
Top 28 free things to do in Singapore (July 2025): Singapore Biryani Festival 2.0, SingaPAW weekend, Poetry Festival, and more, Lifestyle News
This July, Singapore sizzles with flavour, fun, and feel-good experiences for all. Tuck into fragrant rice dishes at the Biryani Festival, sip your way through CellarFiesta-Singapore's largest alcohol fair-and treat your furkids to SingaPAW Weekend 60, a massive pet-friendly bash with adoptions, giveaways, and games.
Nature lovers can admire vibrant blooms at The Flower Show, while wordsmiths can find inspiration at Poetry Festival Singapore.
And if you're after a cool treat, head to the Museum of Ice Cream, where both humans and pups enjoy free scoops on National Ice Cream Day. Free festivals, fairs and markets in Singapore 1. National Day at the National Museum: Lights, Lego, and Free Entry (July 18 to Aug 9)
The National Museum of Singapore is going all out for National Day with a jam-packed three-week celebration from July 18 to Aug 9, culminating in a full day of festivities on 9 August-when admission is completely free for all.
Starting July 18, visitors can explore Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage Brick by Brick, a Lego-filled tribute to national icons featuring a massive diorama, a Make & Take activity, digital colouring stations, and even a shot at helping complete a record-breaking Lego mural.
In the evenings, catch the museum's façade illuminated in a refreshed edition of Canvas of Light: Our Nation's Journey.
Then on National Day, the museum comes alive across four levels with hands-on crafts, interactive heritage hunts, and a picnic-style NDP live screening on the front lawn (from 5.30pm). Don't miss this rare chance to experience it all, free of charge.
National Day Celebrations at the National Museum of Singapore Date: July 18 to Aug 9, 2025
Time: 10 am - 12 am daily
Location: National Museum of Singapore
Free Admission: Aug 9, 2025 only
Free Activities: Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage Brick by Brick (July 18 - Aug 9)
Canvas of Light: Our Nation's Journey façade light-up (evenings)
Full-day National Day programme (Aug 9) including live NDP screening on the front lawn 2. Marina Square's Kopi-Shop Pop-Up (July 18 - Aug 17)
To celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday, Marina Square has teamed up with Play Nation to bring the nostalgia of traditional kopitiam culture to life-in plushie form.
From July 18 to Aug 17, step into a retro coffee shop at Marina Foyer, Level 2, and meet an irresistibly adorable line-up of breakfast-inspired collectibles, from Kopi Kettle plushies to soft-boiled egg keychains, all playfully designed for foodies and collectors alike.
Shoppers can pick up plush bundles like the Kopi Addict Set ($55) or go all in with the Shiok Max Set ($120), and Rewards Members enjoy 10 per cent off merchandise plus a free Kopitiam Building Block Set with $80 spend (while stocks last).
With nostalgic packaging, surprise blind boxes, and block sets like the iconic Dragon Playground, this is more than a pop-up-it's a joy-filled celebration of Singapore's culinary heritage.
Marina Square x Play Nation Kopi-Shop Pop-Up Date: July 18 - Aug 17, 2025
Time: 11am - 9pm
Location: Marina Foyer, Marina Square, Level 2
What's free: 10 per cent off for Rewards Members, free Kopitiam Building Block Set with $80 spend (limited to 2,000 redemptions) 3. SG60 celebrations at Changi Airport and Jewel (July - Aug 2025)
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To mark Singapore's 60th birthday, Changi Airport and Jewel are rolling out a nationwide celebration themed Together, We Make Magic. From free concerts to floral displays and a charity walk, this milestone tribute brings together national pride, nostalgia, and community spirit across multiple locations.
Highlights include the SG60 Homecoming Concert on Aug 1 at Jewel, featuring major Singapore artists like Stefanie Sun and Kit Chan. Entry is free via a ticket ballot. On July 27, the Changi Airport Charity Walk invites participants on a glowing 2km journey with interactive stations and a finisher medal. Donations are matched up to four times in support of Community Chest.
Other experiences include a massive floral showcase with over 1,200 orchids, light-ups along Airport Boulevard from 28 Jul, a special rendition of Jewel's Light & Music Showcase, and a ticketed "Evolution of Travel" exhibit at Changi Experience Studio-with a promotional SG60 ticket bundle for families and seniors.
SG60 Celebrations at Changi Airport and Jewel Date: July - Aug 2025
Time: Various
Location: Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport 4. Once Upon a Tide & Children's Season at the National Museum (From May 24)
To mark Singapore's 60th year of independence, the National Museum is pulling out all the stops with two major showcases: the immersive exhibition Once Upon a Tide and the family-friendly Children's Season: Get Curious! Building Our Singapore.
Once Upon a Tide traces over 700 years of Singapore's transformation from a 14th-century trading port to a global city, through more than 350 artefacts and interactive experiences. Highlights include a digital sampan challenge, an evolving coastline map, and a section celebrating Singaporeans who've made waves worldwide-from Olympic athletes to filmmakers. The exhibition ends with a fun RFID activity that invites you to reflect on your vision for Singapore's future.
The Once Upon a Tide exhibition is free for Singaporeans and PRs.
Once Upon a Tide at the National Museum Date: From May 24
Time: 10am - 7pm
Location: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, S178897 5. Mario Kart Takes Over Jewel Changi Airport (Now till July 24)
Start your engines — Jewel Changi Airport is transforming into a Mario Kart-inspired playground from now till 24 July, featuring Southeast Asia's first-ever Mario Kart-themed installations and the return of the only Nintendo pop-up store outside Japan.
Explore larger-than-life photo spots across Jewel, including a five-metre-wide Rainbow Road centrepiece in the Forest Valley, complete with lights and the iconic game soundtrack. Don't miss the 1.3-metre Banana hazard-a cheeky nod to every racer's nemesis.
