A happy Hari Raya Haji to all our Muslim friends; to everyone else, we know you’ve been waiting for this public holiday since National Day. As August continues to crawl slowly by, join the rest of the island as they make their way down to photograph this year’s Singapore Night Festival, or duck into a museum exhibition for some quiet time alone. Otherwise, there’s the Pasir Panjang Power Station art market that’s bound to be another sweaty mass of bodies, plus everyone’s favorite nostalgia night Mambo Jambo back at Zouk.
Monday, Aug 20
FESTIVAL
It’s that time of the year again—when the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct lights up after the sun goes down for a full week of nocturnal revelry. The Singapore Night Festival is officially back. This year, they’ve gone beyond just local and international artists to include contributions from pretty unexpected individuals too. Check out our picks here. Through Aug 25
FILM
Who you gonna call… again? Relive all the action and humour as top spirit exterminators Ghostbusters get disbanded for accidentally demolishing parts of the city after what happend in the first movie. But when rogue ghosts rise out of the woodwork, it’s clear they’ll be receiving the famed call once more. Aug 20
EXHIBITION
The eighth edition of Singapore Art Museum’s annual family-friendly contemporary art exhibition explores the concept of time. Ten artists and art collectives from around the world have taken over SAM at 8Q for Imaginarium: Into the Space of Time, presenting immersive and interactive installations exploring the tales and theories that shape our memories and future. Through Aug 26
DRINK
Whether you know exactly how to describe its taste (without using the word smooth), or fancy something that’s just easy to drink, Wine Lust 2018 promises to have a little something for everyone. Returning for the second time, Wine Lust presents an outstanding selection of 15 award-winning restaurants, 40 specialist wine events and 500 wine varietals. Through Sep 10
Tuesday, Aug 21
CONCERT
It’s been way too long—five years to be exact—since Paramore was in Singapore. The Grammy-Award winning band returns this Aug as part of their “After Laughter” tour. Sure, they may have adopted a new pop-ish, synth-heavy sound for their latest studio album, After Laughter, the band’s first after more than four years last May. But while they might sound like a totally new band compared to music in their previous albums, these guys have established themselves an exciting live act to catch. Aug 21
CONCERT
Nostalgia continues to seep into 2018 as celebrated Irish boy band Boyzone returns to Singapore once again, this time to celebrate their 25th anniversary at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Aug 21
PARTY
Get ready for another Mambo Jambo this Hari Raya Eve. Young and young-at-heart alike are welcome to join Jeremy Boon in the Zouk mainroom for the best nostalgic hits of yesteryear. Aug 21
EXHIBITION
The Substation kicks off the next installment of its 2018 exploration of the topic ‘Heritage’. En Bloc, or Buildings Must Die will feature an exhibition, talks and panels discussing the hot-button topic of conservation in Singapore. Aug 21-Sep 23
MUSICAL
We’re just as excited as you are about the return of The Lion King to our shore for its 20th anniversary It’s been more than two decades since the epic musical film about lions in Africa first came into our lives, and again in 2011 when the musical made its Southeast Asian debut. Immerse yourself in the magnificent world of Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Mufasa, Timon, Pumba and company when it returns for a two-month run. Through Sep 23
Wednesday, Aug 22
MARKET
The Local People seem to have a penchant for organizing crazy markets in abandoned heritage spaces in Singapore. Now they’re taking over the former Pasir Panjang Power Station. Shop the art market, or check out the immersive exhibitions, music stations and night party—before you likely never return again. Aug 22
CONCERT
Linkin Park fans all around the globe suffered a tremendous loss when singer Chester Bennington took his own life last year. It’s still a loss that many people are still trying to get over, seeing how much their music influenced them during their formative years. Nonetheless, life has to go on. For co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda, that means going on tour. He’ll be performing in Singapore at Zepp @ Big Box as part of his “Post Traumatic” tour. Aug 22
