The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (May 3-5)

The Singapore Cocktail Festival might be on a hiatus this year, but another mega cocktail fest is here in town. Celebrate the vibrant cocktail culture in Singapore at this year’s Singapore Cocktail Takeover, where some of the city’s most well-loved bars such as Mo Bar, White Shades, and Elephant Room will be offering signature cocktails at a special price of $18. There will also be a lineup of guest bar shifts and events held by experts in the bar industry, such as a special ‘Punch Brunch’ at Republic Bar, and Jigger & Pony hosting the Tokyo-based Bellwood Bar for one day.

Check out the full programme line-up here.

Gear up for this year's HSBC SVNS, a highly anticipated rugby sevens tournament that's hosted in cities all around the world. This May 3 to 5, all eyes are on Singapore as our National Stadium transforms into an all-in-one sports and lifestyle festival. It's more than a sporty day out at this three-day festival, but rather, a memorable experience for all. 

On top of world-class rugby, there will also be live music and an all-day beach club. You'll also want to tuck into tasty street food at the deli-style food market and amp yourself up with high-energy live DJ sets. Tickets start from $45 for one-day admission, with two-day and weekend passes also available.

Purchase your tickets here.

Zouk Singapore is coming in hot this month with a stellar line-up of guest DJs, with Argy kicking things off on May 3. The EDM sensation is known for his boldness in pushing the boundaries of electronic music with his melodic house tunes and psytrance tracks – guaranteed to have party-goers getting their groove on. Fans of the techno scene are probably familiar with his chart-topper, Ketuvim, and remixes of tracks by established artistes like Tiesto. Get your tickets here.

Singapore may be tiny, but we pack lots in terms of culture and history. To get brilliant insight into that, check out the many workshops, tours, trails, and exhibitions lined up for Singapore HeritageFest. This year’s theme focuses on ‘reliving the stories that connect us’, bringing you into the untold stories of our city’s oldest buildings and landmarks. Get your steps in on walking tours of iconic landmarks in Singapore’s downtown district and ‘abandoned’ buildings like 37 Emerald Hill. You can also hop on a bus tour through cultural neighbourhoods, or explore the Peranakan shophouses and traditional businesses in Joo Chiat. There’s more, including access to restricted areas of the former Supreme Court, exploration tours of historical venues, and exhibitions dedicated to our national monuments and conserved buildings. Check out the full list of programmes here.

Frida Kahlo, the world-renowned Mexican painter, needs no introduction. Regarded as one of the most influential female artists of the 20th century, she is celebrated for her self-portraits that delve into themes of identity and the human body.

There will be three different segments with nine spaces filled with 360-degree projections, interactive installations, photographs, and films. You’ll be able to trace her artistic journey, starting from her early years as a young girl. The show will also touch on her medical journey – one that isn’t widely discussed about. There’ll also be virtual reality experiences for you to truly step into her shoes and see the world from her point of view.

Stay tuned for the exact dates, and join the waitlist for ticket sales here.

Here’s some effortlessly enjoyable art that’s gentle on the senses. Scottish textural painter Ronnie Ford is returning to Singapore after five years to showcase his new body of work: Shades of Grey. The exhibition, titled Meadows to Mountains, will feature said body of work of iconic paintings of vast landscapes, seen through his eyes. What makes this showcase exceptional is Ford's debut of grayscale pieces, alongside his traditional colourful series.

Ford's art is distinguished by his signature technique called texturescaping. His canvases are rich with thick impasto layers, achieving a vividly lifelike quality and imbuing a sense of depth and dimension into the flat surface. Inspired greatly by Chinese masters, Ford embraces the philosophy that while many can reproduce a landscape, only a genuine master can truly capture its essence.

More info on the artist can be found here.

Jazzing jazz up is the first edition of What The Jazz festival, a fusion of two artistic realms – jazz and dance – bringing to us a vibrant 5-day celebration with captivating performances by international guest musicians, immersive music and dance workshops, enlightening masterclasses, and an electrifying swing dance party. Among the stellar lineup for this inaugural event are renowned musicians such as Lucy Wijnands from the USA, Sinclair Ang, and Amanda Lee from Singapore. Additionally, participants can partake in a dance and music workshop hosted by Jazz Inc, explore masterclasses at the Jazz Loft, and much more.

