Cheryl Sekkappan

Anniversaries are meant to be celebrated with gusto and Singapore knows just how to party when it comes to National Day. Observed on August 9, the yearly affair marks Singapore’s independence from Malaysia. The city dresses for the occasion with flags lining the buildings, patriotic songs pervading the airwaves, people kitted out in red and white, and of course, the National Day Parade (NDP). Here’s the NDP in a nutshell: impressive aerial displays, military parades, and multicultural performances – all wrapped up with stunning fireworks. This year's parade will be extra special: it leaves its venues at the Float @ Marina, returning to the historic Padang for the first time since 2019. To top it all off, there will be heartland celebrations all over Singapore so that every Singaporean can join in the festivities.  Whether you're planning to pop the poppers outdoors or join in the fun from home, here's everything you need to know about NDP2023.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Singapore this July

When it comes to concerts, there’s nothing like singing out loud to your favourite songs, putting your hands up in the air (and wave 'em like you just don't care) at a concert hall or moshing at the event. Whether you're looking to kick it with the mainstream or embark on a sonic adventure with the alternative, the music calendar is filled with ace local and international acts to catch. The list is long – with big names like Harry Styles and Blackpink, to indie names like Phoenix and Kings of Convenience. Scroll down for the acts and be quick to snag tickets. RECOMMENDED: The best lifestyle cafés for music and art lovers and the best luxury hotels in Singapore

Tote bags are the ultimate arm candy of choice in the 21st century. They have multiple uses – whether it's for transporting your books and laptop, gym clothes, groceries, and anything else in between. And they can be environmentally friendly, too. But don't get it twisted, tote bags are more than just a piece of canvas. They tell people a great big deal about you. Intrigued? Let's find out what your choice of tote bag says about you.  RECOMMENDED: The most overrated things in Singapore and 50 best shops in Singapore 

Most of us are back in the office – that means packed schedules and more work obligations – including entertaining clients and catching up with colleagues over a meal. For those of us based in the CBD, we’re lucky: there’s no shortage of good restaurants and cafes. Closing deals with prospects, breaking bread with colleagues or just looking to take the pressure off, we've got restaurants catered to every budget – excluding taxes. Here's where you can get the best business lunch sets in the CBD for your next work thing. RECOMMENDED: The best new restaurants in Singapore and the best happy hour deals in the city

With its blend of old and new, colonial and contemporary, Singapore is a true wonder of Southeast Asia. Gleaming skyscrapers, luxury hotels, Instagrammable parks and boulevards filled with air-conditioned malls – Singapore truly has it all. Oh, and there are loads of attractions and great things to do to keep the hordes of visitors occupied too. It can be hard to know where to start. There's nature in abundance, and endless ways to seek out amazing views. There's galleries and shops galore too, for the less adventurou. So here's a run-down of the best Singapore attractions, as selected by our local experts just for you. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here. RECOMMENDED: 101 things to do in Singapore and where to see interesting architecture and landmarks in Singapore

Looking for a quiet place to do work but not a fan of the stuffy office or library environment? We don't blame you, being cooped up in a cubicle all day drives even the calmest among us crazy. We also understand that not everyone has an ideal work-from-home set-up. Venture beyond your friendly, neighbourhood Starbucks and settle down with free Wi-Fi, power points and a good cuppa to get your productivity game on at these cafés instead. RECOMMENDED: Your ultimate guide to the best cafés in Singapore and the best cafés in the CBD

GastroBeats 2023 has landed at Bayfront Event Space and it'll be serving up a fun mix of food, drinks, music, and vibes from now until June 25. This year, gorge yourself silly on fantastic grub from its thematic food streets (featuring Thai and Taiwanese snacks) and a whole array of other local food and beverage brands. And for the kids (or adults who know how to have fun), there's a whole inflatable wonderland, arcade zones, and claw machines for endless hours of fun.Bringing the 'beats' to 'GastroBeats' is also a live music line-up of local rock and indie bands, featuring long-time favourites like Jack & Rai, 53A, and Jive Talkin’. Music competition Fresh Voice will be launched on June 25 – it’s a year-long search for Singapore’s undiscovered musical talents. These talented musicians will have a chance to be featured live at next year’s GastroBeats! Make sure to also check out the new culinary show Food Tales that’ll be premiering on Netflix and the Asian Food Network. This four-episode series features food personalities from GastroBeats 2022 trying the best of our local food, from nasi lemak to kueh. How much are the tickets for GastroBeats 2023?Good news – GastroBeats 2023 is free to enter, so there's really no reason to miss out. We've headed down to the festival ourselves to check out all the best things to eat, do and see – read on to plan your own trip down. Watch our Nifty Fifty video to see what you can get for $50 at GastroBeats 2023: View this post o

