The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (Jun 30- Jul 2)

Catch Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James (as sculptures, that is) at Funan Mall until July 16. Funan Mall’s interiors have been transformed into a contemporary art exhibition inspired by legendary NBA players. Edgar Plans, the brains behind the artworks on display, is a Spanish artist known for his vibrant and whimsical graffiti, sculptures, and collectible toys. Expect walls lined with NBA-inspired graffiti artwork and sculptures of the players in Plans’ signature style – disproportionately large heads, huge eyes, and mouse ears. Love what you’ve seen? Exclusive merch and collectibles, including a specially designed Edgar Plans x Wilson basketball and a limited-edition Flyman 23 collectible sculpture, will be available for sale, so you can bring a piece of the exhibition home with you.

This June, the Temasek Shophouse (TSH) celebrates its fourth anniversary with an exciting lineup of events. 

If you’re wondering what TSH even is, that’s the charming Wes Anderson-esque building near Dhoby Ghaut station along the road of downtown Orchard. The iconic structure is home to the Temasek Trust, Temasek Foundation, and Stewardship Asia Centre.

Recognised as Singapore's hub for social impact, the TSH serves as a collaborative space where communities unite to forge a more sustainable and improved world. Thus far, TSH has already orchestrated 200 events, connecting individuals and organisations that share a common goal –  making our society a more sustainable place to live in.

From June 23 to July 2, shop from several environmentally friendly vendors at the Temasek Shophouse Bazaar, attend a workshop that teaches you how to be in touch with your feelings through art, and if you’re just looking to chill out, then immerse yourself in an hour of live performance by artists.

That’s not all – for film enthusiasts, don’t miss out on an exhibition showcasing prints created from rare movie memorabilia from the archives of a Singapore film collector housed in a replica of a traditional film studio. And for the botanophiles, head to the Temasek Shophouse’s vertical green wall to witness Keng Lye’s grand display of beautiful resin artworks of bonsai and insects.

Find out more about the events happening via their Facebook. 

Want to go for a picnic but can’t be bothered to organise it? Save yourself the hassle and head to Bee’s Knees Garage in Botanic Gardens, where the picnic has already been taken care of – you just have to show up. Whether it’s a date or a family activity, Bee’s Knees has a variety of picnic “buzzkets” to choose from, including dog-friendly options. All picnic baskets come equipped with a table, reusable mat, cushions, and battery-operated candles (which have to be returned to the restaurant after you’re done). A picnic basket for two starts from $70 and includes two beverages, two mains, and one side; baskets must be pre-ordered three days in advance here.

Take notes on emotional, mental, and physical self-care and improve your work-life balance at this year’s Wellness Festival. At the three-week festival, from June 17 to July 19, you’ll be able to rest and recharge with an extensive lineup of wellness-related activities ranging from spa retreats and sound baths to soap-making workshops and workout sessions. 

A reminder to put your mental health first this weekend by heading down to National Gallery Singapore’s annual wellness festival, offering a range of art-inspired wellness experiences for all visitors to immerse in. This year's edition introduces a new theme – Art Connects – enhancing the connection between art and holistic well-being.

The activities in-store for visitors are categorised into Music, Hands-on, Art and Movement. 

More information on the programmes happening can be found here.

Sentosa will be transformed into a holistic wellness retreat from 10 June to 9 July. At the Zentosa Live Well festival, over 250 activities spanning five pillars of wellness will be on offer for festival-goers. Highlights of the event include a Discovery Walk, the Zentosa Festival Village, FeelWell (a new mental and emotional wellness zone), BondWell (which facilitates bonding and strong relationships with loved ones), in addition to returning experiences like PlayWell, EatWell, and RestWell. Furthermore, if you’re a fan of reality competition series Physical: 100, you can register for one of 100 slots for an exclusive meet-and-greet session with Choo Sung-hoon, who appeared on the show.

