The best of Singapore this year
We’re firmly into 2015 now, and if you’re like us and have already missed out on a few good events because your diary was still on holidays, fret not. We have gathered together some key highlights for the year, month by month, so you won’t miss a thing. In fact, here are 50 happenings that make Singapore a great place to be in the year of its 50th birthday. And we’ll add to this list as the year progresses.
JANUARY
Let’s face it, this month has been and gone so we won’t waste your time listing anything here. Let’s move on…
FEBRUARY
Chingay Parade
The 2015 ‘We Love SG’ themed Chingay Parade promises to be the grandest, most spectacular street float parade ever to grace this magnificent island of ours. Grab a possie close to the action and watch the 11,000 multi-cultural street performers pass you by, bedecked in traditional garb.
Image: Chingay – Choo Yut Shing
KidsFest! 2015
Quality kids theatre comes to town during this event. With overseas productions based on favourite books, this years line up includes The Princess and The Pea, The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the Snail and The Whale. It’s already started so get moving!
Safari Zoo Run
OK, so registration is closed on this race but you’re not going to miss out. Head along for the post race carnival in the carpark which features magic shows, animal awareness booths and photography with the zoo fauna.
Aesop’s Fables
This wonderful retelling of ancient stories will have little audiences enthralled as they learn the wisdom of the world. Animals come to life and their stories told through masks, puppetry, live action and song!
MARCH
Singapore International Jazz Festival
Last year was awesome (Sophie Dahl isn’t wrong about Jamie Cullum) and this years line up has us returning for more. Listen to smooth tunes from over 250 artists, including international Grammy Award winners.
Image: Singapore International Jazz Festival Facebook
One Direction
If you live with a tween or teen, chances are you’re being begged for tickets for the ‘On The Road Again Tour’. Or perhaps you’re a closet fan yourself. Go see the power that is the Harry Styles hairdo.
Sleeping Beauty Season
Singapore Dance Theatre brings this classic fairytale to life through movement and music by composer, Tchaikovsky. Stunning choreography, costumes and sets make a feast for the eyes.
Savour
Singapore’s biggest gourmet food festival is back with a great line up of top local and international chefs. The tagline this year is ‘come celebrate the delicious’. Don’t mind if we do.
Still hungry? Singapore is dedicating March to the diverse flavours of European cuisine through visiting chefs, award-winning restaurants and a whole range of gourmet products. Cheaper than a flight to Paris.
Image: Green Corridor Run Facebook
Green Corridor Run
In conjunction with World Water Day, this scenic run is back. It’s hard enough doing the normal route (losing a shoe in the mud mid stride is commonplace), but this year you can go one step further and take on the Water challenge – it’s a chance to experience what it’s like for 44% of the world’s population when they trek miles everyday to fetch clean water.
Pet Expo
We’ve almost caved on buying a puppy so many times. and we’re probably going to tempt fate again with a visit to this extravaganza of pet ownership with over 3,000 furry friends on site. Cuteness overload! Adopt responsibly.
Earth Hour
Show your commitment for the planet and demonstrate people power to your kids by participating in this annual lights off event. Save water and shower with a friend!
Beauty and the Beast
Belle is Miss Popularity this year with a couple of remakes in the pipeline. See this famous fairytale brought to life on stage. From the producers of The Lion King, this Broadway musical will deliver.
Image: Beauty and The Beast Musical Facebook
APRIL
Affordable Art Fair
Although every time we go our favourite pieces are not that affordable unless we’re peaking through our fingers after several glasses of bubbles, we live in hope of scoring a gem for $100. The Spring edition is more intimate than the Autumn version but worth checking out. And they usually have workshops for kids.
The Studios: Fifty
This must have taken some time to curate…The Studios at Esplanade Theatres On The Bay have gathered together 50 English language theatre works created in Singapore from the 1960s till the present. And they’re reproducing 5 of them as full productions and the rest as dramatised readings.
Meghan Trainor
Belting out a song about having a positive body image has hit the right note for Meghan Trainor, of “All About That Bass” fame. Not a bad role model to check out with your little girl.
Image: Meghan Trainor Facebook – Billboard
W!ld Rice ImagiNATION
More on the theatre front. This homegrown theatre production company is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and Singapore’s 50th birthday, with a season of five exciting new productions inspired by the stars of the Singapore Flag.
Shakespeare In The Park
Singapore Repertory Theatre is bringing us one of the great man’s darkest and most mercurial plays in this outdoor production. We wonder who will play Prospero and how the magic will unfold. Should be captivating.
Asia Dive Expo
This event may not sound like much but there’s going to be mermaids. Yep. And Tahitian dance. Children can even experience what it’s like to go deep underwater in a safe pressure tank. Go. It will be fun.
Mission Row Endurance Challenge
Don’t worry – you don’t have to do this. But it is worth catching a glimpse of those that are. 40 generous (and crazy) people from Singapore’s insurance and maritime industries are set to row 140km in 24 hours to circumnavigate Singapore and raise money for charity. Stay tuned for more info on where to see them pass by.
National Theatre Live
This groundbreaking project is back with 4 amazing productions in 3 days being beamed live from the National Theatre stage in London to the Esplanade Theatres On The Bay. Top quality productions Warhorse, A Streetcar Named Desire (featuring Gillian Anderson in the infamous role of Blanche DuBois) and King Lear are all scheduled to enthral but the one we’re waiting for is Of Mice and Men starring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd – two very funny men playing it straight.
Image: National Theatre Live Facebook
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
This production promises to be “snortingly silly and full of giggles”. Just our style. Based on the traditional tale, the goats must cross the bridge to find greener pastures – if they can get past the troll.
