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Sakura 2023
Photograph: Gardens by the Bay

The best things to do in Singapore this week (Mar 18-Mar 24)

Discover the biggest and best things to do in Singapore over the next seven days

Cheryl Sekkappan
Written by
Time Out Singapore editors
&
Cheryl Sekkappan
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If there’s one thing every Singaporean can agree on, it’s that we all love to eat. This week is filled with a variety of festivals and bazaars such as the Geylang Serai bazaar, which features over 500 food and retail stores, as well as the Sakura Matsuri happening at NEX for you to indulge in popular Japanese delicacies. Those looking to get in touch with nature should definitely drop by Gardens by the Bay to view its annual sakura floral display, or head over to the newly opened Sentosa Sensoryscape and check out its unique day-to-night experience. Read on to find out all the best things to do this week.

RECOMMENDED: The best hidden trails in Singapore to explore and Singapore’s best cinemas

Best events in Singapore this week

  • Things to do
  • Marina Bay

Viewing blossoming sakuras in Japan is right up there on many Singaporeans’ bucket list. If you have no plans to make a trip this cherry blossom season, then you’ll be glad to know that there’s a great alternative here in Singapore. The ninth edition of Gardens by the Bay’s sakura floral display is back this March – along with a slew of vibrant programmes showing off Japanese art and culture. Head to the Flower Dome to view cherry blossoms set in a tranquil garden landscape, with a replica of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) forming a stately backdrop to the blush-pink flowers.

  • Things to do
  • City Life

The next time you're at Sentosa, visit Sentosa Sensoryscape, a new attraction that launches today. Put on your walking shoes and pack your camera too, because this sensory walking trail promises some mesmerising sights along the way. Stretching 350 metres north and south of the island, the trail is dotted with six sensory gardens that offer a unique day-to-night experience. The Lookout Loop, Tactile Trellis, Scented Sphere, Symphony Streams, Palate Playground, and Glow Garden were all designed to engage your five senses: with lush plants you can touch and admire, vibrant spices whose tastes and origins you can explore, and soothing audio landscapes you can relax in. At night, each garden transforms with floor projections and light shows to tell the story of Sentosa's unique flora and fauna. 

The after-dark ImagiNite experience starts at 7.50pm daily, so we recommend arriving around 6.30pm to enjoy Sentosa Sensoryscape from day-to-night.  

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Blooms and Bubbles Afternoon Tea at Crossroads Bar
Photograph: Paradox Singapore Merchant Court

3. Blooms and Bubbles Afternoon Tea at Crossroads Bar

For lovers of all things floral, Crossroads Bar at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court is presenting a spring-focused high tea set – the Blooms and Bubbles Afternoon Tea ($118 for two persons) – till April 30. Nibble on floral-infused creations such as sakura salmon tarts with cream cheese, orange blossom tarts with fig, and rose meringues with lychee, along with classic English scones with raspberry cheese and clotted cream.

The best part is that a bottle of prosecco is included as well. Crossroads Bar will also be partnering with Four Pillars Gin till April 30 to bring three gin-based cocktails to the menu, such as the yuzu-forward Paradox Sour, a grapefruit and Shiraz-based concoction, and the savoury Paradox Martini. Find out more and make a reservation here.

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  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Geylang

The annual Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar is back in full swing, and will be running for a full month from now until April 9. This year’s theme is Semangat Raya, meaning ‘spirit of Hari Raya’. There will be over 500 food and retail stalls at the bazaar – slightly fewer than last year’s 700 due to ongoing works around the area. To keep things affordable, most F&B stalls will also be offering two items priced at $3 each. You can expect smaller, mini-sized snacking portions for these, while bigger portions or signature items from the stalls will be available at a top-up.

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  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Rochor

Get your fill of trendy street snacks and shopping at the Kampong Gelam Bazaar. Back in the Malay cultural district from March 2 to April 5, the event this year spotlights Singapore's oldest mosque, Masjid Sultan, in commemoration of its 200th year anniversary. That means you can look forward to special collaborations, the highlight being a dazzling light show showcasing the mosque's history dating back to the 1800s. There will also be art installations planted across the district, if you're ever in the mood for a little artsy treasure hunt. There are 107 food and retails vendors to check out – eat your fill at the likes of Yodaebak, Kream SG, Picanhas, and The Original Pisang Keju. You can also sign up (or donate) to the mass iftar happening next week on March 23 to support selected beneficiaries.