Fans can: Complete a stamp rally (Levels 1-5) to earn a Mario Kart sticker pack
Visit the Gachapon machines at Level 1 for a chance to win prizes (free tokens with $80 spend, or $6 via Changi App)
Snap pics and join the Nintendo Photo Challenge (May 1-12) for more freebies
The Nintendo pop-up (Level 4) features over 500 items from beloved games including Super Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, and more-plus a limited-edition Nintendo x Jewel T-shirt.
Mario Kart & Nintendo Pop-Up at Jewel Date: Now till July 24
Time: All-day (Stamp rally and Gachapon during mall hours)
Location: Jewel Changi Airport (Installations: Levels 1-5; Pop-up: Level 4)
Admission: Free (but shopping perks and Gachapon tokens require spend or purchase) 6. Singapore Biryani Festival 2.0 (July 25-27)
Singapore's ONLY Biryani Festival 2.0 returns bigger and bolder, bringing three delicious days of rice-fuelled revelry to Singapore Expo Hall 6. Running from July 25 to 27, this one-of-a-kind culinary celebration centres on biryani and other unique rice-based dishes from across Asia — perfect for food lovers of all ages.
In addition to sampling fragrant, spice-rich biryani from a variety of cultures, festival-goers can enjoy live entertainment, interactive games, and celebrity chef appearances. The event also includes cooking competitions, music performances, and a bustling marketplace featuring artisanal goods, lifestyle products, and homegrown brands. It's not just about food - it's about the cultural richness that comes with every grain.
While food and merchandise are chargeable, entry to the festival is free, making it a perfect day out for families, foodies, and culture buffs alike.
Singapore's ONLY Biryani Festival 2.0 Date: July 25-27, 2025
Time: 10am - 10pm
Location: Singapore Expo Hall 6, 1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150 7. Poetry Festival Singapore 2025 (July 26-27)
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Celebrate the beauty of language and human expression at Poetry Festival Singapore 2025, returning to the National Library / Lee Kong Chian Reference Library for a weekend of verse, performance, and creative connection. Whether you're a lifelong poet or just exploring the genre, this event welcomes all who love the written and spoken word.
Happening July 26-27, 2025, the festival offers a diverse line-up of poetry readings, showcases, and interactive sessions with local and regional talents. Attendees can engage in thought-provoking performances, discover new voices, and even take the mic to share their own work in a welcoming community setting.
Admission is free, making it the perfect opportunity to dip into Singapore's vibrant literary scene without cost.
Poetry Festival Singapore 2025 Date: July 26-27, 2025
Location: National Library / Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, 100 Victoria Street 8. Parents' Day Weekend (July 26 - 27)
Celebrate the people who love you best at Parents' Day Weekend, a heartwarming pop-up event held at Crane Joo Chiat. Running over Saturday and Sunday, the weekend fair is all about family, connection, and showing appreciation for mum, dad, or your chosen family.
Browse a thoughtful selection of local vendors offering home fragrances, accessories, and tasty bites the whole household can enjoy. Whether you're picking up a small gift, spending quality time together, or simply soaking in the community spirit, this pet-friendly fair promises a laid-back day of love and discovery.
Parents' Day Weekend Date: July 26 - 27, 2025
Time: 10am - 6pm
Location: Crane Joo Chiat, 432 Joo Chiat Road 9. West Mall July promotions with over $20,000 in prizes (Now - July 27, 2025)
West Mall is serving up a month of exciting perks in the heart of Bukit Batok with the launch of Eat@W-a new Basement 1 dining zone featuring over 20 eateries like Jo Ju Bang and Panda Chan. Whether you're planning a family gathering or grabbing a quick bite, there's something new to try.
Members of the West Mall Rewards app can unlock exclusive eDeals, referral bonuses, and a lucky draw with $20,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.
Lucky Draw (Now - July 27, 2025): Spend $50 in a single receipt to earn one lucky draw chance. Max 10 chances per member per day. 20 winners will take home attractive prizes.
New Sign-up Perk: First-time users can key in promo code WMJULNEW5 to redeem a $5 West Mall eVoucher. Limited to 200 redemptions only.
Refer a Friend: Both you and your friend get a $5 West Mall eVoucher when they sign up and spend $20. Capped at 50 successful referrals.
Daily Check-In Rewards: Check in on the West Mall Rewards app once per day to unlock surprise treats.
West Mall July 2025 Promotions Date: Now - July 27, 2025
Location: West Mall, 1 Bukit Batok Central Link, Singapore 658713
What's Free: $5 eVoucher for new members (while stocks last), eDeals for app users, lucky draw entry with purchase 10. Tanglin Mall x Crane Living Pop-Up (July 28 - Aug 3)
Discover beautifully curated finds at the Tanglin Mall x Crane Living Pop-Up, a week-long showcase of handcrafted goods, home accents, and indie creations by local makers. Held at Tanglin Mall's Level 1 Atrium, this artisan market brings together a vibrant community of small businesses with unique offerings that make for thoughtful gifts-or indulgent treats for yourself.
Expect to browse through everything from home fragrances and jewellery to quirky art prints and party-ready snacks. Whether you're shopping for festive inspiration or just love supporting local craft, this cosy pop-up is the perfect place to find something special.
Tanglin Mall x Crane Living Pop-Up Date: July 28 - Aug 3, 2025
Time: 10am - 9pm
Location: Level 1 Atrium, Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247933 11. The Gardeners' Market (Every second Saturday)
If you're craving something slower-paced and grounded in the community, The Gardeners' Market is a lovely way to spend your Saturday morning. Held every second Saturday of the month at City Sprouts @ West Coast, this market is a grassroots initiative powered by local farmers and growers.