Work from home is great and all, but sometimes the four walls of your room or personal study is too much of the same thing for you to be at your most productive. Once in a while, it helps to venture outside to quiet cafés or public spaces to make some serious headway in exam revisions, an important presentation, or simply in your reading goals. There are many public libraries in Singapore that can do the trick – though, for some extra inspiration, we suggest you head to these five beautifully designed libraries.  RECOMMENDED: The best quiet cafés with free Wifi to do work or study and 8 cool and hidden streets in Singapore to explore  

Embrace the great outdoors with these treks and trails that keep you on your feet for hours. Catch some culture on a civic district walk that covers some of the best museums or square up for a gruelling 36km hike that connects Punggol in the northeast to Jurong Lake out in the west. It’s a big world out there, and there’s more to it than tall buildings and ERP gantries. Let’s see it on foot. RECOMMENDED: The best parks for kids in Singapore and the best hidden parks in Singapore

One of the best ways to explore and find unique things to do in Singapore is through various heritage trails. For history junkies, go on the Raffles Lighthouse tour and Sentosa Heritage Trail to learn a thing or two about the history of Singapore. Also, explore the little-known heritage trails tracing Sikh heritage, Chinese clans and associations, and even the Singapore Police Force. What are you waiting for? Lace up your shoes and satisfy your inner explorer.  RECOMMENDED: The best historical trails in Singapore and The lost landmarks and buildings in Singapore

We wish we could compare bungee fitness to another sport, but this workout is in a league of its own. The closest we can get to explaining it? It’s like a combination of dance, high-intensity interval training, and Zumba – except you get to float and fly. Stories to Tales Theatre in Bangkok, Thailand is credited with being the first gym to introduce bungee workouts as far back as 2016. At the time, its instructors even travelled the world to spread the bungee fitness ‘gospel’. Meanwhile, videos of bungee fitness classes in Arizona’s Tough Lotus gym went viral online. The bungee fitness craze never really took hold in Singapore in the way that spin cycling and bouldering have. Still, it’s gradually coming to mainstream attention. To see what the unique workout is all about, we head to Elin Dance Studio for an introductory session.  RECOMMENDED: The best HIIT gyms and workout studios in Singapore and 12 unique alternative fitness classes to try in Singapore Getting started with bungee fitness  Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Here’s how bungee fitness works. First, you wear a bungee harness with a bungee cord that’s attached to the ceiling. This contraption weighs anywhere between 40kg to 100kg, depending on your own body weight.  Chafing aside, the harness supports your body weight throughout the workout. At Elin Dance Studio, we start off with basic stretches and simple moves, such as head rolls, pigeon pose, squats and push-ups. These feel like a breeze with the harness on, tho

When it comes to Japanese breads, there’s something that strikes a distinct chord – it’s sweeter, softer, and leaves us craving more. It could be the attention to detail with intricately-layered cream rolls or even unique fillings like red bean or matcha. As much as we enjoy picking up a fresh loaf of bread at Singapore’s best bakeries or devouring the best sandwiches to try, these seven Japanese bakeries have left their well-deserved mark on Singapore’s food scene.RECOMMENDED: The best cafés in Singapore for brunch and coffee and the best traditional bakeries and cake shops in Singapore

Shake out your picnic blanket for a movie under the stars, because Films at the Fort is back. Grab your friends and head to Fort Canning Green from August 3 to 20 to catch award-winning films, new releases, and classic movies on the silver screen – all outdoors, of course. Films at the Fort is swinging in with a line-up of 12 fantastic films. Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain is bound to sell out fast. The documentary charts the legendary chef's rise from obscurity in a New York restaurant to the heights of the food world as a traveller, television writer, and producer.  The programme also includes festival winners like Close, a poignant study of boyhood and friendship that won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Also don't miss Triangle of Sadness, a riotous black comedy that pokes fun at the super-rich – an effort that snagged the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.  If you're up for some heartstopping action, then catch Tom Cruise pull one daredevil stunt after another in Top Gun: Maverick or root for Michael B Jordan as Adonis 'Donnie' Creed in the fight of his life in Creed III. Classic film lovers also have something on the menu, including the romantic comedy What's Love Got to Do With It?, the love story to end all love stories The Notebook, and the coming-of-age tale starring Macaulay Culkin My Girl.  Amping up the festival feeling are live DJ and instrumental performances from 5.30pm, gourmet food options from The Providore, as w

