Best Things To Do In Singapore This Weekend (Apr 28-30)

From an outdoor cinema on the beach that makes you feel like you’re on holiday in your own backyard to exhibitions, to an out-of-this world festival in a quirky venue, this is not going to be a regular weekend. These are our top picks for things to do this weekend.

Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema

When: Apr 27 to May 14
Where: Tanjong Beach, 20 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa, Singapore 098942  

Beach, please — with a side of cocktails, dining by the sea and award-winning films. Yes, it’s time to kick back on a sun lounger by Tanjong beach on Sentosa, soak in the sunset with a G&T in hand, and enjoy a movie in an open-air cinema with the gentle sea breeze keeping you cool. This year’s Sunset Cinema line-up of 11 movies includes the Singapore premiere screening of I Love My Dad, which bagged the the Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize at SXSW festival, and the George Clooney and Julia Roberts rom-com Ticket to Paradise. Each screening starts at 7.45pm but it’s probably a good idea to come early for a cocktail and bites by Tanjong Beach Club and get those sunset shots before the movie kicks off. Tix are $44.80 each. More info

Solar New Year 

When: Apr 29, 9am-9pm
Where: Haw Par Villa, 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628

The turn of the new year based on the solar calendar is celebrated in many South Asian and Southeast Asian communities, including India, Myanmar and Thailand (yes, that’s Songkran). For the second year running, Haw Par Villa will host the Solar New Year Festival. Visitors can expect a host of activities, a bazaar, music and dance performances and even an exhibition that traces the history of the solar calendar, which has a history of at least 3,500 years. Catch Burmese and Thai dance troupes, Muay Thai demonstrations, and a folk dance traditionally performed by women in Kerala, as well as Bollywood dance performances. Head to the bazaar to refuel with Thai, Indian and Burmese food and drinks, including nosh by Thai restaurant Folks Collective (above, right), Myanmar bites like fried catfish and Myanmar tea, as well as Indian street food like pani poori and masala chai. Henna workshops, Jagua tattoo booths, Rangoli making demonstrations, Muay Thai classes and more are also on the line-up. While you’re here, it's a good chance to check out the park’s Hell’s Museum, where tix are going at a discounted rate of $14 (usual price $18) on Apr 29. Free entry (fees apply for selected workshops). More info

Walk Beyond with Johnnie Walker

When: Apr 26-30, 4pm-10pm
Where: Design Orchard, 250 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238905

Cocktail aficionados and whisky lovers, here’s an experiential pop-up that’s up your alley. This sensorial journey, courtesy of Johnnie Walker, is here to help visitors discover the flavours that make Johnnie Walker a fave around the world. Expect live DJ sets, photobooths, nail art and temporary tattoo booths, and even a Flavour Wall where you can smell your way to discover your favourite Black Label flavour profile. Visitors can also try their hand at shaking things up, literally, at cocktail and highball workshops from Apr 28-30. Visitors must be 18 and above to enter; admission is free. More info

Tulipmania: Origins of the Tulip

When: Apr 21 to May 21, 9am-9pm
Where: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953

Stop and smell the roses, we mean, tulips as Tulipmania makes its return to Gardens by the Bay — and this time, you’ll get transported to Turkey too. The incredibly vibrant floral display will feature a landscape that has some of Turkey’s iconic landmarks and architecture. Plus, it takes on a historical element this year and traces the roots of the tulips, which were first cultivated by the Ottomans. In fact, one of the standouts in this year’s display are the tulips cultivated from the wild species in Turkey, which look different from the tulips that most are familiar with. Admission charge to Flower Dome starts at $12 for Singapore residents. More info

MOVE! Around the World

When: Apr 27 to Jul 15. Open Tue-Fri at 1pm-7.30pm, and Sat 9am-5.30pm
Where: La Galerie, Level 2, Alliance Française de Singapour, 1 Sarkies Road Singapore 258130

Inspired by the Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in 80 Days, this interactive exhibition delves into the history and evolution of French transportation. Visitors can expect to pore over rarely seen collectibles and travel memorabilia at the exhibition, and learn more about French transportation innovations that have changed the way people travel by land, sea and air, whether it’s by the TGV train or the A380 aircraft.  Free entry. More info

Classics Remixed with Magnum x Mama Diam

When: Apr 7-30. Open Sun-Thur 4pm-10.30pm, Fri, Sat and PH 4pm-12am
Where: Mama Diam, 38 Prinsep St, Singapore 188665

How did kids entertain themselves before TikTok and iPads? Ice cream and a day at the arcade were a veritable treat for kids of the 80’s and 90’s. Now that old school world has been re-created at Mama Diam, a hidden speakeasy famed for its mama shop façade. Magnum has upped the nostalgic factor here by introducing the Magnum Classic Remix Arcade pop-up. Not only can visitors duke it out at old-school arcade games such as claw machines and punching machines, they can savour Magnum’s new remix range of limited edition flavours, including white chocolate and berry remix and almond remix. More info

Love, Kebaya travelling exhibition

When: Apr 4 to May 24
Where: Various locations

The kebaya has been submitted as an entry for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Humanity, and the public can now learn more about the traditional garment with its roots in a shared heritage in Southeast Asian cultures by way of a travelling exhibition. The Love, Kebaya exhibition will be at the National Museum of Singapore’s Level 2 Platform from Apr 4-23, Gardens by the Bay Visitors Centre from Apr 26 to May 14 and Tampines Hub’s Our Festive Market from May 16-24.

