The best things to do in Singapore this August

Indie singer Beabadoobee is finally making her way back to Singapore after her last show in 2022. She returns this August for a one-night-only gig, bringing her latest album This Is How Tomorrow Moves as part of her Asia tour. Beabadoobee, whose given name is Beatrice Laus, shot to fame with hits such as ‘Real Man’, ‘Glue Song’, ‘The Perfect Pair’, and ‘Take A Bite’. The Filipino-British singer-songwriter has since graced major festival stages including Coachella and Glastonbury, and has opened for global stars like Halsey, Taylor Swift, and The 1975.

Celebrate SG60 at Suntec City from now till August 31 with Together In Jubilee Joy – a festive showcase of heritage, hawker culture and community spirit. The Atrium (Tower 1 & 2) transforms into a hawker-inspired playground, complete with a chendol ball pit, dragon slide, and fun food-themed games like prata flipping and chicken rice stacking. Complete all challenges to redeem local-themed keepsakes. Then, take a moment to give back by donating $5 to Community Chest’s SGSHARE and penning your wish on a 600-tile digital mural by local artist Kow Fong (Ah Guo). Don’t miss the mallwide Step Into SG60 Trail, a series of heritage showcases by community partners, from stories of Singapore’s pioneers to a tribute to hawker heritage. And on August 8 and 9, Suntec Plaza comes alive with free ice cream, live music, and a buzzing outdoor marketplace featuring homegrown brands. Find out more here.

Who says you need to dive deep into the Atlantic for a glimpse of the world’s most famous ocean liner? Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – Through the Eyes of the Passengers is surfacing in Asia for the very first time, docking at the Fever Exhibition Hall from August 6. This sprawling 1,300sqm space plunges you into the Titanic’s ill-fated journey, told through the passengers themselves. Expect dramatic room recreations, never-seen-before 3D views of the ship, interactive storylines, stirring video animations, and a sweeping soundscape that pulls you from the glamour of first class to the rush of the ship’s final hours. The Singapore edition also features a full-wall panel showing the first local report of the sinking back in 1912, plus rare historical photographs of local life during that time.

Step into six decades of Singapore cool at ArtScience Museum’s latest blockbuster: SingaPop! 60 Years of Singapore Pop Culture. This vibrant multimedia exhibition is a punchy, nostalgic ride through the sights, sounds and slang that shaped a nation. From kopi breaks and Kit Chan to Singlish sass and sizzling streetwear, it celebrates the cultural DNA of Singapore, told through the sharp, fabulous lens of Dick Lee. Explore five immersive chapters spanning music, fashion, film and food, with cameos from icons like Kumar, Rahimah Rahim and more. No matter which generation you are, this love letter to Singaporean identity will have you laughing, reminiscing and maybe even tearing up.

Ready to explore what’s next for you? Whether you’re planning a career switch, picking up new skills, or just curious about the options out there, SkillsFuture Festival is the perfect launchpad. From now till August 18, the six-week festival brings over 100 events to locations across Singapore, from CBD roadshows to heartland pop-ups. Expect buzzing career fairs, hands-on workshops, immersive learning journeys, and one-on-one consults with the pros.  

The festival kicks off with the SkillsFuture Roadshow at VivoCity, followed by Skills Ignited: The AI & Digital Security Roadshow at Suntec, and Unlocking Opportunities in Cybersecurity at SMU. Interested in healthcare or early childhood? Swing by the Care Economy Jobs and Skills Fair at Toa Payoh Hub. You can also catch SFF@CDC events popping up across the heartlands. Explore the full list of programmes here.

We can’t do an August round-up without bringing up the National Day Parade (NDP). The NDP 2025 is segmented into seven sections. For the first time ever, the pre-parade opens with a musical film set to the original song ‘Makin' Our Way’. Then it's all about military pride. The main show then rolls out in four dynamic acts, each symbolising a chapter of the Singapore story – People, Aspirations, Unity, and Progress. For the first time ever, the National Day Parade will span both the Padang and Marina Bay, setting the stage for a dazzling display of synchronised lights, soundscapes, and larger-than-life movement. And of course, look up to the skies for the main event: fireworks.

Now in its seventh year, the Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day concert returns with even more heart and spirit, as part of this year’s SG60 celebrations. Expect an evening of stirring performances and Singapore pride, brought to life by some of our most beloved homegrown talents, including Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah, Hady Mirza, Yung Raja, Charlie Lim and more. For the first time ever, sisters Tay Kewei and Tay Kexin will perform together on stage. Hosting the night’s festivities are Gurmit Singh, Yasminne Cheng, Zhin Sadali and Nithiyia Rao, leading the crowd through a night filled with laughter, memories and the shared pride of being Singaporean. The night will also include the live debut of ‘Ties That Bloom’, a new National Day song by Hady Mirza.

