Biggie events like Ultra Singapore, Beerfest Asia and Pink Dot all arrive this June, so you know it’s set to be one happening month. But you’ll want to pace yourself, as other smaller scale, noteworthy things to do abound. Make space on your calendar for a Pokemon carnival and a summer matsuri both happening in Sentosa, a block party in Jalan Besar, the return of Singapore’s biggest sake festival, and so much more.
PARTY
Legendary trance DJ Paul Van Dyk will be helming the decks at Zouk for one epic night as part of his Music Rescues Me tour, in tandem with the release of his ninth studio album of the same name. Expect nothing short of a sonic journey that’ll bring you to a state of blissful mental suspension. Jun 1
FOOD
Cultural gourmands, discover the history of Singapore through food at Eat Your History, a foodie event held in conjunction with the Singapore Bicentennial Experience taking place at Fort Canning Arts Centre. Here, find out more about our culinary heritage from maestros the likes of Violet Oon and Haikal Johari themselves. Jun 1
ART/PARTY
Take a light-hearted look at the serious topic of colonialism at A Weekend Affair, a two-day event that throws together art installations, performances, a party and even a spa. See our interview with one of the organisers to find out more on this experimental showcase. Jun 1-2
PARTY
Beat the heat at a wet and wild extravaganza unlike any other. From Fri-Sun for the whole month of June, the Adventure Cove Waterpark will play host to Splash Bash, where team watergun fights, Zorb ball water races, and lager-than-life ice cream props arrive to take your theme park experience up several notches. Plus, live DJ sets to amp up the fun. Jun 1-30
FOOD
Satiate your claw-glorious appetites with the return of Lobsterfest at PARKROYAL on Pickering, featuring the four-hour long buffet of luxurious lobster dishes, including the prized Lobster with Golden Egg Yolk Butter Cream and Lobster with 5 Peppers Sauce, or try new additions such as the Roti John with Minced Lobster Meat and Braised Lobster with Ginger Onion. Through Jun 30
TECH
Calling all in need of new gadgets! Singapore’s longest running IT and consumer electronics show is back. The PC Show 2019 returns to MBS Expo & Convention Centre with a bevy of the latest and greatest in the industry; act now or forever regret. Through Jun 2
FESTIVAL
Bayfront buskers festival Busking by the Bay returns to Marina Bay with an all-new lineup of music and entertainment acts you won’t want to miss. Soak in the vibes, be entertained, then be sure to toss a coin (or note) in before leaving. Part of the DBS Marina Regatta 2019. Through Jun 2
FILM
Running as part of SIFA, Singular Screens curated by the Asian Film Archive brings together a stellar line-up of international and local cinema that could certainly rival the programme at the Singapore International Film Festival. Catch Asian flicks like Singapore’s own Demons, or more popular foreign favourites like Too Late To Die Young, from the producers of Call Me By Your Name. Through Jun 2
EXHIBITION
Not your average gallery showcase, Rewild Our Planet is a social augmented reality experience held at ArtScience Museum that uses technology to bring to life planet Earth’s many beautiful landscapes. Go on a journey that’s out of this world, and arrive (hopefully) with a greater inward appreciation for our bountiful world. Through Jun 2
DRINK/FESTIVAL
It’s technically summer—that means we got the excuse we need to down all the ice-cold brews we want over at the Chijmes Summer Beer Festival. At the lawn area, a beer garden with live music will pop up, offering craft beers and mead from the likes of Brewerkz, Brewlander, Lion City Meadery and more. Through Jun 2
ART/FESTIVAL
The island’s leading premiere arts festival is back and, in its 42 year, going strong as ever. The Singapore International Festival of Arts comes chock full of genre-blending performances and experimental shows from the world’s most renowned arts practitioners (think composer Ryuchi Sakamoto and theatremaker Tadashi Suzuki). Need to decompress after all the sensorial stimulation you’ll be experiencing? Head straight to the Festival House after for post-show drinks with the cast and creative team. Through Jun 2
ARTS/FESTIVAL
Esplanade’s quirky arts festival Flipside returns, with participatory theatre, puppetry, and even gravity-defying circus arts, to challenge and “flip” preconceived notions of the arts in light-hearted and unexpected ways. See our highlights here. Through Jun 2
FESTIVAL
Why go to the beach when the beach is coming to you? At Life’s a Beach Party, the iconic fountain at Bugis Junction will be transformed into a sandy summer lounge, decked with sunbeds, party food vendors, an outdoor cinema and even a bazaar, all to be enjoyed while homegrown musicians Benny and Allie seranade you every weekend. Jun 3-30
PARTY
Boybands are back, well, at least for one night at Nineteen80’s Now that’s what I Call Boyband Music. Jive to your favourite Backstreet Boys, Westlife and NSync hits, in a judgement-free zone that all ’80s kids will appreciate. Jun 4
FESTIVAL
This Hari Raya Puasa holiday, head over to the Istana for their open house, where an exhibition exploring Singapore’s history await. Stay around for other activities too, including a cultural performance and a guided nature walk on the grounds. Jun 5
MARKET