Expect fresh produce straight from the soil, handmade goods with heart, and plenty of kampung spirit. It's a welcoming space whether you're keen to shop sustainably, pick up a few gardening tips, or just enjoy the community vibe with a kopi in hand.
The event is free to attend, and open to all-perfect for a breezy weekend outing that's a little closer to nature and a lot more personal.
The Gardeners' Market Date: Every second Saturday of the month
Time: 9am - 2pm
Location: City Sprouts @ West Coast
Admission: Free 12. Wisma Weekend Pop-Up 2025 (Every Fri-Sun)
Make your next weekend count with Wisma Weekend Pop-Up 2025 — a lively showcase of local creativity at Crane Living, Wisma Atria. This recurring event brings together homegrown vendors, tasty eats, and a community vibe that makes browsing and snacking feel like a celebration.
Happening every Friday to Sunday, the pop-up is a great spot to uncover hidden gems from small businesses while enjoying a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're on the hunt for artisanal finds or just in the mood for some low-key fun, it's a casual way to support local.
Wisma Weekend Pop-Up 2025 Date: Every Fri-Sun
Time: 11am - 7pm
Location: Crane Living @ OCBC Wisma Atria, Level 4 13. Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art exhibition at the National Gallery (From Dec 2)
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Singapore's evolving identity through Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art, a new long-term exhibition at National Gallery Singapore. Opening on Dec 2, 2024, the exhibition kicks off with its first instalment, showcasing over 200 artworks and artefacts from the 19th century to the 1960s.
From vivid depictions of colonial Singapore in Market of the Tropics to P. Ramlee's iconic films in Community and Self, this exhibition weaves stories of trade, community, and identity through art. Don't miss the stunning centrepiece, Chen Wen Hsi's monumental Gibbons, newly restored and ready to captivate visitors.
The first part of Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art opens on Dec 2, 2024, while you can view the full exhibition from Jul 2025. Admission is free for Singaporeans and PRs, while foreigners can purchase general admission tickets from $20. Head to the revamped DBS Singapore Gallery and take a journey through Singapore's artistic heritage.
Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art exhibition at the National Gallery Dates: From Dec 2, 2024
Location: National Gallery
Address: 1 St Andrew's Road, Singapore 178957 14. Makers' Market (various dates)
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Everyone's favourite pop-up handmade market Makers' Market always has something up their sleeves, from artisanal crafts to handmade lifestyle products. Some of my favourite bags, pins and other little trinkets have come from Makers' Markets around Singapore.
Check out these markets you can look forward to in 2025: Makers' Market Dates Time SOTA 22 – 24, 29 – 31 Aug, 3 – 5 Oct, 19 – 21 Dec
Friday – Sunday 11 am – 7 pm Singapore Cruise Centre – 5 to 6, 19 to 20 July
– 2 to 3, 9 to 10 August
– 13 to 14, 21 to 22 Sep
– 11 to 12, 18 to 19 Oct
– 15 to 16, 22 to 23 Nov
– 6 to 7, 20 to 21 Dec
Saturday – Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm Clarke Quay Central – April: 25 – 27
– May: 16 – 18, 23 – 25
– Jun: 20 – 22, 27 – 29
– July: 4 – 6, 11 – 13
– Aug: 15 – 17, 22 – 24, 29 – 31
– Sep: 5 – 7 12 pm – 8 pm PLQ Plaza 25 – 27th Jul, 19 – 21 Sep 2025, Friday – Sunday 11 am – 9 pm Pushcarts by PARADE @ PLQ MALL Daily 11 am – 10 pm Pasir Ris Mall 29 to 31 Aug, 12 – 14 Sep, 17 to 19 Oct
Friday – Sunday 11 am – 8 pm Free pet events in Singapore 1. SingaPAW Weekend 60 (July 26 - 27)
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SingaPAW Weekend 60 returns to South Beach Avenue for a two-day, pet-friendly extravaganza filled with shopping, activities, and adorable animals. From 11am to 8pm daily, this free-entry event will host over 60 vendors, a vibrant adoption drive, fun workshops, and a unique ERP Trail and Pawer Course for pet owners and their companions to enjoy together.
Visitors can look forward to pet education booths, bird gatherings, and pet-friendly F&B options. Capture your memories with the Paw Patrol Print Strip challenge-snap photos with mascots at all three zones and redeem an exclusive Yappy Pets goodie bag. Shoppers who spend $100 (combined receipts allowed) at any vendor or animal welfare group can also redeem a limited edition HFA x KOI card with $10 KOI credit and a free drink-only 300 available per day.
SingaPAW Weekend 60 Date: July 26 - 27, 2025
Time: 11am - 8pm
Location: South Beach Avenue, 26 Beach Road Free performances and programmes in Singapore 1. Swee Lee Clarke Quay Activities: Workshops, Open Mic Night, Trivia Night (July 22, 29, 30, 31)
Looking for a fun evening in Singapore this month? Head to Swee Lee Clarke Quay! They're hosting a music trivia night, open mic night, and various music workshops. Mix With Ease - Bringing Our Demos to Mix 1 with Ian Lee of PK Records (July 22, 7pm): Learn how to confidently turn demos into polished mixes with practical tips and workflows from PK Records' Ian Lee, using BandLab as a hands-on tool.
Beyond the Ordinary - Discover the Craftsmanship of Premium Guitars (July 29, 7pm): Explore what sets premium guitars apart in tone, craftsmanship, and value in this deep-dive session for serious players and collectors.
Swee Lee Clarke Quay Music Trivia Night (July 30, 7pm): Whether you're a pop aficionado or a rock 'n' roll historian, this event is perfect for testing your music knowledge with trivia questions covering a range of genres and eras.