Sign up for the various programmes here.

There's nothing like a good perfume to express your personality and leave a deep impression on those around you. If you're keen on figuring out your signature scent, there's nowhere better to do so than at Chanel Parfumeur: A Fragrance Experience. Happening from April 26 to June 2 at CQ @ Clarke Quay, this event is centred on Les Exclusifs De Chanel, a fragrance collection inspired by the colourful life of the house's founder Gabrielle Chanel. Learn the stories and inspiration behind the range's 19 scents and even snag a preview of its newest fragrance. For a more personalised experience, take Chanel's personality test to discover your unique scent profile or try the 15-minute Le Quart D'Heure Alchimique fragrance experience to pinpoint your signature Chanel scent. 

Chanel VIPs, you could also be invited to an exclusive Chanel Parfumeur Masterclass. This takes you on a deep dive into the stories and ingredients behind iconic Chanel fragrances, led by fragrance experts from the house. They'll also be dishing styling tips on how best to wear its scents. On the second floor of CQ @ Clarke Quay, you may also step into immersive experience spaces inspired by Chanel's iconic fragrance Chanel N°5. Walk-ins are welcome, but it's best to make a prior booking here. 

Experience the magic of the Northern Lights at Gardens by the Bay’s Supertree Grove. From May 4 onwards, a spellbinding outdoor installation called Borealis will light up the Supertrees in a display reminiscent of the polar lights you’d normally have to travel to Iceland, Sweden, or other far-flung regions to witness. It’s the work of Switzerland-based artist Dan Acher, who has ingeniously layered light beams and cloud particles to create a mesmerising dance of light and colour. Coupled with an atmospheric score by French composer Guillaume Desbois, Borealis promises to be an out-of-this-world experience. Admission is free – find out more here.

Taste The World is a month-long culinary festival organised by the travel brand Gourmet Trails to celebrate Singapore's culinary scene and all its international food offerings. From May 4 to 26 2024, seven restaurants will be participating in a series of events and offering special lunch and dinner sessions (from $180), where proceeds will go toward the United Nations World Food Programme. They are: Appetite, Hashida, Cure, Canchita, Esquina, Ummi Beirut, and Anju. For the opening day on May 4, epicureans can look forward to an intimate lunch experience and dialogue on world cuisines ($300 per person) presented by Michelin-starred chef Ivan Brehm of Nouri and Appetite.

Head down to Takashimaya Shopping Centre and check out new online Korean grocer Taste K’s pop-up event. You can expect to see kimchi products ranging from classic kimchi, dried kimchi, kimchi pickles, and the highly acclaimed Silbi kimchi, which is known for being extremely spicy and addictive. You can also find a variety of Korean melons and snacks, as well as innovative products like kombucha featuring fruity flavours from different regions in Korea. Get a cup of Taste K’s homemade, unsweetened Yuja (yuzu) or Maesil (plum) ice teas; or beat the heat with a cup of Jeju Morning Smile yogurt ice cream.

Check out Science Centre’s inaugural Sci-Fi Fiesta and delve into the world of science through a series of workshops. Build your very own space vehicle using recycled materials, or learn about an invisibility shield that can be created using light. On May 4, also known as the unofficial Star Wars Day, dress up as your favourite Star Wars character and build your own lightsaber and hone your lightsaber skills. Don’t forget to stop by the bazaar where you can find vintage and retired Star Wars collectibles for sale.

Find out more about the event here.

Those who love tulips will be pleased to know that Gardens by the Bay’s Tulipmania has returned to the Flower Dome this year. In honour of its 10th edition, the floral display pays homage to its inaugural showcase in 2013. The tulips are once again planted in rows of singular colour, much like the iconic tulip farms in the Netherlands. Adding to the charm, the display features a blend of traditional Dutch landscapes with modern elements, including farmhouses with thatched roofs and a watermill alongside wind turbines and vertical farms. Stop by this weekend to receive complimentary cut tulips from 9am onwards, while stocks last.