Design lovers, you're about to have a field day at Where Sea Meets Shore. Happening from May 11 to 17, this stylish lifestyle fair brings together a curated homeware collection from over 25 award-winning Asian brands. This is where you can pick up elegant pieces for your home, running the gamut of furniture, bedding, loungewear, fragrances, and art.  Presented by Home Rituals, a pop-up concept co-created by SoL the label and Baea, Where Sea Meets Shore was curated with the beauty of the ocean in mind, translating to sustainable items that inspire calm and tranquility. A great example is SoL the label's latest capsule collection – debuting at the fair, it features items made with upcycling and zero-wastage techniques. Other great retail options to look forward to: Baea's 2023 bedding collection, statement pieces by SUYAB Furniture, plush rugs by heritage Hong Kong brand Tai Ping Carpets, or Asian fragrances and candles by local brand Oyasumi Scents. Craving to get closer to the designers and their process? Then Where Sea Meets Shore's line-up of talks and workshops is for you. Make your own fine bone chine plate with Hong Kong-based artist Leo Wong, who is well-known for his delicate floral ceramics. You can also watch Chinese artist Chris Chun bring his delicate watercolour artworks to life in a live painting session, or teach your kids the importance of ocean conservation at a workshop with Ayer Ayer.   Entry to Where Sea Meets Shore is free, except for workshops and talks.

  Walk down Haji Lane and soon you'll be stopping dead in your tracks – thanks to the heavenly scent of delicious bakes wafting from the French American Bakery.  This Halal bakery was opened by pastry chef Aishah and her husband in 2021. Since then, they've been attracting long queues of customers, who are there to pick up French and American breads, pastries, cakes, and cookies.  Eye-catching (and mouth-watering) options include cinnamon buns ($5.60), genuinely massive balls of fluffy bread layered with cinnamon and a generous drizzle of icing sugar. You might have to share that one to make space for other delights, like the flaky kouign-amann ($5.80), vanilla bean crème brûlée ($6.80), madeleines and financiers. Don't miss out on its cakes too – the carrot cake is our favourite ($8.50/slice).  The French American Bakery is takeaway only, but that's ok because you can pack the bakes away for a pleasant stroll down Haji Lane. If you're not too keen on waiting in line, then you can preorder both delivery and takeaway at thefrenchamericanbakery.cococart.co.

Hidden in plain sight in bustling Chinatown is Little Big Garden, a boutique plant shop specialising in kokedama. What's that, you ask? Originating in Japan, kokedama refers to plants (originally bonsai) grown in moss ('koke') balls ('dama'). Fairly easy to make, kokedama can also be displayed in a variety of ways – free standing on any flat surface you choose or strung up in the garden.  Occupying a cosy, second-floor shophouse space on Sago Street, Little Big Garden greets you with a waft of cool, clean and earthy scent from the living plants that crowd the space. Spot the sign declaring "Plants are for Tinder dates. Plants are for soul mates" and you know you're in a true plant lover's den – if the shelves of potted plants, air plants and aquatic set-ups have yet to clue you in. We spotted feathering asparagus fern, the charming curling leaves of ficus benjamina barok in kokedama, and the deep rusty leaves of fire fern, among many others.  Towards the front of the shophouse is a working space where the magic happens. Little Big Garden runs kokedama workshops ($70/pax) for individuals, groups, and corporates. Swing by and learn how to create your very own 'living pot'. The shop provides the materials – usually soil, coconut fibre, sphagnum moss, and a plant. Within the two hour session, you'll get to make two kokedama, learn all about plant care, and get to bring your creations home.  We all know how bustling Chinatown can get – Little Big Garden is an unexpected green oasi

Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai 2023 returns ten times bigger this year, with 700 stalls (up from 70 last year) setting up shop on the streets. It is the longest-running edition in history, sticking around for a whopping 36 days – plenty of time for you to check out all the F&B and retail goodies.  The theme of the annual bazaar is Raya Gemilang, meaning 'glorious feast', and features two concept zones. The first is Souq City, a market in the vicinity of Wisma Geylang Serai where you'll find stalls hawking food, drinks and retail items. This is also where you can get into the spirit of giving – look out for community shelves in Souq City, where you can leave non-perishable halal food and clothing.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Singapore (@timeoutsg) The second concept is the Street Bazaar, which will stretch from Geylang Serai Market to the area beside Tanjong Katong Complex. This area will showcase three distinct themes as well as interactive art installations. For those who are planning to head down for a proper feast, read on to find out the trendiest eats at this year’s bazaar.  Rosti Haus Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Break fast with a hearty Swiss rosti from the boys at Rosti Haus. The shredded potato pancakes here are delightfully fluffy, with a crisp on the outside. Other than the classic Swiss rosti ($8), they also offer other fun flavours like salted egg yolk rosti ($10), spicy rosti ($8) and cheesy rosti ($9). Go for the sa

Changi Airport is known for its many attractions, and it's adding one more jewel to its crown. Climb@T3, managed by The Rock School (TRS) Singapore, is a new rock climbing and bouldering facility in Basement 3 of Terminal 3. This is where kids, youth, and adults alike can come to scale some world-class walls.  The highlight of Climb@T3 is an 8-metre High Wall. Hook yourself up to the auto-belay system and go for a challenge on any of the 20 climbing routes (soon to be increased to 30 routes). For some rope-free fun, head over to the 12-metre-long and 2.5-metre-high Boulder Wall – the perfect spot for young ones and beginners alike to clock in some practice and build up confidence before giving the High Wall a try.  Are the kids keen to become the next rock climbing star? Climb@T3 offers a number of programmes to get them all trained up too. Kids two to six can sign up for the Rock Tots programme, a fortnightly Boulder Wall-only programme which will get them comfortable with climbing and movement types through fun activities and games. Children aged two and up can also go for 'Climb and Play' sessions on a free-and-easy or guided basis.  Climb@T3 operates from Mondays to Fridays from noon to 9.30pm and on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 9.30pm. The rock climbing gym provides harnesses and shoes for rent, but you're welcome to bring your own. For more information and bookings, head to climbt3.sg.

Here's some news to keep you warm on a cold night – English alternative pop duo Honne has just announced their 2023 Asia tour dates, and Singapore's part of the line-up.  The band is slated to perform in Singapore at The Star Vista on May 18, four years after their last performance in Singapore. And you'll want to score tickets to this one, because it'll be the first time that Honne will be playing songs from their latest EP Let's Just Say The World Ended A Week From Now, What Would You Do?. Of course, you can also expect to groove to the duo's classics and greatest hits from albums like Warm On A Cold Night, Love Me/Love Me Not, and mixtape no song without you (2020). Local pre-sale has started today (February 14) and will run all the way to February 16. General ticket sales will begin on February 17, 10am on ticketmaster.sg. Ticket prices start from $78 for Cat 4 and 5 seats, going up to $358 for VIP tickets. 

This Instagram sensation from Brooklyn has got stars like Lizzo, Margot Robbie and Solange raving. If you don't know what it's all about, it bills itself as an "adult funhouse of style, culture, and creativity" – featuring 29 rooms of interactive installations, quirky workshops, and exciting live performances.  Now, 29Rooms is dipping its toes into Asia and Singapore is its first stop. Running for a whopping 10 weeks, the sensory playground is bringing the same mix of multi-sensory experiences built on the theme of Lost & Found. Vibrant, thought-provoking, and endlessly Instagrammable, 29Rooms Asia is one you cannot miss. Here are six exhibits you'll want to check out.  Forest Theatre Photograph: Daniel Iskandar 29Rooms sets the tone of the exhibition with its first room, Forest Theatre, an atmospheric 'forest' space filled with thought-provoking questions. Walk among misty, backlit trees and don't forget to pause and contemplate question like "When was the last time you switched off?".  Paradise Found Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Okay, 'fess up – who spends hours on the toilet scrolling on the phone? Thanks to the bustle of modern life, the toilet is a little paradise for many of us. Paradise Found features the Pixel Toilet and the Surrealist Toilet (with multimedia artist Aeropalmics), both a cheeky take on the musings and imaginings that take place when we can truly take some time alone. Flag Your Goals Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Inspired by public housing blocks in

Celebrate the love you find in friends at Eatmepoptart: We Are Your Friends party. Held at its new space in Phuture, the party will be turning up the good vibes with a selection of ‘indie sleaze, alt rock, pop and electronica’ under the masterful spins of weelikeme, KiDG and Hedger. Come dressed in something colourful to suit the theme and get ready for a riot of a night. 

