The best things to do in Singapore in July

It’s a classic love story, with some (read: a lot) of Disney magic. Join your favourite characters Belle and the Beast, alongside their enchanted castle friends Lumière, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth and others for this brand-new stage reimagining of the beloved 1991 animated movie.

This latest production of Beauty and the Beast is led by actors Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier as they bring the timeless tale about friendship and love to life. Enjoy and move along to all the nostalgic songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, including “Belle”, “Gaston”, and of course, the iconic “Be Our Guest”. The new and improved outing also features upgraded sets and new costume designs, and it’s infused with creative, cutting-edge technology.

From sunrise to starlight, Sentosa is celebrating its most enchanting season yet. Inspired by the new film Wicked: For Good, the island now glows in emerald and pink, with whimsical installations, themed bites and plenty of moments that feel straight out of Oz. To make these moments extra magical, Sentosa has unveiled its all-new Starter Charm, your exclusive key to unlocking the island's best experiences, including priority entry to Universal Studios Singapore and Singapore Oceanarium, sweet dining perks across Resorts World Sentosa, and even islandwide exclusives at thrilling favourites such as AltitudeX and Skyline Luge Sentosa. 

DBS/POSB Cardmembers enjoy an extra sprinkle of goodness too, including 10 percent off Sentosa Wander Pass bundles, RWS bundled privileges and access to over 60 Dine, Shop, Play and Stay deals across the island. Get your Starter Charm when you book a Resorts World Sentosa Wonder Experience or a Sentosa Wander Pass package. Experience the magic before it fades on January 4. 

Singapore’s nightlife gets a luxe upgrade this year with the launch of CHADA by Tin Box, the city’s newest premium boutique club at Suntec City. Since its opening in October, CHADA has been redefining the party scene with a curated lineup of global and regional DJs, including R3HAB, Blasterjaxx, 22Bullets, Bassjackers, Lizzy Wang and more. Across its exclusive 180-guest capacity, the petite club promises seamless service, premium bottle offerings, and intimate vibes that make every night feel like a private celebration.

Get hyped this December for a calendar packed with themed nights and special guest DJs, including Wukong on Christmas Eve, Ashley Kiara on December 26, plus Brennan Heart and Rave Republic on New Year’s Eve. Curated for the discerning partygoer, CHADA blends luxury with authentic music experiences, ensuring Singapore’s year-end celebrations soar to a euphoric high.

Book your tickets and tables here.

She’s one of the most unpredictable, genre-bending, internet-breaking stars of our time – and now she’s headed our way. Grammy-winning global superstar Doja Cat has announced her first-ever show in Singapore, and honestly, it’s about time. From viral hits like ‘Say So’ and ‘Kiss Me More’ to the edgy, era-defining tracks off her fourth studio album Scarlet, her reign as pop’s most chaotic good time is unmatched. 

The Ma Vie World Tour supports Doja Cat’s forthcoming fifth studio album Vie, which is set to be released on September 26. Earlier this month, rapper-singer dropped her latest single ‘Jealous Type’, serving up a taste of the synthy ’80s vibes we can expect from her upcoming album.

Calling all cat lovers: the fifth year of the Singapore Cat Festival is here – but this time, with a festive take on the annual feline event. There’s an art market boasting all sorts of gifts to get for your pet or yourself this Christmas, from handmade cat accessories and art to even matching apparel so you can twin your furry buddy.

To really amp up the festivities, it’s also introducing a Best Dressed Competition for cats. Felines who come decked out in the most creative costumes can walk away with prizes. Other highlights include a grooming contest, a cat breed show and a bunch of exciting carnival games. There’ll be eight cat-themed game booths where you can play and take home goodies for the kitties. You can also stock up on cat staples like treats, toys and grooming supplies, as a variety of your favourite pet care brands will also be on hand.

Don’t already have a cat, or wishing to expand the family this holiday? Then swing by the Cat Welfare Society’s adoption drive to meet the many (and might we add, adorable) rescues and give them a second chance at a furever home.

If you thought you had to end the year without another round of Public Garden, think again. Following its September stint, the well-loved and highly anticipated art market will make its return to the Suntec Convention Halls for its final edition of 2025. Titled A Tropical Christmas, the two-day affair will wrap up the year with more treasures, trinkets and festive gifts made in Singapore and beyond.

