From outdoor cinemas to specially commissioned productions, it’s a month filled with music, heritage, art and culture.
New and noteworthy:
Kampong Kids Rave
May 1; Kult Yard
Kampong Boogie’s inaugural family- and pet-friendly Kampong Kids Rave is your chance to revisit your wild clubbing days. Happening on May 1, the Labour Day family rave will take place at Kult Yard, a former police barracks in Chinatown. It’s a unique daytime party with a tropical rainforest theme and beats provided by local DJs. Entry is free.
Singapore Cocktail Takeover
May 1 to 12; islandwide
For 12 days, the Singapore Cocktail Takeover will serve up special cocktails and unique events across some of the city’s best-loved bars. A total of 30 bars will offer two signature cocktails at a special price of $18++ throughout the duration of the campaign, alongside a programme of events and guest bar shifts that will showcase an industry that has grown to become world-class over the last decade.
Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema
Now to May 12; Tanjong Beach, Sentosa
Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema promises an evening of refreshing encounters where cocktails and cinema converge. Enjoy films such as Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, the critically acclaimed Past Lives, and Singapore premiere of The Road to Patagonia. Each ticket ($44.8++) includes a Hendrick’s Gin cocktail, plush deckchair seating, wireless headphones, and complimentary shuttle services from the event to Harbourfront MRT.
Singapore HeritageFest 2024
May 1 to 26; islandwide
This year’s Singapore HeritageFest (SHF) celebrates Singapore’s rich built heritage, as well as the 40th anniversary of Total Defence. Featuring tours, trails, exhibitions, and other exciting activities across the island, SHF 2024 promises an immersive and engaging exploration of Singapore’s architectural treasures. Highlights include Homeground exhibition, Ride & Discover and the Hop-On and Hop-Off bus experience.
Frida Forever
May 4 to Sep 1; ArtScience Museum
A pair of exhibitions celebrating the life and times of iconic 20th-century Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, has landed at ArtScienceMuseum, Marina Bay Sands from now till Sep 1. Expect to explore the challenges, experiences and inner beliefs that defined the subversive artwork of Kahlo, now widely recognised as a feminist icon ahead of her time.
Raya at Sports Hub
May 4 and 5; Singapore Sports Hub
Raya at Sports Hub is set to offer a weekend of fun activities for the whole family on May 4 and 5 at Kallang Wave Mall. Look forward to Malay cultural experiences, performances, workshops, and more. Watch cultural showcases that highlight the beauty and depth of Malay traditions, and live performances by rising star Shazza and 2009 Singapore Idol winner Sezairi Sezali.
Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream
May 16 to 26; KC Arts Centre
Presented by Singapore Theatre Company, this solo play by Indian Ink Theatre Company ponders on the impermanence of life, love, and ice cream. Inspired by Ernest Becker’s Pulitzer prize-winning book Denial of Death, and the vibrant city of Mumbai, it follows the afterlife of Kutisar, a man who is thrown into limbo on his way to the afterlife. He tries to avoid death by reliving his past, where a rebellious young woman holds the key to his salvation.
Music Matters Live
May 8 to 11; CQ @ Clarke Quay
This free event at CQ @ Clarke Quay presents over 50 of the best emerging acts from 16 countries in the Asia Pacific and around the world. Fans can expect music from the likes of Japanese boy band Psychic Fever from Exile Tribe; Australia’s Oliver Cronin, and Berywam, the French beatboxing crew that were featured on America’s Got Talent. Also performing are Indian singer-songwriter Dhruv Visvanath, Singapore’s Josh Makazo, and Thailand’s Lemony.
GetGo CarBoot Market
May 11 to 12; *scape carpark
GetGo CarBoot Market, the largest of its kind in Singapore, will feature up to 30 local businesses and GetGoers offering a variety of new goods and preloved gems. Notable vendors include homegrown brands like Littlebotany, Nine.N., and Thyrf. supply, among others. Admission is free and open to the public, with exclusive GetGo goodie bags given to the first 150 guests daily. There will also be a Sure-Win Lucky Dip with up to $5,000 worth of prizes to be won.
Singapore International Festival of Arts
May 17 to Jun 2; various locations
The theme for the 2024 edition of Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) is “They Declare”, an expression of the multiplicity of voices that the festival welcomes and celebrates. Look forward to five newly commissioned productions, seven invited international presentations, and an all-new programming pillar catered to families and children.
Trifecta Backyard Sessions
May 18; Trifecta
Head to Trifecta, Asia’s first surf-snow-skate and lifestyle destination in Orchard Road, for Trifecta Backyard Sessions Vol. 2 presented by Samsung. Catch live performances from homegrown talents Charlie Lim (it’ll be his first performance in Singapore this year), electronic bedroom pop musician Shye, TikTok viral sensation Regina Song, and hip-hop artiste Tengy at Trifecta’s Skate Bowl.
Football for All Carnival
May 19; Level 5 Sands Grand Ballroom, Marina Bay Sands
The carnival presented by Starhub offers fans the ultimate viewing experience with complimentary live screenings of all 10 matches on the final day of the season, including Liverpool vs Wolves, Manchester City vs West Ham United, Arsenal vs Everton, and more. Attendees also have the opportunity to see two of the most influential and celebrated football players of all time, Luis Garcia (Liverpool Legend) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea and Manchester City Legend).
