Amoy Street is about to transform into a foodie’s utopia with the second edition of Foodpanda’s block party. Top players in Singapore’s F&B scene — from Sarnies and Don Ho to the folks at Asia Pacific Brewery and William Grant & Sons — will be bringing only the best treats and drinks to indulge in. When you’ve had your fill, go for a round of giant Jenga or leave your mark on the community mural wall with some doodling, or schlep to the face painting booth. And what’s a party without music? A slew of DJs will be taking over the decks, making this party one to remember.

Sep 1, Amoy Street, 12-10pm. Admission is free. More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/364095730968510/

If you exercise frequently, or are looking to start, why not do so for a good cause? Organised by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS), Steptember 2019 aims to raise funds for the organisation’s training and therapy services, which helps those with cerebral palsy. All you have to do is to sign up at the Steptember website ($25 per registration) and a Steptember kit will be sent to you. The target: to clock 10,000 steps per day. It’s up to you to choose the activities you participate in to hit your goals, so get moving already.

Sep 3-30. Registration from $25. More info at https://www.steptember.sg/

A first of its kind, this exhibition shines the spotlight on the photos by migrant workers working and residing here, from domestic helpers to construction workers. See through the eyes of our country’s unsung heroes and their contributions, ranging from landscape and nature, to different people and culture.

Sep 5-15, 12pm-7pm & 12pm-4pm (Sun), Objectifs, Lower Gallery, 155 Middle Rd, S188977. Admission is free. More info at https://www.facebook.com/mwpfsg/

Bringing together seniors and loved ones, the Silver Arts festival aims to celebrate Singapore’s pioneers through the arts. Explore the stories of our seniors as the festival showcases different films, exhibitions, workshops and performances. Enjoy 25 days of bonding with peers and family and experience Singapore’s art scene first-hand at places like SOTA Concert Hall Drama Centre. 

Sep 5-29, various locations. Tickets from $3. More info at silverarts.nac.gov.sg

Want to be part of a greener Singapore, but don’t know where to start? This year, Outward Bound Singapore is bringing back their Project IsLand-A-Hand (PIAH) in an effort to create a greener city with a day out at Coney Island that involves a guided trail, a coastal clean-up and tree mulching.

Band together with family and friends to discover the wildlife Coney Island has to offer and learn that every individual’s efforts are essential to maintaining a clean and green Singapore. Open to public. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Sep 7, 8am-3pm, OBS Reception and Activity Centre, 22 Punggol Road, Track 19, S828871. Registration is free. More info at https://gems.gevme.com/project-island-a-hand-sept-2019-57373146

It’s about to get lit this mid-autumn festival with a myriad of light installations, outdoor laser light shows, sky lanterns, and performances at the Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival. Those looking to get crafty, literally, can take part in a plethora of workshops, from lantern- and mooncake-making to designing your own mooncake box and balloon sculpting. Join heritage trails around Balestier and discover what the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall has to offer through guided tours. If you’re feeling a bit peckish, zero in on the mooncake tastings, or grab some curry puffs, goreng pisang and ice-cream, among others, from snack stations here.

Sep 7-8, 10.30am-9pm, at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Rd, S327874. Admission is free. More info at https://www.sysnmh.org.sg/en/whats-on/events/wan-qing-mid-autumn-festival-2019

Alongside Raffles Hotel’s recent refurbishment, Raffles Arcade will celebrate its reopening with a party that both locals and tourists can enjoy. To commemorate the occasion, the 130-year-old hotel will be doling out for free 1,000 double scoop ice-creams from 12pm onwards. To up the ante, there'll also be a plethora of discounts from the Raffles Arcade stores (15 per cent off beverages at Raffles Courtyard and Raffles spa treatments, and freebies with purchases from Rimowa, Sunny Hills, to name a few). There’s also a special exhibition at the Leica store, where you can marvel at heritage items dating all the way back from the 1920s.

Sep 14, 10.30am-7pm, Raffles Hotel Singapore, North Bridge Road Entrance, 1 Beach Road, S189673. Admission is free. More info at https://www.rafflesarcade.com.sg/

Take a walk down memory lane with family and friends as the Mid-Autumn Festival at Robertson Quay with a ticketed lantern walk, or an easy breezy boat cruise down along the river with the best views of the full moon. There’s also a human claw machine for you to try your luck at grabbing some prizes, literally, so come prepared in comfy clothes.  

