The best things to do in Singapore this week (August 18-24)

Get ready, night owls and culture vultures: Singapore's largest nocturnal extravaganza is back for its 16th edition, lighting up the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct from August 22 to September 6. This year's theme is 'Island Nights', a celebration of the vibrant connections that link Singapore to islands near and far – and the community, culture, and stories that come with it. Expect stunning projection mapping artworks and mesmerising light installations, pieces like Kampong Chill at Capitol Singapore that invite rest and reflection, as well as vibrant food and retail villages. It's three weekends of non-stop, after-dark magic – find out more at the 'Read More' link below. 

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.

Who says kids can’t create beautiful art? Hello Future: Sharing Our Journey Together is the sixth edition of the Singapore Art Museum’s Think! Contemporary Preschool programme, and it’s a heartwarming showcase of creativity, imagination and big ideas from little minds.

Children from 24 preschools across Singapore have created vibrant, 3D artworks that express their personal dreams and stories from the past. Inspired by the museum’s exhibitions, including Seeing Forest by Robert Zhao Renhui, the young artists explored themes such as self-identity, community and the environment. This is your chance to see the world through a child’s point of view – playful and refreshingly honest.

The epic journey to Middle-earth gets a musical twist in critically acclaimed The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, now landed in Singapore. Presented by Base Entertainment Asia, this unique production tells J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary story from the Hobbits' perspective through dazzling visuals, soul-stirring music, and a stellar cast of actor-musicians. The tale begins with Bilbo Baggins' eleventy-first birthday celebration in the Shire, unfolding with Frodo's perilous journy to Mordor with a mysterious gold ring in hand. Expect original compositions by A.R. Rahman, Finnish folk band Värttinä, and Christopher Nightingale in one magical night. Tickets can be purchased here.

Catch a blazing culinary showdown at Fried Rice Paradise – The Makan Party by Singapore Repertory Theatre, a dinner theatre experience centred on two sisters vying to inherit their mother’s beloved restaurant. This interactive performance puts the audience in the judge’s seat, with the power to vote for the winning sister. The show features a stellar local cast including Serene Chen, Ching Shu Yi, Natalie Yeap, Shrey Bhargava, Rafaat Haji Hamzah and Audrey Luo, plus hit tunes by Dick Lee. During the show, you’ll be served a four-course meal of local favourites, including satay, laksa broth, sambal fried rice and ondeh ondeh. Tickets are priced from $148 – get them here.

Orchid Extravaganza at Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome offers flower fanatics a chance to admire over 6,000 orchids arranged into iconic Singaporean landmarks and symbols, including a trio of orchid-covered Supertrees. The display also features Singapore’s national flower, Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, alongside other hybrids named after local neighbourhoods and institutions. While you’re there, spot subtle nods to Peranakan culture in floral recreations of traditional interiors, along with displays of authentic kebayas and beaded slippers. More details can be found here. 

Hold onto your flippers – Singapore Oceanarium is officially open on July 24. Sentosa's newest attraction is three times bigger than the former S.E.A. Aquarium, with 22 themed, immersive zones spotlighting different aspects of marine life – there are over 100,000 marine animals here, mind you. Explore everything from shallow waters to deep-sea habitats, as well as travel through time from prehistoric oceans to present-day waters. Read more here to discover our top picks and tips.

Step back in time at One Fullerton’s Seaview Channel, the walkway between Shake Shack and OverEasy. In time for SG60, The Fullerton Heritage has teamed up with local muralist Yip Yew Chong for Postcard Stories, a nostalgic pop-up installation that transforms the walkway into a walkable, larger-than-life throwback. Spanning 32 metres of hand-painted nostalgia, complete with 3D props, the mural reimagines iconic scenes from the 1960s and 70s – think Change Alley’s bustling trades and Merlion Park before its makeover. It’s charming, evocative, and  packed with little Easter eggs for sharp-eyed visitors. Whether you're a heritage buff or just love a great photo backdrop, this one’s made for leisurely strolls, story-sharing, and a dose of Singaporean pride.

Enjoyed the cute fruit-themed exhibition at Heartware Store & Gallery a couple of months back? The art space at Joo Chiat is now hosting Japanese artist maitoparta’s first solo Singapore showcase titled Itadakimasu! – featuring her signature kooky-looking wooden sculptures all handpainted in bright colours. There will also be exhibition-exclusive posters, plushies, bag charms and more, and pretty much everything you see displayed will be for sale. Be quick, because some of them are one-of-a-kind, with no remakes. Entry is free. Find out more here.

Thanks to Emerald Hill – a spin-off of popular Mediacorp series The Little Nyonya – Peranakan fever is sweeping over Singapore, and Sentosa is also getting in on the fanfare. From now till the end of August, hop on over to the scenic island and experience a cultural immersion like no other with kebaya rental, Nyonya-inspired afternoon tea, and heritage craft workshops where you’ll learn the art of tile painting and floral embroidery. But the grand highlight? Larger-than-life installations of giant beaded slippers, tingkats and teapots, and a kaleidoscopic replica of a Peranakan shophouse with nightly light shows. Find out more here.

Enjoy the beauty of nature at the Sentosa Sunset Watch Party. Held at Palawan Beach, this free event invites sunset enthusiasts to admire the golden hues as the sun sets over the horizon. Visitors can also take part in wellness activities, and there will also be a sunset-themed photo exhibition and free photo printouts for guests.

The event runs every Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 8pm. 

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.

Alliance Française de Singapour presents Ocean: Diving into the Unknown from now to August 30, 2025, showcasing the transformative journey beneath the sea’s surface. The exhibition explores France’s historical and scientific connections to the marine world, aiming to deepen awareness of the oceans’ fragile ecosystems and humanity’s collective responsibility for their protection. More details can be found here.

If you missed the previous Wiggle Wiggle pop-up at Plaza Singapura, here’s your second chance to dive back into its colourful world. The South Korean lifestyle brand has teamed up with the Singapore Flyer from now till September 28, 2025, transforming five capsules with vibrant retro colours and Wiggle Wiggle’s signature motifs – think whimsical flowers and cute bears. Don’t forget to stop by the pop-up store at Level 1 to snag merchandise like stationery, accessories and apparel. More details can be found here.

Pop Air – Art is Inflatable by The Balloon Museum is set to blow us away, transforming Marina Bay Sands into a playground of giant inflatables, trippy lights, and interactive installations from June 7 to August 31, 2025. Hailing all the way from Rome, this immersive exhibition is packed with jaw-dropping installations, from towering inflatables that fill the space to delicate sculptures that redefine what air can do. Expect interactive and digital pieces that blur the lines between reality and imagination, proving that inflatable art is anything but full of hot air. Tickets are now available for purchase here.

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.

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. 

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.