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink events
  • Newton

Penang is synonymous with amazing hawker food, and short of travelling there yourself, you can enjoy the same authentic taste and quality at York Hotel Singapore's Penang Hawkers' Fare. Happening from now till March 24, enjoy iconic street eats like Penang laksa, char kway teow, Penang prawn mee, ice kachang, and much more – all prepared à la minute and enjoyed in the cosy White Rose Café. There's a special new addition to the menu this year to look forward to too – Kiam Chye Th'ng, a flavourful soup cooked with pork and chicken bones, salted mustard green and pork belly that will keep you coming back for more. Reservations for lunch and dinner are now open. 

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  • Things to do
  • Tanglin

Two days, 10 Latin American chefs, and nine DJs make the Latinada Street Food & Music Festival, a feisty celebration of all things Latin American happening on Dempsey Hill at the end of March. Head down to Canchita on March 23 and 24 to savour the best street food from the region – made with love and skill by 10 Latin American chefs based in Asia. There will be nachos, anticuchos, choripanes, salchipapas, and the biggest ceviche ever made in Singapore. Co-founder of the Latinada festival, Tamara Chavez, will also be presenting the Taco Chronicles, a serving of 10 different tacos representing the diverse flavours of Mexico. Wash this all down with drinks like sangria, Pisco Sour, and margaritas. 

 

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink events
  • Rochor

Celebrate Atlas’ 7th anniversary with its inaugural ‘Atlas Chronicles’, a quarterly party night featuring special guests from the World’s Best Bars. Chronicles Volume One will feature Iain McPherson from Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons, known for its pioneering bartending techniques, and guests are highly encouraged to dress in black and white to fit the theme. Expect to sip on innovative cocktails by Panda & Sons and Atlas’ newly launched menu, and indulge in delectable bar bites before dancing up a storm on the dance floor. Guests can purchase a ticket for Chronicles Volume One for $75, which comes with two food or drink tokens.

You can purchase your tickets here.

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  • Theatre
  • Raffles Place

Motherhood and warfare make unusual bed friends in Grounded by George Brant. Presented by Singapore Theatre Company, the play follows an ace fighter pilot who finds herself reassigned to a trailer in the desert following an unexpected pregnancy. There, she juggles her new roles as a military drone operator and a mother – bringing her face-to-face with the paradox between her personal and professional lives. 

Catch Grounded from March 7, 2024 at KC Arts Centre – Home of STC. Enjoy 15 percent off when you book the Watch With Friends package (minimum of four tickets) or save 25 percent when you watch all three shows under the STC Triple Bill.

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  • Music
  • Orchard

Marrying music, art and food is the exciting debut of Hypebeast Live in Singapore, brought to us by contemporary culture and lifestyle global platform, Hypebeast. Held on March 23 over at Trifecta Singapore and Somerset Skate Park from 4pm, look forward to an impressive regional lineup of musical acts, an art presentation, exclusive drops, as well as culinary experiences. Electronic dance music group Autograf will be taking the stage alongside talented local DJs including Nicolette, HBN, and Kiara, so put on your most comfortable shoes and prepare to dance the night away.

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  • Things to do
  • Novena

The party doesn’t have to wait until nightfall to begin, and Las Palmas agrees, introducing a daytime party series titled Daytime Disco. For the first edition of Daytime Disco, London-based DJ Aroop Roy will be spinning tracks for a sundowner party continuing well into the night. Celebrated for his remixing prowess and use of South African soul and Congolese Rumba, Roy has performed at venues and festivals including Fabric, Hi Ibiza, and Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide and We Out Here festivals. Hang out by the pool and enjoy a special menu of cocktails crafted just for the occasion, such as the Planteray Pineapple Rum or the Chilli Margarita.

You can purchase tickets here.

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink events
  • Serangoon

Experience the harmony of Japanese cuisine and cherry blossoms at Sakura Matsuri, making its return to NEX Atrium. This year’s event boasts an abundance of mouthwatering Japanese delicacies from various prefectures such as Hakusuino Kura’s wagyu hamburg and steak bento ($30), and Ishikawa prefecture’s red snow crab stick sushi ($25). Don’t forget to also indulge in a wide variety of desserts, including sweet red bean taiyaki, earl grey apple pies, and fresh strawberry crepes.

