The best things to do in Singapore this week (September 15-21)

As part of Singapore Design Week 2025, Singapore Science Park presents Reinvention at lifestyle hub Geneo – an exhibition exploring how science, technology and design shape the future. Highlights include a robotics showcase demonstrating how machines can enhance human life, plus food tech innovations that offer a taste of what we might eat tomorrow. Visitors can also sit in on panels where industry experts discuss sustainable design in Singapore’s architecture, or join workshops to build a sustainable tech toolkit and test design-driven solutions. Thought-provoking yet hands-on, Reinvention invites you to imagine – and help create – the world ahead.

The Marina Central area is coming alive with the District M Festival, transforming the space into a colourful hub of music and activities. Different zones represent a variety of genres, from acoustic and R&B to pop and electronic, with live performances from local and international artists including Nathan Hartono, DJ Gigi, Cherry Chan, DJ Iku, Mila Bea, Takayoshi, Zalelo and more. Beyond the music, there’s plenty to do: try candle marbling, get a temporary jagua tattoo, challenge friends to a game of giant chess, or strike a pose at the photobooth. Fans of coffee and sick beats won’t want to miss the growingly popular sober coffee rave by Beans&Beats.

Ikea is teaming up with Stockholm design star Gustaf Westman for a limited-edition, 12-piece collection that’s basically joy in homeware form. Expect sculptural candleholders, spiral vases, playful lighting and boldly coloured plates in Westman’s signature rounded shapes and candy hues – think festive reds, bubble-gum pinks and baby blues. Get a sneak peek at the exclusive pop-up at The Factory at New Bahru (September 17–21), complete with free cotton candy, a $1 photobooth and a chance to win an autographed piece. The collection officially launches later this year as part of Ikea’s winter line, just in time for Christmas.

As part of the Singapore River Festival 2025, the DreamRiver Market is making a return, curated by Sunday Social Market to shine a spotlight on independent creatives and eco-conscious brands. More than 20 local vendors will be showcasing their wares, from soy wax scented candles by Candletruck and skincare by From The Dot, to fragrances from Danhomme and unique jewellery from Savage Archipelago, plus plenty more. For something a little different, get a temporary jagua tattoo by Jynk Ink – great for experimenting without committing to a permanent design.

Business-minded folks, mark your calendars – Steven Bartlett, host of the hit podcast The Diary of a CEO (over 1 billion streams!), is bringing his first Asia tour to Singapore. The entrepreneur, investor and bestselling author shot to millionaire status by 23, and now shares his hard-won insights on business and life. Catch him live at The Business & Life Tour on September 19 at The Star Theatre, where he’ll dive into mindset shifts, leadership, sustainable growth and success strategies. Tickets start from SGD 98 at forthecurious.asia.

October is arriving early at Clarke Quay, with Oktoberfest celebrations taking place on September 19 and 20 at the Clarke Quay Fountain Square. Don your dirndls or lederhosen and raise a cold pint with friends to mark the festive season.

The alfresco event will feature live sets from DJs Shaty, Reiko and Rock Rosettes, keeping the energy high throughout the celebrations. Take part in fun games like the Pretzel Toss and the Hammer and Wood Chopping Machine to compete with your pals. Of course, no Oktoberfest is complete without food and drink – enjoy Erdinger pints and a selection of German snacks as you soak in the lively atmosphere.

Queen fans, get ready – Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic returns to Singapore at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, on September 19 and 20. Celebrating 50 years of Bohemian Rhapsody, now in the Grammy Hall of Fame and the most-streamed 20th-century song, the concert delivers the band’s greatest anthems, from We Will Rock You to We Are The Champions. Led by Warren Vernon-Discroll as Freddie, expect electrifying sound, stunning visuals and iconic costumes. Sing along to every note – yes, in Freddie’s original key. Tickets range from $68–$632 via Marina Bay Sands, Sistic or Klook. Don’t miss it.

Chinatown is lighting up for the Mid-Autumn Festival, with festive decorations running until October 20. The highlight: an eight-metre-tall centrepiece of rabbits, lanterns, mooncakes and orchids honouring SG60. Overhangs along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street glow with lotus flowers, jade pendants and a radiant moon, while Upper Cross Street features a luminous moon palace. On South Bridge Road, spot Chang’e surrounded by peonies and calligraphy panels. From now till October 6, the Chinatown Festive Fair at People’s Park Square offers handcrafted lanterns and treats. Don’t miss the lantern walk on September 27, ending with live performances.