Married, loved up, single, with the gals – it doesn’t matter what your relationship status is, Pop Up! Club – Love Bites welcomes all. Swing by for a night of dance, games, food, drinks, and a little bit of glitter at Levant Bar. The space has been divided into two zones – hit up the alfresco area if you’re into Top 40s hits, or head to zone two for some groovy house music. Guest DJs include resident DJ Bernie Soiree, and guests DJ Jagi, Suburban Culture, DJ Young, amongst others. Don’t forget to wear red or pink to get into the spirit of Valentine’s. 

Valentine’s Vendetta is probably Singapore’s longest-running singles party, and they’re not about to break that run. Back for another run at Chimi’s Marina Bay, this party is your chance to step out of your comfort zone – and maybe fall for someone you wouldn’t normally swipe right on. It’s a low-pressure setting too: participants are put into small groups to speed date, play trivia games and Truth or Drink, with lots of booze to smooth the way. All you need to do is open your heart and let the love in. 

Up for some poetry during this season of love? Head down to What’s Your Story SLAM: Love Hurts, a live storytelling competition happening at The Projector. The theme is ‘Love Hurts / Sucker for Love’, so expect lyrical turns on the heartaches and foolishness of love – and mind you, these are real stories told by real people. It’s going to be raw, sad, funny – and utterly relatable. 

Don't forget to look up on July 3, because a super-large full moon will be illuminating our night skies. Known as a Buck Moon, this is the first of four supermoons that will be visible across Singapore in 2023.  If you're wondering what a supermoon is, these occur when the moon's orbit is closest to our planet, causing it to appear larger and brighter than usual. 14 percent larger and 30 percent bigger to be exact!  Why is July's supermoon called a Buck Moon and how can you view it? Read on to find out. Why is it called a Buck Moon?  We can thank northeastern Native American tribes for this. They noticed that male deer, or bucks, tend to grow antlers in July. If you like divining the meaning of natural events, then you might be interested to know that antlers are often seen as a symbol of strength and growth – so you can see the Buck Moon as a time to refresh and make a positive change.  What time will the Buck Moon be visible in Singapore?  The Buck Moon will begin rising from the southeast at 7.13pm on July 3. 9pm onwards is the best time to head out for a look, as this is when the moon will be at an appreciable height for viewing. It reaches the meridian (the highest point in the sky it will reach) at 1.25am and will finally set at 7.40am on July 4 in the southwest direction.  Where are the best spots to view the Buck Moon? The Buck Moon should be visible anywhere in Singapore. Find a place with wide, unobstructed views of the southeastern night sky – such as a rooftop or

UPDATE It's Coldplay all over again, as Taylor Swift adds three more dates to her upcoming The Eras Tour in Singapore. On top of the shows on March 2, 3, and 4, she'll also be playing at The National Stadium on March 7, 8, and 9 – giving all Swifties more of a fighting chance to get tickets.    Fans still have a chance to register until June 28. On July 5, the lucky ones will receive an email with a unique, non-transferable access code, timing details and where the on-sale will occur on July 8. The rest of us can duke it out at the UOB presale from July 5 to July 7 or in the general sale on July 8 (sans access code).  It's going to be all-out war – good luck Swifties! June 21  Local Swifties, here's some news to fulfill your wildest dreams: Taylor Swift will be bringing her highly-anticipated The Eras Tour to Singapore for three nights in March 2024. The American mega pop star will be taking over The National Stadium on March 2, 3 and 4, 2024. And lucky us, because we're her only Southeast Asian stop. The only other regional destinations for The Eras Tour are Tokyo, Japan as well as Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.  If you've already got your wallets ready, then here's what we know about ticketing. Ticket prices start at $108 and there will be VIP packages available. Mark your calendars for general sales on July 7 at noon via Ticketmaster, hotline and all SingPost outlets. Fans can register here as early as June 23 (that's in two days!) with registration closing on June 28. I

