The best things to do in Singapore this May

Singapore’s mega light art festival returns to brighten up the cityscape. The much-anticipated i Light Singapore is back this May and June, and it’s shaping up to be its most dazzling edition yet. This year’s theme, To Gather, unites 17 light art installations created by 20 local and international artists. The works will be spread across Marina Bay, South Beach, and new locations along the scenic Singapore River and bustling Raffles Place.

There’s theatre, and then there’s Shakespeare in the Park. Singapore's largest outdoor theatre experience doesn't just stage the Bard's timeless tales – it brings them to life so epically that it could only be done on the greens and under the open sky. From May 7, Fort Canning Park transforms into a battleground of ambition, power, and betrayal, with Ghafir Akbar leading the charge as Macbeth. It’s set to be an evening of Shakespearean drama with a futuristic plot twist – think social media, capitalism, and the ruthless race to the top, all feeding the flames of tragedy. Tickets start from $68, and if you're bringing your friends, grab an extra ticket for free when you buy five. Or enjoy this Time Out exclusive: save 15 percent when you book the Picnic category for Sunday performances on May 11 and 18 here.

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There are movie nights, and then there’s Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema. Returning to Tanjong Beach, Sentosa from May 8 to 25, this much-loved alfresco film fest is more than just a screening – it’s a full-blown beachside bash. Think balmy sea breeze, sunset-soaked skies, golden-hour cocktails, live DJ sets, and a carefully curated lineup of award-winning films, including The Substance, Conclave, Wicked, and more. As the sun dips, grab a drink, settle into your deckchair, and pop on a pair of state-of-the-art wireless headphones for a Silent Disco-esque movie experience – no mid-movie chatter, just crisp surround sound. Tickets are $44.80 – get yours now before they’re all sold out.

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After touring the world in cities like Berlin, Melbourne, and Toronto, the immersive dinosaur-themed exhibition Jurassic World: The Experience is roaring its way into Singapore and taking over Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud with hyper-realistic dinosaur animatronics, reconstructions of verdant prehistoric landscapes, and interactive snippets throughout. Transport yourself back to ancient times with the Evolution Walk experience, where you can trace the history of how the Earth’s ecosystem has evolved over time through realistic replicas of vegetation that now no longer exists. Amidst the shrubbery are life-sized dinosaur sculptures, from frightening predators like Velociraptors in mid-attack, to gentle giants like the 8.5-metre-tall Brachiosaurus. There’s also going to be a petting zoo where you can coo over cute little baby dinosaurs in a face-to-face interaction session, but hold your horses before you get any ideas – you can't keep them as pets in Singapore. You’ll also be able to spot iconic scenes from the Jurassic Park blockbuster franchise which has been running since 1993. 

Jurassic World: The Experience opens in Singapore on May 29, 2025 and will run for an unspecified limited period of time. Find out more and join the waitlist here.

The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s flagship festival is back from May 9 to June 7, and you’re invited to celebrate the city’s rich Chinese arts and culture with a vibrant mix of theatre, dance, music, and immersive experiences. Highlights include a theatrical culinary showdown between a traditional dad and his modern son, a mesmerising dance and art installation, and orchestral performances that will stir your soul. The little ones won’t miss out either, with a variety of family-friendly programmes. With both ticketed and free events, there’s something for everyone, from culture vultures to music and theatre fans.

Get ready for the next big hit: The Phantom of the Opera, arriving at Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands in May 2025. This rendition of The Phantom of the Opera is part of its international tour, which will take the production across Asia throughout 2025. The film is adapted from Gaston Leroux's Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, and tells the eerie story of a reclusive, disfigured musical genius living in the catacombs of the Paris Opera House. Obsessed with Christine, a talented young soprano, the Phantom becomes her secret tutor and falls in love with her. However, Christine's heart belongs to Raoul, leading to a dramatic conflict as the Phantom’s obsession turns to jealousy, triggering chaos and tragedy within the opera house. For more information, visit the musical’s official webpage here.

Lady Gaga is set to perform in Singapore at the National Stadium for four crazy nights, on May 18, 19, 21 and 24, 2025. This marks her only stop in Asia – a very long-awaited return since her Born This Way ball in 2012. With 13 Grammys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, and even a BAFTA under her (probably bedazzled) belt, Gaga isn’t just making music – she’s making history. And just recently, she released her latest album Mayhem, which the tour will revolve around. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. 

Renowned Italian artist Giulia Bernadelli, famed for turning coffee spills and food into works of art, is teaming up with the MINT Museum of Toys for a one-day-only workshop. Learn how to spill, swirl and paint using coffee as you create your piece to take home. That’s not all – there’ll be an installation of L’Aperitivo, a series of edible artworks by Giulia, alongside a special curation of Italian wines. Don’t miss the live painting performance where Giulia brings childhood favourites and classic Singapore toys to life through her paintings. Find out more here. 

Though only 60 years young, Singapore boasts a vibrant tapestry of cultures and stories. Taking place from May 1 to 25, the Singapore HeritageFest 2025 celebrates this rich heritage with over 100 engaging programmes – think craft workshops, immersive walking trails, interactive exhibitions and more. Highlights include a brand-new theatrical production that mixes traditional Chinese opera, modern getai and contemporary music, as well as hands-on craft sessions where you can try your hand at tea brewing, lantern making and the art of calligraphy. More details can be found here. 

This year’s vOilah! France Singapore Festival celebrates 60 years of bilateral relations between France and Singapore. Look out for the various exhibitions happening including The Trees of Paris, City SingaPOP, Utopian Drama, Two Rivers and City of Others highlighting the cultural exchanges between both countries. French and Singaporean artists will also hold live theatrical performances, comedy shows, and musical productions. Find out more here.  

Monet Inside has landed at Parkview Square at GROUNDSEESAW Singapore, a space by a South Korea-based exhibition producer. This Singapore showcases more than 200 of Claude Monet's works, including his most iconic masterpieces like Water Lilies, Woman with a Parasol, and Garden at Sainte-Adresse. These are projected onto five six-metre screens and accompanied by original classical scores. It's not just about his art too. Visitors will also journey through Monet's life from his humble beginnings as a caricature artist in Le Havre and the arduous road to becoming one of the most recognised painters in the world. You'll hear it all from the lips of of his longtime friend and art dealer, Paul Durand-Ruel too, who'll be narrating part of the exhibition.

If you’ve missed Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience previously, worry not. You’ve got a second chance to witness the artist’s works at the Van Gogh Inside: Love, Vincent exhibition, arriving at our shores from January 24, 2025. This multi-sensory art exhibition will feature Van Gogh’s famed pieces, such as the beautiful The Starry Night, the haunting Wheatfield with Crows that’s regarded as one of his last paintings, and his self-portraits which depict his striking personality. There’ll be 11 original orchestral soundtracks playing in the background too. More information can be found on the here. 

The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I are just some of the iconicworks by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, known for his symbolist pieces that often feature golden swirls and spirals. To celebrate the famed artist, the Gustav Klimt: Timeless Beauty exhibition will feature his masterpieces through giant light projections and classical music playing in the background, alongside detailed narrations of his life and legacy. Find out more here.