The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (May 16-18)

There are movie nights, and then there’s Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema. Returning to Tanjong Beach, Sentosa from May 8 to 25, this much-loved alfresco film fest is more than just a screening – it’s a full-blown beachside bash. Think balmy sea breeze, sunset-soaked skies, golden-hour cocktails, live DJ sets, and a carefully curated lineup of award-winning films, including The Substance, Conclave, Wicked, and more. As the sun dips, grab a drink, settle into your deckchair, and pop on a pair of state-of-the-art wireless headphones for a Silent Disco-esque movie experience – no mid-movie chatter, just crisp surround sound. Tickets are $44.80 – get yours now before they’re all sold out.

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Reel Rock returns to The Projector at Cineleisure with a lineup of climbing films that dive deep into themes of tenacity, redemption, and human connection. These documentaries include Death of Villains, The Cobra & the Heart and Riders on the Storm. On May 17, guests can also check out a one-day market and shop bouldering essentials from brands like Full Crimp Milk and Isaac Thread. More information can be found here.

Something pretty in pink has landed at New Bahru, and it’s a classic case of love at first sight. Enter none other than the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Café – the British beauty brand’s first-ever pop-up café in Singapore. Taking over pastry café Átipico as well as the open lawn in a wave of rosy hues, this limited-time event marks the launch of the new Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Collection in Singapore. Come hungry because Átipico has come up with a series of exclusive bakes and drinks specially for the pop-up, all of which are in theme with this pink paradise. There’s also an open-air Pillow Talk Love Playground featuring a four-metre-tall old-school dial phone flanked by giant Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks as the main highlight. This installation doubles up as the Pillow Talk Kissing Booth, where you can get instant photo prints with pink heart-shaped frames by Solace Studios for absolutely free.

Lady Gaga is set to perform in Singapore at the National Stadium for four crazy nights, on May 18, 19, 21 and 24, 2025. This marks her only stop in Asia – a very long-awaited return since her Born This Way ball in 2012. With 13 Grammys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, and even a BAFTA under her (probably bedazzled) belt, Gaga isn’t just making music – she’s making history. And just recently, she released her latest album Mayhem, which the tour will revolve around. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. 

Rabbit’s Hole is turning up the glam for Mayhem Month, a Gaga-themed extravaganza happening from May 15 to 24. Expect a dazzling lineup of events including four Gaga era-themed parties, concert after-parties, karaoke nights, a Gaga-themed market, and a pool party at Mondrian Singapore Duxton. Fans can also catch performances by top impersonators like Lady Gagita and Chiang Weiii in this celebration of all things Gaga. 

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. 

Local bedding brand SOJAO has launched its Art Pop-Up at its store at 251 Joo Chiat Road, running from May 10 to June 15. The pop-up features a curated selection of homeware and decoration by local artists. If you’re looking to refresh your living space, swing by and discover a range of unique finds – from Big Red Chilli’s vibrant, quirky artworks, to Rousong.ware’s one-of-a-kind ceramics, and Every Knitted Thing’s handmade trinkets like knitted coasters to brighten up your home.

Local brand Beyond The Vines celebrates its 10th anniversary with the Dumpling District – a  tribute to its cult-favourite Dumpling Bags. This special experience invites shoppers to personalise their bags with bold, playful touches. For an additional $10, a BTV Doodle – available in two designs – can be added to your Dumpling Bag. You can also customise a beaded keychain charm and attach it to your bag. The Dumpling District is happening at the Beyond The Vines Design House, New Bahru, and Takashimaya S.C. stores from now until May 30, 2025. Online shoppers will receive a pre-assembled BTV Doodle and keychain with orders placed on June 1, 2025.

The European Union Film Festival returns to The Projector at Cineleisure with a month-long showcase of award-winning films that celebrate Europe’s film industry and culture. This year’s edition features 26 screenings, from gripping dramas to striking animations. In honour of Singapore’s 60th birthday, the Six at Sixty segment spotlights six short films by young local filmmakers, followed by a post-show dialogue. Upcoming films include Waltzing Matilda, Close, The Girl with the Needle, and My Grandfather’s Demons. More information can be found here.

Step into the future of cinema with Le Musk — the world’s first multi-sensory VR film experience, debuting in Singapore this May. Directed and scored by Academy Award-winner A.R. Rahman, the 37-minute immersive journey blends scent, motion, haptics, and sound for a full-bodied narrative. The showcase runs for a limited three-month stint at Golden Village at Suntec City from May 11, with only 50 seats available per day. Tickets are available here.

