The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (May 22-24)

Nutmeg & Clove celebrates its 12th birthday with the third edition of its Nutmeg Cocktail Fiesta – and it’s going big. For four days, the restaurant-bar at Purvis Street has invited 14 local and international bartenders, from cities like Rome, New York and São Paulo, for a special global takeover. Each night takes on a different theme and pairs drinks with a curated menu for a total globe-trotting experience.

The fiesta kicks off with a Rome Edition, spotlighting Italian specialities that channel the city’s bold and expressive spirit. Next comes an all-American showcase featuring two of its most-talked-about mixologists, Harrison Ginsberg of Overstory and Christine Kim of Service Bar, alongside elevated takes of the country’s iconic eats.

Meanwhile, the Latin Edition brings its street food traditions into the mix with vibrant cocktails and tasty tacos, before the fiesta wraps it all up with an Asian homecoming, a night celebrating the region’s innovative cocktail culture and scene with wok-fired plates.

MARQUEE's May line-up is stacked! Party with up-and-coming EDM star Mesto (May 22), whose melodic-meets-mainstage sound keeps the energy rising. Then get ready for a genre switch-up with Fvder & Kya (May 23), before UK hardstyle icon Darren Styles storms in on May 26 (eve of Hari Raya) with euphoric anthems and relentless BPMs. Trance titan Gareth Emery takes over on May 29 for a more cinematic, hands-in-the-air moment, while Ely Oaks (May 30) keeps the tempo high heading into the final night. Closing out the month, MARQUEE x CultureSG (May 31, eve of Vesak Day) brings a collaborative edge to the dancefloor – the kind of finale that makes you want to keep the party going. If you’re after a nightclub that pairs scale with strong programming, Marquee delivers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday – and it doesn’t clock off until 6am. Find out more here.

This year’s Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) transforms the city into its playground. The stage isn’t always at your traditional venues like the theatre, but along the green spaces, the Singapore River, and in the heartland.

SIFA’s main event is the Festival Village, which stretches from Empress Lawn to Anderson Bridge and features a slew of indoor and outdoor performances, interactive sound installations, parades, and more. Make sure to check out Makan Culture, a mouth-watering interactive show that uses puppets and music to tell stories about our beloved local dishes like rojak, pandan cake and kaya toast. Meanwhile, night owls can look forward to AUTOMATA, a series of free late-night programmes that puts the spotlight on filmmakers, musicians, machinists and more. Elsewhere, SIFA 2026 travels to Nexus at Punggol Digital District to bring Noli Timere. It combines contemporary dance, avant-garde circus and a specially designed net sculpture for a mesmerising aerial performance.

SIFA 2026 launches a three-year curatorial arc which begins with Legacy, followed by Roots in 2027 and Renaissance in 2028. Each phase of the trilogy traces Singapore’s performing arts landscape from the past to the future.

This May, the month kicks off at full tilt with PARTYWITHJAY, Pin & Fvder (May 1) and South Korea’s legendary DJ Glory (May 2), before rolling into a packed run of crowd-pulling nights like FTW (May 6), Wonderland (May 8) and a special takeover by Seoul-based DJ Kollin (May 9). But the real pulse-raisers land mid-month: Dutch heavyweights Dyro and Dannic go back-to-back on May 15 for a high-impact set built on big-room drops and festival firepower, followed by Astrolab (May 16) and up-and-coming EDM star Mesto (May 22), whose melodic-meets-mainstage sound keeps the energy rising.

Things don’t let up from there. Get ready for a genre switch-up with Fvder & Kya (May 23), before UK hardstyle icon Darren Styles storms in on May 26 (eve of Hari Raya) with euphoric anthems and relentless BPMs. Trance titan Gareth Emery takes over on May 29 for a more cinematic, hands-in-the-air moment, while Ely Oaks (May 30) keeps the tempo high heading into the final night. Closing out the month, MARQUEE x CultureSG (May 31, eve of Vesak Day) brings a collaborative edge to the dancefloor – the kind of finale that makes you want to keep the party going. Find out more here.

From now until the end of the month, Asian Film Archive has curated an extensive film programme titled Reel Singapore that goes beyond tracing Singapore’s cinematic history to capture the nation’s multicultural, its ever-evolving identity, and the future. Organised around five themes, History-Memory, Sonic Nation, Rebel Energies, Horrific Fabulations, and Speculative Futures, the lineup includes both short and feature-length films that are produced and shot by homegrown and international filmmakers alike.

