The best things to do in Singapore this week (September 29-October 5)

Singapore’s skyline is about to go full throttle with After 2049, the official closing party of Token2049, taking over the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck on October 3. Timed with the F1 night race, the rooftop rager serves up views of speeding cars alongside a 360-degree spatial audio setup by Polygon Live – think sound swirling above, around and through you. Headlining the decks: Italian duo Mind Against, with support from festival favourites Ajna and Samm, plus Anonm, Leon (FR), Milam and Mo-Shi. Tickets start at $199 – limited capacity, sky-high vibes. Oh, and exclusive IM8 door gifts included.

Big news, VIPs: G-Dragon’s Übermensch pop-up is landing at Jewel Changi Airport from October 1 to 13. Fresh off runs in Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong, the multimedia exhibition takes over two floors with graffiti-streaked subway sets, giant daisy inflatables and even 3D holograms of GD himself – almost like a private performance. Past editions also featured an immersive VR music video experience, so expect plenty of photo-worthy moments. The pop-up coincides with his third solo album, Übermensch, so get your playlists ready, outfits planned, and oppa poses perfected. 

For the fourth edition of Crack the Case, The Dreamcatcher follows Kamil Noor, a scientist in the fictional city of Ikanpura, who becomes a prime suspect after a device he planted at an undisclosed location.

This immersive mystery experience is a fun way to bond with your friends while racing against the clock, as it fuses theatre with escape-room elements, inviting audiences to solve puzzles, uncover clues and piece together Kamil’s plans before time runs out. Don’t expect to sit back and watch the action unfold onstage, as everyone is encouraged to move around the theatrical set, explore the cinematic space and interact with the environment.

Back for its eighth edition, Women in Film and Photography at Objectifs takes on the theme What We Carry – unpacking self-identity, belonging and the memories we hold (or need to let go of). Artists from across Asia bring intimate works drawn from lived experiences, inviting audiences to reflect on the weight of personal histories. Screenings include A Quiet Load, Camp! Along the Mekong River, and Carnival of Solitude: The World of Qiu Miaojin. Beyond film, dive into workshops on paper-crafting and map-making, or join masterclasses in visual storytelling where you can even develop your own photo book.

Singapore’s F1 Grand Prix fever is back, and Plaza Singapura is joining the action by transforming its outdoor plaza into an F1-themed playground. It's 11 action-packed days of shopping, fitness challenges, wellness workshops, and race-themed activities. 

Kick things off with high-octane 20 to 30-minute HIIT workouts and fitness challenges designed to test your stamina. Afterwards, hit the Refuel Bar for some Monster Energy drinks to recharge. And if you’re already decked out in your best racing-inspired outfit, strike a pose at the racing-themed photo installations and AI stations where the backdrops make you feel like you’re really on the track. You can also browse athleisure collections from various retail brands, and try your luck at a gamified gifting experience where shopping vouchers and other prizes are up for grabs.

Presented by local wellness platform Half, the Museum of Hidden Objects and Feelings invites you to pause and reconnect with the quieter parts of yourself. The exhibition unfolds across eight interactive booths, showcasing personal items like sketchbooks and childhood keepsakes – each carrying the emotions and memories of its owner. Through these everyday objects, the museum highlights how things can anchor meaning and spark connection, whether you relate to someone else’s story or see your own experiences in a new light. Visitors can also contribute: upload a photo and short write-up of your chosen object, anonymously if you wish.

New Bahru's upcoming edition of its Extra Curious Activities fairs is themed Pit Stop, a playful nod to the Singapore F1 Grand Prix. It's the place to “pull in, refuel your senses and set off with fresh discoveries”. Over 70 local brands and creators will be in the mix, spanning F&B, retail, wellness and more. Among the highlights are Café Nesuto’s delicious pastries, Moom Health’s supplements, quirky creations from Plook Plook Studio, scents by Scent Journer, and bold t-shirt designs from Tell Your Children. Beyond shopping and eating, you’ll also find art installations, DIY leather bag charm workshops and even F1 racing simulator experiences to rev up the adrenaline.

Japanese cinema goes far beyond the enchanting worlds of Studio Ghibli. The Japanese Film Festival returns this year to celebrate the breadth and depth of the country’s filmmaking, with screenings at Golden Village Suntec City and Oldham Theatre.

The line-up spans tender coming-of-age tales, thought-provoking dramas and everything in between. Opening the festival is Hayakawa Chie’s Renoir, an intimate and ethereal sophomore feature – made even more special with the director herself attending for an exclusive Q&A and masterclass. Other highlights include Cells at Work!, 6 Lying University Students, A Girl Named Ann and many others.

Mid-Autumn Festival is back at Gardens by the Bay, and this year’s edition doubles as a birthday bash for SG60. Leading the way are Ang Ku Kueh Girl and her foodie friends Curry Puff Boy, Sugee Cake Girl and Roti Prata Boy, who’ll guide you through giant lantern sets charting Singapore’s journey from kampung days to modern skyline. Keep an eye out for a Merlion and Haetae lantern celebrating Singapore–Korea ties, plus a butterfly display honouring Singapore–China relations. Beyond the glow: lantern walks, DIY workshops, tea tastings, live performances, street food galore and even carnival rides to round out the night.

As the countdown to the F1 Grand Prix weekend ramps up, Aperol is hosting a one-night-only race party at Nova, Singapore’s highest rooftop bar. Groove to nu-disco beats from Ice Cream Sundays DJ duo Bongomann b2b Toppings and DJ Chucheewa, as you sip on free-flow Aperol Spritz and soft drinks and nibble on gourmet canapés to keep your energy levels high. The fun doesn’t end there – challenge your friends to party games and strike a pose at the photobooths to commemorate the night.