In case you missed it, The Projector will return to its original home at Golden Mile Tower this August. But the reel good news doesn’t stop there – The Projector is marking Singapore’s 60th birthday with Majulah Cinema!, a month-long celebration of homegrown films and filmmakers running through August and September. Expect a curated selection of 10 compelling titles, created and handpicked by five acclaimed local directors: Calleen Koh, He Shuming, Kirsten Tan, K. Rajagopal and Quen Wong. From bold indies to rarely screened gems, this is a cinematic love letter to Singapore told through the lenses of the very talents shaping its film scene. With director introductions and intimate post-screening Q&As, it’s more than just a film fest – it’s a front-row seat to the future and history of local cinema.

Middle-earth is calling  – The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is making its Singapore debut at the Sands Theatre this month. Told through the eyes of the Hobbits, this magical retelling begins with Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday and follows Frodo’s perilous quest to destroy the One Ring. Featuring a folk-inspired score by A.R. Rahman, Finnish band Värttinä, and Christopher Nightingale, the show is brought to life by a talented cast of actor-musicians. With its breathtaking visuals, stirring music and fresh Hobbit-centric perspective, this ambitious production has already wowed audiences in Chicago and Auckland, and is set to enchant Singapore next. Whether you're a Tolkien purist or just in it for the Shire vibes, this one's not to be missed.

After years of radio silence on the large-scale festival front, Singapore is finally getting its groove back on August 16 with a fresh new homegrown contender: Somewhere Out There Festival. The music and art festival is set to transform Fort Canning Park into an immersive outdoor stage, with three unique zones to explore. And leading the charge? None other than Bonobo, the Grammy-nominated DJ and producer known for his transportive, genre-bending soundscapes. He’ll be joined by contemporary R&B darling Rimon, international DJs like MXGPU, regional musicians, and local collectives. 

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. Prepare to be wowed by stunning projection mapping artworks and mesmerising light installations that transform the cityscape into an Instagrammer’s dream. One highlight you won’t want to miss is Sky Castle by Australian studio ENESS, a dazzling, interactive inflatable archway at Cathay Green. It responds to your every move with cascading colours and sounds, like a rainbow celebrating hope and new beginnings after a storm.

Start your engines, Singapore – Monster Jam is tearing into the National Stadium on August 23 for one epic night only. Expect roaring engines, airborne 12,000lb trucks, and the kind of chaos you want your kids to witness. Watch legends like Grave Digger, Megalodon and El Toro Loco go head-to-head in a no-holds-barred showdown of speed, skill and savage stunts – and you get to score the action live. Come early for the Pit Party, where you’ll meet the daredevils behind the wheel and get those all-important selfies. Loud, proud, and gloriously over-the-top, this is your chance to experience the monster mayhem up close.

Are you ready to match Tinashe’s freak and do the viral TikTok dance to ‘Nasty’? Known for her sensual sounds, fierce choreography, and collaborations with the likes of Britney Spears, Usher, and Charli XCX, the R&B star is set to deliver an electrifying performance. This tour supports her latest album Quantum Baby, and fans can expect a setlist packed with the new tracks, alongside throwback favourites like ‘2 On,’ and ‘All Hands on Deck.’ 

August 25 is going to be a good night. Why? Because after three long years, the Black Eyed Peas have declared their return to Singapore, set to perform at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, since their last performance in 2022 at the Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1. Expect chat-toppers like 'Where Is the Love?', 'Let’s Get It Started', and 'I Gotta Feeling' – bangers guaranteed to spark a full-blown throwback party and keep the energy pumpin' all night.

Calling all beer lovers – Brewnanza Fest 2025 is back for its third edition this August. Singapore’s largest craft beer festival returns to Marina Bay Sands, bringing an unbeatable line-up of world-class breweries, mouth-watering street food and live performances to celebrate all things beer. Discover over 100 craft beers from homegrown favourites and renowned international labels, including one-of-a-kind collaborations and unique pours making their Singapore debut. Choose from bold, hop-forward IPAs and rich stouts, to tart sours and clean-cut lagers. Some of the brands available include local breweries Lion Brewery Co., Alive Brewing and Ren Min, joined by a diverse mix of breweries hailing from the UK, Finland, Japan, Thailand and beyond.