The cool kids are taking over in the blockbuster realm. The Projector has teamed up with Golden Village to develop Golden Village x The Projector at Cineleisure (GVxTP). June 30 will mark the last screening by Cathay Cineplexes, after which GVxTP will take over with an eclectic mix of films and lifestyle events. Expect the latest Hollywood releases at GVxTP and at the same time discover cult classics, musicals and animations that would normally fly under the radar. Indulge the culture vulture in you with adapted-for-screen productions from the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet in London too. The GVxTP team-up is taking it further with a slew of hip events, running the gamut of live performances, festivals, exhibitions, and pop-up markets. The new space will also have a café where you can fuel up on all-day brunches and specialty coffee. By night, this will turn into a bar for chilled-out drinks with craft beers on tap.  The GVxTP takeover is part of Cineleisure Orchard's larger plans to liven up the mall. Newest tenant additions include Overjoyed craft store and WeTuft tufting studio. More exciting new venues will be settling in over the next few months, including the flagship outlet of HaveFun Karaoke, Taiwan Night Markets, and sushi and yakitori joint Shujin Master Sushi Bar.  READ MORE The best independent and alternative cinemas in SingaporeSingapore Night Festival returns to illuminate the Bras.Basah.Bugis precinct this August 2023Coldplay returns to Singapore in Januar

It's no secret that Singaporeans really want to travel to Japan and with new attractions to check out all over the country, there's more reason than ever to visit the land of the rising sun.  Now, there's a chance that you can do so on an all-expenses-paid trip. Organised by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) Singapore Office and sponsored through its community website Japan by Japan (JbyJ), the free tours will cover major spots and hidden gems in Hokkaido, Hiroshima and Kyushu.  The theme of the trip is to celebrate a loved one's birthday in Japan. You'll get to tailor the itinerary to your liking too, in collaboration with representatives from JbyJ. And by all-expenses-paid, we mean it – air tickets, accommodation, transport, as well as food and beverage will all be covered.  Where are the tours going?  There are three tours planned in the coming months, the first to Hokkaido, the second to Hiroshima and San'in, and the third to Kyushu. For now, JNTO and JbyJ have only released the details for the first two.  Here's a teaser of the itinerary:  Hokkaido  Photograph: Unsplash September 3 to 8 The Hokkaido tour is designed just for families. A group of up to four (with up to two children aged 11 and above) will be whisked away to Japan's northernmost island to enjoy its great outdoors and cultural cuisine. Visit locations like Kushiro, Furano, Sapporo and Chitose on the tour, which are known for gorgeous national parks, lavender fields and breweries.  Hiroshima

GastroBeats 2023 is gearing up to be a riot of fantastic grub, vibrant live performances, and more zany activities. If you haven’t heard, the event is taking over Bayfront Event Space from June 1 to 25 with thematic food streets, gigs by the likes of 53A and Peep Show, food eating competitions, and game zones for the whole family.  There’s only one way to make this better – freebies. And for this year’s GastroBeats, we’re teaming up with the festival to give away some cool prizes. Play claw machines and arcade games at GastroBeats for free with i Claw Taiwan SG and Zone X credits. You’ll also get to bring home one set of JJ Royal Drip Tin Coffee and a double-walled cup to keep your beverage steaming hot.   Here’s what you have to do to stand a chance to win:  Follow @timeoutsg and @gastrobeatssg Like the giveaway Instagram post Leave a comment telling us your favourite underrated hawker  Tag someone you’d like to bring to GastroBeats 2023 The giveaway ends on June 1, 11.59pm. Three lucky winners will be chosen on June 5, so remember to check your Instagram direct messages. Good luck!  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Singapore (@timeoutsg) READ MORE GastroBeats returns this June with a dope blend of food, music and vibes The most stunning events happening in Singapore this June

