The best things to do in Singapore this week (May 19-25)

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. 

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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Garden Vibes returns to Serangoon Gardens on May 24 for its second edition, hosted by Little Farms and myVillage. This one-day festival includes an open-air farmers’ market, family-friendly activities, and wellness workshops that focus on mindful living. Highlights include a rooftop yoga session and a curated line-up of more than 20 F&B producers from Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. More details can be found here. 

Brace yourself for a throwback to the 90s as the 'End of the Road' leads straight to The Star Theatre on May 23. R&B legends Boyz II Men are back for one night only, promising an evening of soul, swoon, and serious nostalgia. Expect to belt out 'I'll Make Love to You', sway to 'One Sweet Day', and maybe even shed a little tear (no judgement). With a career spanning three decades, four Grammy Awards, and more slow-dance jams than you can count, Boyz II Men are ready to serve up 'Motownphilly' magic, and you won't want to miss it. After all, they’re not just any R&B group – they’re the best-selling one of all time.

Reel Rock returns to The Projector at Cineleisure with a lineup of climbing films that dive deep into themes of tenacity, redemption, and human connection. These documentaries include Death of Villains, The Cobra & the Heart and Riders on the Storm. On May 17, guests can also check out a one-day market and shop bouldering essentials from brands like Full Crimp Milk and Isaac Thread. More information can be found here.

Local creative community GOFY presents Melting Thresholds, a group exhibition spotlighting four emerging Southeast Asian artists – Shu and Money Wang from Malaysia, Nina Sach from Thailand, and Jaeyyelle from Singapore. Running from May 17 to September 14, 2025 at Sweet Cheeks, the show explores dreamlike spaces through a series of quirky artworks that reflect on identity, memory, and transformation. The exhibition also features limited-edition gelato flavours by Sweet Cheeks, and all artworks are available for purchase on-site. 

Local bedding brand SOJAO has launched its Art Pop-Up at its store at 251 Joo Chiat Road, running from May 10 to June 15. The pop-up features a curated selection of homeware and decoration by local artists. If you’re looking to refresh your living space, swing by and discover a range of unique finds – from Big Red Chilli’s vibrant, quirky artworks, to Rousong.ware’s one-of-a-kind ceramics, and Every Knitted Thing’s handmade trinkets like knitted coasters to brighten up your home.

Local brand Beyond The Vines celebrates its 10th anniversary with Dumpling District – a  tribute to its cult-favourite Dumpling Bags. This special experience invites shoppers to personalise their bags with bold, playful touches. For an additional $10, a BTV Doodle – available in two designs – can be added to your Dumpling Bag. You can also customise a beaded keychain charm and attach it to your bag. The Dumpling District is happening at the Beyond The Vines Design House, New Bahru, and Takashimaya S.C. stores from now until May 30, 2025. Online shoppers will receive a pre-assembled BTV Doodle and keychain with orders placed on June 1, 2025.

The European Union Film Festival returns to The Projector at Cineleisure with a month-long showcase of award-winning films that celebrate Europe’s film industry and culture. This year’s edition features 26 screenings, from gripping dramas to striking animations. In honour of Singapore’s 60th birthday, the Six at Sixty segment spotlights six short films by young local filmmakers, followed by a post-show dialogue. Upcoming films include Waltzing Matilda, Close, The Girl with the Needle, and My Grandfather’s Demons. More information can be found here.

Catch it before it’s gone – the With Love Pop-Up store at 23 Keong Saik Road is wrapping up on May 25, 2025. Since its launch in September 2024, the curated retail space has featured over 30 brands from Asia Pacific, including loungewear by Malaysia’s Wustler, footwear by Indonesia’s Nakedsol, and tailored womenswear by Singapore’s Paper Palette. More information can be found here.

Though only 60 years young, Singapore boasts a vibrant tapestry of cultures and stories. 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. 

Step through a vine-covered entrance and into the realm of Wonders of Nature, the New Art Museum Singapore's newest kid-friendly exhibition that highlights the significance of the natural world. Featuring works by eight international artists including Yayoi Kusama and Go Yayanagi, the exhibition unfolds across five sections, each offering interactive artworks and immersive projections that bring the beauty of nature to life through art.

National Gallery Singapore’s latest show highlights the journeys of influential Asian artists like Foujita Tsuguharu, Georgette Chen, and Liu Kang, who brought their unique cultural backgrounds to Paris at the height of its modern art movement. The exhibition uncovers how their personal stories and heritage shaped their work, leaving a lasting mark on Paris’s art scene and influencing the course of modern art. 

Experience the inner workings of the mind like never before in Mirror Mirror: Journey Into the Mind, opening on March 1 at Marina Bay Sands. Created by Moment Factory, this immersive exhibition takes visitors through eight interactive rooms that explore themes such as memory, perception, and ego. Using innovative technology and artistic expression, the exhibit brings the intangible aspects of the human psyche to life in a visually stunning and thought-provoking way.

The stunning Gardens by the Bay is set to get even more magical this festive season. For the first time in Singapore, all your Disney and Pixar favourites are coming to life at the floral wonderland’s new Garden of Wonder showcase. As you stroll through Gardens by the Bay’s Floral Fantasy, you’ll be greeted by eight stunning themed topiaries featuring lovable characters like Winnie the Pooh, Ariel and Flounder from The Little Mermaid, and Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. Get in on the magic here.

Held at Resorts World Sentosa, the Singapore edition of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic promises to be even bigger and better, with an additional 10,000 square feet of space for even more magical moments to unfold. Step into familiar scenes from the Potterverse including the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, Ministry of Magic, and more, as special interactive technology and multimedia elements are weaved with captivating soundscapes to bring enchantment to us muggles. With realistic replicas of what you see in the movies, along with eye-catching illuminations, there are sure to be a ton of photo-worthy opportunities. Find out more here.

Batik, a timeless art form and symbol of Southeast Asian heritage, takes centre stage at the Peranakan Museum. This captivating exhibition shines a spotlight on the creative and entrepreneurial journeys of three remarkable Peranakan women from the bustling port city of Pekalongan, Indonesia. Meet Nyonya Oeij Soen King, her daughter-in-law Nyonya Oeij Kok Sing, and granddaughter Jane Hendromartono, each a batik master in her own right. Discover their inspiring stories through about 200 objects, including cherished family heirlooms and 60 stunning batik pieces from the 1890s to the 1980s. You can also explore batik’s evolution through time at the interactive stations. Then take a fun mobile quiz to uncover your personal batik style and score an exclusive bookmark to take home. Keep an eye out for exciting pop-up performances, hands-on craft activities, and engaging curator tours during your visit.