Party on, Singapore. September promises to a high-energy month with plenty of glamorous F1-related events, Mid-Autumn festivities and immersive exhibitions.
New and noteworthy:
Everyday Practices
Aug 30, 2024 to Jul 20, 2025; Singapore Art Museum
Everyday Practices is the inaugural exhibition at Singapore Art Museum (SAM)’s new collection gallery at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, marking the opening of a dedicated space featuring artworks from the SAM collection that reflect contemporary global practices and life today. The exhibition features 21 artworks from 19 artists and one artist collective from 10 countries across Asia, whose practices span different generations and media. It delves into the themes of everyday life, examining the repetitive nature of daily activities and the physical endurance they demand. Visitors can discover how everyday actions can be transformed into meaningful gestures amidst adversity. The public can also look forward to a variety of programmes and activities designed to foster diverse conversations inspired by SAM’s collection.
Mid-Autumn Family Fun
Sep 6 to 8; Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Singapore Conference Hall
The three-day event features a total of 21 activities specially curated for families and children, young and old to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Highlight is the Giant Mooncakes Takeover installation at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Roof Garden that will light up the night sky from Sep 3. The installation, which represents different dialect groups, makes for an ideal spot for Insta-worthy photos and to moon-gaze at night. During the festival, there will be ticketed and free stage performances, workshops, lantern walks, and mooncake sampling.
Jiu Asia 2024
Sep 6 to 8; Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa
The three-day expo will feature over 100 Asian and selected international spirits brands, including hard-to-find baijiu labels like a 50- and even 80-year-old Moutai. Visitors can attend masterclasses to learn more about the Asian spirits market conducted by industry experts, while Jing Tang, a premium baijiu brand, will be in attendance to teach locals more about the appreciation of its fine Chinese spirit.
Teo Eng Seng: We’re Happy. Are You Happy?
Sep 6, 2024 to Feb 2, 2025; National Gallery Singapore
This is the largest and most in-depth survey on Cultural Medallion recipient and pioneer artist Teo Eng Seng to date. Featuring close to 70 artworks that respond to global social-political events of the mid-20th century, visitors can peek into Teo’s own lived experiences and his contributions to the local visual arts scene. Discover how he transforms everyday materials into vibrant works of art, embedding humour and irony into his socially engaged practice.
Unleash The Afterburn: The Circuit
Sep 11, 20 and 21; Zouk Singapore
Prepare for an epic pre-party by Fuego on Sep 11, followed by an adrenaline-fueled weekend as Zouk Singapore unleashes a thrilling two-night event during the Grand Prix week that brings together the hottest names in electronic music. The weekend aptly named Unleash The Afterburn: The Circuit features young musical wunderkind Nicky Romero (Sep 20) and DJ Wukong (Sep 21) for two unforgettable nights. Get tickets here.
Jam Off
Sep 11 to 15; *scape, 111 Somerset, Somerset Youth Park and Somerset Skate Park
This music and dance extravaganza takes place at *scape, 111 Somerset, Somerset Youth Park and Somerset Skate Park. There will be live music performances by Hong Kong singers Pakho Chau and Yan Ting, and Southeast Asian talents like Ramengvrl, Khally, and Shazza. Stay on for live DJs and dance battles, merchandise pop-ups, and artistes’ fan meets.
Teyvat SEA Exploration
Sep 12 to Oct 28; S.E.A. Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa
Dive into Teyvat SEA Exploration, the first-ever partnership between Genshin Impact and S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa. Taking place from Sep 12 to Oct 28, one of the most popular role-playing video games in the world will come to life in the aquarium during this one-of-a-kind event. Visitors and gamers will journey into a series of immersive environments inspired by the underwater in-game area of Fontaine – one of Teyvat’s seven regions (Teyvat is the name of the primary world in the game).
Groovedriver Festival
Sep 13 to 22; Singapore Sports Hub
The first-ever Groovedriver Festival, part of the Grand Prix Season Singapore, promises to be a highlight with its mix of live music and unique experiential offerings. Across both ticketed and non-ticketed events, expect an exciting line-up including entertainment by local and international artistes and DJs, and experiential F&B choices across three venues at Singapore Sports Hub. One of the festival’s key features is the 8-Beat Beach Club, a pop-up always-on beach hangout at the Sports Hub Beach Volleyball Courts that brings together beach house music, food and drink.
HAN@Clementi launch festival
Sep 13 to 15; Clementi Town Centre, Clementi MRT Station, Clementi Public Library
The initiative kicks off with a three-day festival with over 25 community-led programmes from Sep 13 to 15. Head down to the “heritage village” at Clementi Town Centre, shop at the all-day pasar malam, and watch dance and music performances by local community groups. The jam-packed roster also includes various guided trails, workshops and exhibitions.
The Glam Circuit Festival
Sep 13 to 22; Kampong Gelam
For 10 days, Kampong Gelam will be transformed into a race-themed wonderland for the whole family. Look forward to a games carnival, mini motorcycle racing, F1 simulator, and art workshops to build your own race car and to personalise your racing gear. The vibrant cultural enclave will keep the energy going with a delightful array of international culinary treats, DJ sets and performances by local bands.
Street Style Speedway
Sep 13 to 22; CQ @ Clarke Quay
CQ @ Clarke Quay presents Street Style Speedway, a dynamic fusion of streetwear, immersive installations, and sports car exhibitions, in collaboration with Culture Cartel and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board. The F1-themed event will unite the best of art, fashion and music in an exciting line-up of entertainment and activities, including race-themed merchandise from Limited Ed, light projections and installations, drone shows and more.
illumi
From Sep 13; Bayfront Event Ground
The world’s largest light, sound and multimedia event illumi will make its international premiere at Bayfront Event Ground from Sep 13, and promises to be an unforgettable experience for all ages with plenty of photo ops for the ’gram. Experience immersive spaces, magical landscapes and lifelike animatronics throughout the nine themed worlds.
