What to do in Singapore this September

There is something for everyone

By Charmaine Jacob

October 5 2018

If you are someone who is looking for a break from work or fun-filled activities to enjoy over the month of September, here are 12 things that you can do in Singapore. 

Formula 1 2018 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix

The 11th edition of the F1 night race in Singapore will be held from September 14 to 16. With the practice sessions being held on the first day, while the battle for pole positions and the final race being held over the next 2 days, spectators will definitely have their hearts racing as they watch the competition to the finishing line.

Apart from the intense vigour of race cars zooming past you, there are many local and international performances to keep a look out for. If you are a fan of chinese pop songs, be sure to catch the king of Mandopop Jay Chou on the Padang stage on the first day of the event. The Killers and Liam Gallagher, former frontman of Oasis, will get you singing along to their chart topping hits on September 15. As the 2018 Formula 1 comes to an end on the final day, rising British star Dua Lipa will be performing on the same stage as Dutch DJ Martin Garrix.

The local music scene in Singapore has been rising prominently, and there many artists taking on the F1 stage this year. From Sing! China’s Joanna Dong, to local hip-hop star THELIONCITYBOY, one should not miss these locals acts that will be performing at the Sunset stage and Esplanade Outdoor Theatre respectively.

Tickets for the 2018 Formula 1 2018 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix are now on sale at www.singaporegp.sg

Photo Credit: F1 Night Race

After party at Sky Grande Prix 

If you are still in the mood to party after the final race and all the peformances are over, be sure to check out Sky Grande Prix at the martini bar in Grand Hyatt Singapore. From September 12 to 16, partake in themed parties as you party your heart out during the 7th year of this extravaganza. Tickets are priced from $48 to $68, while table bookings are $488+ to $1088+. 

Photo Credit: Sky Grande Prix

After party at The Podium Lounge

The Podium Lounge will be hosting their biggest party yet in the country. With a 22m long bar, a stunning fashion show and even an Australian Burlesque Dance Troop, this is a party that you would not want to miss. The Podium Lounge's resident DJ Patrick Oliver will be on the decks together with DJ Miles Slater, and the line-up even includes global music stars like Brian McFadden from Westlife and Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden. 

Famous speed painter Armin Flossdorf of F1 Arts will also be perfoming live throughout the weekend. His eye-cathcing technique of combining acrylics and pencil on canvas will truly blow you away.

Tickets are priced from $188+ to $218, while VIP tables are from $1,588 to $28,888.

Photo Credit: The Podium Lounge

Sunflower Surprise Flower Display

Anyone who read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz would have been thoroughly fascinated by the Yellow Brick Road that Dorothy and her friends had to follow on their way to Emerald City. At Gardens by the Bay, a reinterpretation has been created to give fans a real life experience of what it must have been like to walk that route. In the Sunflower Surprise Flower Display, you will be surrounded by more than 10,000 sunflowers in the flower dome of the vicinity.

The display will be held from August 31 to October 21, and ticket entry into the flower dome is priced at $12 to $28. Don’t forget to charge your phone as you will surely be taking heaps of instagram worthy pictures!

Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes

With Avengers: Infinity War breaking box office ratings worldwide earlier this year, fans from all over the country have been enthusiastically purchasing merchandises and participating in events to learn more about Marvel’s wonderful creation. Up till September 30, the ArtsScience Museum at the Marina Bay Sands will give you the opportunity to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a highly-immersive exhibition to mark MARVEL Studios 10th anniversary.

Fans will be able to enter Stark Tower to learn about how Tony Stark’s ultra high-tech suits are created, or even delve into Wakanda and explore Shuri’s laboratory. Tickets can be purchased from $13 to $40, depending on whether you are interested in going on the other ongoing exhibitions being held at the ArtsScience Museum.

Photo Credit: ArtsScience Museum Singapore

Sentosa Sandsation

If that isn’t enough MARVEL excitement for you, Southeast Asia’s biggest sand festival, Sentosa Sandsation is set to return from September 1 to 16, with a brand new MARVEL theme. Held at Sentosa’s Siloso beach, 15 larger than life sand sculptures of MARVEL heroes like Captain America and Thor will be displayed at the event.

Additionally, MARVEL themed activities are available for both young ones and adults to feel like superheroes. The best part about this jaw-dropping attraction is that it is completely free of charge!

Photo Credit: Sentosa Island

Selling Dreams: Early Advertising in Singapore

Ever wondered how advertisements from the past differ from the ones we see now? The National Library Building is having a free ongoing exhibition till February 2019 featuring advertising materials from the 1830s to 1960s. The exhibitions explore the different consumer markets during that time and gives audiences a deeper understanding of how each and every advertisement has an impact to Singapore’s society and economical values.

So take a blast to the past, and discover how famous Asian brands like Tiger balm and Cold Storage used to advertise their products in Singapore. 

Photo Credit: Instagram (youli.c)

Music Matters Live

Returning for its eighth edition in Singapore, 30 artists from 14 different countries are here to give you free music over 5 different nights. Music Matters Live will be kicking off at the Fountain Square in Clarke Quay on September 7 and 8,  and will last till September 12 at various Timbre locations and other parts of Clarke Quay.

International singers like Jaguar Jonze from Australia and Renée Dominique from The Philippines will be there to keep you dancing to the music. The event will also feature local prominent artists like rapper Shigga Shay and DJ Nashd.

For more information, go to: http://musicmatters.asia/

Photo Credit: Instagram (@kimberluush)

Out-of-print Book Sale

Whether you’re looking for a book on romance poems or a nonfiction read about globalisation, Ethos Books will be holding their inaugural week-long book sale from September 1 to 7. Every rare and soon to be out-of-print book will be sold at a flat rate of $2, and it will be your last chance to grab your own copy.

Passionate book readers and keepers can visit the shop from 10AM to 6PM, or even opt for the books to be delivered to them if they aren’t able to come down. However, delivery charges do apply.

For more information, go to: https://www.ethosbooks.com.sg/

Photo Credit: Ethos Books

Bento Making Workshop

Well known by her online monkier Little Miss Bento, award winning celebrity food artist Shirely Wong will be holding a basic bento workshop. In this workshop, she will teach participants basic techniques that come about with this unique art form and how to make adorable safari themed characters from onigiri.

The workshop is for children ages 7 to 11 years old, and they will even have the chance to bring home their very own character lunchbox. 

For more information, go to: https://www.furama.com/specials/riverfront/littlemissbento/

Photo Credit: Little Miss Bento

Exclusive Haw Par Villa Twilight Tour: Journeys to Hell

One of Singapore's most famous tourist attractions that is known for its guresome statues and intenisfying era is throwing you a challenge, if you dare accept it. Join Haw Par Villa's twilight tour to experience the park after the sun has gone down. From going through the 10 courts of hell, to getting a sneak preview of the upcoming Hell's museum, this tour is fitted for the brave hearts out there. The twilight tour is on till September 28, from 6:30PM to 10:30PM.

For more information, go to: https://www.hawparvilla.sg/

Photo Credit: Haw Par Villa

En Bloc, or Buildings Must Die

Singapore is a young country that is rich in culture and heritage. However, what happens when buildings that we grew up going to and adoring are starting to dissapear one by one? In this series of programmes that comprises of an exhibtion and a series of co-presentations with the Singapore Heritage Society, learn more about conservation in Singapore and how personal values and stories are attached to the different places we call home.

There will also be a SAD: Going Going Gone? party for you to mingle and meet people with similar favourtie spots as you.

For more information, visit this Facebook page.