The best things to do in Singapore this week (June 8-14)

There’s a sea of flower plushies waiting to be picked at Gardens by the Bay’s IMBA Theatre. The popular immersive art installation by Australian contemporary artist Cj Hendry invites you to step into a massive greenhouse, featuring over 30 flower types, from classic blooms like roses and sunflowers to Singapore exclusives, such as the Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, the Raffles' Pitcher Plant, and the Singapore Ginger Flower. The best part? Everyone gets to take home a free stalk. And if you’d like to get any additional flowers to complete your plushie bouquet, you can purchase them for $7 per stem.

While online registration for all five days is closed, walk-ins are still accepted. Queue updates will be shared throughout the week on IMBA’s official Instagram, so keep an eye out.

Family comedies, gruesome thrillers and tender, coming-of-age dramas are what you can expect at this year’s Italian Film Festival at Filmhouse. The lineup for the 24th edition of the programme features 11 contemporary films, from cult classics to debut features, that reflect the diversity and evolving landscape of Italian cinema. Highlights include Sweetheart, a story that explores the unexpected bond between a pre-teen boy and his great-aunt; Unicorni, a couple’s heartfelt journey on self-acceptance; and Buen Camino, which follows a father who embarks on a search for his missing daughter, but discovers more about himself along the way.

And not to be missed: Damiano Michieletto’s award-winning directorial debut, Primavera, a lavish historical film that follows Cecilia, a brilliant violinist who challenges social norms and expectations of that time to forge her own path with the guidance of a visionary composer. 

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Winnie the Pooh. Maybe it’s the gentle life lessons or memories of flipping through the well-loved storybooks as a kid. This June school holidays, those warm fuzzy feelings come to life at Gardens by the Bay, where Children’s Festival 2026 transforms Supertree Grove into a playful Hundred Acre Wood-inspired adventure. 

Running from now till June 21, the free festival celebrates 100 years of the beloved bear with giant inflatables, interactive play zones and family-friendly activities. To help you make the most of the experience, we’ve mapped out a family-friendly trail through the festival grounds, taking you from ziplines beneath the Supertrees to honey-themed ball pits.

Football fever is about to hit Singapore in a major way. From June 11 to July 20, CHIJMES and Capitol Singapore are transforming into a buzzing FIFA World Cup 2026 fan zone featuring live screenings, football-themed activations, match-day parties, and plenty of food and drinks to keep you cheering well past midnight. One highlight is the official opening watch party at CHIJMES on June 11, featuring Mexican cultural performances, live DJ sets, and a screening of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on a huge 360-inch screen. Swing by the Main Lawn throughout the season for more live screenings, an al fresco F&B village, soccer clinics, and penalty shoot-out challenges. 

Over at Capitol Singapore, things get equally lively with DRAX Drone Soccer Sky Games, football clinics with Flair Football Academy, live watch-along with former Singapore international footballer Fazrul Nawaz and football accuracy challenges with prizes up for grabs.

Leave all your seriousness at the door because it’s only about to get seriously silly at RIOT! Blooming Idiot. Singapore’s one-and-only drag royalty, Becca D’Bus, returns to Hard Rock Cafe to host yet another chaotic evening of drag-fuelled mayhem. It’s going to be loud, outrageous and very, very filthy. Joining the night to serve laughter and looks are your crowd favourites Kak Nina Boo, Sapphire Blast, Ivanya Vylette, Izzy Ershii, and Kira Moon.

After the main show, make sure to stay on for a celebration of sapphic excellence and queer achievements with the Nail Clipper Club’s Sapphic Awards Ceremony. There’ll be plenty of unserious titles up for grabs, including “Most Secure as a Carabiner” and “Best Strap Performance”. So start nominating your friends (or even yourself).

If you've got a thing for fantasy and local folklore, then mark your calendars for Lion City Faire. Themed "A Symphony of Land and Sea," the weekend festival unfolding at Fort Canning Park draws inspiration from regional myths, legends, and historical figures to create a culturally rich fantasy playground. Imagine fairy courts inspired by the Merlion, or warriors and spellcasters that draw from icons such as Sang Nila Utama and Badang. Beyond costumes and role-playing, the two-day affair features a massive marketplace with over 70 vendors, craft activities and workshops like sword-fighting and miniature painting, drag shows by Opera Tang, and for Baldur's Gate fans, a chance to meet and greet British actor Theo Solomon.