MARKET/PARTY
The eighth edition of Sunset Pasar kicks off in the afternoon with a flea market of pre-loved goodies from local fashion and lifestyle influencers, plus a small selection of indie labels. When you’re done shopping, stay for the Sunset Disco led by James Selva, Ryan Cheng, and Aalely; and then DJs Rah, ULYSSES, and Roy Ng spinning till late after. Aug 22
EXHIBITION
2018 has shaped up to be a fantastic year for Marvel. Besides the two epic movies releasing to staggering global success, they’re also presenting Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes at ArtScience Museum, which delves into the science and tech behind the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through Sep 30
EXHIBITION
Dutch artist Theo Jansen is sending his prized Strandbeests to our shores. In fact entirely non-living, his world-renowned creatures made of PVC and wood are powered by wind, and spend their days moving gracefully across beaches (hence their name, which translates to “beach animal” in Dutch). Head to the ArtScience Museum for an exclusive look at this new species, where you can look at “fossils” of past beests, and even walk alongside 13 original Strandbeests. Through Sep 30
Thursday, Aug 23
EXHIBITION
Before It All Goes: Architecture from Singapore’s Early Independence Years is local photographer Darren Soh’s latest solo exhibition, which showcases his long-term documentation of sites in Singapore slated to disappear, or that already have. Aug 23-Sep 29
FILM
Greta Gerwig’s Academy Award-winning Lady Bird starring Saoirse Ronan made waves for her tender coming-of-age story, during its release earlier this year (it now holds 84 wins to its name). If you need help deciding, ponder our review here. Aug 23
PARTY
Hamburg-born, Berlin-based beat maker Christopher Rau takes over the decks at The Council’s Headquarters for a selection of sizzling dance floor cuts and chunky ‘90s house. The party is the first in a new underground music series by The Council and Darker Than Wax. Aug 23
MARKET/FOOD
As part of the Singapore Night Festival, a Festival Village of 40 food and lifestyle stores has been set up for your eating and shopping pleasure after you’re done trawling the Night Lights. For food, look forward to vendors like 25 Degrees Burgers, The Wicked Cream Co., Ninja Cut, Cocomax and more; while the flea market comprises brands like Ohpopdog and SUCRE. Stay the night and catch live music performances by local bands like Cosmic Child and Astronauts. Aug 23-25
FESTIVAL
Pink Dot may be over, that’s just the icing on the cake. Gear up (and glitter up) for Singapore’s LGBTQI festival (and pride season), IndigNation, as it returns for its 14th year. Check out their website for a whole smorgasbord of campy and fun events. Through Aug 30
Friday, Aug 24
Photo credit: Havana Social Club Facebook
PARTY
Havana ooh na na? Not quite. Cuban and Latin American band Havana Social Club returns to take over the dancefloor at Intermission Bar for a saucy night of tunes. The four-piece band is made of members from Cuba, Singapore, Venezuela and USA. Aug 24
THEATER
Ground-up, local favorite Centre 42, whose series of text-based performances Late-Night Texting, is back for its third edition. Head down to the little blue house at Waterloo Street to catch over 30 performances staged by up-and-coming local groups. Aug 24-25
MARKET
Support Singapore’s fiercest ladypreneurs when you shop the homegrown, women-led businesses at Beauty & the Biz. The three-day boutique sale brings together beauty, fashion, accessories and more (featuring brands like Moxie, K.Blu Swim, By Invite Only and Oh Happy Fry); a portion of the sales will go to HCSA Dayspring Program. Aug 24-26
FILM
Film festival fever comes in hot and heavy with the annual Asian Restored Classics, returning this year to feature nine restored films across Asia from the ‘20s to the ‘90s. Aug 24-Sep 2
EXHIBITION
Peranakan Museum’s latest exhibition, Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography, delves into the Southeast Asian history of photography through the pictured lives of the Peranakan community in the region. Through Feb 3, 2019
TOUR
The Singapore Zoo will be transformed into a lush and luminous universe to mark the attraction’s 45th anniversary this year. Experience Rainforest Lumina for yourself, where a whole stretch of tropical rainforest will be lit with multimedia visual effects come nighttime. You can even spend your night there by a campfire, if you so wish. Jul 1 onwards
