Before you gear up for the impending madness that is the F1 weekend, there’s a bunch of small-scale festivals, block parties, concerts and arts pop-ups to enjoy. Otherwise, just kick back with a quiet exhibition or a stroll through the Mid-Autumn decorations at Gardens by the Bay.
Friday, Sep 7
ART/FOOD/DRINK
Craft purveyor The General Co and and Scottish whiskey distillery Balvenie have partnered up for an epic four-weekend pop-up of crafts workshops, supper club dinners, indie film screenings and more. At the Balvenie House of Craft, you can also get stellar drinks at the pop-up bar by guest mixologists from the likes of Junior and Manhattan. Sep 7-30
PARTY
Save the date, the next edition of The Council Warehouse is upon us, with regulars Cats On Crack, Julien Brochard, Deen and more on deck duty. The secret venue is still hush hush, so keep track of their event page for the latest. Sep 7
PARTY
Step into a mystical world as Bar Rouge transforms into a land of fun and fantasy for its one year anniversary celebrations, Cirque Rouge. There’ll be a carnival with stilt walkers, snake charmers and ribbon dancers to entertain you as you revel till dawn. Sep 7
FESTIVAL
Head down to Fusionopolis One for X-periment!, the largest A.I. themed festival in Singapore, where more than 25 exhibitions, talks and workshops will explore the topic of artificial intelligence and its impact on our everyday lives. Sep 7-8
PARTY
Fan fav Acid Bar on Emerald Hill has reopened after a two-week refresh (they’re now bigger and better) and they’re doing so with a bang. Alongside the launch of adjoining sister restaurant and bar Hej, expect a two-day revelry of free lemonade, extended happy hours, complimentary snacks, and live bands to keep things upbeat. Sep 7-8
CONCERT
Crowds are set to descend upon the Singapore Indoor Stadium for the region’s largest gathering of Kpop artists at HallyuPopFest. The three-day festival will see the likes of Apink, Wanna One and Taeyeon indulge their screaming fans. Sep 7-9
MARKET
More than 200 street vendors hawking mooncakes, tea and decorative ornaments will fill the streets in Chinatown—stretching from Pagoda Street to Smith Street for the Mid-Autumn Festival period. Sep 7-24
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. Through Sep 23
Make a date with all the ongoing exhibitions happening on the island.
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. Through Sep 29
Saturday, Sep 8
DRAG
What happens when drag queens get to have a revue exactly the way they want it? A RIOT!, that’s what. The slightly filthy, definitely trashy, and highly entertaining show is back, this time at Hard Rock Cafe, with your host, Becca D’Bus. Sep 8
FILM
Part of the CANA Film Festival, SG Shorts will showcase three Singaporean short films exploring the notion of home: I Want To Go Home, A Day’s Reunion, and Shelter. Sep 8
Check out all the film festivals happening till the end of the year here.
FOOD/DRINK
Tras Street’s newest entrant is throwing a housewarming party and everyone’s invited. Restaurant Kinou’s bash will be a boozy brunch affair, filled with eats like their signature burgers, deep fried chicken wings, pasta with pork sausages, and of course, plenty of booze. Sep 8
CONCERT
Relive the best of the ‘80s with former pop icons Tiffany and Debbie Gibson as they unite for their first-ever Asia tour, The Smash Hits concert. With nine albums each to their name, they’ll be belting nostalgic tunes like “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Lost In Your Eyes”. Sep 8
FESTIVAL
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) is celebrating its 90th anniversary with its first-ever Mental Health Festival of workshops, talks, crafts and games. Come be a part of the mental health anti-stigma movement, and learn more about mindfulness, overcoming anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other such important topics. Sep 8
FESTIVAL
It’s the biggest showcase of Japanese culture, food and entertainment, at the first Japan Summer Festival. Shop more than 100 booths of authentic Japanese F&B, merch and games, catch a cultural drum or dance performance, and even snap a pic with life-sized Pikachu and Domo mascots. Sep 8-9
CONVENTION
Last year may have been Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention‘s (STGCC) big 10, but that won’t stop them from outdoing themselves again this year. As always, expect plenty of cosplay pageantry, exciting eSports competitions and special appearances from iconic artists. Sep 8-9
EXHIBITION
The dreamy pastel-hued shots of our city come to life in an exclusive exhibition by Nguan of his latest photobook, Singapore (2017), as part of the annual Singapore International Photography Festival. Get up close and personal with the homegrown photographer himself (who rarely takes interviews) at a book signing on opening day. Sep 8-28
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
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
Sunday, Sep 9
Photo credit: Sunshine Nation
PARTY
Encouraging us to head out for grub rather than order in, Foodpanda is bringing their Bites & Vibes festival (the same one they throw in various cities worldwide) to where else but block party central Amoy Street, marking the first time the event is being held in Singapore. Sep 9
PARTY
Prepare for a boozy afternoon on the beach at FOC Sentosa’s Aquaholic Pool Party, where you can sip on premium tipples by the bottle while watching live music performances by drag queen “Aquadivas” JAJA of Drag Race Thailand, Baliana Grande and Monica Malibu. Sep 9
DRINK
As Wine Lust 2018 draws to a close, end your drinking debauchery on a high at 1-Altitude’s sunset finale party. There’ll be beverage booths by Le Vigne, Wine Clique, Yokimono and others, a sake station, and pop-up food booths by The Summerhouse, Botanico, Monti, and Stellar at 1-Altitude. Sep 9
MARKET
Save your dollar dollar bills and spend them on rare and soon-to-be out-of-print books, at Ethos Books’ first-ever, week-long book sale. From weighty classics to non-fiction reads, to poetry and local literature, every title will be going at a flat rate of $2; selected Ethos books will be half off. Head down to the store at 28 Sin Ming Lane early; you can bet there’ll be bookworm nuts bagging books by the kilo. Through Sep 9
FESTIVAL
Feel the Mid-Autumn Festival vibes as Gardens by the Bay adorns its entire grounds with beautiful lanterns big and small. Come check out the bustling marketplace too, where performances, food, and traditional Chinese craft showcases await. Through Sep 24
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
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