It’s time to live out your Disney dreams at Gardens by the Bay. Floral Fantasy comes alive once again with the return of Disney Garden of Wonder, which opens from now until March 2027. For its second instalment, the impressive horticultural display features over 20 Disney and Pixar character topiaries spread across six zones. One of the biggest highlights at this year’s showcase is the debut of Anna and Elsa from Frozen. The Arendelle sisters each get their own floral setting, complete with a frosty archway and icy mountains, alongside other Disney princesses like Jasmine from Aladdin, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Rapunzel from Tangled.

Other returning favourites include Toy Story heroes Buzz Lightyear and Jessie, plus Winnie the Pooh and pals. You can also expect light-hearted installations that feature Disney icons in a more Singaporean setting, such as a playful display of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck operating a teh tarik stall.

Missed out on FIN Crafted Goods at Boutiques Singapore last month? Don’t fret. The homegrown design studio is taking over the Journey East showroom for an exclusive weekend pop-up to showcase more handcrafted garments and accessories. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship and immaculate fabric restoration work, local menders Erliana Kamiti and Fahmy Ishak are set to debut a limited-edition 10-piece capsule collection of vintage workwear jackets, alongside a curated drop of cosy and eccentric home textiles, from cushion covers to table runners.

If you think your wardrobe is missing a statement piece, then you’re in for a treat. The jackets from the collection are handstitched and combine the duo’s signature Boro patchwork style with the intricate beauty of Japanese and Indian woodblock printing. Best of all – no two pieces are exactly alike. Meaning once they’re off the rack, they’re gone for good. Rounding out the event are a selection of artisan bakes and beverages, courtesy of Kraackhaus.

Football fans, sneakerheads and kit collectors, this one's for you. Nike Football has teamed up with Weston Corp for one of Singapore's largest football assortments, from the latest boots and national team jerseys to lifestyle apparel and accessories. There are also exclusive customisation services, interactive experiences and plenty of content-worthy corners inspired by Nike Football's 'Rip the Script' campaign, which celebrates the creativity and flair that make the beautiful game so exciting.

Even if you don't know your offside rule from your corner kick, there's plenty to appreciate. Football jerseys have long transcended the pitch to become streetwear staples, and the pop-up showcases the sport's influence on fashion and youth culture. Browse iconic kits, discover fresh releases and soak up the tournament buzz – or take things a step further by signing up for the inaugural Weston Cup from June 8 to July 11.

The Marina Bay precinct is coming alive after hours once again as i Light Singapore returns for yet another edition. The theme for this year’s showcase is Movement, and features 14 sustainable light installations designed by 17 artists from Singapore and across the region. Each artwork is built with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient lighting, and reflects how our actions – no matter how big or small – can affect the things around us.

Among the highlights is Wave by Japanese artist Masamichi Shimada. The interactive installation visualises the ripple effect through light and audio. For something a little more trippy, head to Raffles Place Park, where Arch Flower by Cyril Lancelin lies, a mesmerising tubular sculpture that draws inspiration from the city’s tropical gardens.

Over at the Marina Bay mist walk, step into a garden of wildflowers created with reclaimed metal offcuts and recycled carpet that glow and sway when touched. See the full lineup of featured installations here.

Entering its fifth year, GastroBeats returns to the Bayfront Event Space for another month of food, live music and carnival games against the backdrop of Marina Bay. Part of i Light Singapore, the food and music festival brings together more than 40 F&B brands, emerging local musicians and all sorts of interactive experiences in one sprawling waterfront village.

Be sure to come hungry folks, because the F&B lineup goes beyond your typical festival fare to serve everything from street food favourites and decadent sweet treats to hearty mains. Think mala tater tots, crispy corndogs and local desserts, alongside flavourful pizzas, pastas, tacos and wagyu rice bowls. And between the bites, stick around for the live performances from up-and-coming bands, who will be taking the stage after completing GIG-ers, a GastroBeats mentorship programme in partnership with Sony Music.

While food and music are the highlights, the fun doesn’t end there. This year’s edition also features curated play zones for all ages, including pickleball courts for some friendly after-hours competition, and a carnival complete with bumper cars, horse carousels, a Viking ship and other nostalgic funfair rides.