Swee Lee Clarke Quay's Open Mic Night (July 31, 7pm): There's something magical about live music. Couple that with an open mic night, and you're set up for a night of musical discovery and excitement. Experience the magic at Swee Lee Clarke Quay with an evening of passion and talent as handpicked local musicians take the stage. From acoustic to indie and soulful ballads, these captivating performances will leave you mesmerised.
Swee Lee at Clarke Quay: Blk 3B River Valley Road #01-06 Singapore, Singapore 179021 2. Let's Go Bananas Open Mic Stand Up Comedy (July 31)
Looking for a midweek pick-me-up? Get ready for a night of Singaporean humour at Let's Go Bananas Open Mic. Since 2017, this comedy platform organised by DMC Productions has been bringing heartland-style laughs, inspired by life growing up in the 80s and 90s. Expect relatable jokes, local quirks, and a mix of seasoned comedians and fresh talent-all ready to crack you up with their best punchlines! With over 100 comedians (both local and foreign) in the mix, every show is unpredictable and hilarious.
Let's Go Bananas Open Mic Dates: July 31, 2025
Time: 8 - 9.30pm
Venue: X-Scap8 @ Orchard Central
Address: 181 Orchard Road #07-02 Level 7 Singapore, 238896
This event is strictly M18, so leave the kiddos at home and enjoy a night of unfiltered, Singapore-style comedy. Free community events in Singapore 1. Repair Kopitiam (July 27)
I don't know about you, but I am a destroyer of household items. I break things around the house on an almost weekly basis sometimes. Enter Repair Kopitiam, a haven for anyone looking to mend their broken goods rather than tossing them aside.
Gathering on the last Sunday of every month, this initiative is more than just a repair session-it's a movement towards sustainability. Whether it's faulty electronics, torn outfits, or wobbly furniture, the Repair Coaches are on hand to guide you through the fixing process. Bring your damaged treasures and discover the joy of fixing, saving, and learning-all in the name of reducing waste and embracing sustainability.
The next Repair Kopitiam session is scheduled for July 27, 2025, and is your chance to embrace repair over despair. Registration opened on July 11, 2025 at 12 noon and will close on July 24, 2025. Check the Repair Kopitiam website or their Facebook page for the latest updates.
Repair Kopitiam Date: July 27, 2025
Time: 10am to 4pm
Venue: Various, see their Facebook page for more details. 2. Growth Circles (various dates)
Everyone wants a safe space where you can just be you, and be supported. Not everyone has such spaces in their lives-but everyone deserves them.
That's why Growth Collective SG has organised Growth Circles, 2-hour sessions for individuals to connect meaningfully and feel empowered by each other. It's about showing support, being present, and ultimately building a world where no one feels alone.
Here's how a month's worth of Growth Circle sessions looks like:
These are the Growth Circles sessions in July 2025: Event Date and Time Venue MOCA Growth Circle 12 July'25 (In-Person @ Cairnhill CC) 12 Jul 2025 · 2–4 pm Cairnhill Community Club, 1 Anthony Road, Community Lab #01-05, Singapore 229944 Nee Soon South Growth Circle 19 July'25 (In-Person @ Nee Soon South CC) 19 Jul 2025 · 3–5 pm Nee Soon South CC, #03-04, 30 Yishun St 81, Singapore 768455 Wellbeing Card Gameplay 24 July'25 (In-Person @ grovve) 24 Jul 2025 · 6–8 pm grovve, 2 Orchard Link #04-06, Singapore 237978 CaringWheels x Caregivers' Growth Circle 26 July'25 (In-Person) 26 Jul 2025 · 2–6 pm imPAct@Hong Lim Green, 20 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058284 MOCA Growth Circle 26 July'25 (In-Person @ Cairnhill CC) 26 Jul 2025 · 2–4 pm Cairnhill Community Club, 1 Anthony Road, Community Lab #01-05, Singapore 229944 COP: The Adventure of Authentic Self-Expression & Connection 31 Jul 2025 · 730–930 pm Cairnhill Community Club, 1 Anthony Road, Community Lab #01-05, Singapore 229944 3. Make friends with Friendzone (July 22)
One of my closest friends used to use the dating app Tinder-not to date, but to make friends. She would chat with people on the app-filtering out any creeps, of course-and actually made some meaningful friendships from her efforts.
These days, there's an easier, non-virtual way to make friends. Friendzone hosts community-building gatherings for young adults to connect with each other and develop friendships. They believe that Singapore is, and I quote, "full of diversity and interesting people that just haven't met yet". If you don't agree, maybe you should give one of their sessions a try.
There were 3 Friendzone sessions in May. While there aren't any events in June at the time of writing (one event got cancelled), check their Friendzone page on Eventbrite for the latest updates. Event Date and Time Venue Let's Talk About Purpose & Passion 15 Jul 2025 · 730 – 930 pm Maxwell (location sent via WhatsApp after confirmation) Let's Talk About Volunteering 17 Jul 2025 · 730 – 930 pm *SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link #04-05, Singapore 237978 Friendzone Pasir Ris: FutureVision.exe 22 Jul 2025 · 730 – 930 pm Pasir Ris Elias Community Club, 93 Pasir Ris Drive 3, Singapore 519498 4. Zalora's Snap and Drop Programme
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Zalora is extending its Snap and Drop Programme, a programme that lets you donate your unwanted clothing to reduce the amount of apparel that ends up in landfills. On top of that, you'll receive a $10 cashback voucher from Zalora for each clothing drop you make. How does it work? It's pretty simple:
Pack your clothes, shoes, bags and more-basically any fabric item.
Snap a photo of your bag of unwanted fabric items in front of the collection box at any of these drop-off locations.
Drop your items into the collection box. You'll also want to note down the collection box number (SG0XXX) on the front of the box.
Fill in this form to get your cashback! You can only redeem this once a month, and the cashback expires in 1 month.
