The best things to do in Singapore in July

The SG Garden Festival returns for its 10th edition at Gardens by the Bay under the theme Carnival of Blooms. Expect a spectacular showcase of rare flowers, stunning floral displays and intricate tropical garden installations by international and local landscape designers. At the centre of the festival is the Show Gardens competition, an all–stars version featuring eight past winners going head–to–head. Other highlights include the My Living Space competition, focusing on greenery for compact homes, and the Singapore Orchid Show, displaying over 100 rare varieties.

From adorable pet-friendly experiences and gaming tournaments to beauty pop-ups and wellness workshops, the Singapore Retail Festival is turning your usual shopping trip into a full-day outing from July 4 to 26. 

Bring your furry friend along for the Pets and Pawrents weekend (July 4 to 5), complete with pet grooming, first-aid workshops, Pawtography sessions and caricatures. Gamers and collectors can look forward to the TCG and Gaming weekend (July 10 to 12), featuring an Exclusive Card Showcase, TCG tournaments, cosplay competitions and 34 retail booths. Then, recharge at the Lifestyle and Wellness weekend (July 17 to 19), where wellness brands, the 818 Bloom pop-up store by G-Dragon, beauty experiences and kids' workshops promise something for the whole family.

Even on weekdays, you can continue browsing retail booths and enjoy a selection of food options available throughout the festival, making it the perfect excuse to turn a quick shopping trip into a fun day out. Find out more here.

Esplanade is turning up the tempo this July with Jazz in July, a month-long celebration of all things jazz. Running from July 1 to 31, the festival features more than 100 free performances and workshops alongside four ticketed concerts by acclaimed international artists. Whether you're in the mood for intimate, romantic sets, lively big-band performances by the waterfront, or groove-heavy sounds that will have you tapping along, there's a jazz experience to match every vibe. 

Catch Brazilian vocalist and instrumentalist Nilze Carvalho, genre-defying American singer Gabrielle Cavassa, boundary-pushing trumpeter Peter Evans, and Grammy-winning keyboard virtuoso Bobby Sparks II as they bring their unique sounds to Singapore. From smooth bossa nova and soulful vocals to experimental improvisation and funk-infused grooves, the festival offers plenty of opportunities to discover new sounds and find your perfect jazz moment. Find out more here.

It is art prints, stickers, zines and merch galore as the Illustration Arts Festival returns for its 10th edition. Spread over three days at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark, the annual event brings together over 260 illustrators from 16 countries to celebrate visual storytelling. The lineup includes familiar local design collectives like Puffingmuffin, Shawna Chan and BYJOLYN. Look out for Tell Your Children’s Elemental Convergence Art Show, featuring exclusive prints and an interactive installation. To celebrate the anniversary, the festival is also launching limited–edition commemorative cards and merchandise.

Warm up your engines before the Singapore GP with the F1 Exhibition at Gardens by the Bay. This immersive showcase features seven themed galleries tracing the sport’s evolution from the 1950s to today’s high–tech spectacle. Explore iconic circuit moments, engineering breakthroughs and legendary cars like the 2011 championship–winning Red Bull RB7 up close. The display includes race suits and artefacts from teams like Ferrari and McLaren, a racing simulator to test your skills in the cockpit and a final gallery dedicated to the city’s historic night races.

Sentosa GrillFest is firing up Siloso Beach for four weekends of smoky flavours and beachside feasting. The 2026 edition features more than 40 stalls across four themed zones. Local Grill puts a smoky twist on hawker favourites like laksa and Hokkien noodles, while International Grill serves up open–flame global dishes like Taiwan sausage with sticky rice. Save space for Beachside Grill’s roasted snacks and sweet treats, or head over to the Marketplace to customise your dining experience using sustainably sourced meats and ocean–friendly seafood.

Sentosa’s 10–day beachside Glow Festival unfolds across six immersive zones. Sweat it out at Flow Studios, try ice baths at Recharge Bay, unwind at Mind Oasis or join hands–on workshops at Makers Meadows, with food and drinks at Glow Commons. The festival transforms between day and night, offering over 70 workout sessions led by international personalities like Joe Wicks and Emi Wong during the day. As night falls, the beach packs out with live performances from international stars Jason Derulo, Alessia Cara and HYUKOH, alongside local talents like Shye and Sobs.

The Asia Art & Craft Fair returns for two days with over 400 makers celebrating the region’s creative scene. More than just a marketplace, this exhibition gathers local and regional talents to showcase a treasure trove of original creations spanning ceramics, crochet, fine jewellery and 3D printing. Beyond browsing the booths, you can join a series of hands–on craft workshops. Learn basic decoupage, create your own kokedama, build a mug from traditional Zisha clay or try a kintsugi masterclass to master the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics.

Missing out is not an option at the FOMO Weekend Market. Returning for three days, this shopping event gathers more than 60 local retailers, independent labels and emerging creators under one roof. It is the perfect place to discover your next favourite brand across fashion, beauty, crafts and unique wellness finds, featuring crowd favourites like Lychee Co and Yumi Basics. To sweeten the deal, this year’s market runs alongside The Wedding Upmarket and The Great Food Assembly, offering plenty to see and sample between your shopping sprees.