The best things to do in Singapore this week (Jun 10-16)

Fans of sake can look forward to sampling 300 different labels of sake sourced from prefectures all across Japan at Sake Festival Singapore. The booths will be helmed by toji (master brewers) and kurabito (brewery workers) from reputable breweries across Japan, and you’ll get to hear their tips and insights on the ancient art of sake brewing. Attendees will also get to try event-exclusive sake. 

A total of seven Japanese chefs and restaurateurs are set to attend the festival this year, and they will be preparing dishes that are specially created for the event. Look forward to sampling tasty izakaya bites from Hearth, Torso, Teppei, Kajiken and more. And for the first time this year, certified sake sommeliers will also be present at the festival to provide recommendations on sake and food pairing. 

Catch lewloh, Marian Carmel, and RENE on The Lilypad Tour, which will see the three Singapore-based indie artists performing in Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, with potentially more destinations to come. 

The three are uniquely talented artists on their own, but together on The Lilypad Tour, you can expect a joyous explosion of good vibes from the three friends. Each will perform a full set: croon along to lewloh’s heartfelt and introspective tunes, channel your inner hopeless romantic with Marian’s vibrant and uplifting songs, and jam it out to RENE’s rock-influenced and ultra-relatable bops. We hear that there’s even going to be a Pride night at their Philippines stop, complete with a colourful drag show. 

This is a must-watch for classical music fans: world-acclaimed pianist maestro Tedd Joselson will be performing at Victoria Concert Hall, making it his first public performance since 1999. Look forward to hearing Joselson bring Brahms’ spellbinding piano concertos to life, especially during Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op.15 and Piano Concerto No. 2 in B♭ major, Op. 83, where he unites with classical music titan Robert Casteels for a collaborative performance. Joselson will be performing on June 16, with proceeds going to Heartware Network, a local charity that aims to benefit less privileged youths through holistic support and programmes.

Tickets start from $168. Find out more and make your booking here.

June means one thing – Pride. True to form, Singapore is bursting with LGBTQ+ friendly events this month, many under the umbrella of Pink Fest. This mega celebration of love and inclusivity brings a ton of vibrant events and parties: immerse in queer perspectives at Pink Screen, let your hair down at parties and balls like Miss Homo Pride Edition and Pinky Kiki Ball: A Riot of Colours, or make friends at yoga sessions, book swaps and queer social mixers. Pink Fest is just as much about empowering the LGBTQ+ individuals to thrive. Link up with inclusive employers at Inclusive Careers Fair, plan for the future at financial planning class, or get the support you need at a gender-affirming workshop. Check out all the events at Pink Fest 2024 here.

LGBTQ+ folks and allies, don't miss this year's Pink Screen at The Projector. From May 31 to June 15, catch romantic comedies, noir flicks, and touching dramas on the big screen – each with a unique perspective on queer lives and experience. One hotly anticipated film is a re-run of Bugis Street (1995), which paints an evocative portrait of queer Singapore in the 1960s. Other international films hail from America to South Korea, with the lightheated lesbian road comedy Drive Away Dolls (2024) slated for a fundraiser screening on June 28 to raise funds for local non-profit LGBTQ+ organisation, Oogachaga. 

To get your tickets to Pink Fest 2024, visit theprojector.sg.

In celebration of Pride Month, one of Singapore’s theatre powerhouses, Wild Rice, will be staging an original play titled trans:mission. This marks the first work in Singapore that is fully directed, written, and performed by trans people. trans:mission highlights the challenges that trans people face in Singapore and opens up the discussion on gender and sexuality by spotlighting the lived experiences of the trans community.

Families should not miss the Emmy award-winning theatre sensation Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show. The popular show first premiered in Bluey’s hometown, Brisbane, and has seen sell-out shows across Australia, the UK, Ireland, and North America. Now, it makes its Asia debut at Singapore’s Sands Theatre from 13 June 2024. At Bluey’s Big Play, catch Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad live in action against impressively designed sets. This theatre show will be based on a fresh original story written by creator Joe Brumm, with accompanying new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.

