The best things to do in Singapore this week (May 25-31)

After a decade of calling Boat Quay its home, techno-driven nightclub Headquarters (also commonly known as HQ) is bidding farewell to its beloved two-storey space with a massive and jam-packed send-off, 10 Years of Headquarters: This Was the Place. Be prepared to get extra sweaty on the dancefloor, because this isn’t your average blowout: it’ll be 10 hours of non-stop dancing and music, with 10 back-to-back sets featuring familiar faces behind the cage one last time. The lineup includes Amber H, benben, Dez, Emma SS, Joshua Dillon, Meliah, sho&tell, TMDDJ, Vaibs, and Vinnie Stew. Elsewhere, 3MZY, Boon Shao, EJ, Halis, J.Goh, Kevin Sy, Loyboy, Mr Legume, MSQ, and Shane Naz take control of Upstairs.

Circus, puppetry, physical theatre, visual theatre and comedy collide at Esplanade’s Flipside. It’s a bold 10-day festival that dares everyone to step outside their comfort zone, take a little risk, embrace spontaneity and try something new – whether that means stepping up on stage for a bit of improv, or testing your knowledge at trivia night.

One of the highlights is Snakes and Ladders!, an interactive musical experience by Dwayne Lau, where the audience has to help him reach the end of the giant puzzle within 90 minutes. The catch? Every square hides a surprise, and the entire performance unfolds through improvisation. Another festival standout is A Simple Space, an acrobatic spectacle by Australia’s Gravity & Other Myths. Watch as the troupe twist, bend and contort their bodies to the pulse of live drumming. Also not to be missed is Der Lauf (The Way Things Go), which puts a juggler and his doppelgänger through a series of increasingly unpredictable tasks, from balancing spinning plates to stacking glasses with boxing gloves, all while blindfolded.

Beyond thrilling performances and gravity-defying acts, the programme also includes a talk that dives into the development of contemporary circus in Singapore, from the post-war period to the present day. There are also beginner-friendly workshops to contact juggling and unicycling.

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.

Calling all gamers and e-sports fans, the inaugural Singapore Game Fest debuts at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre for three days of all things competitive gaming, alongside community activations, cosplay showcases and interactive technology experiences.

The first-ever SG Game Fest also marks a monumental moment for Southeast Asian women in gaming. Don’t miss the two tournaments, Cyberathlete Women’s Invitational (CWI) and the Cyberathlete Championship Cup (CCC), where the region’s top players go head-to-head in games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Teamfight Tactics.

Elsewhere, there’s the original comic art exhibition, which puts the spotlight on Singapore’s growing comic art scene. Aside from getting up close with the various art, you can also meet with local creators and sit in on insightful panel discussions to gather inspiration.

Other festival highlights include a LAN party and Campus Legends Secondary School, where you can cheer on live matches. Trading card enthusiasts won’t be left out either, with more than 160 vendors gathering to offer everything from artist merch and collectibles to rare fan finds.

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.

Stories and books take centre stage at Monstrous Fun, a three-day family-friendly programme organised by The Arts House. Here, monsters aren’t your usual scary beasts; they’re reimagined as playful friends who spark curiosity and creativity for the little ones. Look forward to a series of performances, hands-on workshops and activities that encourage storytelling and creative play.

Highlights include free face-painting sessions, a monster parade, and Journey West – Web of Deceit by Paper Monkey Theatre. In this interactive puppet performance, the audience helps a monk and his disciples as they go on a thrilling adventure that leads them to the Spider Demon. Elsewhere, families and children can also contribute to the collaborative art installation The Garden. Paint pebbles and plant flowers to grow a shared green space together.

For the junior bookworms, don’t miss out on the Monsters Fun Book Fair, which boasts curated titles from a wide range of genres and languages. Pick up new bilingual books, comics or parent-approved novels written by local authors.

That’s not all, though – get your broods dressed up as their favourite monster and they might even win some prizes. Check here for more info.

Nutmeg & Clove celebrates its 12th birthday with the third edition of its Nutmeg Cocktail Fiesta – and it’s going big. For four days, the restaurant-bar at Purvis Street has invited 14 local and international bartenders, from cities like Rome, New York and São Paulo, for a special global takeover. Each night takes on a different theme and pairs drinks with a curated menu for a total globe-trotting experience.

The fiesta kicks off with a Rome Edition, spotlighting Italian specialities that channel the city’s bold and expressive spirit. Next comes an all-American showcase featuring two of its most-talked-about mixologists, Harrison Ginsberg of Overstory and Christine Kim of Service Bar, alongside elevated takes of the country’s iconic eats.

Meanwhile, the Latin Edition brings its street food traditions into the mix with vibrant cocktails and tasty tacos, before the fiesta wraps it all up with an Asian homecoming, a night celebrating the region’s innovative cocktail culture and scene with wok-fired plates.

Myles – Soulmate in a Box is a bold new musical by local singer-songwriter Inch Chua, presented by Singapore Repertory Theatre at the KC Arts Centre - Home of SRT from May 13. The show follows a coder who, fed up with situationships and modern dating struggles, decides to build her ideal partner. Enter Myles, who's attentive, intuitive and designed to love without limits. But as his intelligence deepens, so do the complications, revealing that perfection comes with its own terms and conditions. 