Sep 14, 3pm-10pm & 2pm-6pm, Robertson Quay, Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St, S237995. Tickets from $25. More info at http://www.srf.sg

Make no mistake: malls all across the island will be thronging with people seeking respite from the haze. But what if we told you there’s a pocket of calm at Ion Orchard? Episteme, a brand-new sensorial installation at Ion Art Gallery, is just the oh-so-Zen hideout you need from both the crowds and the haze. It’s put together by Aesop, and true to the spirit of the skincare brand, Epistēmē (the Greek word for knowledge and understanding) takes you on a multi-sensory journey to explore cool installations, and a series of short films borne out of the brand’s collab with Dutch artist Bart Hess (the films are the dramatisation of Aesop’s popular products, such as the Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Hydrating Cream). Coupled with the signature Aesop store scent wafting through the gallery, this is probably the most calming, soothing space along the Orchard Road belt.

Sep 19-29, 10am-10pm daily, at ION Art Gallery, Level 4 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn.

If you aren’t for comics that are loud and in-your-face, then Joe, who calls himself the “all American immigrant”, will be a breath of fresh air. Armed with a dry wit, the American-Chinese comedian blurs the line between awkward and deadpan humour but always ensures that the joke lands, which will leave you in peals­­­ of laughter.

Sep 19, 8pm-9:30pm, Capitol Theatre, 17 Stamford Rd, S178907. Tickets from $108. More info at https://www.livenation.sg/artist/joe-wong-tickets

If you’re making your way down to the Singapore Grand Prix, you probably should head over to Waterside @ F1 (it's within Zone 4 of the circuit) for a plethora of F1-themed activities that the folks at Heineken have lined up. Have a beer-y good time at any of the 13 Heineken bars onsite, take a selfie at the Heineken F1 Photo Booth, or try your luck as a pit crew member at the Heineken F1 tyre changing station. There are live screenings at Waterside @ F1 as well, so you don’t have to fret about missing out on any track action.

Sep 20, 3pm onwards, Waterside @ F1, Marina Bay Circuit, Connaught Dr, S179682. Tickets according to F1 rates. More info at http://www.heineken.com/sg/F1

The F1 after-party is back this year with more fashion, art, and music. Among this year’s performers and guests are Melanie C (Sporty Spice in the house!) and Raleigh Ritchie (that’s Grey Worm for you Game Of Thrones fans). You’ll also get a sneak peek at luxury brand MTHEMOVEMENT’s 2019 fall collection. These three nights won’t be anything less than spectacular!

Sep 20-22, 10pm-4am, Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, Marina Bay, 7 Raffles Ave, S039799. Tickets from $188. More info at http://www.podiumlounge.com/sg/

If you’re a fan of local music and street culture, then don your best Hypebeast garb and head down to DECK for this extravaganza celebrating all things too-cool-for-school. The first day of the festivities sees homegrown music sensations Charlie Lim, KIDG and Coming Up Roses taking the stage, with nosh and bevs from Insta-chef Gravy Baby and craft beer maestros BunkerBunker respectively. Chill out on Day Two as Singapore Community Radio and party collective Ice Cream Sundays helm the decks for the day, while visitors check out an exhibition of portraits and stories from icons and creators. If you’re feeling daring, get yourself inked (yep, it’s permanent) at one of the tattoo pop-ups.

Sep 20 & Sep 21, 7.30pm-10pm & 12pm-10pm, DECK, 120A Prinsep St, S187937. Admission is free. Ticket registration required for Sep 20 at https://bit.ly/2ktpie3. More info at https://bit.ly/2k0Euzc.

Who doesn’t love partying with a bird’s eye view of the F1 circuit? Slink over to CÉ LA VI, which is pulling out all stops this race weekend. Enjoy music notable DJs like Gabriele Poso, an award-winning musician from Italy, and Ibiza DJs Fell Reis and Alex Kennon. From jazz and soul, to electronic and house music, there will be tunes for any music lover.

Sep 21, 4pm onwards, CÉ LA VI, 1 Bayfront Avenue Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3, S018971. Tickets from $48. More info at https://ticketing.igo.events/o/60/ce-la-vi

So what if you’re not at the race track? There are enough F1 shindigs all around town for everyone. Including this one at Kampong Glam, where you can get face paintings, temporary tattoos and party the night away with friends and good music. There’ll definitely be a song you can jam to as artists like DJ Shai, Ground Up and DJ Titus will be spinning through genres from funk and soul to R&B and hip-hop. So get your vibe on, and if you’re one of the first 200 customers, you’re entitled to free shots. Hic!