For this initiative, Zalora is partnering with Life Line Clothing, a Malaysia-based zero waste textile collector. They'll sort the donated items and resell the apparel in good condition while refurbishing, upcycling, recycling, or even reprocessing the poorer condition items into fuels. Free learning, skill upgrading, and self-improvement events in Singapore 1. Free toastmasters clubs
If you've always wanted to upgrade your public speaking skills but don't know where to start, there are a number of toastmaster clubs that offer free sessions once or twice a month. These supportive spaces are perfect for you to practise speeches and impromptu dialogue, and are suitable for both beginners and experienced public speakers. Free toastmasters club in Singapore When they meet Where they meet Bishan Toastmasters Club Every fourth Tuesday of the month, 7 pm Bishan Community Club, 51 Bishan Street 13 Singapore, Singapore 579799 Breakthrough Toastmasters Club Every last Wednesday of the month, 730 pm imPAct@Hong Lim Green (Level 2, Zen Room), 20 Upper Pickering Street Singapore, 058284 Jurong Green English Toastmaster Club Every second and fourth Friday, 730 pm Room 03-02, Jurong Green Community Club, 6 Jurong West Avenue 1 Singapore, 649520 Katong Toastmasters Club Every third Thursday of the month, 7 pm Room 301, Katong Community Club, 51 Kampong Arang Road, Singapore 438178 Nee Soon East Toastmasters Club Every second and fourth Thursday of the month, 730 pm Nee Soon East Community Club, Level 4, Room 3, 1 Yishun Avenue 9 Singapore, Singapore 768893 West Coast Toastmasters Club Every second and fourth Saturday of the month, 230 pm West Coast Community Centre #03-10, 2 Clementi West Street 2 Singapore, 129605 2. Uncle Chris Walking Tours (various dates)
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Uncle Chris is a self-described "everyday Singapore uncle" who's seen a lot of Singapore over the years, and now loves showing it to others. Join Uncle Chris on his free walking tours to be entertained and even educated on the hidden heritage, culture and history behind various areas in Singapore.
I love how Uncle Chris always comes up with interesting itineraries and angles. He spills all he knows, and isn't afraid to touch on the darker parts of history; for this reason, do look out for tours that are adult only-Geylang Red-Light District Walking Tour, anyone?
Do note that while Uncle Chris Walking Tours are not ticketed, you're strongly encouraged to tip at the end of the tour. Their tipping guidelines are $20 for a satisfactory guide, $20+ for a guide who exceeds expectations, and $30 for an outstanding guide. 3. My Community Heritage Tours (weekends)
If you're keen on tours in Singapore, another great option for you is the heritage tours conducted by My Community, a non-profit organisation that showcases and celebrates the community, culture and heritage in locales like Queenstown, Bukit Merah and Tiong Bahru. Off the mainland, they also conduct tours to St John Island, Sentosa, and Pulau Ubin. These tend to be pretty popular, so be sure to reserve your slot early!
Check out the My Community Heritage Tours line-up for the month. But be warned that at the time of writing, many are already fully booked! 4. Get Professional by NLB (various dates)
Whether you're looking around for a new job or just want to upgrade your skills at work, these next few programmes will be useful for you.
Thanks to the National Library Board (NLB) and their Get Professional series, you can access professional advice on resume writing, personal branding, public speaking, and EQ at work-all for free this month. Get guidance from industry experts who've coached hundreds before you and know all the tips and tricks to play the game.
View the various NLB Get Professional series sessions lined up for you this month. Do note that the events that are labelled as part of their Get Professional X TOYL series are for participants aged 50 years old and up. 5. Future of Work by NLB (various dates)
Is ChatGPT taking over the world? Not quite yet, but it's certainly had a huge impact on the way many of us work. In the Future of Work series organised by the National Library Board, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are embraced as, well, the future of work. These workshops will equip you with the relevant skills and knowledge in our digital age to prepare you for the quickly evolving office landscape.
For more details, view this month's Future of Work sessions. Like NLB's Get Professional series, some of the Future of Work events are only for participants aged 50 years old and up. These are again labelled as Future of Work X TOYL on their page. Free fitness, dance, and wellness events in Singapore 1. Puma Run Club (Saturdays)
Whether you're a seasoned runner or just getting started, the Puma Run Club is a great community to help you meet your running goals.
Remember how in 2.4km runs in school, you'd pick a fit person ahead of you to try to keep up with? Well for this run sesh, there'll be pacers from Singapore Runners Club who'll run alongside you at 7min/km, 6min/km, and 5.30min/km or less.
After you're done, the pacers will also lead you in a cool down to end off the session. So really all you need to do is to show up for yourself and give it your best shot!
Puma Run Club Date and time: Saturdays, 7 - 10pm
Venue: Esplanade Park
Address: Raffles Avenue, Esplanade Mall, Singapore, 039802 2. New Balance Run Club (Tuesdays)
If you need an extra push to hit your fitness goals, Singapore's New Balance Run Club (NBRC) may be the community you've been looking for.
NBRC meets every Tuesday evening at Suntec City's New Balance outlet to work out together. They run (of course), do some HIIT (a classic!), and even do Fartlek — that's Swedish for "speed play". As the name suggests, it involves switching between fast and slow running to boost metabolism.