Blending genre-defying music from jazz to hyperpop with immersive visuals and multimedia, the show is as sonically adventurous as it is emotionally charged, exploring love, loneliness and connection in an AI-driven world. Funny, tender and slightly unsettling, it’s a modern romance that asks: if something understands you perfectly, is it love or just very good programming? Find out more here.

Book tickets here

From now until the end of the month, Asian Film Archive has curated an extensive film programme titled Reel Singapore that goes beyond tracing Singapore’s cinematic history to capture the nation’s multicultural, its ever-evolving identity, and the future. Organised around five themes, History-Memory, Sonic Nation, Rebel Energies, Horrific Fabulations, and Speculative Futures, the lineup includes both short and feature-length films that are produced and shot by homegrown and international filmmakers alike.

Some highlights include Jian Hong Kuo’s sci-fi flick Cyber Wars and the classic horror tale, Anak Pontianak, directed by Ramon Estella. There’s also a double-bill screening of Eric Khoo’s Pain, alongside Toh Hai Leong’s grungy mockumentary, Zombie Dogs, which will be followed by a post-show discussion.

The month-long programme concludes with an encore screening of History-Memory shorts, which includes 2025’s Twilight Ladies, and 2003’s Utama—Every Name in History is I, a story that charts Sang Nila Utama’s arrival. For the full programme details, check here.

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.

After fine-tuning its operations, independent cinema Filmhouse is ready for its grand housewarming from April 30 to May 30. The month-long celebration kicks off with the Music in Film series, featuring titles like Whiplash and La La Land. The rhythm continues with a Michael Jackson sing-along, live R&B jams with Tim De Cotta, and a vinyl market by Bizarro Market on May 23. Wrap up the festivities with a late-night concert featuring local bands and DJs. It’s a soulful homecoming for film buffs and music lovers alike in the cinema's newly polished, cosy theatres.

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.

For the eighth edition of Objectifs’ Documentary Awards Exhibition, the gallery presents a lineup of new photography showcases, meet-the-artist sessions and an exclusive masterclass. The artists featured this year tell important stories from Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia – Victoria Perote’s In Honour of Tranquil Shores, for example, uses photography to chronicle the experiences of a group of women during the Martial Law period in the Philippines. Beyond the exhibitions, you can also sign up for masterclasses, including The Art of the Pitch. Led by award-winning Filipino photojournalist Ezra Acayan, it details the pitching process, drawn from his real-life experiences and professional insights. 

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.

Books are most definitely not dead. Steidl Book Culture. Magic on Paper celebrates the printed word in a world of digital overconsumption. Presented by DECK and Goethe-Institut Singapore, this exhibition marks legendary publisher Gerhard Steidl’s return to Singapore after nearly a decade. Immerse yourself in sculptural installations by powerhouse artists Dayanita Singh, Theseus Chan, and Jim Dine as they explore the craft of bookmaking. Don’t miss public programmes, artist conversations, and the Steidl Bookshop pop-up, where you can browse and buy limited edition releases and the latest titles.

Calling all Pokémon fans, a Pokémon truck might be headed your way. From now until June, this roving gaming station is travelling across Singapore and various shopping malls to let you step inside its new Pokémon Pokopia world. The game, to be released on Nintendo Switch 2 this March, is a cosy life simulation where you play as the character Ditto to rebuild a desolate world with the help of your new Pokémon friends. Try out the game at four demo stations in the truck, head to the colouring zone, or snap a picture at the Pokémon Pokopia-themed photobooth.

You can also cop exclusive Pokémon Pokopia merch to add to your collection and get the chance to meet with Pikachu himself. His appearance is limited to selected sessions, so keep an eye out for his whereabouts.

Discover the art and culture of tea at Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie, a brand-new exhibition by the Asian Civilisation Museum, in collaboration with CHAGEE. This multi-sensory showcase goes beyond the taste and smell to trace the history of tea, from how it has shaped different rituals, practices and cultures for centuries to its role in our daily lives. The exhibition features collections from the past, such as historic tea wares and 3D-printed replicas, as well as newly commissioned contemporary art from local creatives. Step into an atmospheric display of tea leaves in floating paper forms, or tease your ears with a series of ASMR-inspired videos produced that explore the symphonic experience of tea.

The exhibition also extends outside of the gallery walls with a CHAGEE pop-up along the Singapore River. It offers a menu of its standard beverages alongside exclusive merchandise, including a horse plushie charm available in two special variations: blue and light brown.

Start the year with a visit to Singapore Art Museum’s latest installation, Nafasan Bumi – An Endless Harvest, featuring works by Indonesian artists Elia Nurvista and Bagus Pandega. The exhibition explores the environmental costs of economic growth in an era of climate crisis, while exploring how the items we use today may leave their mark on the future.

This immersive environment brings together kinetic, multimedia and sculptural installations that trace the impact of extractive economies across regional and global networks. Highlights include batik and palm oil sculptures depicting plantation labourers, mechanical systems powered by biofeedback from live plants and more.

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.

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).