Ocean Fest 2024
May 20 to Jul 19; S.E.A. Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa
The 5th edition of Ocean Fest will spotlight the importance of preserving oceanic memories while shedding light on the often overlooked diversity of marine life. See a commissioned photo exhibition by award-winning Singaporean photographer, Toh Xing Jie; learn about horseshoe crab conservation efforts; and help clean the ocean at the interactive installation.
Garden Vibes
May 25 and 26; myVillage, Serangoon Garden
Singapore’s first farmer’s market and wellness festival Garden Vibes is set to take place at myVillage at Serangoon Garden from May 25 to 26. Hosted by myVillage in collaboration with Little Farms, embark on a journey of wellness and culinary delights as you indulge in fresh produce, artisanal delights, rejuvenating wellness activities, and attend inspiring talks by industry leaders.
Sustainable Kids Market
May 25 to 26; Marina Square atrium
Peace of Art, in collaboration with Marina Square, will hold the inaugural Sustainable Kids Market. This pioneering event will feature close to 100 brands, and a variety of activities tailored for engagement and learning such as the sale of sustainable goods, workshops focused on sustainability, art exhibits, auctions, and live performances.
Highlight will be the KIDSforKIDS initiative, with around 25 sustainable goods booths set up and managed by children, with the help of their parents. All profits generated from the Sustainable Kids Market will be channelled directly to aid children living in Singapore’s public rental flats. The funds will enhance educational, enrichment, and mentorship programs spearheaded by Young Hearts of the Singapore Red Cross to combat intergenerational poverty.
Hamilton
Now to Jun 9, Sands Theatre
Critically acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton has arrived at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, for a strictly limited season in 2024. The musical features a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, and tells the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton. Read our full review here.
i Light Singapore
May 30 to Jun 23; various locations
i Light Singapore (iLSG) returns for its 10th edition to light up Marina Bay and neighbouring precincts. This year, the footprint of Asia’s leading sustainable light festival expands beyond Marina Bay, South Beach and Millenia Walk as iLSG will be arriving in Tanjong Pagar for the first time. The festival will feature 17 artworks by 25 artists inspired by the theme of Cyclical Nature and the colour green.
The Conscious Festival
May 31 to Jun 2, and Jun 7 to 9; Marina Bay Singapore
This year, The Conscious Festival has partnered i Light Singapore to present a festival for global healing and conscious leadership. Running over seven immersive days in May and June, the festival’s famous marketplace will feature over 50 conscious brands. Attendees can engage in transformative talks, wellness workshops, interactive art, and participate in purposeful games.
Ongoing events:
Goddess
Apr 6 to Aug 11; ArtScience Museum
Goddess is a glamorous and powerful exhibition curated by ACMI, Australia’s national museum of screen culture. It will traverse 120 years of moving image history to feature surprising stories, costumes, sketches, interactive experiences, and cinematic treasures from silent cinema to contemporary films of today, with a new focus on Asian screen sirens.
12th Singapore Chinese Film Festival
Apr 26 to May 5; various locations
The 12th Singapore Chinese Film Festival (SCFF) is back with 45 films and a special masterclass with screen legend and kung fu superstar Sammo Hung. SCFF will showcase award-winning films at various locations including Golden Village cinemas at Bugis+, Funan, and Suntec City. Sasha Chuk’s Fly Me To The Moon opens the festival, while Painted Faces will close the festival.
Voilah! France Singapore Festival
Apr 27 to May 26; various locations
The annual Voilah! France Singapore Festival will be returning from Apr 25 to May 26, highlighting all things Francophile in the lead-up to the country’s third go-around hosting the Summer Olympics. Sports will be spotlighted at this year’s edition of the festival – aptly themed “Celebrating Passions” – alongside a host of other programmes ranging from the performing and visual arts to gastronomy, music and more.
Naruto: The Gallery
Mar 28 to Jun 30; Universal Studios Singapore
Enter the world of the shinobi (ninja) as Naruto: The Gallery makes its first-ever international debut at Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Highlights include a diorama of Naruto’s hometown, the Hidden Leaf Village, a collection of iconic and emotional scenes, and a seven-minute screening of the final battle in a 4D theatre.
Plastic: Remaking Our World
Jan 27 to Jun 23; National Museum of Singapore
Delve into the world of this controversial yet pervasive material, and discover how we can use it more sustainably. The Asian debut of the travelling exhibition by the Vitra Design Museum, V&A Dundee, and Maat, Lisbon, features over 300 artefacts such as Barbie dolls, and an injection machine that repurposes upcycled plastic into household items.
Ente Veedu, My Home: Malayalees in Singapore
Nov 25, 2023 to Sep 15, 2024; Indian Heritage Centre
This is the first exhibition of its kind to focus exclusively on the Malayalees’ heritage, culture, and identity. It features both intangible and tangible aspects of Malayalee history through artefacts and stories as well as a variety of community programmes.
Sentosa Sensoryscape
Ongoing; Sentosa
Sentosa Sensoryscape is an experiential attraction transforming the busy thoroughfare between Resorts World Sentosa and the island’s beaches into a 30,00-square-metre sensorial extravaganza with six distinct zones. It features nature-driven architecture that celebrates Sentosa’s rich biodiversity in the day, before transforming at night into a stunning audiovisual display of digital light art backed up by an immersive soundscape.