Basketball fans, get ready – the FIBA Intercontinental Cup is tipping off at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from September 18 to 21. Six powerhouse squads are in the mix: reigning champs Unicaja (Spain), Flamengo (Brazil), Utsunomiya Brex (Japan), Illawarra Hawks (Australia), Alahli SC (Libya) and the NBA G League United. Opening night on September 18 is free entry – the perfect warm-up before the real battles begin. Expect clutch plays, coast-to-coast action and global bragging rights on the line. Game plan: grab your tickets now, because this showdown promises a full-court spectacle – and it’s strictly no overtime.

Two decades, countless anthems and one epic night – Mayday Parade is bringing their Three Cheers For 20 Years tour to Singapore.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or just familiar with a few hits, this is your chance to catch Mayday Parade live. The setlist has yet to be announced, but concertgoers can look forward to fan favourites such as Jamie All Over, Miserable At Best, Dead Friends, Oh Well, Oh Well and Stay, taking you through two decades of the band’s unforgettable music. 

Belgian DJ and producer Lost Frequencies is bringing the beats to the gritty-cool Pasir Panjang Power Station. Known for tropical house anthems like ‘Are You With Me’, ‘Reality’ and ‘Where Are You Now’, he’s one of electronic music’s most in-demand names. Expect soaring melodies, deep grooves and euphoric drops as the iconic industrial venue transforms into a pulsating dance floor. With a reputation for emotional, high-energy sets at the world’s biggest festivals, Lost Frequencies is set to deliver one of the most memorable parties of the year. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time listener, this is pure feel-good escapism, live in Singapore.

There’s more to Jalan Besar than café-hopping, and Find Your Folks @ Jalan Besar is a great way to explore the neighbourhood. The event brings together a curated mix of food and retail experiences, collaborating with local tenants to showcase their unique offerings. Wild Coco will serve up laksa bowls, samosas and kueh bingka as snacks, while Second Thoughts, a new craft beer bar and restaurant, will dish out grilled cheese, tiger mussels, pani puri, alongside a selection of craft beer and wine. Head to Hue for some classic Thai flavours such as char moo and Thai milk tea. Other vendors include Druggists, Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Just Julia and more.

On September 20 and 21, Hamilton Road will be transformed for the Street Festival, featuring thrift markets, skate jams and community art. The entire road will be closed to traffic, so you can wander freely while live music from Darker Than Wax and Nomad Solar Sound sets the soundtrack for the festivities.

Step into a radical vision of the future at the ArtScience Museum, where Another World Is Possible is on display from September 13, 2025 to February 22, 2026. The exhibition presents a distinctly Singaporean perspective on what lies ahead, emphasising environmental pragmatism, careful planning and a sense of responsibility for the world to come. This ethos is reflected throughout the exhibition’s architecture, design and artworks.

Highlights include pieces by filmmaker and speculative architect Liam Young, alongside works from both international and local creatives such as Björk, Torlarp Larpjaroensook, Osbourne Macharia, Ong Kian Peng, Jakob Kudsk Steensen, Ming Wong and others, offering a thought-provoking exploration of how art and design imagine possible futures.

The countdown to the Singapore F1 Grand Prix is officially on, and the #RevUpSG Festival is one of the highlights leading up to the motorsport spectacle. Visitors can slip into the driver’s seat with F1 race simulators, sharpen their reflexes with reaction games and check out the official Singapore GP merchandise. There’s also a Singapore Grand Prix-inspired Lego diorama that makes for a great photo spot.

Adding to the buzz is an all-day watch party of Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 7, screened from 12pm onwards. The festival takes place at Kampung Admiralty on September 6 and 7, before heading over to One Punggol on September 20 and 21.

Mahjong, congkak, Go...there innumerable Asian games we're sure are part of your fondest childhood memories. This September, the Asian Civilisations Museum is exhibiting Let's Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games, which takes a look at how these games, whether sporty or strategic, have evolved and shaped communities and traditions over time. Explore more than 150 games, and actually try them out at interactive installations. There'll be fun outdoor set-ups and talks and programmes throughout the exhibitions long run, too (until June 7, 2026). 

In the Ether: A Festival of Quantum Science and Technology invites visitors to dive into the fascinating world of quantum mechanics and explore how this invisible science shapes the future. Held at the ArtScience Museum, the exhibition combines installations, performances, talks and interactive programmes to make this complex field accessible to all.

