The best things to do in Singapore this week (June 1-7)

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.

Acclaimed Chinese contemporary artist Ma Dongmin brings his vivid equine portraits to the Leica Store South Beach Quarter for his major solo exhibition, Fire Horse – The Decisive Moment (June 4 to 7, 2026). The showcase features over 20 oil-on-canvas masterpieces from his celebrated Blue Fire Horse Collection 2026, alongside brand-new paintings and the Singapore premiere of Registered Kiss – Ma’s interpretation of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic 1945 V-J Day photograph. Using a Leica Q camera to study a horse’s graceful movements, Ma transforms delicate moments into energetic, surreal cerulean artworks. RSVP for a complimentary pass here – tickets are limited. 

What’s one way to understand and learn more about culture? The answer: Through music. Organised by Pasat Merdu, Roots & Routes is a four-day symposium that explores intercultural collaboration through a series of concerts, workshops, dialogue sessions and hands-on learning experiences.

Discover the sounds and stories behind Hindustani music, traditional Nusantara instruments, Vietnam’s Đàn Bầu and more. Throughout the jam-packed programme, look forward to insightful lessons from researchers and cultural practitioners as they share insights on how these traditions continue to evolve in today’s society and how we can help them remain relevant and alive.

The symposium is framed by two performances. The opening concert, performed by The Straits Ensemble, presents a mix of cultural songs alongside original works, while the closing show will feature songs developed by the participants during the practical sessions. The latter will also include a finale performance of “AKAR KITA”, an original composition by Nizarfauzi.

Whether you’re a musician, producer or simply curious about intercultural exchange, this educational programme is open to all, no musical background required. Tickets are Culture Pass eligible. 

Doki Doki Anime Market (DDAM) isn’t just your average anime fair. It’s a homegrown event made for anime fans, by anime fans, gathering artists, collectors, cosplayers and more for the ultimate stan convention. Featuring more than 220 curated independent artist booths, the two-day festival transforms Suntec Convention Hall into a vibrant showcase of Japanese pop culture, cartoons, gaming and beyond. Expect artwork, merchandise and fan creations inspired by everything from hits like SPY x FAMILY, Sailor Moon and Jujutsu Kaisen to Western favourites such as The Legend of Korra, Scooby-Doo, Adventure Time and more. K-pop isn’t left out either, with booths offering BTS and K-pop Demon Hunters collectibles.

To make this edition of DDAM extra special, voice actor Camden Sutkowski is also set to make his Singapore debut. He is known for lending his talent to popular video games like Honkai: Star Rail, where he voices Aventurine, and Pokémon Masters, in which he plays Atticus. There will be exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with the actor, as well as special stage appearances scheduled throughout the two days.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).