As usual, you can expect a ton of local and international indie designers and brands setting up shop to offer their latest collections and designs. Reunite with your favourite booths or discover new regional makers selling a wide variety of goodies and products. This time, look out for hand-painted bubble accessories, intricate paper crafts and portraits, plus artisanal candles inspired by local flavours like bubble tea. Of course, there will also be a bunch of stationery labels to get your fix of stickers and postcards for all your DIY needs. Whether you’re shopping for a last-minute gift or not, this creative mega-marketplace is always the place to be.

You’re in for a good time and a good time only at In Bad Company’s Bloc Party. For just one day, kick it back in Katong as the izakaya turns its space into a cosy marketplace of flavor, sounds and delights. Turning up to the party is a lineup of local indie brands, who are offering all sorts of knick-knacks and favourites. Discover new literary titles from Chio Books, grab dreamy homeware essentials from Sojao, or satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent bars from Fossa Chocolate. Then stay on ‘til late for vinyl sets from DJs Itch, Hiddy and Shane2Sweet as they provide the evening’s smooth beats.

Plus, you can bet no one’s leaving the party on an empty stomach. On the menu is a variety of curated and classic skewers to choose from or make into a platter. This includes smoked soy-cured quail eggs, hatsu, tandoori chicken and tiger prawns. There’s also Latin American snacks courtesy of Munets Empanadas, as well as freshly baked goods from Cranki Patisserie. Nothing’s lacking on the beverage end, either. Drink away the Sunday Scaries with highballs, alcoholic slushies and an endless flow of beers and wine.

Nothing says celebration and the holidays like sipping on wine. Held in collaboration with The Amphora Project, this sustainability-themed Christmas fiesta at AIR CCCC puts the spotlight on natural wines. Taste your way through Central Europe with 20 small-batch wines. Expect seasonal releases, signature bottles and other favourites from the region. Through guided tasting sessions, you’ll get to discover the different producers and diverse techniques that give each wine its own character. Expand your vino knowledge further with the Slovenian Native Grape Workshop, where you can learn the basics of natural wine and discover three of the country’s grape varieties.

Although tasting wine is the main agenda, there are also other family-friendly Christmas activities to enjoy. Tuck into your favourite holiday dishes or move over to the lawn where the DJs are taking over the decks with a remix of festive tunes. In support of the event’s eco-friendly mission, there’s also a Zero-Waste Gift Exchange corner to get inspired. For those bringing your furkids along, be sure to stop by the pet photobooth so you can capture those magical moments together.

Verve Arts Festival, organised by students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Arts Business Management, celebrates its 15th anniversary with the theme, ‘Behind the Window: What’s your Story?’. Expressed through various art forms, it explores the diversity in youth voices and uncovers the connections made through community. Expect a slew of workshops, interactive exhibitions, performances and more that highlight work from emerging local artists.

Step into Zinergy! where you can browse a library of curated zines and even try your hand at creating a mini-mag. Learn collaging techniques and craft sonnets and haikus on a vintage typewriter – or walk away with a poem written for you. There’s also Sockette, where you can turn your socks into puppet characters and build storylines to bring them to life. Then stay tuned for a music and art jamming session, plus Freq Out, a series of live music performances featuring homegrown acts Office Hours, Ilan and Frens and Bushmen SG.

For the big screen enthusiasts and wannabe directors, don’t miss In Our Time, a film screening programme where you’ll get to hear from aspiring filmmakers as they share their love for storytelling and local cinema. Admission to the festival is free, but workshops and screenings require a reservation ticket – so snag yours ASAP.

It’s the season to be jolly and merry as Wiggle Wiggle welcomes you to its new hotel-themed activation at Plaza Singapura. Described as the lifestyle brand’s largest Southeast Asian pop-up to date, the festive and whimsical wonderland is bursting with its signature vibrant palette and introduces a bunch of new playful quirks for you to experience.

As you step into the space, you’ll be greeted by festive versions of Wiggle Wiggle’s popular characters Wiggle Bear and Little Play Bunny as they invite you to explore their colourful, winteresque playground. Every corner is decked out in festive cheer and a fresh line-up of Singapore-exclusive merchandise that will only be available at the pop-up store. Treat yourself or someone you love to Wiggle Wiggle’s whacky holiday collection, which includes a fruit mug, fabric sprays and ornaments. If you’re shopping for a more practical gift, level up someone’s office stationery with neon electronic calculators or a bright-coloured wireless keyboard.