Negroni Week
Sep 16 to 22; various locations
Throughout this week, bars and restaurants across 160 countries – with participating bars in Singapore – are set to celebrate the iconic cocktail with local movements and industry activities centred around Campari as the red heart of every Negroni twist. Expect a series of guest shifts and takeovers at various cocktail hot-spots with drink promotions and one-night-only specials. The week also introduces Wugroni, the “Negroni of the East” created in collaboration with China’s Wuliangye Group.
After 2049
Sep 20; Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark Observation Deck
The event will immerse guests in a multisensory audio-visual experience. Amplified by Polygon Production’s 360-degree sound system, award-winning trio WhoMadeWho will be headlining the event alongside South African DJ and producer Da Capo and returning acts, Anonm, Leon, Milam and Mo-Shi.
Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024
Sep 20 to 22; Marina Bay Street Circuit
Besides high-octane race action, there is also an electrifying race-weekend programme. American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, Indonesian heavy metal band Voice Of Baceprot, Kylie Minogue, OneRepublic, Lenny Kravitz, The Corrs, and Babymonster are just some of the acts providing over 100 hours of entertainment during the three days.
Cesar Jung-Harada: An Ocean City Imagined
Sep 21 to Oct 27; ArtScience Museum
The exhibition presents life-sized models of groundbreaking technologies that harness the power of the world’s oceans, offering renewable and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis. Dive into a floating ocean city of the future which manifests as large-scale installations anchored by International Ocean Station – a bold speculative blueprint of a floating city based off Singapore and its surrounding geography.
Amber Lounge
Sep 21 and 22; The Clifford Pier, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
For the first time, the “world’s most exclusive race afterparty” Amber Lounge will feature a luxury Nomad 65-foot Flybridge yacht activation on-site. The line-up includes American DJ Austin Millz, Justin Bieber’s DJ Tay James, Singapore’s top beatboxer Dharni, and more.
Underground: The Summoning
Sep 25 to Nov 3; Battlebox, Fort Canning
Set in the historic Battlebox World War II bunker spanning 12,000 square feet beneath Fort Canning, Underground: The Summoning is Singapore’s largest immersive horror experience. The nerve-wracking experience features interactive sequences, live theatrical performances, and mind-bending special effects.
Japanese Film Festival 2024
Sep 26 to Oct 20; Shaw Lido, Oldham Theatre and The Projector
This year’s festival, co-organised by Japan Creative Centre, Japan Foundation and Singapore Film Society, is a compelling blend of tradition and modernity. It features a carefully curated selection of 31 films across seven programme segments. Following last year’s successful masterclass, it will also have two Masterclasses and two sessions of post-screening Q&As with filmmakers in attendance. For the full schedule and to buy tickets, visit here.
Ada Kerak Ada Nasi
Sep 27 to 28; Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
The production represents a unique fusion of traditional Peranakan art forms with contemporary elements. It delves into culturally rich themes of family dynamics and explores the consequences of our choices, all within the context of a modern-day Singaporean family. It features a live musical performance and authentic Peranakan costumes for an immersive cultural experience. Get tickets here.
Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 12
Sep 27 to Nov 2; Universal Studios Singapore
Get ready for more bone-chilling scares as the event returns to Universal Studios Singapore on selected nights from Sep 27 to Nov 2. With the theme of dark dreams, the event will transport guests to a realm where dreams and nightmares co-exist, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. There will be four all-new immersive haunted houses, three terrifying scare zones, and three hair-raising shows.
Ongoing events:
Singapore Night Festival 2024
Aug 23 to Sep 7; Bras Basah.Bugis precinct
Get ready for three weekends of fun and nostalgia. “Art of Play” is the theme of Singapore Night Festival (SNF) 2024, happening from Aug 23 to Sep 7 across the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct (BBB). Organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB), and supported by lead sponsor Samsung Singapore, Singapore’s largest nocturnal experience is set to take festivalgoers on a journey to explore and learn about the rich history of the precinct, with over 50 programmes that deep dive into the concept of play and childhood, including projection mapping artworks, performances, Festival Villages, Night Lights installations and partner programmes.
Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience
From Aug 31; Singapore Expo
Following its world premiere in Milan and expansion into the USA, Brussels and London, Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience is making its Asia-Pacific debut in Singapore in August. The surreal and colourful interactive experience invites guests to escape into a whimsical world of bubbles, in which they can engage their senses and let their imaginations run wild.
ArtPlay Haus
Ongoing; 37 Beach Rd
The brainchild of Elaine Tan, ArtPlay Haus is a new sanctuary where art and play meet healing. Individuals and families are invited to relax, connect, and bond through art-based workshops, art jamming sessions, and art therapy programmes while soaking in the lush greenery surrounding the charming shophouse along Beach Road. The family-friendly space is also ideal for private events and gatherings.
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.
#SGFashionNow: Runway Singapore and #SGJewelleryNow
Now to Sep 1; Asian Civilisations Museum
The works of three notable Singaporean jewellery designers are being highlighted at Asian Civilisations Museum’s debut show for contemporary local jewellery, aptly titled #SGJewelleryNow. The display is part of the ongoing #SGFashionNow: Runway Singapore exhibition, an annual fashion showcase that’s seeing its final – and largest ever – showing since it was inaugurated in 2021.
This article was first published on Sep 1, 2024.