Singapore Yacht Show
While you may not be in the market for a superyacht, you can get a sneak peak at a luxury lifestyle that includes dining, property, supercars and jewellery.
Battlestar Galactica Reopens
The ultimate adrenaline experience at Universal Studios is due to reopen with a heart-stopping new impact. Must it get any scarier? Apparently so.
Boutiques Fair
We pretend that we attend to shop for gifts but really it’s for ourselves. It’s a chance to spot vendors that don’t have traditional shopfronts and pick up some unique finds.
MAY
Swan Lake
We are giddy with excitement about seeing this one. The St Petersburg Ballet are gracing Singapore with their presence and will be performing their full length version of Swan Lake set to the famous score by Tchaikovsky. Sublime.
Image: St Petersburg Ballet Theatre Tour Facebook
ACE! Festival
Offering a plethora of lively performances, workshops and enriching programmes, this family festival celebrates creativity.
Cold Storage Kids Run
Singapore loves a fun run and this is one of the originals. Kids can compete on their own or run/walk as a family. Not that you will be surrounded by about 5000 other children and double the amount of adults.
Image: Cold Storage Kids Run Facebook
JUNE
SEA Games
Singapore is set to host the 28th instalment of the regions premier multi-sporting event. The theme is ‘celebrating the extraordinary’, and is a chance to see everyday people chasing their dreams up close.
The Great Singapore Sale
We love this event for the deals on furniture, electrical and homewares. But when it comes to clothes, we wish for summer stock instead. But, we can’t let the four letter word that is SALE, pass us by and we’ll probably get a jacket we’ll never wear because it’s 60% off.
JULY
Barclays Asia Trophy
We all know that Singapore is football mad. Fans will no doubt go crazy when Singapore hosts the only English Premier League affiliated comp outside England. A host team and 4 Premier teams will play.
Opening of KidZania
The opening of a new playcentre in Singapore is always a big deal. This mini-city for role-playing is slated to open in the second half of 2015. We’re hoping to get in there come July.
Youth Celebrate
Held at the Singapore Sports Hub, this is a chance for the younger people of Singapore to celebrate their achievements. Expect a throng of over 50,000 students, performances and well-deserved pats on the back.
AUGUST
National Day Parade
This event needs no introduction. This year it’s set to take place on the Padang, but if you can’t snag tickets, watch it on TV or get in early to grab a vantage point nearby to catch the fireworks display.
Singapore Night Festival
This festival always feels pretty magical. Singapore’s balmy nights make for a beautiful backdrop to this noctural event featuring unique performances and illuminating art.
SEPTEMBER
Formula 1 Grand Prix
The barriers and scaffolding for lights will herald this race long before it starts. But we all know that the real action is the entertainment around The Marina Bay Street Circuit. Get in early to grab tickets to the various parties and gigs. Maroon 5 return this year.
Image: Singapore GP Official Facebook
National Museum of Singapore Revamp
We can’t wait to see what they’ve done with one of our favourite buildings in Singapore. The permanent galleries are being revamped to commemorate the Red Dot’s 50th birthday.
OCTOBER
Opening of National Gallery of Singapore
We’ve all been looking at these buildings for years. The former City Hall and Supreme Court are about to be unveiled as the National Gallery of Singapore, positioning the Red Dot as an international hub for artists and showcase of a large collection of Asian art.
SCC International Rugby 7’s
Not as lethal to your liver as the Hong Kong counterpart, this tournament is still one to watch. In fact you probably don’t see any rugby at the Hong Kong version anyway. Get along to this popular event to feel lots of camaraderie.
NOVEMBER
Deepavali
In this month, the hood that delights our sense of smell, is set to impress visually. Take a stroll or drive down Serangoon Rd to see the light spectacular that is Diwali. The kids love it.
Singapore Writers Festival and Little Lit
Both you and your little wordsmith will enjoy this dynamic literary event filled with enriching workshops and storytelling activities. There are opportunities to meet children’s authors too and foster a love of reading.
Affordable Art Fair
108 local and international galleries represented over 950 artists at the 2014 Autumn edition. It’s a great chance to get acquainted with different artists and styles even if you’re not buying. And they usually have workshops for kids.
Jubilee Walk
In the year of Singapore’s Silver Jubilee, a special walk is being designed to take in historic locations within the civic district. A new pedestrian bridge will stretch from Merlion Park to Marina Promenade and markers and public art will be dotted along the way.
Christmas Light Up
It’s always a treat to see what Orchard Rd will be dressed up for Christmas each year. And even after you see the decorations go up, and you are awed by gaudiness, it always looks so different once the lights go on. So pretty and worth a stroll to get festive.
DECEMBER
Admiralty Destination Park
We hope this comes to pass…The largest park in the North is undergoing enhancements and we hear that the hilly terrain is lending itself to the instalment of some giant slides. Can’t wait to hit the slopes!
ASEAN Para Games
These athletes are the real heroes. Against all odds they deliver peak performances in sports from Archery to Powerlifting to Sailing. Singapore will be hosting the biggest ASEAN Para Games in history and it’s a must-see.
TO BE ADVISED
POSB PAssion Kids Run
Have fun at this fun run that supports fellow children in the community.
Gordon Ramsay Restaurant
The chef with the potty mouth is due to open a dining establishment in Singapore this year. Stay tuned.
Colour Run
The happiest fun run in Singapore. Make your way through 5km worth of colour bombs and laughter with your kids!
Image: Diner en Blanc Singapore Facebook
Diner en Blanc
Get dressed in your finest whites and enjoy a night acting sophisticated (yes, acting, so don’t go getting those whites dirty). But you better be a member or on the waiting list to snag a spot at this elegant outdoor dinner.
Top image: SG50 Facebook