Calling all sci-fi and fantasy fans: have you ever wondered what it might feel like to step into the world of your favourite novel or game? Now you can experience it for real with The Portals Experience at Fever Exhibition Hall. Billed as the world’s most extensive collection of original fantasy and science-fiction art, the exhibition invites you to step into eight richly imagined realms to explore more than 300 masterpieces, alongside over 10,000 books and miniatures that have inspired beloved universes, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, Dune and Warhammer 40,000.

Displayed are also original book cover art for classic titles, including David Wingrove’s White Moon, Red Dragon, and The Day After Tomorrow by Robert A. Heinlein. The experience is completed with immersive, larger-than-life sets that’ll transport you to these magical worlds. No digital screens or VR technology, just elaborate backdrops and plenty of imagination to create the ultimate photo op.

Held alongside the exhibition is Future Singapore: 2126, a commissioned series by Singapore-based illustrator Kristal Melson featuring three neon-coloured prints that imagine the city-state 100 years into the future through a vibrant, sci-fi fantasy lens. You can also cop the exclusive artworks as merch, available at the Portals gift shop.

When a woman goes missing for more than two days, a man is brought in to assist with the investigation. On paper, Cameron Andrews seems like the perfect man, except almost too perfect. A filial son, a successful entrepreneur, and well-respected by his peers – Cameron insists he only wants to help. But when Detective Ruth Palmer begins to question his motive, she starts to believe there’s something dangerous hiding behind his innocent exterior.

Directed by Krish Natarajan, An Interrogation is an adaptation of English playwright Jamie Armitage’s psychological thriller debut of the same name. The play, set within the confines of a police interrogation room, is loosely based on the gripping real case of Colonel Russell Williams, whose brutal murders and criminal activities shocked Canada in the 2010s. Local talents Nadya Zaheer, Salif Hardie and Lim Kay Siu star in this unsettling and intense production that explores deception, constructed identities and unspoken truths.

The June school holidays have arrived, which means one thing: the annual Children’s Season is back. The kid-friendly festival organised by the Children’s Museum Singapore returns with a sustainability-themed edition that encourages your little ones to become superheroes for planet Earth. Expect a lineup of hands-on activities, performances, parent-child workshops and more designed to spark curiosity about the environment through play, discovery and imagination. The holiday fun stretches out to over 20 museums across the city, including the Indian Heritage Centre, KidsSTOP™ and Singapore Maritime Gallery.

Also coinciding with the International Day of Play on 11 June 2026, this year’s Children's Season presents a week of interactive family-friendly programmes dedicated to creativity and “all play, no rules”. The celebrations culminate in a weekend carnival along Armenian Street featuring bouncy castles, LEGO activities, football challenges, a bimbimbap workshop and craft sessions. Look out for The Funfair of Forgotten Futures, which reimagines traditional carnival games through the lens of sustainability and environmental action.

The ninth edition of the LGBTQIA+ film festival returns with a slew of cult classics, new indie favourites and thought-provoking documentaries. The month-long programme held at Filmhouse kicks off with To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Directed by Beeban Kidron, the ’90s drag road-trip comedy starring Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo follows the trio as they struggle to make their way to Los Angeles after their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

The film programme’s roster continues with screenings of Cactus Pears, a drama set in rural India; Montreal, My Beautiful, a story about a Chinese Canadian immigrant who falls in love with a free-spirited woman; and Yihwen Chen’s Queer as Punk, which documents Singapore and Malaysia’s queer history. The film festival concludes with a special screening of Brokeback Mountain, where everyone’s invited to dress up in their best rodeo getup. The movie will be followed by a panel conversation that discusses the cultural impact of Ang Lee’s Western flick, and how queer stories have evolved on screen. Ticket sales from the event will go toward supporting Proud Spaces and their ongoing work with the LGBTQ+ community.

Step into a world where chocolate rivers are real and not a fantasy. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is brought to life once again in this musical adaptation, which puts a whimsical theatrical spin on the beloved Roald Dahl classic. If you aren’t familiar with the story already, here’s the gist: the story follows a boy, Charlie Bucket, who receives a Golden Ticket to visit the eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka’s fantastical candy empire alongside several other children. However, there’s more to the factory than meets the eye, where every room hides mysterious inventions and strange surprises. Sugary chaos ensues, and what happens after, you’ll have to watch for yourself.