The Deepavali Open House is back at the Indian Heritage Centre, and it’s your ticket into the sights, sounds and flavours of the Festival of Lights. Weekends light up with a Festive Market packed with artisanal bakes, Indian snacks, handcrafted jewellery and vibrant ethnic wear. Get crafty with DIY workshops – think clay lotus ornaments or floral tealight holders – or play dress-up with traditional outfits, fragrant garlands and free henna art. Once evening falls, catch cultural performances under the stars and snack on festive favourites like murukku, masala chai and rose syrup drinks. 

Jointly organised by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, the annual Mid-Autumn Family Fun returns to the SCCC Conference Hall from October 4 to 5. 

The programme is packed with activities and performances designed for all ages. Find whimsical bunny-inspired installations on the rooftop, and tuck into mooncakes and tea at the F&B stations (where you can even try your hand at some tea whisking). Get hands-on with crafts, ranging from lantern-decorating sessions to tea-scented soap-making. If you just want to sit back, there are plenty of live performances to enjoy too, including energetic drumming and kid-friendly cross-talk sketches. 

Ikea is teaming up with Stockholm design star Gustaf Westman for a limited-edition, 12-piece collection that’s basically joy in homeware form. Expect sculptural candleholders, spiral vases, playful lighting and boldly coloured plates in Westman’s signature rounded shapes and candy hues – think festive reds, bubble-gum pinks and baby blues. Get a sneak peek at the exclusive pop-up at The Factory at New Bahru (September 17–21), complete with free cotton candy, a $1 photobooth and a chance to win an autographed piece. The collection officially launches later this year as part of Ikea’s winter line, just in time for Christmas.

Business-minded folks, mark your calendars – Steven Bartlett, host of the hit podcast The Diary of a CEO (over 1 billion streams!), is bringing his first Asia tour to Singapore. The entrepreneur, investor and bestselling author shot to millionaire status by 23, and now shares his hard-won insights on business and life. Catch him live at The Business & Life Tour on September 19 at The Star Theatre, where he’ll dive into mindset shifts, leadership, sustainable growth and success strategies. Tickets start from SGD 98 at forthecurious.asia.

Chinatown is lighting up for the Mid-Autumn Festival, with festive decorations running until October 20. The highlight: an eight-metre-tall centrepiece of rabbits, lanterns, mooncakes and orchids honouring SG60. Overhangs along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street glow with lotus flowers, jade pendants and a radiant moon, while Upper Cross Street features a luminous moon palace. On South Bridge Road, spot Chang’e surrounded by peonies and calligraphy panels. From now till October 6, the Chinatown Festive Fair at People’s Park Square offers handcrafted lanterns and treats. Don’t miss the lantern walk on September 27, ending with live performances.

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.

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). 

In the Ether: A Festival of Quantum Science and Technology invites visitors to dive into the fascinating world of quantum mechanics and explore how this invisible science shapes the future. Held at the ArtScience Museum, the exhibition combines installations, performances, talks and interactive programmes to make this complex field accessible to all.

Visitors can discover real artefacts from research labs that reveal the behaviours of light and matter, watch immersive audio-visual presentations that narrate experimental particle physics, and experience animations exploring different perceptions of time. With its blend of science and art, the exhibition offers a rare chance to see quantum science come to life in various artistic ways.

The Mint Museum of Toys rolls out another pop-up, this time dedicated to diecast cars – a timely nod to the upcoming Singapore F1 Grand Prix. On display are early 20th-century classics like Mattel’s Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, alongside toys with strong local significance. Highlights include the rare diecast car collection produced in Singapore in the 1980s under the Mandarin brand, as well as the very first Singapore-exclusive Hot Wheels convention car.

It’s not just about looking – visitors can get hands-on at the multi-track play zone, play with the collectible toy cars and relive childhood memories. Collectors will also be able to shop for exclusive merchandise and add to their own prized collections.

It’s official: Singapore Oceanarium has opened its doors and it’s three times bigger than the former aquarium. With 22 immersive zones and hands-on experiences like fossil digs, sea jelly tours, and deep-sea adventures, this refreshed next-gen aquarium is now the latest must-visit destination in Asia. Explore towering coral reefs, walk beneath a life-sized whale skeleton, and snap stunning shots of moon jellies, manta rays and more. You can even take on a walking net experience suspended over a 9th-century ship replica. With so much to explore, it’s worth setting aside a full day to take it all in. Find out more here.

What if we told you that you could walk among dinosaurs – all without a time machine? After touring the world in cities like Berlin and Toronto, the immersive dinosaur-themed exhibition Jurassic World: The Experience is roaring its way into Singapore and taking over Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest with life-like dinosaur animatronics and interactive snippets throughout. We’re talking towering 8.5-metre-tall Brachiosaurus, a thrashing Tyrannosaurus Rex, and a petting zoo where you can interact with adorable baby dinosaurs.

The Gallery Children's Biennale returns to National Gallery Singapore from May 31, 2025 to March 29, 2026 for its fifth edition, themed Tomorrow We'll Be.... Coinciding with the Gallery’s 10th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday, this year’s event invites visitors to explore the possibilities of their future through the values of joy, kindness, dream and love. Families can look forward to eight immersive and multi-sensory installations by local and international artists, alongside a series of engaging programmes designed to inspire creativity and reflection.