Be sure to get your cameras ready too, as there are plenty of photo ops inside the space for some spontaneous fun. Roam the “hotel” grounds or check into the fantastical styled “guest rooms” for a snapshot.

Funnyman Jimmy O. Yang is back by popular demand, after selling out his two-night showing in Singapore at The Star Theatre in November as part of the comedy festival Just For Laughs. The Hong Kong-American star now returns to our sunny shores for an additional third show. This time, he’s taking over the Singapore Indoor Stadium to bring on some extra LOLs to a bigger space and a bigger audience.

The shows are part of Yang’s ongoing Big & Tall world tour, where he’s also taking his standup gigs to Australia, Japan and Macau. Be prepared to belly laugh for an hour long to the comedian-actor’s quirky brand of humour, punchy cultural riffs and stories pulled straight from his life on and off screen. Yang is famously known for his roles in the HBO series Silicon Valley, Netflix’s Space Force and the film Love Hard. He’s also made an appearance in Jon M. Chu’s 2018 box office hit, Crazy Rich Asians.

Techno royalty returns. Charlotte de Witte, six-time World’s No.1 Techno DJ, is back in Singapore on December 12, taking over the industrial powerhouse of Pasir Panjang Power Station. Hot off the release of her self-titled debut album, the Belgian maestro promises a night of relentless beats, dark grooves and pulse-pounding energy that only she can deliver. From intimate club nights at Zouk to mainstage domination at Marquee, this marks her boldest Singapore performance yet. Expect a full-throttle journey through her signature techno sound, driven by collective euphoria and a celebration of rave culture’s raw spirit. It's the perfect way to end the working week if you're really into your parties.

All aboard! The Christmas Train Show at Gardens by the Bay is back with more festive fun for train lovers. Nearly 20 model trains will run along a 145-metre track inside the Flower Dome, now transformed into an American-inspired landscape complete with mini versions of the Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Terminal and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

In honour of Singapore’s 60th birthday, this year’s display adds a local twist with a specially commissioned SMRT train passing handcrafted landmarks like the Toa Payoh Dragon Playground and heritage shophouses. You’ll also find a Danish Christmas scene with a 5-metre LEGO tree and miniature Nyhavn, surrounded by 7,000 seasonal plants.

So you’ve been to weddings and birthday bashes, but a divorce celebration? Now that’s a first. Check it off your bucket list at The Divorce Party, Dream Academy’s whimsical dinner theatre comedy where the food is hot and the tea on exes is even hotter. Join the Choo Plastics Family as heiress Phoebe Choo (Sharon Sum) reclaims the single life after her disastrous marriage to Andy (Andrew Marko). Broadway Beng’s Sebastian Tan leads the chaos as matriarch Penelope “Penny” Choo Kim, alongside a riotous cast. Expect a three-course meal, dessert buffet, beach-chic dress code and plenty of saucy family drama. It’s the first in a trilogy following the outrageous Choo clan. Read our review here.

What if we told you that you could marvel at the paintings of iconic artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet without even setting foot in France? The National Gallery Singapore’s latest blockbuster exhibition, Into the Modern: Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, marks the largest showcase of French Impressionism ever seen in Southeast Asia. Featuring over 100 artworks by 25 pioneering artists, the exhibition spans three galleries and unfolds across seven thematic sections, each offering a perspective into the movement’s evolution from its early beginnings to the present day.

Whether you’re a peacock enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Peacock Power: Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures uncovers the majestic bird’s impact across Asia. Featuring over 100 artefacts, from ceramics and clothing to intricate jewellery,  the exhibition traces the peacock’s symbolism, especially in Peranakan art and wedding traditions. It also debuts Thousand Eyes, a new ecological reinterpretation of the motif by Singaporean artist Ernest Goh.

Beyond the displays, visitors can explore peacock species and behaviours through holographic tech and interactive stations. Round out your visit with curated public programmes or join a guided tour for deeper insight into the stories behind the pieces.

Step into the world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at Healing Heritage, an exhibition tracing its roots from 19th-century medical halls to its role in everyday Singapore life today. Split across five thematic zones, it spotlights milestones in TCM’s history – from community-run clinics to charitable institutions offering affordable care. It looks into the present and future too, exploring how digital diagnostic tools and halal-certified products are modernising this age-old practice. With archival materials, recreated settings and immersive displays, the exhibition celebrates TCM as both a cultural legacy and a living, evolving tradition that continues to heal and connect communities.

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.

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). 

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.