Some highlights include Jian Hong Kuo’s sci-fi flick Cyber Wars and the classic horror tale, Anak Pontianak, directed by Ramon Estella. There’s also a double-bill screening of Eric Khoo’s Pain, alongside Toh Hai Leong’s grungy mockumentary, Zombie Dogs, which will be followed by a post-show discussion.

The month-long programme concludes with an encore screening of History-Memory shorts, which includes 2025’s Twilight Ladies, and 2003’s Utama—Every Name in History is I, a story that charts Sang Nila Utama’s arrival. For the full programme details, check here.

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.

Photography, sculptural print and performance all come together at Singaporean artist Siew Guang Hong’s first solo presentation at Richard Koh Fine Art. Titled The Body Improper, the exhibition features 19 works that draw from biological systems, ecological structures, and performative gestures, exploring the body as more than just anatomy. It’s a canvas and a landscape that’s meant to be rearranged, manipulated and reconstructed into something familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. The collection of work plays with optical illusions, challenging the way we normally view things. Beyond still pictures are also surreal live-action creations, including the video series Medusan Pink, which features Siew in a chroma key suit, blending in public spaces.

Be sure to join on Saturday evenings for artist walkthroughs with Siew for a more in-depth exploration of the presentation, where you’ll get to hear more about the ideas behind each artwork.

Dinner theatre, but make it about hawker food. That’s what Makan Culture, written by award-winning playwright Jo Tan, wants to explore. In this part performance, part culture debate, the lines between what should be defined as “high” culture versus “low” culture are blurred and examined through a very Singaporean lens: food. Presented as a show within a show, the story follows Wilfred, an independent artist who is trying to stage a community dinner theatre production when a snobby culture critic enters the picture to challenge the concept. Can hawker dishes and everyday flavours be seen as luxurious, too? But what makes something atas anyway? For this interactive, outdoor performance, audiences are invited to dine on local dishes – think: rojak, pandan cake, kaya toast and dry laksa – while also taking part in the discussion, alongside the characters.

Directed by Krish Natarajan, Makan Culture features a cast of homegrown talent, starring Fahim Murshed, Ellison Tan, Dennis Sofian and Masturah Oli, alongside Jo Tan herself. The show is part of the 2026 Singapore International Festival of Arts lineup and is held at the Festival Village at the Empress Lawn. For details on show timings, check here.

30 works from 19 countries have been selected for the ninth edition of the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Exhibition. The showcase, running from now until 14 June at the National Gallery Singapore, is a vibrant celebration of the contemporary craft world and pays tribute to the Spanish atelier’s rich history of craftsmanship. This year’s presentation features the finalists shortlisted from more than 5,000 submissions worldwide, spanning a diverse range of media, from textiles and furniture to glass and lacquer.

The coveted Craft Prize for 2026 was awarded to South Korean ceramic artist Jongjin Park, whose winning work, Strata of Illusion, explores the tension between control and collapse. Entirely moulded by hand, this intricate and layered sculpture showcases an undeniable quality of craftsmanship, evoking the delicateness of glassblowing and the precision of bookbinding. This year’s jury has also included two Special Mentions from the lineup: Frafra Tapestry, an elaborate community-woven masterpiece by Ghana’s Baba Tree Master Weavers in collaboration with Spain’s Álvaro Catalán de Ocón, and Collier, two necklaces designed by Italian jewellery artist Graziano Visintin that were made using ancient metalworking techniques.

The godfathers of synth, Kraftwerk, bring their acclaimed Multimedia Tour to The Star Theatre on May 8, 2026. Formed in 1970, the Düsseldorf pioneers rewired modern music with robotic vocals and computerised rhythms, influencing everyone from Daft Punk to The Weeknd. Following a triumphant global tour, Ralf Hütter and the ensemble will perform hits from iconic albums like Autobahn and Computer World. The show is a sensory experience, pairing their electronic sounds with stunning 3D visuals that first debuted at New York’s MoMA. It is a rare chance to catch these electronic legends in a fittingly immersive venue – a cool combo of concert and digital art.

After fine-tuning its operations, independent cinema Filmhouse is ready for its grand housewarming from April 30 to May 30. The month-long celebration kicks off with the Music in Film series, featuring titles like Whiplash and La La Land. The rhythm continues with a Michael Jackson sing-along, live R&B jams with Tim De Cotta, and a vinyl market by Bizarro Market on May 23. Wrap up the festivities with a late-night concert featuring local bands and DJs. It’s a soulful homecoming for film buffs and music lovers alike in the cinema's newly polished, cosy theatres.