Nearly 70 varieties of rose are now in full bloom at Gardens by the Bay. This year's Rose Romance floral display highlights the diverse beauty of the most romantic of flowers – alongside the unique culture and architecture of Türkiye. From June 2 to 30, visit the Flower Dome to view unique rose varieties like the "black" roses of Türkiye and the Rosa 'Sunshine Babylon Eye' (so-called for its striking pink and yellow centre). The Flower Dome has also been transformed to showcase the oft-underrepresented Greek and Roman influence in Türkiye. Step into a recreation of the spa town of Hierapolis and admire the travertine terraces of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pamukkale. There will also be a traditional rose distillery set-up and perfume storefront – a nod to Türkiye's long-standing cultivation of roses for rose oil. Get your tickets to Rose Romance here. 

The internet’s beloved animated pig Peppa Pig will be taking the stage in June with a musical titled Peppa Pig’s Adventure. Watch your favourite characters like Peppa and George come to life and embark on an exciting camping adventure. Following a successful UK tour, Peppa Pig’s Adventure debut in Singapore will feature mascots, life-sized puppets, and a multitude of catchy songs that will leave you humming the tunes of after the show. Don’t miss out on this oink-tastic production with your little ones this June holiday.

GastroBeats — Singapore's largest food and music festival — returns this year from May 31 to June 23 at the Bayfront Event Space. The festival is in its fourth edition this year, with an exciting lineup of culinary delights, live musical performances, carnival games, and lifestyle booths. What's new is a first-ever Indonesian Zone by the Indonesian Embassy, featuring the best food, retail, and cultural showcases from the archipelago. Besides that, dig into local and international delights from 50 homegrown food vendors and jam to tunes by talented local artists (CTRL Chaos and Curren the Basil among them). There will also be bouncy castles, lifestyle booths, and participating brands like Coca-Cola, Ben and Jerry's, and Schweppes. Did we mention that this year's edition is pet-friendly too? 

Jewel Blooms is back with six captivating floral displays at Jewel Changi Airport's Canopy Park. The highlight of Jewel Blooms is Petal Garden: Super Blooms by Megumi Shinozaki. This installation features 10,000 bundles of pink hybrid starchis – a double-flowering variety of cherry blossom – and hydrangeas. Arranged on 2.8-metre-tall mountain structures, the result is a dreamy, blush-pink display to make all your Sakura dreams come true. The other five installations are just as gorgeous. Designed by award-winning local designer Andy Eng, they feature vibrant sunflower mazes, tranquil ponds filled with water plants, waterfalls of wisteria, misty trails, and a romantic walk lit by illuminated paper and flowers. 

Topping it off is Changi Experience Studio's 'An Enchanted Night in the Airport' camp. Stay overnight in a garden-like 'campsite' and participate in flora-inspired workshops and quests with your family. 

National Heritage Board’s annual programme, Children’s Season, is back with exciting events and activities across Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG) and Museum Roundtable museums. From swashbuckling pirate adventures through the Singapore Maritime Gallery and a food trail at Armenian Street by CMSG, to traditional Indian martial art workshops at the Indian Heritage Centre and a theatrical journey through post-war Singapore at Former Ford Factory, there’s lots to ignite kids’ imaginations this June holidays. 

Running alongside Children’s Season is a new Into The Hawkerverse exhibition at CMSG, an exploration of our rich hawker heritage; and the Tiny Islands, Many Stories travelling exhibition that shines the spotlight on lesser-known narratives of Nusantara and Singapore.

Great artists transport minds and challenge perceptions, and Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson is undoubtedly a master at work. Known for playing with elemental materials such as light, wind, fog, and water, he's lauded for creating unreal sensory experiences for viewers. The Southeast Asian debut of his survey exhibition brings together 17 of his works, a collection of his most renowned pieces, Singapore exclusives, and climate-centred art.

Titled Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey, the exhibition will take you through yellow-hued halls, across enchanting rainbows dancing in the mist, and marvelous spectacles of swirling fog. You'll also witness the gradual depletion of ice, represented by a bronze cast of a segment of ice sourced from an Icelandic glacier, and be one of the first to view The seismographic testimony of distance (Berlin–Singapore, no. 1 to no. 6) (2024), an ongoing seismographic sketch series tracing the voyage of his exhibition by sea. 