If you like to plan your holidays way ahead, then here are five long weekends in 2024 to look forward to.  The Ministry of Manpower released the full list of public holidays in 2024. Of the 11 gazetted public holidays, five of them fall on a Friday, Sunday, or Monday – which means blissful long weekends for us all.  Notably, the second day of Chinese New Year falls on a Sunday, marking the following Monday as a day off.  Start ringing all your friends about these public holiday dates:  New Year's Day, Jan 1, Monday Chinese New Year, Feb 10, Saturday Chinese New Year, Feb 11, Sunday (Feb 12 will be a public holiday) Good Friday, Mar 29, Friday Hari Raya Puasa, Apr 10, Wednesday Labour Day, May 1, Wednesday Vesak Day, May 22, Wednesday Hari Raya Haji, Jun 17, Monday National Day, Aug 9, Friday Deepavali, Oct 31, Thursday Christmas Day, Dec 25, Wednesday  But hey, 2023 is not over and there are still six public holidays to enjoy this year. If you need a refresher ahead of some last-minute plans, here's our ultimate guide to 2023 public holidays in Singapore.  PLAN YOUR GETAWAY ✈️ The best weekend beach getaways from SingaporeThe best diving spots in Southeast AsiaDesaru Coast 101: What to see, do, and eat at this idyllic getaway destination  

There's now an easy way for you to search for affordable meals in your area. BudgetMealGoWhere is a new website launched by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in collaboration with the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) that tells you exactly where to go for a cheap meal. Find yourself in the heartlands, feeling hungry and not sure where to go? Simply enter your postal code into the portal and it'll suggest a list of available budget meals and drinks at nearby HDB coffee shops. These suggestions start within 2km of your location.  If you're wondering what's in a budget meal, the good news is that it's more than a paltry snack, side dish, kid's meal, or half-portion meal. These are full lunch and dinner options, priced below $3.50 for meals and below $1.20 for drinks. An example of what you can expect on your plate? Economy rice with long beans, sweet and sour pork, and spinach ($3.30) with teh O ($1). To make things easier, you can even filter your search on BudgetMealGoWhere to find only halal options, budget meals or budget drinks too.  There are currently about 40 coffee shops listed on BudgetMealGoWhere, so options are pretty limited. HDB and GovTech assure that more are being added to the site though. Starting from May 2023, all coffee shops leased from HDB are also expected to offer budget meal options upon their tenancy renewal, so all 374 HDB rental coffee shops should have affordable options by 2026 – which only means more cheap meals for us all.  READ MORE

With four more long weekends, the June holidays, and a couple of public holidays to look forward to in the rest of 2023, you'd be forgiven if the only thing on your mind was travel. And just in time to whet your appetite, Google has revealed the top ten destinations that Singaporeans want to travel to. The results are based on Google Flights searches with the highest search volume for the months of June to August 2023.  Usual suspects like Tokyo, Japan and Bangkok, Thailand are on the top ten list, but it's Bali, Indonesia that takes the cake. We see why – Bali is less than three hours away by plane, with tantalisingly beautiful beaches, lush terraced rice fields, hip cafés and vibrant local food. If you're racing to join everyone else in the Island of the Gods, here are our recommendations for top spots to visit in the up-and-coming Canggu area.  These are the ten travel destinations that Singaporeans want to visit the most:  Denpasar, Indonesia Tokyo, Japan Bangkok, Thailand London, United Kingdom Seoul, South Korea Taipei City, Taiwan Osaka, Japan Melbourne, Australia Paris, France Sydney, Australia   Google has helpfully shared some tips on snagging a good flight deal too. According to their data, flight tickets are cheapest between four to six months before your planned departure date, reaching their lowest point at about five-and-a-half months before. So, if you're too late to buy those cheap flight tickets for the summer holidays, then start plan

Taiwan is beloved for its colourful night markets, moreish street food, and stunning national parks. If you’ve been dying to head back, there’s no time like the present because its government is offering NT$5000 (S$210) in travel incentives to 500,000 lucky tourists starting from May 1.  The scheme is part of the country’s ambitious plan to attract up to six million tourists in 2023. They’ve dedicated NTD 5.3 billion to the scheme, some of which will also be allocated as subsidies of up to NT$50,000 (S$2,170) to local and foreign tour agencies.  Ready for some revenge travel to Taiwan? Here’s all you need to know about the new travel incentives.  Who is eligible?  If you’re a foreign independent traveller, then good news, you’re eligible. That means that you don’t hold a ROC (Republic of China) passport and you’re not travelling to Taiwan as part of a tour group. You must also enter Taiwan legally (of course), and stick around between three to 90 days.  How do I register for and redeem the vouchers? The whole scheme is run as a lucky draw. One to seven days before your scheduled arrival in Taiwan, you must log in and register your participation on the campaign website. A lucky draw QR code will be sent to your email address – keep this handy for your arrival in Taiwan.  Once in Taiwan, head to the event area in the airport’s arrival hall to scan your QR code and complete the lucky draw. If you’re lucky enough to win the draw, you’ll be directed to another prize redemption are