Find out more about Tulipmania here.

Zoom in and tickle your mind at Japanese artist Tatsuya Tanaka's first-ever exhibition in Singapore. small Muji exhibition – Enjoying Everyday Items sticks to what Tanaka-san is best known for: playful miniature works depicting elaborate scenes from everyday life. In his work, it's not strange to see common vegetables like broccolis reimagined as trees or oranges fashioned into miniature suns. In the Singapore showing, Muji branded products are similarly reinvented in 19 miniature works that take inspiration from Singapore landmarks. 

Gather your music-loving friends and have a jamming session at the newly-opened Tumbleweed Studios, a music rehearsal facility dedicated to raising the bar for rehearsal studios across the city-state. Opened by local music recording company Snakeweed Studios, the studio boasts four acoustically treated rooms and takes pride in its top-of-the-line equipment from renowned music brands such as Pearl, Zildjian, and Marshall.

Find out more about Tumbleweed Studios and book your rooms here.

Concluding the final day of 2024’s LIV Golf is Brazilian DJ Alok, who is set to perform at Sentosa’s Palawan Beach on May 5, 2024. The renowned EDM sensation found international success with his infectious beats and dynamic performances. With hits like Hear Me Now, featuring Zeeba, DJ Alok has amassed millions of fans world wide with over 31 million monthly listeners and 6 billion streams on spotify.

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, and do note that fans who hold tickets to the golf tournament will still need to purchase separate tickets to Alok.

Get everything you need for your next camping trip or hike at The Outdoor Fair, an outdoor lifestyle event featuring over 50 brands selling outdoor fashion, equipment, and gear. Find the perfect shoes for mountaineering or trekking at Fast Corner, and stay stylish during your outdoor adventures with unique apparel by Malaysian brand Anything. Don’t miss out the various sharing sessions as well, including Kane Gan’s experience on the Fjällräven Discovery Bromo trek, and pick up tips on preventing and managing lower limb injuries by professional podiatrists. 

Find out more about The Outdoor Fair here.

Celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Europe at the annual European Film Festival. This year’s edition features 24 films from 24 countries, offering a variety of perspectives and insights into histories that are representative of Europe’s shared cultural heritage. Opening the festival is Here, directed by Belgian filmmaker Bas Devos, a film about the deep human desire for connection in a world of transience and movement. Other highlights include 125 Years Memory from Turkey, which won Best Art Direction at the 39th Japan Academy Film Prize, and Norway’s Dancing Queen, a coming-of-age film delving into themes of romance and girlhood.

Check out the full list of films and purchase tickets here. 

You’ve heard the songs, you’ve seen a recording of the show on Disney+, and now the famous Broadway musical, Hamilton, is finally coming to Singapore. The musical is inspired by the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and examines themes of ambition, human relationships, and political power. Hamilton made its Broadway debut in 2015, and was awarded with 11 accolades, including the prestigious Best Musical award at the 70th Annual Tony Awards.

The Asian Civilisations Museum and the Peranakan Museum have joined hands to present Fukusa, Japanese Gift Covers from the Chris Hall Collection, an exhibition that features fukusa, which are beautifully embroidered luxurious Japanese silk gift covers. You can also find kimonos and other related textiles from renowned collector Chris Hall, who holds one of the most valuable collections of Asian textiles in the world. Uncover varied ways of life that completely differ from ours, a variety of auspicious symbolic motifs such as lobsters and cranes, and how the politics of dress influence fukusa design in the late Edo period. Don’t forget to stop by the interactive station where you’ll be able to virtually design your very own fukusa.

Every day, we stroll through familiar streets without grasping the profound history they conceal. Join Oh! Open House for a curated art walk through the Kampong Gelam neighbourhood. Get your steps in as you uncover the history of this lively district. 

The guided tour will not only lead you through historical landmarks but also introduce you to local businesses, hidden gems, and 11 distinct art installations exclusive to the area. Beyond delving into the past, you'll gain insights into the present-day communities and individuals shaping the character of this vibrant neighbourhood. Book your slot here.