert’s dream.
Cost: From S$210/night
Event period: Till 31 Dec 2023
How to get there: 9mins walk from Havelock MRT (Google Maps)
38) Plaza Premium Lounge at Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 1 Departure Lounge
Whether you’re looking for a mouth-watering international buffet, high-speed Wi-Fi or a handy charging station during your layover at Changi Airport, the pay-per-use Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 has got you covered.
While here, we enjoyed chilling in the lounge’s private pods, without any distractions. But if that doesn’t sound relaxing enough, treat yourself to a rejuvenating shower and spa treatment — though these will come at an additional cost.
There are even private rooms here with massage chairs for those who’d like to get a proper rest before catching their next flight!
Entrance fee: Varies
Opening hours: 24 hours
Address: Level 3, Departure/Transit Lounge West, Terminal 1, Singapore Changi Airport
Looking for new things to do in Singapore?
Singapore may just be a little red dot but there’s never a dull moment on this vibrant island! Be it exhibitions indoors or hunts for hidden gems outdoors, there’s always something for everyone to check out.
Still bored? Here are some cool Singapore content that we’ve created aside from the usual overseas travel guides and itineraries we’re used to doing 🙂
– Singapore Public Holidays 2023 — How to Have 9 Long Weekends With 6 Days of Leave
– 10 Hidden Gems You Never Knew Existed Around Singapore Neighbourhoods
– 11 Lesser-Known Instagrammable Spots in Singapore at Night #ShotOniPhone
Featured image credit to: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall via Facebook
Facebook cover img credit to: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall via Facebook, @malacup.sg via Instagram, UNIQLO Singapore
What are your favourite things to do in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!