Here's some annoying news to flavour your day. Singapore has been named the fifth richest city in the world, and the second richest city in Asia according to the World's Wealthiest Cities Report 2023. If you're not feeling very rich, know that the report draws on data that tracks the spending habits of high net worth (HNW) individuals across 97 cities worldwide – that is, individuals with an investable wealth of USD 1 million and above.  According to the report, Singapore is currently home to 240,100 millionaires, 329 centi-millionaires, and 27 billionaires, surpassing the HNW individual count even in Asia's richest city, Tokyo. This year, we also overtake Hong Kong, which has seen a flight of disillusioned expats in recent years. Singapore holds great appeal for the wealthy thanks to its business-friendly environment. Approximately 2,800 HNW individuals migrated to Singapore in 2022, with many of the elite setting up family offices as well as Southeast Asian headquarters to take advantage of favourable tax conditions.  According to Henley & Partners, the influx of HNW individuals is a boon for cities, indicating robust economies, low crime rates, competitive tax rates and fantastic business opportunities – all great news for Singapore. On the other hand, the report notes that "the post-Covid surge in immigration [to Singapore] combined with increased interest rates has pushed the housing market to a near all-time high with no prospect of cooling any time soon". When Singapor

Rev your party engines, because the first wave of entertainment acts for the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 have just been announced. Today, it revealed that Post Malone, Robbie Williams, and 88rising stars Jackson Wang, NIKI, Rich Brian, and Warren Hue will be heating up the Night Race stages from September 15 to 17. And it's just getting warmed up, with more epic entertainment acts to come.  Introducing our first wave of entertainment acts to complement the @F1 action feat. @88rising @PostMalone & @robbiewilliams Tickets at https://t.co/VvcQ4A0Krq - we're just getting warmed up, stay tuned for the full race weekend playlist 🤘🏻 #SingaporeGP #F1NightRace pic.twitter.com/jAjrdlemFY — SingaporeGP (@F1NightRace) April 18, 2023 The Singapore Grand Prix 2023 will be happening at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Swing by on September 15 for all-day entertainment by 88rising stars at Zone 4 Padang Stage – Magic Man Jackson Wang will likely be busting out hit singles like Come Alive, Blow, and LMLY, followed hot on the heels by fire verses from Indonesian rapper Rich Brian. Meanwhile, Indonesian pop darling NIKI will be delivering a glossy, soulful affair with her special brand of indie folk.  This Grammy Award-nominated artist needs no introduction. After the qualifying round on September 16, American rapper Post Malone will take over the stage. Known for combining genres of pop, hip-hop, R&B and trap, he most recently received a Grammy Award nod in th

There has been a lot of action going on in our skies, from a rare green comet to Venus and Jupiter 'kissing' in the skies. Hot on the heels of a lovely pink full moon in April, we will soon be treated to another rare astronomical event – a hybrid solar eclipse. Happening on April 20, the event is sending enthusiasts into a tizzy because hybrid solar eclipses happen only a few times every century. We can count ourselves lucky because the phenomenon will be fully visible in Singapore. Here's everything you need to know about hybrid solar eclipses, as well as when and how to view the rare event.  What is a hybrid solar eclipse?  A hybrid eclipse is a type of solar eclipse that looks like a total solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse depending on where you are along the central eclipse path. This differs from regular solar eclipses, which appear either total or annular no matter the observer's location along the central eclipse path.  Why is a hybrid solar eclipse so rare? Many things have to align to make a hybrid solar eclipse possible, such as the distance of the sun and moon to Earth, and Earth's curvature. If the moon is too close to Earth, that will mean a total solar eclipse all along the central eclipse path. Too far? That spells an annular solar eclipse for all observers along the central path. The sun and moon are in a constantly shifting dance, so it's much harder than you think for all these factors to be just right.  Can I see the hybrid solar eclipse in Singapo