Get ready for the next big hit: The Phantom of the Opera, arriving at Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands in May 2025. This rendition of The Phantom of the Opera is part of its international tour, which will take the production across Asia throughout 2025. The film is adapted from Gaston Leroux's Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, and tells the eerie story of a reclusive, disfigured musical genius living in the catacombs of the Paris Opera House. Obsessed with Christine, a talented young soprano, the Phantom becomes her secret tutor and falls in love with her. However, Christine's heart belongs to Raoul, leading to a dramatic conflict as the Phantom’s obsession turns to jealousy, triggering chaos and tragedy within the opera house. For more information, visit the musical’s official webpage here.

Catch it before it’s gone – the With Love Pop-Up store at 23 Keong Saik Road is wrapping up on May 25, 2025. Since its launch in September 2024, the curated retail space has featured over 30 brands from Asia Pacific, including loungewear by Malaysia’s Wustler, footwear by Indonesia’s Nakedsol, and tailored womenswear by Singapore’s Paper Palette. More information can be found here.

Though only 60 years young, Singapore boasts a vibrant tapestry of cultures and stories. Taking place from May 1 to 25, the Singapore HeritageFest 2025 celebrates this rich heritage with over 100 engaging programmes – think craft workshops, immersive walking trails, interactive exhibitions and more. Highlights include a brand-new theatrical production that mixes traditional Chinese opera, modern getai and contemporary music, as well as hands-on craft sessions where you can try your hand at tea brewing, lantern making and the art of calligraphy. More details can be found here. 

Relive the magic of your childhood days with a new Peter Rabbit-themed afternoon tea experience that's hopped its way into Singapore for a limited period of time. In homage to the beloved storybook series by acclaimed children's author Beatrix Potter, each indulgent set comes with sweet and savoury English garden-inspired nibbles – including those shaped like apples, a pot of flowers, and blueberry basket – and adorable themed decor that you can take home as souvenirs. Special care has also been taken to include bunny-friendly ingredients, such as soft seeds, fruits and vegetables. Best of all, you get to enjoy all of this in an elegant lounge on the 70th floor, with sweeping views of Singapore's landmarks and surrounding seas as a backdrop. Find out more about our experience at this Peter Rabbit afternoon tea.

Don’t miss your chance to stock up on exclusive finds at the Shonen Jump Shop. Located at Kinokuniya Singapore, the pop-up stand is packed with merch from fan-favourite titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, Haikyuu, One Piece and more. Browse a range of collectibles including blind bags, posters, keychains, stickers and plenty of other goodies. The pop-up’s end date hasn’t been confirmed, so check our page for updates.

Daniele Sperindio’s National Gallery venue, Art di Daniele Sperindio, may be no more, but you can still sump on his dishes at HighHouse as part of its new The High Tables chef collaboration series. This partnership sees him more casual and playful, starting with the stylish, music-forward HighHouse backdrop and little nods to Asia and Singapore in the menu. 

Of the eight exclusive dishes, you’ll find unexpected delights like Summer in Seoul, a refreshing slurp of somen, aged watermelon, and tomatoes in a cold watermelon rind broth spiced with geranium leaf. Other surprising combinations: Italian cheese, Amalfi lemon curd and Thai basil in a crispy waffle dish; Hokkaido scallop pasta in a cheesy sauce cut with black lime; and a Marsala wine infused Italian custard. 

The High Tables dishes are available a la carte ($16 to $48), with some you can enjoy as add-ons to HighHouse’s set menus. Reserve here. 

Step through a vine-covered entrance and into the realm of Wonders of Nature, the New Art Museum Singapore's newest kid-friendly exhibition that highlights the significance of the natural world. Featuring works by eight international artists including Yayoi Kusama and Go Yayanagi, the exhibition unfolds across five sections, each offering interactive artworks and immersive projections that bring the beauty of nature to life through art.

National Gallery Singapore’s latest show highlights the journeys of influential Asian artists like Foujita Tsuguharu, Georgette Chen, and Liu Kang, who brought their unique cultural backgrounds to Paris at the height of its modern art movement. The exhibition uncovers how their personal stories and heritage shaped their work, leaving a lasting mark on Paris’s art scene and influencing the course of modern art. 

Experience the inner workings of the mind like never before in Mirror Mirror: Journey Into the Mind, opening on March 1 at Marina Bay Sands. Created by Moment Factory, this immersive exhibition takes visitors through eight interactive rooms that explore themes such as memory, perception, and ego. Using innovative technology and artistic expression, the exhibit brings the intangible aspects of the human psyche to life in a visually stunning and thought-provoking way.

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, the Ministry of Magic, and more, as special interactive technology and multimedia elements are weaved with captivating soundscapes to bring enchantment to us muggles. See plenty of realistic replicas from the movies, along with eye-catching illuminations, for tons 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.