Hit The Apex drives up the fun with 10 days of live music, coffee parties and racing action

Here’s how to make the most of your day and night at CQ @ Clarke Quay during the Grand Prix Season Singapore
Music Matters Live | Benjamin Kheng
Photograph: Music Matters Live | Benjamin Kheng
Time Out Singapore in partnership with CapitaLand
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This Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS), CQ @ Clarke Quay (CQ) is cranking up the volume, lights, and adrenaline with a 10-day festival that’s as fast-paced as the F1 race itself. From September 26 to October 5, Hit The Apex, presented by StarHub is transforming the riverside lifestyle destination into a playground of music, motors, caffeine and culture, where every corner offers a new thrill. And it’s all happening all day and night, from 2pm to 11.30pm daily. 

Whether you’re chasing heart-pounding beats or need a new spot for your race-day selfie, CQ is where the action hits full throttle. Here’s everything you need to know.

Feel the beat at Music Matters Live

From September 26 to 28 and October 1

The opening weekend kicks off with Music Matters Live, Asia’s premier music showcase that turns CQ into an open-air concert stage. This year’s lineup is massive, featuring 42 artists from 18 countries. Catch homegrown stars like rapper Abangsapau, R&B darling Shazza, and genre-bending maestro Yaø, alongside regional favourites including Filipino singer-actor James Reid and Indonesian powerhouse Shakira Jasmine. 

Themed nights turn the vibes up even higher – think J-Pop Matters, Sounds Australia at Music Matters, and ONErpm presents ONEnightonly at Swee Lee. Expect the unexpected too – indie rock colliding with K-pop, and hip-hop fusing with electro-pop. It’s the best start to discover your next playlist obsession and soak up the festival atmosphere.

Play big at the Hot Wheels Pocket Pitstop

From September 26 to October 5

All that high-octane energy calls for a pit stop – but at CQ, even pit stops come with fun. Step into the Hot Wheels Pocket Pitstop, a pop-up retail experience that’s a feast for the senses. Car enthusiasts of all ages can check out the exclusive F1 Hot Wheels die-cast, while thrill-seekers can dive into interactive tracksets that put speed and creativity to the test.

The centrepiece? A custom-built diorama that brings the world of racing to life in 1:64 scale, perfect for snapping that winning shot. Kids can race their die-cast cars on winding tracks, while collectors hunt down limited-edition designs before they disappear. It’s play, collectability and adrenaline rolled into one.

Take the wheel at GPSS Apex League presented by OutDrive GP

From September 30 to October 2

If the roar of an engine makes your heart race, wait until you get behind the wheel yourself. CQ’s Fountain Square sets the scene for the GPSS Apex League presented by OutDrive GP, the largest on-site sim racing championship in Singapore. Participants get to test their skills on the popular racing sim game Assetto Corsa, battling it out in public qualifiers before the field narrows for a nail-biting finale. And yes, there will be attractive prizes, bragging rights and the Champion's Crown.

The action doesn’t stop there either – pro sim racers will also take the stage in showcase matches, showing you what it looks like when precision driving meets lightning-fast reflexes. With roaring crowds, screens flashing, and adrenaline pumping through the air, it’s the closest you’ll get to track action without burning rubber.

Sip, dance, repeat at Caffeine and Bass / Night Drift

From October 3 to 5

Who says coffee and clubbing don’t mix? CQ flips the switch with a day-to-night party that blends your morning brew with your midnight bassline. Welcome to Caffeine and Bass, a sunshine-soaked day party curated by Beans & Beats, the cool collective that’s driving the city’s sober social movement. Expect specialty coffee, funky beats, and good vibes as DJs spin house, disco and feel-good anthems to keep you moving. 

Then, as dusk falls, the afterburners ignite with Night Drift – a late-night throwdown of heavy basslines, neon lights, and your choice of brews or booze. Whether you’re a hardcore partygoer or a casual caffeine lover, this weekend promises to keep your spirits and energy levels sky-high.

Bonus: Score big with Mastercard

From September 26 to October 5

When it comes to rewards, CQ makes sure Mastercard cardholders don’t leave empty-handed. To enjoy the #MastercardPitStop perks, link your Mastercard to the CapitaStar app and spend $80 to unlock up to $25 eCapitaVoucher, plus a shot at winning exclusive McLaren Formula 1 Team merchandise. Tourists get an even sweeter deal: pay with Mastercard and you can snag up to 11 percent rebate (worth up to $75 eCapitaVoucher). 

That’s not all. Linked Mastercard members enjoy a $10 eCapitaVoucher with every $80 spent – capped at one redemption per day, and two during the campaign. If you haven't linked your Mastercard to the CapitaStar app, do so to receive a $5 eCapitaVoucher. Valid only for new members who have not linked their Mastercard to the CapitaStar app, from now till October 12. From race-fuel meals to limited-edition merch, those vouchers will come in handy.

From global music showcases and coffee-fuelled raves to plenty of racing fun, Hit The Apex, presented by StarHub is the ultimate festival pit stop this GPSS 2025. Rally your crew, supercharge your phone, and cancel those boring plans – because for ten days straight, life’s best lived in the fast lane. Find out more here.

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