Take a stroll amongst a wide variety of roses with this year’s edition of the annual Rose Romance in Gardens by the Bay. From June 2 to July 16, the Flower Dome will be transformed into a romantic garden reminiscent of Puglia in southern Italy, an area known for being a wedding destination. Find out more and book your tickets now at this link.

Naruto fans, you’re in luck. Embark on your own ninja journey at the Naruto 20th Anniversary Exhibition, which will be making a stop in Singapore from May 29 to July 2 at Marina Square. Among the many things to look forward to at the exhibition are five immersive experiences, created using light and sound effects, that will allow you to transform into shinobi and perform various Jutsu. Eight classic scenes from the anime series will be recreated, including Naruto and Sasuke’s battle in “The Final Valley.” At an additional cost of $25, you can also participate in a VR experience that'll allow you to interact with characters from the Naruto universe. After the exhibition, make sure to visit the accompanying pop-up store, where you’ll be able to pick up limited-edition merchandise – such as stationery, exclusive t-shirts, and home goods – that can only be found at the exhibition. 

Get your tickets here. Tickets are already on sale and are priced at $22 per person on weekdays, and $25 on weekends.

Whisking steak lovers away to the OG chophouses of early century New York, The Astor Grill pop-up at The St. Regis Singapore takes over the grand space of French fine-dining restaurant Brasserie Les Saveurs. Steaks are the stars of the show here, where prime cuts from heritage cattle breeds of America and Australia are prepared on a custom-built parilla grill. For the ultimate indulgence, there is the unparalleled 600-day grain-fed Kagoshima Wagyu by exclusive Wagyu producers of the revered Satsuma Gyu Presentation group. Large groups can also look forward to show-stopping sharing portions such as the 1.4kg Australian grass-fed Angus tomahawk and the butcher’s platter that comes with striploin, Wagyu skirt steak and rump cap. The opulence doesn’t stop there – specialty desserts and bespoke martinis are also available at a snap of a finger. While most steakhouse experiences might come with a hefty price tag, the Astor Grill pop-up doesn't gatekeep this exclusive experience. Instead, everyone is invited to luxuriate in the grand atmosphere with an accessible three-course lunch ($48).

The creative cool cats behind kids’ mag Eyeyah! is embracing the beauty of imperfections with a special edition of Asia’s largest celebration of Gifs. GifFest III is no ordinary event. The “fun-filled exhibition for all ages” features cutting-edge formats, mind-blowing multimedia displays, and jaw-dropping giant projections that'll leave you and the little ones in awe. Get ready to feast your eyes on a wild array of works from the hottest names in the Gif game, as well as some fresh new talents from all corners of the globe.

With an archive of over 100 garments on display, Asian Civilisations Museum’s latest exhibition explores the fashion journey of Paris-based Singaporean designer Andrew Gn, taking us through his roots and global influences. The show touches on the specifics of material, technique, tradition, art historical movements from both East and West, blending them all together to uncover Singapore’s cultural identity in the form of dress. 

There is also an engaging interactive component where visitors will receive an RFID tag that can be activated to virtually collect Andrew's iconic motifs at designated stations throughout the exhibition. Using the collected motifs, visitors can create their own unique dress design at the augmented reality booth towards the end of the exhibition. There are also handicraft stations for one to try constructing a one-dart-style bodice on the given mini mannequins, or decorate your personal wearable embellished collar with ribbons and faux rhinestones provided.

More information on the exhibition and its programmes here.

It's never too early to expose your little ones to art. Unlock their creativity with a multi-sensorial art adventure at National Gallery Singapore as it turns into a colossal warren of imagination. Themed Let’s Make a Better Place, the fourth edition of the Gallery Children’s Biennale decks the National Gallery Singapore with 11 art installations by artists around the world. Each installation spotlights one of four core values which include care, collaborate, imagine, and respect. These artistic concepts also highlight the relevant issues of today – in an easy-to-digest manner for kids, no less. Your young heroes can look forward to immersive experiences that go beyond imaginative play, inspiring them to take an active role in bettering the world.

Ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure that's straight out of a Jules Verne novel? Alliance Française de Singapour has got you covered with Around the World: The Exhibition. Step into the world of French innovations that have transformed the way we travel, whether it's by land, sea, or air. Get ready to take on the ultimate challenge, just like Phileas Fogg, and journey around the globe on a TGV, hop aboard the mighty A380, or set sail on the majestic France. Then, brace yourself to go where few have gone before as you follow in the footsteps of Thomas Pesquet and venture into space. So buckle up, my friend, because the first pages of your epic adventure are waiting to be written!

Step into a time machine that zooms through Singapore’s colonial past and its incredible transformation into the vibrant present. With Now Boarding, you can revisit the iconic analogue flip board previously located at Changi Airport, the set of the history-making Singapore Airlines’ A380 prestigious Suites Cabin seat, and more artifacts that will leave you feeling nostalgic. The exhibition also serves as your ultimate travel guide, showcasing the evolution of Singapore as a top-notch destination. Navigate through four exciting themes: transport, accommodation, food and beverage, and sights and shopping. And to give you a taste of it all, it’s also throwing in cool pop-up experiences including the museum’s’ very own disco room!

If streetwear is the name of your fashion game, then you know that sneakers are a step in the right sartorial direction. Ahead of the much-anticipated Sneaker Con SEA, the ArtScience Museum is making way for a large-scale sneaker and street culture exhibition that big-up creativity, self-expression and innovation. The brainchild of two massive sneakerheads – Emmy-award-winning producer Stever Harris and Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur Steve Brown – the exhibition features over 100 limited edition sneakers, street art and design with crossovers into different genres of sports, entertainment, music, fashion and more. Feast your eyes on 50 murals and installations including works by American creatives such as McFlyy, Michael Murphy and Mimi Yoon.

Embark on a magical adventure with your little explorers at the Esplanade's interactive theatre series PLAYtime! Perfect for tiny tots and tykes between the ages of three and six, it features engaging productions that ignite your kid's creative and imaginative flame while encouraging learning through the performing arts. 

This year's programmes focus on themes of social and emotional development. Highlights include Us (Feb 2-Mar 12) which explores various emotions through movement, music and fun; Next up, Just As I Am (Apr 21-May 7) which is a theatrical dance performance about self-love; and A Prince, An Explorer and A Girl – The Story of Batu Bulat (Aug 11-27) which takes the audience on a fun island journey to discovering the importance of empathy.

If there's one place we're definitely Gogh-ing this weekend, it's the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. It's an amazing new way to see the world through the post-impressionist’s eyes as his artworks come to life in a 360-degree digital spectacle. Let your jaw drop as you step into stunning floor-to-ceiling projections of famed pieces including the dreamy blue swirls of The Starry Night. Complete your trippy art adventure with the 10-minute VR experience which features The Bedroom in Arles and Starry Night Over The Rhone, as well as two special Japanese culture-grounded showcase segments which double as a tribute to the Japonisme movement that holds a strong influence on Van Gogh's artwork style. Fancy creating your own masterpiece? Art jamming sessions are available too.

After 17 editions of da:ns festivals, the dance celebration is ready to take things to the next level. Introducing da:ns focus. Spread across five weekends throughout the year, each part focuses on a particular theme or genre, and is jam-packed with exciting programmes, experiences and activities to get everyone involved – no matter if you’re a seasoned dancer or dipping your (pointe) toes into the scene for the first time. Mark your calendars for April 14 to 16 as it opens with the first set: EveryBody. The weekender focuses on work powered by inclusivity and diversity, so expect dance projects that empower all body types and abilities. Accessibility features for selected programmes such as Relaxed Environment, Sign Language Interpretation and wheelchair access are also offered.