The Geylang Serai Ramadhan Bazaar is back, pasar malam-style, with spreads of open-aired stalls hawking wide varieties of street food. Break fast with your Muslim friends and feast on everything from the classic Ramly burger to refreshing Thai milk teas. In response to the rising concerns around overpriced Instagram food fads monopolising the bazaar in previous years, Wisma Geylang Serai has taken measures to ensure that 60 percent of its stalls will be offering more authentic eats from the bazaar’s heyday—and for the first time in over 40 years, all stalls will be 100% halal. Through Jun 5
FESTIVAL
Because we can’t get enough of Japan summer festivals, Resorts World Sentosa is throwing their first ever RWS Summer Matsuri, where food, drink, film and cultural performances celebrating all things Japan will collide. And luckily for us, the festival starts from 5pm, so the summer heat won’t be too daunting on us. Jun 6-9
FILM/FESTIVAL
State of Motion 2019: A Fear of Monsters, a follow-up to January’s film fest of the same name, will once again bring together a collection of classic Asian horror flicks like 1954’s original Godzilla, OG Malay scare fest Sumpah Orang Minyak, and even newer ones like HBO’s anthology Folklore. Jun 7-Jul 21
FILM/FESTIVAL
Italian cinema reigns at the 2019 Italian Film Festival. This year, check out 11 curated films across two venues—The Projector and Golden Village Plaza. Top picks include Dogman, a well-paced film about a man’s descent into savagery, and Italian box office hit comedy Blessed Madness. Through Jun 7
FESTIVAL
Immerse yourself in all-things Peranakan at The Peranakan Festival, where cultural talks, a literary showcase and, of course, plenty of Nyonya dishes entice you to learn and indulge in the amazing culture of the Straits Chinese community. Jun 7-Jul 31
FOOD/DRINK
How does a live satay grill and ice-cold beers on a hilltop sound? At Satay Night Live at Mount Faber, we’re getting just that and more. Indulge in an array of hawker favourites like lobster hokkien mee and honey BBQ chicken wings, all while live performances and games keep you entertained. Jun 8
TALK
Celebrity scientist Brian Cox will be in Singapore as part of his first ever world tour, Professor Brian Cox Universal World Tour 2019: Live On Stage. The charismatic Cox will be exploring the latest findings in physics, wowing novice and avid science audiences alike. He will be joined by comedian Robin Ince during the Q&A after. Jun 8
PARTY
The gates of Haw Par Villa will be open this Saturday for Haw Par Thrilla, a hellish revelry you won’t soon forget. Bring your crew, but more importantly, your courage as party people Ice Cream Sundays unleashes a sinful, underworld-themed event not for the faint of heart. Jun 8
THEATRE
The longest running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera, is back in Singapore. If you missed it the last time it was here in 2013, the musical masterpiece makes its long-awaited return to the Sands Theatre. Through Jun 8
PARTY/FESTIVAL
Ultra Singapore 2019 has arrived, so get ready to sweat it out with fellow partygoers indoors at Marina Bay Sands as international acts the likes of Axwell and Skrillex take on the main stage. It’s gonna be one bangin’ weekend (we hope). Jun 8-9
EXHIBITION
Singapore’s Golden Boy street artist Speak Cryptic is holding a solo exhibition at Gillman’s Chan + Hori Contemporary. Open My Heart, Ease My Task, Loosen the Knot on My Tongue takes reference from a prayer of Moses; on this the artist draws to present his collection of drawings, paintings, installations, public art and performance-based work. Through Jun 9
EXHIBITION
New York street art legend Futura is having his debut solo Southeast Asia show Constellation over at Gillman Barracks, starting with a public opening party on Thursday. Expect 30 specially commissioned works at the exhibition, all showcasing Futura’s distinctive abstract graffiti style. Through Jun 9
CARNIVAL
After the big bonanza that is the Pokemon Go! Safari Zone organised by Sentosa last month, the resort island will be playing host to a massive Pokemon Carnival next, just in case you didn’t manage to catch ’em all. Happening at the Sentosa Cove Village this time, there’ll be regular Pikachu parades, themed games, movie screenings and more. Jun 15-30
EXHIBITION
See pieces of China’s modern haute couture juxtaposed against art from Asian Civilisations Museum’s own art collection at Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture, an exhibit inviting guest to contemplate the reimagining of the Chinese aesthetic. Jun 15-Sep 15
EXHIBITION
For a blast of true nostalgia, check out 87-year-old veteran photographer Lim Kwong Ling’s next show, Portrait of Home. His black and white works demand patient, pensive observation, and pays off with a powerful mental image of how life back in Singapore in the ’60s and ’70s was. Jun 20-Jul 28
ART/FESTIVAL
Get creative as arts enclave Goodman Arts Centre opens up for a day filled with arts workshops, performances and music. Their annual Goodman Open House is also a time to get your hands dirty with craft sessions, then fill up on bites at the mini food marketplace after. Jun 22
MUSIC/FESTIVAL
An entirely new, local music fest is here to satisfy your aural cravings. Whabby! Music Carnival at *Scape Playspace will be a full-day affiar of gritty garage rock, synth-pop, instrumental world music and more. Plus, also expect fringe activities like art performances, games and a market to keep you occupied. Jun 22
DRINK