New Balance Run Club Dates and times: Tuesdays, 7 - 10pm
Venue: New Balance (Suntec City #01-325), 3 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983
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7 hours ago
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In 2014, 13-year-old Megan Lau sat wide-eyed in the audience of The House of Dancing Water, a water-based circus show in Macau. That evening, she climbed into the hotel bathtub and told her mum that she wanted to be a water princess. A decade on, she's living that dream – as a performer in the very same show. Nine times a week, she is suspended mid-air in a shimmering 15kg skirt and Swarovski-studded headpiece, hoisted above the audience like a human chandelier and across a stage pool holding about 15 million litres of water. When I met her earlier this month, Ms Lau, now 24, was eight months into her job as an aerialist and had taken all three days of her flexible leave to fly home to graduate from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics. Watching her warm up at an aerial studio tucked in the heart of Singapore's central business district, the setting seemed to reflect the playful contrast she herself recently noted on social media. She had observed that while her friends were busy climbing corporate ladders, her career involved a much more literal climb up ropes and acrobatics apparatuses. Earlier this year, Ms Lau decided to share snippets of her choice to "run away to the circus" on social media. Some of her videos have amassed more than 20 million views. Her videos offer glimpses of behind-the-scenes moments, ranging from her being dunked in a water cage to hanging upside-down from a lyra or a large, suspended aerial hoop. Ms Lau said she was inspired to film her life in the circus and share it on a public platform as way of savouring the moment. "It gives me a breath of fresh air, and a very good reminder that 'Megan, you're doing something really, really cool with your life'," she said. "It's brought me so much gratitude that I'm essentially doing what I love as a living, which is something that not many people can say they do." THE THRILL OF BEING SUSPENDED 20M IN THE AIR The show itself is a spectacle blending acrobatics, water effects, dance and special lighting, running for around 100 minutes per performance in a 2,000-seat theatre. Although The House of Dancing Water originally launched in 2010, it took a nearly five-year hiatus during the pandemic. Ms Lau is among the 90-strong cast performing in its 2025 revival. "It's quite tiring because we're doing nine shows in five days, so most days are two-show days," said Ms Lau. Her workday starts sometime around noon or 2pm. Rehearsals and strength training fill her afternoons, followed by a brief scramble to fix hair, makeup and costumes before stepping on stage. Each performance day means navigating six costume changes, some made trickier by requiring her to switch from dripping wet costumes to dry ones in mere minutes. When the show was relaunched this May, Ms Lau had already spent around eight months training in Macau. But even with her extensive dance background – beginning ballet at age five, teaching and performing regularly through her school years – Ms Lau had taken her first trial class in the aerial arts only two years ago. She had performed in only one outdoor aerial show, in Clarke Quay, which was on a portable aerial rig with a hoop choreography that lifted her only 2m off the ground. Even then, she was a bundle of nerves, so she was "definitely very scared" when she learnt that her new job involved flying almost 10 times that height on a daily basis. "One of the starting things we had to do was learning rope rescue, in case the rigging system stops and you need to climb down safely. So when they told me I had to climb down the rope (from 15m above the ground), my hands were so sweaty, so clammy," said Ms Lau with a laugh. "Now, every day, we're flying from like 20m down. But the more you do it, the more used to the height you are." Some of the most exciting parts of working for a water-based circus show include all the additional skills she has picked up, including learning how to scuba dive, due to the underwater segments some sequences. But it is not all glitz and glamour. Transitioning to being a full-time performer took a physical and mental toll, she said. "I think the most difficult part was going from university, being on the laptop a lot, and then completely jumping into something that's so physical, because now I need to work my body every day," she said. She showed me her hands, each palm thickly calloused, and then mentioned casually she had once twisted her foot – though the onsite physiotherapy team quickly treated it. Still, there's been at least one perk: Ms Lau laughed as she described how friends have been quick to point out how noticeably muscular she's become since starting the job. 'NO WAY THEY WILL TAKE ME, RIGHT?' Watching Ms Lau effortlessly swing herself upside down from an aerial hoop – and casually continuing our conversation mid-air – it was easy to be taken in by her movements, and the joy that seemed to radiate off her from having chosen the path less trodden. Years ago, I had entertained similar dreams of pursuing a degree in the performing arts, yet had chosen the somewhat safer, more conventional route of a regular office job. When asked, Ms Lau said she had not expected to find herself here either. She had opted to enroll in NUS as it was more practical to have a degree she could "fall back on". Instead of pursuing dance at the college level, she performed and taught dance as a freelancer while studying to help pay for her tuition fees. In May last year, she chanced upon a casting call for aerialists for The House of Dancing Water on social media and felt compelled to apply given it was "the best show (she'd) ever watched". "I (was) just trying my luck. But I was like, no way that they will take me, right?" But just a few days after submitting a show reel, she got a callback and was asked to send in a video of her performing some choreographed moves. Then came atwo-month-long casting process online that culminated in a job offer with the circus. As the contract began before her May 2025 graduation, Ms Lau had to balance training days in Macau with flying back and forth on days off to take the remaining NUS classes and exams for eight months. During that time, she was flying back to Singapore once a week, departing Macau on Monday nights, attending school on Tuesday and jetting back to Macau late on Tuesday nights, ready for work on Wednesday. She also attended classes throughout the week on Zoom and would wake up as early as 6am to get schoolwork done before 10am trainings. "Balancing training and school work was definitely a push. I usually came home from work pretty tired, so instead of doing school at night, I would wake up extra early to get my readings and assignments done," said Ms Lau. But given the four years spent at NUS, and the internship experience she had in banking and corporate roles, was a performing role as her first full-time job top of mind? Ms Lau said it was not: "I was applying for other corporate roles, and was ready to go into a corporate job with my degree. It came as a really, really big surprise. And when I got the offer, I was like, 'What's this?' "My heart said