The best things to do in September 2025

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). 

There’s more to Jalan Besar than café-hopping, and Find Your Folks @ Jalan Besar is a great way to explore the neighbourhood. The event brings together a curated mix of food and retail experiences, collaborating with local tenants to showcase their unique offerings. Wild Coco will serve up laksa bowls, samosas and kueh bingka as snacks, while Second Thoughts, a new craft beer bar and restaurant, will dish out grilled cheese, tiger mussels, pani puri, alongside a selection of craft beer and wine. Head to Hue for some classic Thai flavours such as char moo and Thai milk tea. Other vendors include Druggists, Chye Seng Huat Hardware, Just Julia and more.

On September 20 and 21, Hamilton Road will be transformed for the Street Festival, featuring thrift markets, skate jams and community art. The entire road will be closed to traffic, so you can wander freely while live music from Darker Than Wax and Nomad Solar Sound sets the soundtrack for the festivities.

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.

Among Singapore’s many curated marketplaces, Public Garden is arguably one of the most highly anticipated. This mega-marketplace brings together independent brands from across Asia, offering everything from handcrafted accessories and unique ceramics to homeware, stationery and playful apparel. With so many vendors gathered in one place, visitors can browse a wide variety of distinctive products without having to travel across the region.

The MINDS Film Festival is back for its eighth edition, offering an opportunity to connect with and experience stories from individuals with intellectual disabilities. The event features free public screenings of two international films, The Manor from Hong Kong and The Paper Bag Plan from the US across five locations in Singapore. Both films highlight the resilience and strengths of individuals with intellectual disabilities, celebrating their perseverance while inviting viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of independence and ability.

In addition to screenings, the festival will feature pop-up booths by MINDS social enterprises and interactive quizzes centred on the festival’s theme, creating a space for engagement and learning beyond the films.