The best things to do in Singapore in March 2020
March to the beat of your drum at the hottest music, art and literary festivals happening this month
Just like that, the shortest month of the year (i.e. February) bids us adieu. But the month of love ain't got nothing on the month of Pancake Day, International Women's Day, St Patrick's Day and Earth Hour, all happening in March. Plus, school's out for the little rugrats so expect a wave of kid-friendly events around town.
RECOMMENDED: The definitive guide on things to do in Singapore
Symphony in the Gardens: Gardens By The Bay
Pack your picnic basket and BYOB (bring your own blanket) to Gardens by the Bay for a unique sonic experience under the stars. Soundtracked by the sweet sounds of Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), Symphony in the Gardens: Gardens By The Bay invites all – family, friends and furkids – to wind down amid the gorgeous blooms and colossal Supertrees on March 15. Eliminating the clichés of traditional orchestral performances, SSO is taking its string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments from the concert halls to the great outdoors. Led by Singaporean conductor Darrell Ang, the SSO is set to serenade you with its renditions of classical favourites. The programme is still to be confirmed but the orchestra’s outdoor concerts have in the past included songs from the world's most famous operas and ballets such as Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Bizet’s Carmen and Verdi’s La Traviata. However, the first movement from Mozart's Horn Concert No.2 will be performed by principal horn, Han Chang Chou. Whether you're a newcomer or a long-time fan of classical music, an evening with the virtuosic SSO is sure to be one of pure delight. Gather your closest and dearest, and end the weekend on a high note at Symphony in the Gardens: Gardens By The Bay. This outdoor classical music concert is free.
Singapore RockFest II
Not just for the dads – get ready to rock your socks off as the legendary Scorpions and Whitesnake dominate the stage at Fort Canning Park as part of Singapore Rockfest. The German rock band Scorpions are known for the explosive hit Rock You Like A Hurricane, and the enthralling Wind Of Change which ultimately became the theme song for the Iron Curtain's final fall. Formed by Deep Purple's former frontman David Coverdale, English hard-rock band Whitesnake, on the other hand, are known for their iconic single Here I Go Again. Both bands are set to perform their full sets, so prepare to feel the sting and fist pump to this legendary rock music experience.
#BuySingLit
Time to get lost in the pages of books and stories from Singapore. Championing homegrown book publishers, retailers and literary non-profits, #BuySingLit promotes Singapore literature through a diverse line-up of programmes over two weekends from March 6 to 8 and March 13 to 15. Journey around Singapore and let your imagination run wild at the neighbourly heartlands, the iconic Jewel Changi Airpot and the historic Pasir Panjang Power Station. These locations and more set the stage for multi-sensory activities such as gem biscuit-making, music performances, writing workshops and dramatic readings. Immerse in the visual landscapes and soundscapes of Singapore literature through colossal installations at SingLit Power House. Face your fears at the staged thriller Glorious, Monstrous, Hantu Tales from Singapore that brilliantly combines haunting contemporary novels such as Nuraliah Norasid's The Gatekeeper and Sharlene Teo's Ponti. Get down to disco with local musicians .gif, Fauxe, and Mantravine at the world’s first literary dance party, Sing Lit Sounds: A Silent Disco. Uncover the story behind the historic Pasir Panjang Power Station with the site-specific performance Modern Resonance II that features sound artist Li-Chuan Chong, spoken word poet Deborah Emmanuel and visual artist Alecia Neo. Back by popular demand are the Malay-centric book carnival Pesta Buku Melayu at Wisma Geylang Serai, and Textures – A Weekend With Words by The Arts House with the theme 'These Stori
Eatbox
There's something about the pasar malam-esque vibes that keep us hungry for more. But don't let the novel coronavirus rain on your parade – satiate those hunger pangs and cravings at Eatbox. The outdoor street food festival returns to Downtown East D'Marquee for two weekends (February 21 to 23 and February 28 to March 1) with more gustatory delights from Singapore and around the region, spotlighting interesting eats from Indonesia and Hong Kong. Cool down from the heat with a unique Teh O Longan drink, satisfy your sweet tooth with murtabak manis, bite into a bak kwa sandwich, sample crunchy Taiwanese street snacks of fried squid and chicken cutlets, or try something different like chilli crab gelato. And to add to the fun, a series of live food challenges and curated live music performances are set to take place. All you have to do is turn up and chow down.