Visitors can discover real artefacts from research labs that reveal the behaviours of light and matter, watch immersive audio-visual presentations that narrate experimental particle physics, and experience animations exploring different perceptions of time. With its blend of science and art, the exhibition offers a rare chance to see quantum science come to life in various artistic ways.

The Mint Museum of Toys rolls out another pop-up, this time dedicated to diecast cars – a timely nod to the upcoming Singapore F1 Grand Prix. On display are early 20th-century classics like Mattel’s Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, alongside toys with strong local significance. Highlights include the rare diecast car collection produced in Singapore in the 1980s under the Mandarin brand, as well as the very first Singapore-exclusive Hot Wheels convention car.

It’s not just about looking – visitors can get hands-on at the multi-track play zone, play with the collectible toy cars and relive childhood memories. Collectors will also be able to shop for exclusive merchandise and add to their own prized collections.

Get ready, night owls and culture vultures: Singapore's largest nocturnal extravaganza is back for its 16th edition, lighting up the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct from August 22 to September 6. This year's theme is 'Island Nights', a celebration of the vibrant connections that link Singapore to islands near and far – and the community, culture, and stories that come with it. Expect stunning projection mapping artworks and mesmerising light installations, pieces like Kampong Chill at Capitol Singapore that invite rest and reflection, as well as vibrant food and retail villages. It's three weekends of non-stop, after-dark magic – find out more at the 'Read More' link below. 

It’s official: Singapore Oceanarium has opened its doors and it’s three times bigger than the former aquarium. With 22 immersive zones and hands-on experiences like fossil digs, sea jelly tours, and deep-sea adventures, this refreshed next-gen aquarium is now the latest must-visit destination in Asia. Explore towering coral reefs, walk beneath a life-sized whale skeleton, and snap stunning shots of moon jellies, manta rays and more. You can even take on a walking net experience suspended over a 9th-century ship replica. With so much to explore, it’s worth setting aside a full day to take it all in. Find out more here.

Step back in time at One Fullerton’s Seaview Channel, the walkway between Shake Shack and OverEasy. In time for SG60, The Fullerton Heritage has teamed up with local muralist Yip Yew Chong for Postcard Stories, a nostalgic pop-up installation that transforms the walkway into a walkable, larger-than-life throwback. Spanning 32 metres of hand-painted nostalgia, complete with 3D props, the mural reimagines iconic scenes from the 1960s and 70s – think Change Alley’s bustling trades and Merlion Park before its makeover. It’s charming, evocative, and  packed with little Easter eggs for sharp-eyed visitors. Whether you're a heritage buff or just love a great photo backdrop, this one’s made for leisurely strolls, story-sharing, and a dose of Singaporean pride.

What if we told you that you could walk among dinosaurs – all without a time machine? After touring the world in cities like Berlin and Toronto, the immersive dinosaur-themed exhibition Jurassic World: The Experience is roaring its way into Singapore and taking over Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest with life-like dinosaur animatronics and interactive snippets throughout. We’re talking towering 8.5-metre-tall Brachiosaurus, a thrashing Tyrannosaurus Rex, and a petting zoo where you can interact with adorable baby dinosaurs.

If you missed the previous Wiggle Wiggle pop-up at Plaza Singapura, here’s your second chance to dive back into its colourful world. The South Korean lifestyle brand has teamed up with the Singapore Flyer from now till September 28, 2025, transforming five capsules with vibrant retro colours and Wiggle Wiggle’s signature motifs – think whimsical flowers and cute bears. Don’t forget to stop by the pop-up store at Level 1 to snag merchandise like stationery, accessories and apparel. More details can be found here.

The Gallery Children's Biennale returns to National Gallery Singapore from May 31, 2025 to March 29, 2026 for its fifth edition, themed Tomorrow We'll Be.... Coinciding with the Gallery’s 10th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday, this year’s event invites visitors to explore the possibilities of their future through the values of joy, kindness, dream and love. Families can look forward to eight immersive and multi-sensory installations by local and international artists, alongside a series of engaging programmes designed to inspire creativity and reflection.

Held at Resorts World Sentosa, the Singapore edition of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic promises to be even bigger and better, with an additional 10,000 square feet of space for even more magical moments to unfold. Step into familiar scenes from the Potterverse including the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, Ministry of Magic, and more, as special interactive technology and multimedia elements are weaved with captivating soundscapes to bring enchantment to us muggles. With realistic replicas of what you see in the movies, along with eye-catching illuminations, there are sure to be a ton of photo-worthy opportunities. Find out more here.