The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (Jun 14-16)

End your work week on a good note with lewloh, Marian Carmel, and RENE on The Lilypad Tour, kicking off in Singapore at Phil Studio this Friday. The three Singapore-based indie artists will then move on to Taiwan and the Philippines, with potentially more destinations to come. 

The three are uniquely talented artists individually, 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. 

No need to keep the kids cooped up at home this school holiday, since the much awaited annual Children’s Festival is back. And this time, it’s themed to the beloved Emotions of Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2. Create your own “memory orbs” or make your way through a mirror maze. There's also an installation where kids can pick up a water brush, “paint” to their heart's content and watch doodles appear before their eyes. 

With free interactive installations and immersive experiences inspired by the Emotions, kids may learn about different feelings through play. Make sure to also catch a special edition of the nightly Garden Rhapsody light and sound show that's happening at 7.45pm and 8.45pm. Titled “The Medley of Emotions”, it features an illuminated display across the Supertrees and memory orbs installation, synced to the Inside Out soundtrack.

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.

Vogue In Progress presents Pinky Kiki Ball: A Riot of Colours, which celebrates Singapore’s growing kiki ball scene – this time with a kueh-tastic line up of categories. Taking place at Hard Rock Café Cuscaden, the event will see participants competing in fashion runways, lipsyncs and dance-offs themed after kuehs. That’s right, watch colourful characters spin and dip in the OTA (open to all) baby kueh tutu category, strut their stuff in the OTA Best Dressed kueh lapis runway, or turn on the sexy in the mooncake-themed sex siren runway. What we know for sure is that you’ll be snapping your fingers in appreciation throughout the night.

This June, head down to the Coca-Cola Food Fest located on the grounds of GastroBeats, Singapore’ annual food and music festival. Indulge in an evening of good food and company, where some 50 local food vendors will be selling all manner of festival food. Wash down all that grub with a can of ice-cold Coke, which you can get at $1.50 (originally $2.50) when you purchase a food and Coke combo. Be sure to discard your empty Coke cans in the recycling bins, before checking out the Coca-Cola Food Fest zone where the fun ensues. Participate in activities like basketball, a larger-than-life ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ installation, a free photobooth for memories’ sake, and collect stamps for your Mission Card while at it. Here’s why: you’ll be able to win attractive gifts at the gachapon station, including exclusive Coca-Cola merchandise like hoodies and reusable bags. Find out more here.

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. 

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.

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.

i Light Singapore is one art showcase that the whole family can thoroughly enjoy. Back this May and June for its 10th edition, the annual after-dark affair features dazzling installations and interactive activities scattered across Marina Bay, South Beach, Millennia Walk, and its newest district takeover – Tanjong Pagar. This year's theme is Cyclical Nature, so you can expect works to express ideas around sustainability. Once you're tired from all the walking, simply hop over to GastroBeats at Bayfront Event Space, where there'll be trucks of delicious grub and a slate of live music performances. For the first time, The Conscious Festival has partnered with I Light Singapore – which means a ton of (sustainable) shopping, wellness workshops, and talks too. 

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?  

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. 

Find out more about Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey here, and download the exhibition brochure here.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Step into the ancient world of the Khmer Empire at Orchids of Angkor Wat, the latest floral display at Gardens by the Bay. From now to September 8, visit the Cloud Forest to view 50 fascinating orchid species and hybrids of Cambodia alongside installations that recreate the iconic city of Angkor. There's no missing a 3.5-metre recreation of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site-list Hindu-Buddhist temple complex. The Cloud Forest is also peppered with the gateway to Angkor Thom and stone replices that depict scenes found in the architecture around Angkor. But the highlight are the graceful orchids themselves – unusual ones to look out for include the slipper orchid, the Vandachostylis, and the Dendrobium Adastra, the last of which will delight with its "waterfall of flowers". 

You would think that magic and science do not go together, but Science Centre Singapore’s upcoming Magic Festival gels the two, uncovering  the scientific concepts behind magic tricks and illusions. Prepare to be awed by Singapore’s top magicians like Mr Bottle, Jeremy Pei, and Nique Tan, as they take centre stage and showcase impressive feats of illusion. After the show, learn about the science behind these illusions at the ‘Magic of Math & Science’ workshop, and keep an eye out for rare magic collections and props that will be featured during the Magic Panel Discussion. Tickets for the Magic Festival start from $25 and include complimentary access to Science Centre Singapore and a $5 Curiosity Shop voucher.

Purchase tickets to the Magic Festival here.

There’s a new LGBTQ+ space in town, and it’s Proud Spaces. Located in Alexandra, Proud Spaces stands as a venue for LGBTQ+ organisations, queer individuals, and allies to hold events, run workshops, and basically exchange ideas and get to know each other in a safe and welcoming space. On June 15, it’s opening its door to one and all at a special open house event. Look forward to talks by prominent LGBTQ+ organisations such as Oogachaga, Rainbow Lapis Press, and TransgenderSG; browse community booths; and enjoy live performances by Peachy Keen and Bellweather Bayou.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

For more information, visit their webpage 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. 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.

Many know the tale of The Little Prince, but perhaps not much about the writer behind it. That's where Alliance Française de Singapour steps in to shine a line on the life of 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 you on a journey through his life to uncover hidden facts about The Little Prince and discover how significant elements in the story reflect his personal life. Browse a rare collection of exclusive artefacts on loan from the Saint Exupéry Foundation and catch talks, workshops, and screenings related to the extraordinary world of The Little Prince. 

Find out more about the exhibition here.

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.

In celebration of beloved anime series Naruto’s 20th anniversary, Naruto: The Gallery will be making its global debut at Universal Studios Singapore. Expect to see a miniature recreation of Konohagakure, as well as exclusive video works of iconic scenes from Naruto. Official merchandise will be sold alongside the exhibition, and you can try dishes like Naruto’s favourite Ichiraku ramen at the special pop-up Naruto: The Gallery Café located at KT’s Grill.