The best things to do in Singapore this week (July 20-26)

Good art forces you to face uncomfortable truths – and Chong Tze Chien's play Charged fits the bill. More than 10 years on, its themes of race, power, and bias in Singapore remain as relevant as before. This July, it returns with a gripping new staging under director Mohd Fared Jainal, revolving around a single tense night after a tragic shooting at an army camp. As the investigation unfolds, a web of lies, secrets, and ugly realities unfold. This play won Best Original Script at the 2011 Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards. 

One of Southeast Asia’s leading contemporary artists is taking over the Singapore Art Museum for a major solo exhibition. Titled Afterimage, this three-month-long showcase centres on Manila-based artist Maria Taniguchi, exploring repetition, time and labour through monumental paintings, sculptures and video installations. The exhibition is anchored by her ongoing series of towering, untitled “brick” paintings featuring thousands of tiny, hand-painted black rectangles. Other highlights include her Java Plum wood Runaways sculptures and four moving-image works spanning 16 years.

Esplanade’s annual theatre season returns with the theme Precarious Bodies to offer five thought-provoking performances that unpack power, identity and fragile systems. The 2026 edition marks the first chapter in a new three-year trilogy. The lineup opens with Fragments of Tuah, which demystifies the legendary icon Hang Tuah, before moving through Iran’s Blind Runner, Australia’s Multiple Bad Things and the local production Monstress. The season closes with Handle with Care, an experimental stage where the audience becomes the main character.

Stock up your pantry with fresh local produce at the Central Singapore Market. Organised by the Central Singapore CDC, this roving heartland market runs until December 2026, popping up at locations like Bishan Active Park, Zhongshan Park and Upper Thomson. Each stop brings a fresh mix of eco-conscious creators and food entrepreneurs. Discover organic vegetables, gluten-free granola, plant-based deodorants and even edible insects. The July 26 stop offers sustainable fertilisers and truffle oil, while August 2 adds a dried flower workshop and live music.

Relive your favourite local Chinese dramas with Singapore TV: From Local to Global. Presented by Mediacorp and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, this latest exhibition charts the evolution of Singapore Chinese television from the 1960s to today. The showcase features hundreds of original costumes, props, photographs and memorabilia from beloved productions. Visitors can explore immersive installations replicating classic sets, try their hand at dubbing a scene and share their hopes for the future of local television at an interactive voting wall.

This year’s Orchid Extravaganza at Gardens by the Bay is a passport to Indonesia. More than 7,000 orchids are on display at this year's show, including some of Indonesia’s native varieties such as the antelope orchid, ground orchid and moon orchid. One of the biggest highlights is the tiger orchid, also known as “queen of the orchids”. It’s the world’s largest orchid species, which can grow at least 2 metres in height. These striking blooms are surrounded by elements of wayang kulit and nine intricate woven sculptures that pay tribute to the flora, fauna and folklore in the Nusantara. They’re handcrafted by 27 Balinese artisans using the traditional anyaman weaving technique, turning leaves into larger-than-life depictions of beloved icons such as the Komodo dragon and Sumatran tiger.

The showcase is presented alongside Masa Singapore, a month-long Indonesian festival centred on its creative scene and culture, and held in conjunction with SG Garden Festival 2026.

The best way to enjoy your Japanese whiskey? With a little bit of Japanese tunes, obviously. Pop City has teamed up with The House of Suntory for Toki Time, a brand-new series that celebrates contemporary Japanese culture, music and mixology.

Happening every Saturday until 1 August, a DJ will take over the decks to soundtrack your drinking sesh as you enjoy a specially curated menu of inventive highballs and cocktails, all built around the smooth character of Toki Suntory Whisky. It kicks off on July 11 with the silky grooves of city pop and nostalgic kayōkyoku, before introducing the laid-back sounds of Shibuya nu-jazz on July 18. Then on July 25, tune in to feel-good Japanese R&B and pop crossovers, before the series concludes on August 1 with an evening of nu disco, future city and soft electronic vibes.

This month, jazz hits the silver screen with a curated lineup of films inspired by the music and the musicians (fictional and not) behind it. Take your pick from moody noir classics and sweeping romances to an intimate documentary. The programme begins with Paweł Pawlikowski’s Oscar-nominated movie, 2018’s Cold War, starring Polish actors Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot. Set against the backdrop of post-war Europe, the story captures the passionate romance between a musical director and an aspiring singer.

Other film highlights include Elevator to the Gallows, Tokyo Drifter, and Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues, which stars Denzel Washington as a gifted but troubled trumpeter. Also, don’t miss the screening of Let’s Get Lost, Bruce Weber’s 1988 documentary film that charts the meteoric rise and tragic decline of jazz icon Chet Baker.

Experience Indonesia’s vibrant creative scene first–hand as Masa Marketplace lands in Singapore. Themed A Sight into the Golden Indonesia Era, this month–long extravaganza celebrates community and collaboration across fashion, design, art, music, and food. The programme kicks off with a four–day showcase at Takashimaya Shopping Centre featuring over 80 Indonesian brands, including Santai Furniture and Roemah Koffie. The exhibition then shifts to Gardens by the Bay for a stunning display blending Nusantara folklore, flora, and Balinese naga sculptures with local orchids. Wrap up the experience on 12 July with Masa Sound at the Glass Dome, a contemporary concert showcasing acts like Matter Mos and Lullaboy.

Move aside, Labubus. It’s all about Crybaby now. Created by Thai artist Molly Yllom, the popular Pop Mart blind box figurines arrive at the Singapore Oceanarium for the latest Cry Me An Ocean collection, which reimagines them as adorable marine animals. Explore 11 themed photo spots throughout the exhibits, where each marine–inspired Crybaby is displayed next to the sea creature that inspired its design. Spot everything from a jellyfish to a manta ray, alongside two 5–metre–tall outdoor inflatables of the Anglerfish and Pufferfish Crybaby. Complete the experience at the Resorts World Sentosa Weave pop–up store to get your hands on exclusive merchandise, including limited–edition eye masks while stocks last.

We may not have Disneyland, but Sentosa is giving us something pretty close from now till September 20: a Magical Island Adventure! In collaboration with Disney Cruise Line, the island transforms into a playful day-to-night experience inspired by the seven themed areas aboard the Disney Adventure, now sailing from Singapore. Start your journey in the skies with a themed Singapore Cable Car ride, before wandering through Sensoryscape’s blooming, dreamlike pathways featuring Disney princesses and heroines and down to Palawan Beach for Big Hero 6's Baymax, Toy Story favourites and Marvel heroes. For the first time, the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia opens till 10pm, so can catch the islet glowing after dark with The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Lilo and Stitch, and Moana. 

Musée du Louvre presents its expansive collection of Islamic art in Southeast Asia for the first time ever at the Asian Civilisations Museum. The exclusive exhibition, Crosscurrents: Masterpieces of Mughal, Safavid, and Ottoman Art from the Musée du Louvre, brings together over a hundred ancient treasures from the royal collections of the "Gunpowder Empires." The objects chart their rise and fall, offering a glimpse into the forces that dominated West and Central Asia between the 16th and 18th centuries. This rich history is paired with ACM’s own collection of jewels to reveal the empires’ influence on distant shores like Southeast Asia during a time of expanding global trade networks.

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.

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.

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.