Disney on Ice: Live Your Dreams
Journey across raging seas and snowy mountains with Disney’s Moana, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Tangled, Cinderella, as well as Disney and Pixar’s Coco. Gliding in with their special choreography are guests Winnie the Pooh and Tigger who will have the kiddos breaking into dance.
Lorongs of Wisdom
If the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word "Geylang" are brothels, then you'll need a reintroduction. Enter: Lorongs of Wisdom, a multidisciplinary interpretation of Singapore's notorious former red-light district, helmed by Geylang Adventures. Organised in conjunction with Singapore Biennale 2019, the walking performance (or trail, if you prefer) is led by residents 'Ah Boy' and 'Ah Girl' – who will take you through the infamous lorongs and into the secret lives of five unique people in Geylang.
Emerging: Collecting Singapore Contemporary - Selections from the DUO Collection
The Private Museum presents Emerging: Collecting Singapore Contemporary - Selections from the DUO Collection. The exhibition, held alongside Singapore Art Week 2020, showcases 20 artworks from 16 emerging artists – including Kanchana Gupta, who'll be showing her artwork Work Progress #120.
UEFA Champions League Campaign at Changi Airport
Channel your inner Mo Salah (of 2019 UEFA Champions League champs Liverpool FC), and live all your footy fantasies at Changi Airport. You best believe Terminal 3 welcomes a very special guest – the highly-coveted official UEFA Champions League Trophy – for a football-themed affair on the weekend of January 18 (1pm to 10pm) and January 19 (11am to 10pm). Marvel at the trophy in all its shiny glory and snap plenty of selfies with it. This marks the first time that the official trophy is available for public viewing in Singapore. And that's not all – there's an exhibition gallery detailing the history of the UEFA Champions League, and showcasing must-see memorabilia (from January 18 to February 13) such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's autographed jerseys, Neymar Jr's signed Nike boot and the official UEFA Champions League match ball. If you're a die-hard fan, good news: these coveted memorabilia are also up for grabs. All you have to do is be a Changi Rewards member and spend a minimum of $60 in a single receipt at the public areas of Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 (excluding Jewel) with Mastercard between 18 January to 23 February. Plus, you might even stand a chance to win all-expense-paid trips to Europe to catch the UEFA Champions League quarters, semis and finals. Don't miss all the action – Changi Airport is also screening selected live UEFA Champions League matches, match highlights, best goals scored and more leading up to the finals in May.
The Posthuman City Climates. Habitats. Environments.
There's no escaping global warming but there are sustainable steps to reduce our carbon footprint. This eye-opening – and thought-provoking – exhibition combines art, design and architecture by 10 international artists to show how we can make good use of our natural resources and peacefully co-exist among nature in this urban world.
An Evening with Pat Metheny
Calling all jazz lovers. Twenty-time Grammy Award-winning jazz guitar virtuoso Pat Metheny returns to the Esplanade Concert Hall for one night only on March 2. Since his debut album Bright Size Life, Pat has been credited for reinventing the jazz guitar sound for a new generation of musicians. He is famed for his versatility, which creates a deeply emotive style inhabiting a multitude of musical worlds. Joining him on stage is his longtime drummer Antonio Sanchez, the man behind the film score for Birdman, and two young leaders in the New York City and London jazz scenes: Malaysian-Australian bassist Linda May Han Oh and British pianist Gwilym Simcock. Don't miss this sensational experience to catch these greats coming together – led by Pat's iconic stylings incorporating elements of progressive and contemporary jazz. Book your tickets today.