Best Things To Do In Singapore This Weekend (Mar 17-19)

If you love shopping and partying, then it’s probably best you plan your weekend, stat. Mega events are set to take over parts of the island — streets will be closed, and the F1 Pit Building will look a little different from race days. Here are some things you should get up to this weekend.  

St Patrick’s Day Street Festival

When: Mar 17 (6pm till late), Mar 18-19 (2pm till late)
Where: Circular Road (between North Canal Road and Lorong Telok)

There’s no excuse not to paint the town green this weekend with the three-day St Patrick’s Day Street Festival, which makes a return after a three-year hiatus. Circular Road will be closed to traffic to transform into a pedestrian-only zone on St Patrick’s Day (that’s Mar 17) from 6pm, and Mar 18 and 19 from 2pm.

Dine outdoors, down a pint of Guinness (or three) and soak up the party vibes with live bands and DJs, and other games and activities in store. Family-friendly festive makeovers — face glitter, airbrush tattoos, the works — are happening on Mar 18-19 at 2pm-6pm (full line-up here). Say cheers to Guinness promo deals at participating pubs and eateries along Circular Road, including Molly Malone’s, Drunk Skunk and Mogambo.

More info

Boutique Fairs Singapore

When: Mar 17-18 (10am-8pm), Mar 19 (10am-6pm)
Where: F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975

Shopping aficionados know that there’s no place better than Boutique Fairs Singapore to discover new design-led brands from Singapore and the region, or get to touch and feel products from online brands.

For the Spring summer edition this year, the mega retail fair has over 250 brands (including over 40 that are making their debut) across two levels at the F1 Pit Building, ranging from women’s and men’s fashion, home decor, beauty, lifestyle and F&B brands (full list here). Need to refuel and recharge? Head to the two cafes on the third floor for light bites and drinks. Tickets are $5 (buy here) and will grant you unlimited shopping access all three days (kids under 12 enter for free). Note that there is no parking at the F1 Pit Building (the closest is at Singapore Flyer and Millenia Walk), so come by public transport or taxi.

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Raikan Cahaya Ramadan 2023

When: Mar 15 to Apr 16, 12pm to 11pm
Where: Kampong Gelam (along Baghdad Street, Kandahar Street, and outside Sultan Gate)

It’s not just Geylang that’s lighting up with a Ramadan bazaar. Kampong Gelam’s annual Ramadan bazaar is back and it’s the biggest one to date with over 100 booths, light installations, performances, and even a 10-day charity drive. Fancy some bites? Visitors will be spoilt for choice with 86 stalls and food trucks along Baghdad Street, Kandahar Street and right outside Sultan Gate. These will be hawking traditional faves like satay and Kuih Raya to trendy nosh that will keep both your tummy and Instagram feed happy. There will also be over 20 retail booths to pick up traditional crafts and clothes and art. More photo-worthy moments await every night with immersive projection lighting illuminating the Masjid Sultan, and aerial light shows on Fridays and Saturdays where drone-controlled LED kites will light up the event grounds at Sultan Gate.

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Sakura Floral Display

When: Mar 11 to Apr 9, 2023, 9am to 9pm daily
Where: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953

From Mar 11 to Apr 9, the sakura floral display at Gardens by the Bay will feature Pokémon characters interspersed throughout so you can catch ’em all — on camera, that is. This year’s edition centres on the theme of travel so you can expect scenic spots in Japan peppered around the Flower Dome, from beautiful torii gates and even Mt Fuji. Pokémon characters will also make appearances on select dates, while a whole host of fringe activities (read more here).

Admission charge to Flower Dome applies – tickets from $8 (child) and $12 (adult). More info

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

Disney on Ice Presents Mickey and Friends

When: Mar 11-19
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk

The aircon weather we’ve been having of late is great, but icy cold temperatures are better — especially when Mickey and pals are gracefully gliding around on ice to bring Disney classics and favourites to life. The young and young at heart will revel in skating performances by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, and Disney favourites like Frozen, Toy Story, Aladdin and Moana will come to life on the ice as well.

Tickets from $25 to $165. 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

29Rooms

When: Feb 10 to Apr 16
Where: West Lawn, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive

29Rooms Asia — which takes up a sprawling 4,500 sqm at West Lawn at Gardens by the Bay — is the first international edition of the Insta-famous experiential funhouse. As you meander and snap your way through 29 thematic installations that are explosions of colour and creativity, you’ll realise that these aren’t merely fab for endless photo and TikTok opps. There are also thought-provoking questions peppered throughout the way, encouraging you to stop and smell the roses. Watch a video preview here.
Tix are $35 on weekdays and $42 on weekends. 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

The Line

When: Until Apr 20, 2023
Where: Artscience Museum, VR Gallery, Level 4, 6 Bayfront Ave, S018974

This virtual reality experience has been hailed the Best VR Experience at Venice Film Festival, and snagged the 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Programming. And now, you can embark on this VR experience set in 1940s Sao Paolo, and immerse yourself in the experience as a child who unlocks an enchanted world. The experience is about 15 to 20 minutes.
Tickets are $16 each. 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.
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