Sep 21, 5pm-11.45pm, Haji Lane, Singapore. Admission is free. More info at http://bit.ly/GlamBlockParty​​​​​​​Photo: Michaela Loheit

Assuming you were paying attention in history class (or National Day Parade rhetoric), you’d know all about the story of Sir Stamford Raffles in Singapore in 1819. But what was Singapore like before that? Back in the 1600s when cars and airplanes were merely pipe dreams, Singapore experienced much as its use as a trading port in the 17^th century. Find out about how maps were used in the past not just to navigate the seas, but also their role as political documents. Featuring vivid paintings and pictures of our island’s unique trading history, this exhibit is open to all ages, from the young to the young at heart, so come down and rediscover Singapore.

From Sep 21, Exhibition Galleries, Basement Level, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, S178897. More info at https://www.nationalmuseum.sg/.

Tired of the same EDM that plays over and over at your favourite clubs? Dutch trance legend Jeffrey Sutorius of Dash Berlin fame will be taking over the decks at Zouk with his signature sounds.  Leave your worries behind and dance the night away to some of Jeffrey’s top hits. 

Sep 21, 10pm-4am, Zouk Mainroom, 3C River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-05 to #02-06, The Cannery, S179022. Tickets from $50. More info at http://zoukclub.com/

Who says you can’t live life on the fast lane when you’re at the beach? Schlep over to Tanjong Beach Club for its F1 edition of Smack My Beach Up. Chope a beach bed, get your tan on, and vibe to music with DJ Andrew M. Play games like Flip Cup, and if you want to see who can hold their alcohol the best (literally), play a game of stability with a drink in one hand and a Jenga block in the other. Challenge accepted?

Sep 22, 12pm onwards, Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, S098942. Admission is free. More info at https://www.tanjongbeachclub.com/smack-my-beach-up-fuelupforf1

USS is upping the ante for Halloween Horror Nights with a haunted house specially created by the renowned Thai filmmakers behind cinematic scare-fests like Shutter and 4bia. This is USS’ first-ever regional collaboration in the nine-year history of HHN. Curse of the Naga will transport visitors from bustling Bangkok to a lost village in the jungle, cursed by the spell of a snake spirit called Naga, a fusion of a Thai traditional dancer and a mysterious serpentine spirit.

Halloween Horror Nights 9 will feature five haunted houses, two scare zones and two live shows in total. Joining Naga and chalet spirits in this edition are clowns, dolls and tortured prisoners in a dingy, cramped prison. Basically, everything that’s a nightmare come true for a horror fan. 

Halloween Horror Nights 9 is on for select nights from Sep 27 to Oct 31 at Resorts World Sentosa. Tix are $70 for peak nights and $60 for non-peak nights. Early bird tickets are priced at $65 (peak) and $55 (non-peak), and is available until Sep 1. More info at https://www.halloweenhorrornights.com.sg/.

History goes high tech with this digital projection exhibition (replete with an interactive digital wall brimming with artworks) about the lesser-known snippets of Singapore’s history. Witness historical events that have moulded Singapore into what she is today, including the swearing-in of Yusof Ishak as first President of Singapore, the reveal of our national flag in 1959, and more. With gripping, lively projections and storytelling, you’ll feel as if you were living through these events that have cemented themselves into our nation’s history.

From Sep 1 to Aug 29, 2021, 10am-7pm, City Hall Wing, Level 3, City Hall Chamber, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road S178957. Tickets from $10. More info at https://www.nationalgallery.sg/

Timepiece collectors and fans, listen up. For 23 days, timepieces of different eras from Patek Philippe Museum’s exclusive collection will be available for your viewing pleasure. Catch classics such as the Genevan pocket watch, peach-shaped pendant watches, and Patek Philippe dome table clock as Patek Philippe celebrates Singapore’s Bicentennial, showcasing the rich history of Southeast Asia through their timepieces.

Sep 28-Oct 13, 10am-7pm & 10am-10pm LATE, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, 10 Bayfront Ave, S018956. Admission is free. More info at http://patek.com/watchart2019

What sparks one to start toy-collecting? Uncover the process behind Asia’s greatest doll collector Jian Yang’s 9,000-strong ensemble of dolls, of which 300 are displayed at UNBOX, an exhibition featuring unique private toy collections. Admire Japanese dolls and dolls created by fashion houses among other themes in this presentation, or perhaps commemorate your visit with a photo of yourself in a life-size toy box created just for the exhibit.

Till Sept 15, 9.30am-6.30pm, at MINT Museum of Toys, 26 Seah St, S188382. Tickets at $10 for kids/seniors and $20 for adults. More info at https://emint.com/.

If you like floating inflatables, this one's for you. The latest showcase by ArtScience Museum takes you through five chapters of the history of inflatable sculptures. With more than 40 artworks, including eight giant inflatable sculptures, visitors will be in for a bouncing good time this June and beyond. Read our full review here.