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  • Restaurants
  • Eating

It's no secret that Singaporeans love all things matcha. If you're a true-blue Singaporean in that respect, then make a beeline for Café Kitsune, which is offering a new matcha series – just until the end of March. On the menu, you'll find matcha treats like matcha strawberry shortcake ($14) and matcha coco madeleines ($5.50), as well as drinks such as hot matcha latte ($7.50) and 3 Layers Matcha drink ($9). Though on the pricier side, these well-executed desserts and drinks are items we'd gladly drop more cash on. While you're indulging in matcha heaven, be sure to check out Café Kitsune's new line of Barista Fox merchandise.

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • City Hall

Celebrate all things Peranakan at Armenian Street Party: Peranakan Pasar, which returns on March 8 on an extended four-week run. This year, the festival's 8th edition will feature a unique tok panjang experience, kueh-inspired bouncy castles, and the iconic Peranakan afterparty on Armenian Street. There'll be tons of shopping and eating to do during a special night market too, so come with full wallets and empty stomachs. Other programmes highlights include Spice Gallery Tours in collaboration with National Parks Board, and a slew of workshops covering sambal-making, kueh-making, Nyonya needlework lessons, and more. Festival entry is free – just note that some activities and programmes require free registration.

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  • Theatre
  • City Hall

Pangdemonium’s popular production Falling is back after its last run in  2016  and a brief online stream during the pandemic. The play revolves around the lives of a family who have an autistic son and the emotional struggles they go through as they become more exhausted from the round-the-clock job of  caring for him. Andrew Marko, who won the Straits Times Life Theatre Award for Best Actor award during the 2016 run, will be reprising his role as Josh, the autistic 18-year-old son. Don’t miss out on a heart wrenching story that examines a misunderstood and marginalised minority in our community, as well as the meaning of unconditional love.

  • Theatre
  • Musicals
  • Marina Bay

One of Roald Dahl’s classics is back in Singapore. Matilda needs no introduction – she’s a wunderkind with a brilliant mind who bravely faces off against Miss Trunchbull, a terrifying headmistress who seems to have total control over the school. This coming-of-age musical explores the power of knowledge, courage, and justice, presented in a whimsical way to engage young minds and encourage them to be more curious about their world. Matilda has won over 101 awards, including 24 Best Musical awards from the Laurence Olivier Awards and Sydney Theatre Awards, so be sure to grab your tickets before they are all sold out.

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  • Art

The topic of death can be quite an uncomfortable one because it involves the unknown and marks the definitive conclusion of life, a concept undeniably daunting. But it is something that none of us can run away from. So, then how does one prepare for death? Brought to us by ArtsWok Collaborative and the Yishun Health & Wellness Kampung, the exhibition Both Sides, Now: tides steps in at this juncture to confront this question by encouraging and socialising end-of-life conversations and advance care planning. To find out more about their exhibited artworks and programmes, visit their webpage here.

  • Art
  • Painting
  • Bukit Merah

Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju pays homage to planet Earth through his depiction of rainbow waterfalls on large-scale canvases. Standing before his expansive paintings, one can almost sense the cascading water and feel the mist in the air, as if standing before real waterfalls. Experience these painted waterfalls firsthand at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery and don’t miss the chance to meet the artist during the Q&A session alongside Art Historian Dr. Marius Kwint, happening on March 9, 3 to 5pm.

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  • Things to do
  • Mandai

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, River Wonders has prepared special activities for all visitors to the wildlife park. To start off, you can pick up your very own 'River Wonders Explorer Bingo Sheet' to check off fun facts you uncover along your journey – complete a row and redeem a pin for keepsakes! You can attend special keeper talks to learn about creatures like the Mekong giant catfish, or embark on a Ranger Buddies Quest to conquer outposts around River Wonders. There's even an overnight camping experience that includes guided tours, feeding demonstrations, and a hearty buffet at the Night Safari. 

Find out more about the exciting programmes here.

  • Restaurants
  • Eating

If you can't get enough of matcha, then this collaboration is for you. Mister Donut has teamed up with a famed teahouse from Kyoto to produce a series of matcha-flavoured doughnuts. The teahouse is none other than Morihan, an establishment that's been around for almost 200 years. It specialises in Uji matcha, the highest grade of matcha that is prized for its vibrant colour and rich flavour. From February to June this year, Mister Donut will be selling four variations of matcha doughnuts: Uji Matcha Pon De Ring, Uji Matcha Old Fashion, Uji Matcha French, and Uji Matcha Cream. They'll be available during different periods between now and June, so do check Mister Donut’s Instagram Page for the latest updates. 

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