Taste sake, buy bottles, repeat. At Sake Festival Singapore 2019, the seventh run of the biggest gathering of sake merchants here, get to taste all the junmai daiginjos you want before making your purchase. For the first time this year, all purchases will be cashless—so both your hands are free to cusp that cup of fragrant sake. Jun 22
PARTY
Music collective Darker Than Wax and local coffee roasters Papa Palhetha are taking their regular music event out of the four walls of Chye Seng Huat Hardware and onto the streets of Jalan Basar. Expect an upsized Brew: Block Party Edition where there’ll be plenty of nosh, coffee, beers, and of course, music. We’ll see you there. Jun 22
THEATRE/FESTIVAL
The M1 Patch! A Theatre Festival of Artful Play by the bilingual The Theatre Practice returns for its sophomore edition on Waterloo Street, with an even more diverse line-up as its inaugural show. Over 15 fun and playful programmes await. Jun 22-Sep 1
DRINK
Celebrate a century since the birth of the Negroni the best way we know how—by imbibing plenty of the classic cocktail at Negroni Week 2019. For this special edition, over a 100 bars in Singapore will be taking part and offering their own versions of the drink. Jun 24-30
DRINK/FESTIVAL
The top drink event in Singapore (as voted by you) is back and at a brand new location. Beerfest Asia 2019 is heading to the Marina Promenade (where the Singapore Flyer is) for its 11th edition, flaunting a futuristic theme this time. As usual, hundreds of international and local beers and live entertainment await, plus new activities like a beer run, a carnival and even a multimedia laser show. Talk about taking it to the next level. Jun 27-30
MARKET
Refresh yourself and your Instagram feeds while shopping for your favourite beauty products at the very first L’occitane Beauty Market held in Southeast Asia. There, go from station to station and encounter various experiences, all themed after the natural allure of a farmers market. Jun 27-Jul 9
THEATRE/COMEDY
Combining the best of the worlds of stand-up comedy, burlesque, stage magic, and drag performance, is the fresh and inventive Comedy Cabaret, a hybrid showcase of the best performers across disciplines. Expect the likes of local drag star Becca D’Bus, homeboy comic Sam See and burlesque dancer Aura Hahn to make their appearances. Jun 28
PICNIC
It’s back to basics as Pink Dot 11 comes around. Don’t let all the media noise distract you from the key message the organisers hope to put across this year—that gender and sexual identity discrimination at home, in school and at the workplace should not be allowed to stand. Mark your calendars; every body present is a crucial show of support for all our LGBTQ+ friends. Jun 29
FOOD
Gemmill Lane’s secret supper series, the Jeremmy & Friends Supper Special at Le Binchotan, is back to satiate your late-night munchies, starting with a bang thanks to a collab with microbrewery Level33. Fill up on elevated comfort favourites and mark your calendars for more guest chef collabs happening on certain weekends. Through Jun 29
MARKET
Sky-high night spot Bar Rouge will be debuting L’Atelier Rouge: Boutique Fair this last Sunday of the month. The first of many to come, it’s a marketplace showcasing merchants offering items ranging from furnishings to food, and clothings to vino. Jun 30
DRINK/TRAVEL
The Whisky Festival at DFS is back, this time, with their first-ever pop-up bar (till Jun 10) at Changi Airport Terminal 3. Learn more about the aged spirit while sniffing on vaporizers and sipping on samples of your choice—pick from brands like Bruichladdich, Compass Box and Glenmorangie—all while vibing to live jazz hits on certain dates. Through Jun 30
ART
Next on Telok Ayer Arts Club’s programming is Topographies, a solo exhibition, publication and performance art piece by Jason Lim. He brings his body of work first produced for Kjerringoy Land Art Biennale last year, and mashes it into something new and thought provoking for audiences here. Through Jul 11
FOOD
There never needs to be a reason to gorge on durian, but Goodwood Park Hotel gives a mighty good one every year regardless. Come celebrate their annual Durian Fiesta, this time with six new exquisite D24 durian desserts, four perennial favourites, and a majestic appearance from the Mao Shan Wang in a mousse and a jumbo-sized puff. Through Jul 14
EXHIBITION
Food packaging—beautifully crafted plastic wraps, carton boxes, tin cans and more that inform, entice and make you wanna fork out dough you don’t have. But is that all there is to it? Journey through the history of modern day food packaging in Singapore at the National Museum’s Packaging Matters exhibit, and you just might find a renewed appreciation for all them compelling coverings. Through Sep 15
EXHIBITION
The ArtScience Museum’s next big showcase is a whimsical one sure to be a hit with all audiences. Leading us all through the rabbit hole is Wonderland, which celebrates all the intrigue of Lewis Carroll’s timeless universe, and invites you to step through the looking glass for an immersive museum experience. Our guide to the exhibition here. Through Sep 22
EXHIBITION
Another massive exhibit over at the ArtScience Museum is Floating Utopias, an exploration of the hot-air balloon and how its (literal) ascension has impacted our world. Come discover its storied history through over 40 artworks, including eight large-scale air-filled sculptures. Through Sep 29