A Life in Fullness pays homage to renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero with a 40-minute audiovisual portrait at IMBA Theatre. Narrated by his eldest son, this world-first immersive experience uses large-scale projections and soundscapes to trace Botero's journey from his humble beginnings to global icon. The biography is filled with personal anecdotes and family memories, offering a rare peek into his creative struggles and joys. The installation runs alongside Heart of Volume, an exhibition featuring his vibrant paintings and sculptures in a thoughtfully designed setting. It is a detailed, moving celebration of the auteur's enduring legacy and unique artistic vision.

Desire and intimacy take centre stage at the National Gallery in Passion is Volcanic: Desire in Southeast Asian Art. Featuring over 70 works across various media, the exhibition examines how regional artists interpret human connection through diverse cultures and beliefs. Building on a 1953 essay by Nanyang artist Liu Kang, the showcase explores deep passion as a creative force across three sections: Asian Mythos and Ritual, Conventions of the Erotic, and Public Arenas/Private Interiors. Note that this thought-provoking exhibition is rated R18, so valid identification is required for entry to explore these delicate expressions of longing and historical contexts.

For the third edition of The High Table, rooftop bar HighHouse welcomes Chef Sun Kim from two-Michelin-starred Meta. The exclusive menu draws from his Korean heritage and refined techniques, offering reimagined classics with bold flavours. Savour dishes like blue lobster gyeran jjim or charcoal-grilled beef short rib in a galbi-style marinade. The star attraction is the steak bibimbap, featuring chargrilled flank steak and a savoury gochujang garlic sauce. Available for both lunch and dinner, this collaboration is a must-try for culinary enthusiasts looking for high-end fusion with a view.

Pottery, paintings, and plants take centre stage at Appetite restaurant’s new exhibition, Elemental Form. The showcase explores fire, earth, air, and water through the works of five diverse artists. Fawn World’s botanical arrangements complement ceramic masterpieces by Hans Chew and Sean Lim, while Tay Bak Chiang’s abstract Chinese ink paintings focus on the stillness of nature. Adding a vibrant pop to the presentation are Hannah Lim’s colourful, multicultural snuff bottles. 

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.

Experience 60 years of David Hockney’s art through his eyes in this immersive installation at the newly opened IMBA Theatre at Gardens by the Bay. Hailed as a central figure in British art and one of the most influential contributors to the pop art movement in the 1960s, Hockney continues to push technological boundaries to create vibrant, attention-grabbing masterpieces.

This 50-minute looped showcase uses a large-scale projection to fill the room, from floor to ceiling, with mesmerising colours, images and sound. It’s divided into six chapters of Hockney’s work, spanning from the start of his career to the present day, giving you a look at his creative process over the years. Accompanied by a specially composed score by American contemporary classical music composer and arranger Nico Muhly, the showcase also lets you hear from Hockney himself as he explains his experimental style.

Once a trading port and now a commercial hub, the CBD isn’t just a workspace – it’s a district with plenty of forgotten stories, quiet characters and hidden memories. This is what Momentary Pulses: Art in the Central Business District, a commissioning series by The Everyday Museum and initiated by Singapore Art Museum, aims to uncover. Amid the city’s hustle and bustle are seven showcases by Singapore-based artists that have been seamlessly woven into public spaces along buildings and walkways. Each artwork has been designed to reflect, rather than distract, as it responds to the sights and sounds of the ever-evolving landscape. They invite us to look more closely at our everyday surroundings, pause, and let our imagination wander, offering a moment of calm and curiosity in a fast-paced environment.

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. ‘Shade of Tea’ by Ashley Yeo is an atmospheric display of tea leaves in floating paper forms, while ‘Symphony of Tea’ is a series of ASMR-inspired videos produced by Alecia Neo, Clarence Chung, Jonathan Goh and Wesley Meow that explores the symphonic experience of tea.

Start the year with a visit to Singapore Art Museum’s latest installation, Nafasan Bumi – An Endless Harvest, featuring works by Indonesian artists Elia Nurvista and Bagus Pandega. The exhibition explores the environmental costs of economic growth in an era of climate crisis, while exploring how the items we use today may leave their mark on the future.

This immersive environment brings together kinetic, multimedia and sculptural installations that trace the impact of extractive economies across regional and global networks. Highlights include batik and palm oil sculptures depicting plantation labourers, mechanical systems powered by biofeedback from live plants and more.

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.

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).