yes, immediately. My heart was like, oh my god, I have to do this, right?" But as the ever practical Singaporean, Ms Lau drew up a pros and cons list to help her with her decision. Despite the cons list being longer, she could not shake off the "biggest pro", which was achieving a childhood dream of getting to perform in a show she had loved. Beyond coming to terms with it herself, Ms Lau said it was a big shock for family and friends that she wanted to move overseas for such a non-conventional job. "My mum's always been very supportive with my entire dance journey. She was the full-on dance mum, following me to all the competitions, sending me for lessons, exams," she said. "But because this is an aerial job, she was naturally very nervous about how risky this job might be for my safety." But now, her family and friends are her biggest supporters. On premiere night, her family and friends, including one who came from Beijing to support her, filled up the seats. About 12 friends have made trips to watch the show so far, and her mother has visited Macau to help her settle in and watch the show twice. She is grateful that Singapore is around four hours by plane from Macau, as some of her cast mates have come from as far afield as France, Belgium and Australia. "I think I've been really lucky, compared to the other castmates, that Singapore is so close to Macau. I had many people to come watch, which was just such a blessing." DOCUMENTING THE DAYS With her mornings free and a day off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Ms Lau has begun using the spare time editing videos for her Instagram account, where her posts offering glimpses of her daily life have attracted unexpected interest. Some videos, such as those capturing moments like bidding farewell to her mother and brother at the airport, began simply as personal keepsakes, but now she is determined to document the journey. "I wanted to remember this portion of life. I thought it was a very interesting job and a lot of my friends also wanted to know what I've been doing, what the day-to-day of a live performer looks like," said Ms Lau. Her filming setup is modest – just her phone and a water bottle to prop it up while recording training sessions – but the response she has received has been a pleasant surprise. Even strangers have come to watch her perform in the show after seeing her posts online. Despite all the stunts she is doing now, her favourite part of the show is the curtain call, when she is standing on stage and hearing and seeing the audience. "It always gets me a bit emotional every time I see how many people come to watch our shows every night," she said with a smile. For now, Ms Lau does not have a fixed timeline for how long she plans to remain as a full-time aerialist. She just hopes to cherish every second at the House of Dancing Water. "I love doing what I'm doing. I'm just trying to appreciate each day, appreciate each show as it comes," she said. Ms Lau is also the only Singaporean performer in the show in an international cast boasting very experienced acrobats – something she described as feeling surreal. "In Singapore we have metrics of success that we usually measure ourselves by, like our careers or what degree we study. But I think sometimes we really need to find a passion that we love. "Once you find something that you really love and it's a very viable career, I think you should really (hit) full gas and send it. Don't be afraid to take risks in your own life."

Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE – Just before 8pm on Aug 9, singer Benjamin Kheng would have just finished performing the National Day Parade (NDP) 2024 theme song Not Alone on a floating stage in Marina Bay, near Merlion Park. About 10 minutes later, he will enter the Padang for the 2025 show's finale, after traversing 800m over water, on wheels and by foot. Lieutenant-Colonel Shahreel Rajaratnam, 36, bay show management chairman, said that after Kheng performs a duet with singer Rahimah Rahim, who will be at the Padang, the singer will hop onto a small navy sea boat that will whisk him off to Queen Elizabeth Walk. From there, Kheng – who has a manually-activated flotation device incorporated into his costume for the bay performance – boards a buggy that is a short jog away, and appears at the Padang in time for NDP 2025's finale. Bringing Kheng to the Padang shows that he's 'not alone', LTC Shahreel said, and this closes the narrative arc of the show, where he 'returns home' to be with other performers at the Padang. Among them will be Kit Chan, who will sing Home – NDP 1998's theme – in the 2025 show's fourth and final act. While there is much to coordinate in the bay for NDP 2025, said LTC Shahreel, getting Kheng back to the Padang is the most exciting task, because there are many moving parts. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar 'Ben is popular. He's a hit with the crowd,' the infantry officer added. 'When people around the bay see him, cameras go crazy, people start screaming. So it's always exciting for us – the team working on this.' Chan, 52, said she thought her parade appearance at NDP 2015 would be her last. But she was convinced to return when NDP's music director Sydney Tan let her listen to 2025's theme Here We Are, written by Charlie Lim. Kit Chan and Charlie Lim performing Here We Are during the NDP 2025 preview at the Padang on July 26. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG 'I really liked it, and Charlie also is one of my favourite singer-songwriters from Singapore. So definitely it was easy to say yes,' said Chan, who will also perform Here We Are with Lim in the show's first act. Songs come and go, but Home feels special, as it has become 'owned by the people', she added. 'I may have given birth to it, but it totally belongs to everyone, every Singaporean, and you get the same feeling wherever I perform it, anywhere in the world where there is a Singaporean audience – it's always just a very different feeling, and it's a very joyful feeling.' The audience can also look forward to works by artists with disabilities, adapted into the designs of eight floats – four at the Padang and four floating in the bay. One land float was based on Busy In Spring by mouth painter Aaron Yeo, which features a bee buzzing around in a bed of flowers. A float inspired by mouth painter Aaron Yeo's work Busy In Spring. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Viewers may not notice the fuzziness of a bee atop the float, but set and props designer Quck Zhong Yi made it a point to include details from the artwork, such as the insect's hairs. At a show production tour for the media on July 25, Mr Quck, 45, said that after choosing the eight works, designers studied how to turn the two-dimensional pieces into three-dimensional objects, before running a workshop with the original artists to get their feedback. 'We missed it out, but Aaron told us that his bee was painted with very fine strokes to imitate the fuzziness of the hairs of the bee,' said Mr Quck, an architect. 