Journey into the enchanting world of The Little Prince at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3. The iconic tale comes to life through mini golf courses and immersive photo spots fashioned after destinations and scenes from the book. Sink holes at the golf course, which recreates seven planets from The Little Prince’s journey, or have a romantic swing in the rose garden under fairy lights and a 5-metre-tall tree. Alliance Francaise de Singapour will also hold captivating storytelling sessions on June 8 and 15 for those who want to revisit the fairytale. There’s Little Prince merchandise to bring home too, including a tumbler with beautiful stained-glass prints. A minimum spend applies to qualify for merchandise and selected activities – find out more here.

Dive into mall-wide fun at Marina Square, which is pulling out all the stops this June holiday with inflatables, creative workshops, and family-friendly deals. From May 29 to June 17, kids can zoom down slides and frolic in a sea of soya bean bubbles at two inflatable lands. A third jumpy castle, Candy Playland sweetens the deal from June 18 to 23 with peppermints, candy canes, and gumdrops galore. On select days, kids can flex their creative muscles at four workshops – a Faber-Castell soft pastel workshop, CocoArt’s key chain or clip-making workshop, a gooey slime-making activity, or a Love in a Bottle Terrarium class. And for the budding film buffs, don’t miss silent cinema screenings of Kung Fu Panda 3 and Toy Story 4.

You might have seen a particular blue-maned unicorn appearing all over your Instagram feed as of late. This magical creature is part of none other than the Jentle Salon pop-up – a whimsical fantasy land created specially to mark the third collection co-created by luxury Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster, and Jennie of popular K-pop girl group Blackpink.

The pink-washed pop-up is located within the Gentle Monster's Marina Bay Sand store at level B2, and will be running until June 30, 2024. Entry is free, and you’re more than welcome to snap photos with the installations; Show up dressed in girly pastels to match the installations for bonus Instagram points.

Find out more about the Jentle Salon pop-up in Singapore.

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.

It’s time to zoom in and tickle your mind at Japanese artist Tatsuya Tanaka’s first ever exhibition in Singapore, small Muji exhibition – Enjoying Everyday Items, held at Muji’s flagship store in Plaza Singapura. For those that aren’t familiar with the artist, Tanaka-san is best known for his playful miniature works where he toys with everyday objects to create tiny elaborate everyday life scenes. 

In the artist’s works, an everyday vegetable such as broccoli can be creatively reimagined to become a tree, and an orange becomes a miniature sun. Keep this concept in mind as you check out his works where he'll ingeniously use Muji items to breathe life into familiar scenes, providing a unique take on the brand's classics. It’s honestly hard not to let out a chuckle when encountering his works. There will be 19 miniature works displayed in total, where some of the creations will take inspiration from Singapore’s landmarks. 

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.

Many know the tale of The Little Prince, but perhaps not much about the writer behind it. This is where Alliance Française de Singapour steps in to shine the light on the author-pilot Antoine de Saint Exupéry, and pay tribute to the 80th anniversary of his disappearance.

Divided into three sections, ‘Adventurer’, ‘Writer’, and ‘WWII Hero’, the show will take guests on a journey through his life’s milestones to uncover hidden facts about The Little Prince, and discover how significant elements in the story reflected his personal life. 

This exhibition will showcase a rare collection of exclusive artefacts, including manuscripts, handwritten letters, original sketches and personal belongings, on loan from the Saint Exupéry Foundation. One of the notable prized artefacts is Exupéry’s engraved name bracelet, discovered at sea in 1998 on the site of his tragic plane crash towards the end of the Second World War.

Apart from the showcase, there will be 17 screenings for audiences of all ages to indulge in – from a documentary to a movie introducing children to the extraordinary world of The Little Prince. There will also be six workshops featuring activities such as coloured sand drawing and wooden plane building, talks exploring various aspects of travel by journalist Lise De Rocquigny, and a sharing by renowned writer and illustrator of children’s books, Satomi Ichikawa. And to top it off, Singaporean comedian Hossan Leong will also be delivering a storytelling session.

Find out more about the exhibition here.

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. Uncovered 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 influenced 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.