On display are six kebaya designs created by craftpersons as well as photos of women from the Malay, Peranakan and Eurasian communities wearing the kebaya at different occasions, showing the garment’s evolution across different time periods. Admission is free. More info

Well Commune: Shenton

When: Mar 27 to Apr 30. Open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm and Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Where: Level 13 PIL Building, 140 Cecil Street

Learn to make kimchi from Jin Yinji, have a mindful lunch with a former monk, or zen out at a healing sound bath with former Electrico keyboardist Amanda Ling? All this and more will be happening at this month-long pop-up that is all about wellness.

There are some 50 activities lined up, including a spectrum of healing practices, workshops and talks that span art, lifestyle, and food. From sound healing and meditation sessions to workshops on financial literacy and family wellness, there’s something for everyone (view full schedule here). Tickets for workshops range from $5 to $150, and pre-registration is required (buy tix here).

Need a spot of retail therapy? There are pop-up markets happening on opening and closing weekends (free entry). The opening weekend (Mar 31-Apr 2), it’s a wellness-themed marketplace where visitors can pore over a selection of sustainable and local products and services, from beauty products to fitness studios. The Healers’ Marketplace on closing weekend (Apr 28-30) has vendors that are all about holistic wellness, including crystals, readings and handmade remedies that visitors may need on their wellness journey.

Rilakkuma Holiday at Changi Airport

When: Mar 4 to May 1. Open 5.30pm-9.30pm (Fri) and 12pm-10pm (Sat, Sun, PH and Mar 11-19)
Where: Changi Airport Terminal 3

Rilakkuma and friends have taken over Changi Airport T3 just in time for the March school holidays. Head to the whimsical Rilakkuma carnival taking place right in the middle of T3 (near Central Immigration) where you can hop on a balloon ride, or take a spin on the Ferris wheel. Visitors who spend $80 (or $100 at supermarkets) in a single receipt at the public areas of Terminals 1 to 4 can redeem five free carnival credits (excludes Jewel Changi Airport and Changi Eats). Alternatively, carnival credits can be purchased at ticketing booths ($1 per credit, minimum purchase $25) or via the iChangi app at up to 15 per cent off.

But did you really hang out with Rilakkuma and co if you don’t have any beary cute photos to show for it? Schlep down to T3’s basement 2 level to hunt for exclusive photo spots, including larger-than-life standees and optical illusions. Need more mementos? Shop Rilakkuma merch at a retail outpost near the link bridge to Jewel which opens on Mar 10. More info

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

When: Mar 1 to Oct 1
Where: Resorts World Sentosa, B1 Forum

More than five million people worldwide have stepped into this 360-degree immersive digital art experience, and now you can too. Meander your way through over 300 Van Gogh artworks across thematic zones to discover more about the iconic artist and his life. The main highlight is The Immersive Room, a 40-minute digital projection mapping that not only mesmerises, but allows visitors to literally be part of the scenery in Van Gogh’s most famous works. Need a little time for reflection and refuelling after? There’s a thematic café serving Janice Wong’s artistic sweet treats. Tickets from $15 (children) and $24 (adults). More info

Sneakertopia: Step Into Street Culture

When: Feb 25 to Jul 30
Where: ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Avenue

Singapore’s first sneaker and street culture exhibition is a shoe-in, whether you’re a die-hard sneakerhead or just want to see JJ Lin’s personal sneaker and art collection up close (above, right). Yes, in the 10 colourful, immersive zones at this exhibition that has previously made waves in Los Angeles and New York, the Singapore edition has over 100 limited edition sneakers and 70 murals and installations. All of these take you into the world of sneaker and street culture and its cross influences with the worlds of hip hop, sports, and fashion. Tickets from $18. More info

Climate Changed

When: Permanent exhibition
Where: Hall B, Singapore Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Road

The unpredictable air-con weather we had last month was not just a coincidence — it’s due to climate change, of course. “Just like every other part of the world, Singapore is a victim of the impact of climate change and wetter condition in recent decades is one of the key indicators, especially over this region,” shares Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng of Science Centre Singapore. “If this trend continues, the rising sea level in this region can pose further challenges in the coming decades.”

To find out more about the very real threats of the climate crisis, head to the Climate Changed exhibition at Singapore Science Centre. Through immersive displays, interactive gameplays and other cool ways, you’ll get to learn more about climate change, the impact of our daily habits and what we can do to help at this permanent exhibition. Admission is free with every ticket to the Singapore Science Centre (from $8 for kids, $12 for adults). More info

Nature and Sustainability tours at Gardens by the Bay

When: Every Saturday and Sunday
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953

GBTB’s new Nature and Sustainability tours, which just kicked off last month, are held every Saturday and Sunday. The hour-long guided walking tours will take participants through the lesser-known sustainability features of GBTB and how our natural environment, biodiversity and climate change are intertwined. Who knows, you may even uncover hidden gems at GBTB that you may otherwise have missed without a professional guide, like, a plant that smells like root beer. Yes, really. Read more here. Free for Singaporeans and residents; pre-registration required. More info

Living Pictures: Photography in Southeast Asia

When: Dec 2, 2022 to Aug 20, 2023
Where: Level 3, City Hall Wing, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew's Rd, #01-01, Singapore 178957

In this age of ubiquitous selfies, it’s easy to forget the role that photography played throughout history. This exhibition at the National Gallery Singapore, which traces the history of photography in Southeast Asia, is a reminder of that. Split into five thematic zones, it features over 300 works from the mid-19th century until present day — start your journey delving into colonial and war archives, through to today’s digital age. More info