May 25 - Sept 29, 10am–7pm, ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Ave, S018974. Tickets from $12. For more info, visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html.

Think art and social activism are worlds apart? Think again. All 142 artworks here were created in the name of activism, by artists expressing their views of social and political issues in that era. On showcase are performances like ‘They Poach the Rhino, Chop Off His Horn and Make This Drink’ criticising poaching’s effect on nature and painting ‘Dede Eri Supria’ to provoke thought about poverty amongst industrialisation and economic wealth in society. Craving for more food for thought? There’s also a roundtable talk by the curators, lectures on topics like political art movement and short films featuring themes like domesticity of women.

Until Sep 15, Sat-Thu 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-9pm, at Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery, City Hall Wing, Level 3, National Gallery, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, S178957. Tickets to the exhibition from $10, while admission to programmes is free. For more info, visit https://www.nationalgallery.sg/see-do/programme-detail/28983113/awakenings-art-in-society-in-asia-1960s-1990s.

Photo: Koh Nguang How

At the Scentscational Orchids display at Gardens by the Bay, you have to heavily rely on your sense of smell to appreciate the exhibits — there are 58 types of orchids with various scents, categorised into delicate floral, sweet floral, spicy floral and intense floral. Cheem. The interactive nature of the display, coupled with the natural beauty of our national flower, makes for a good time for the entire clan, we reckon. Who knew there was so much to make scents of when it comes to orchids?

Until Sep 22, 9am-9pm, at Cloud Forest, at Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, S018953. Admission charge to Cloud Forest applies. More info at http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/.

Photo: Gardens by the Bay

You don’t have to be a fan of Alice in Wonderland to enjoy this engaging, immersive and very Insta-worthy multimedia exhibition. The curious, the young and the young at heart will have a field day poring over original production costumes, magic lantern slides, visual sound effects combined with projection mapping and even a physical ‘Lost Map of Wonderland’ to experience interactive content during the exhibition, as well as online after your visit. With so many mediums telling the Alice In Wonderland story on display, make your time here even more magical at the ‘A Hat-trick of Clever Tricks’ workshop which involves math and logic. 

Until Sep 22, 10am-7pm, at ArtScience Museum, 10 Bayfront Avenue, S018956. Tickets from $12, while a fee of $5 applies for the workshop. Tickets are no longer available for the workshop. For more info, visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/wonderland.html.

Photo: Marina Bay Sands

Anime fans, rejoice. This ongoing exhibition embraces the culture that has taken the world by storm since the 80s. Sift through anime-inspired artworks, toys and comics, all by people who have been inspired by favourites like Pokémon, Astro Boy Dragon Ball and many more. Get together with your otaku buddies and get a close-up look at how Anime has inspired artists and creators all over the world.

Till Oct 5, 7pm onwards, Kult Gallery, 11 Upper Wilkie Rd, Emily Hill, S228120. Refundable deposit at $5. More info at https://www.facebook.com/kult3D/

Forget about snapping Insta-worthy pix of our monuments and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of our historic landmarks through sketches done by three artists from the silver generation. This exhibition features poignant sketches of 18 national monuments like the Sri Mariamman Temple and Sultan Mosque. It travels through seven locations islandwide, beginning with the Jurong Regional Library (until Jun 29), before moving on to the likes of the Marine Parade Public Library and library@harbourfront. 

Until Dec 30, selected NLB libraries. Free admission for Singapore Citizens and PRs. For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/NationalHeritageBoardSG/.

Photo: Francis Theo

Since its inception here in 2016, Tokyo-based interdisciplinary collective teamLab’s super photogenic dreamscapes have become a must-see for visitors, Singaporeans and ’gramaholics, of course. Who doesn’t love traipsing around in the trippy Crystal Universe? But if you’ve visited ArtScience Museum’s permanent exhibition once and think you’ve seen it all, think again.

Future World has just been refreshed and with an all-new gallery and two new artworks for your viewing — and Instagramming — pleasure. You’ll find the all-new features in the City in a Garden gallery, one of four galleries (Sanctuary, Park and Space complete the line-up). If you haven’t realised by now, City in a Garden is a riff on Singapore’s Garden City status and the theme of integrating nature back into the concrete jungle, and takes you through fields of flowers, lush meadows and even an aquarium. Find out more here.

Future World: Where Art Meets Science is on at ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. Open 10am-7pm daily (last admission 6pm). Tix and info at www.marinabaysands.com.

Photo: teamLab