Featuring iconic songs from the original 1971 film and brand-new numbers, this stage production offers an immersive storytelling experience with unforgettable moments. And to make things extra sweet and delicious? Hundreds of Golden Tickets, which you can use to claim exclusive deals and treats, will be hidden beneath seats in the theatre throughout the show’s run. Keep an eye out.

There is another viral Japanese dessert in town. Cheese Wonder, the popular no–bake cheesecake brand from Hokkaido, arrives at ION Orchard for a limited time from May 8 to July 3, 2026. Sourced from the brand’s own farm, these rich treats are made with Hokkaido milk, cream, and free–range eggs. The menu features three items: the original 4–piece set, the Wonder Sand cheese sandwich cookies, and the seasonal Cheese Wonder Red – a strawberry–infused cheese mousse with a juicy fruit centre. Since their launch in 2021, these "fantasy desserts" have typically sold out in minutes. The basement pop–up opens daily at 10am, so stop by early to grab a set before they fly off the shelves.

Step into the Minecraft universe as Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue makes its Asian debut at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. From April 24 to September 13, fans of all ages can embark on a thrilling, interactive quest through eight larger-than-life themed rooms. Equipped with an “Orb of Interaction,” you’ll craft, build, and battle to save a village from a zombie attack – all in under an hour. Successful heroes can even claim a limited-edition in-game cape. With theatrical sets and plenty of photo ops, it’s a high-stakes, blocky adventure that brings the digital game to life in the real world.

Play and discovery collide at the National Gallery’s newest children's exhibition, When Art Meets Nature, opening April 30. Co-curated with Taiwan’s Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts, the showcase transforms the gallery into a multi-sensory forest ecosystem. Explore Peace Forest by Soh Ee Shaun, a soft-sculpture playground that teaches kids about biodiversity, or dive into Where the River Runs, an interactive audio experience by Yenting Hsu centred on indigenous Taiwanese traditions. Through art and play, this immersive journey encourages young explorers to reimagine their relationship with the natural world and the creatures that protect our planet.

Explore the human body through Flesh and Bones: The Art of Anatomy at the ArtScience Museum. This landmark exhibition, in partnership with the Getty Research Institute, traces how the body has been imagined from the 16th century to today. This Singapore edition highlights Asian perspectives, featuring over 40 objects from the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and insights into Ayurveda. With 160+ artefacts, including life-sized illustrations, medical manuscripts, and scientific specimens, it’s a deep dive into medical history and art.

In this larger-than-life artwork taking over the National Gallery’s Padang Atrium, contemporary Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul captures the dynamic and passionate cultures and lives that make up the diverse Singaporean community. Following a year-long engagement with migrant workers, indigenous groups and faith organisations, the artist’s revelations and discoveries are translated into spectacular billboard paintings, video interviews and a travelogue that celebrates their vibrant stories and voices.

The showcase is supported by an enriching two-part programme that highlights the people who have inspired the installation. Join in on fireside chats with the artist to explore behind the scenes and the empowering migrant stories. Singaporama Unfolded Part I centres on Kaugnay, an organisation for Filipina domestic workers, and its fabulous Trashion Show, while Part II traces the history of migration in Singapore. The latter presents a performance of a traditional Indian folk dance by Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) Ambassadors, alongside a discussion on identity, community and collaboration.

Five women, over 50 artworks and one shared mission. This exhibition brings Southeast Asian artists Amanda Heng (Singapore), Dolorosa Sinaga (Indonesia), Imelda Cajipe-Endaya (Philippines), Nirmala Dutt (Malaysia) and Phaptawan Suwannakudt (Thailand) to display their work together in Singapore for the very first time. But more than just an art showcase, Fear No Power is a space to have a conversation about meaningful change and the artists’ decades-long commitment to it. Featuring photography, paintings, sculptures and performances that date all the way back to the 1960s, this multidisciplinary exhibition examines the concept of communal world-building across the region and what it means to forge a community. Every piece of work is an intimate and powerful reflection deeply rooted in care, collaboration and resistance.

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.