'With that in mind, we tweaked the design of the props and made sure that the bee is really as fuzzy as he wanted it to be.' Despite the NDP stage at the Padang being around for only about two months, the creative team also took pains to make sure it blends in well with the city's roofscape, said Mr Quck. As such, a colour scheme that centred on terracotta orange was chosen, matching roof tiles on nearby buildings such as the former Supreme Court and Singapore Cricket Club. The NDP 2025 stage at the Padang, seen against other tiled roof buildings in the Civic District. PHOTO: NDP 2025 EXCO Mr Quck noted that inclusiveness was the main consideration in the design of NDP 2025's stage – the fourth he has designed for an NDP. 'We really wanted the audience to feel like they are part of the show,' he said, adding that this was why stages abutting the audience stands were built, to bring performers right in front of those watching at the Padang. Inclusiveness was the main consideration in the design of NDP 2025's stage. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI LTC Derek Tay, 36, the Padang show management chairman, said a team of about 200 people – mostly full-time national servicemen – operate the show's large props and help to coordinate performers' movements. He noted that the show's third and penultimate act requires the most coordination. A technical rehearsal of the show's third act on July 25. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG This includes Kheng and Rahimah's duet, and the release of large balls into the stands while long cloth strips are unfurled from the stands towards the central stage. Ensuring all goes according to plan is a team that includes Ms Petrina Dawn Tan, 36, the show segment's technical cue caller, who gives cues for elements such as lighting, sound, music and videos. (From left) NDP 2025 set and props designer Quck Zhongyi; Padang show management chairman, Lieutenant-Colonel Derek Tay; technical cue caller Petrina Dawn Tan; and bay show management chairman, LTC Shahreel Rajaratnam. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Everything is planned to the second, said Ms Tan, and callers have just seconds to rectify any changes. 'If there is a mistake, as callers, we have to be quick to recover,' she said, adding that she works with a show caller to make contingency plans. 'We have to make a decision in the span of five seconds – otherwise it becomes awkward,' said Ms Tan. From a control room at the Padang where she will sit on Aug 9, callers cue action not just for the show's main stage, but also across Marina Bay. LTC Shahreel said this includes drummers at Marina Bay Sands and One Marina Boulevard, building projections and a water-based stage and floats. Referring to the 'expanded canvas' for NDP 2025 that includes the Padang and Marina Bay, LTC Shahreel said: 'Every element is designed to reach both locations, creating one seamless, singular experience for all, regardless of where you're at.'


AsiaOne
12 hours ago
- AsiaOne
This father-son duo shares a parade ground at NDP 2025 — and a 'mini RSAF' of parrots at home, Lifestyle News
Singapore will be turning 60 on Aug 9, 2025 — so we can expect nothing less than a big, big birthday bash. This year's National Day Parade at the Padang won't just be big on spectacle, it'll be straight-up massive. The Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment alone will feature a record-breaking 40 marching contingents, around 2,100 participants, and history-making moments: the SCDF's first-ever Guard of Honour (GOH), the SAF Volunteer Corps' first full marching contingent, and enough precision footwork to make any drill sergeant proud. Amid all the pomp, pageantry and parade polish, we found a quieter, quirkier story that stands out — one that's about protocol, people and... parrots? Marching side by side in the GOH contingent from the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) are 48-year-old ME5 Jesper Quek Chin Peng (the GOH Contingent Commander for the DIS), and his son, 20-year-old ME4A Timothy Quek Jun Yu (an NDP first-timer in the same contingent). Not only is the pair serving Singapore together, the two also share command of an unexpected "unit" at home: 12 parrots they affectionately call their "mini RSAF". ME5 Jesper worked in the private sector for about 12 years before joining the DIS in 2022. Prior to that, he was a regular in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) for 10 years. ME4A Timothy has just started his journey as a Military Intelligence Expert in the DIS. We talk (and squawk) with the pair about discipline, who has the sharper march, and — with all the intensive NDP training — how their feathered friends even get any airtime with them! What's it like stepping onto the Padang together this year — not just as soldiers, but as father and son? ME5 Jesper: When [Timothy] was younger, we would watch the NDP together every year, but we didn't really think that we would one day be marching together at the Padang itself. ME4A Timothy: I'm very excited to be able to march at my first NDP together with my father. He's usually soft spoken. Now marching together and seeing him talking to the other GOH — it's cool to see my dad stepping up and being more open. On the parade ground, it's not just about being father-and-son but also about representing DIS. When you're not out there doing drills, what do you do to chill? ME4A Timothy: One of the main things we do together is take care of our parrots. We have quite a few at home — 12, in fact — and we bring them out for sunlight regularly. ME5 Jesper: They need a certain amount of time under the sun, so we'll bring them out at the same time. We spray them with water because that's how they "shower". Wait, what? Please explain how your living room became a parrot party. ME4A Timothy: We started with one parrot. Then, of course, we wanted to get another as a companion. Then we ended up adopting another parrot. We took over from another owner who was relocating. It led to us buying and adopting a few more birds. ME5 Jesper: Our mini "air force" at home. We know your friends are feathered — but have they given you any, um, hairy experiences? ME4A Timothy: Oh yes. One of our first parrots is quite cheeky. There was a time we left the window open — we didn't think he'd fly out, but he did. It took us almost four hours to find him. At one point, we spotted him on the ledge of a nearby building, just squawking loudly. We tried to calm him down, but I think he was scared. Eventually, my dad found him inside someone else's flat — stealing fruit! But when my dad called his name, he just walked over and jumped onto his hand. Very lucky! What was NDP training like? Any sunburns? Any drama? ME4A Timothy: Training started around end-April. The most challenging aspect was transitioning from an air-con office to standing under the hot sun for long hours! In the first few sessions, the hardest part was adapting to the heat. According to my dad, he said that, compared to last year, there's been less rain this time. ME5 Jesper: Even though I marched last year, your body still needs time to recondition each time. And every year's layout and ground set-up are different, so we have to adapt. Be honest — who's got the sharper march? ME4A Timothy: I will give it to him. When I started marching, other trainers corrected my arm swing quite a lot. Among other things, I had difficulty locking my elbow. When my dad marches, his arm is so straight! ME5 Jesper: I went through the same journey last year. The trainers will correct everyone — including the contingent commander. What's the one moment during NDP that always gives you the feels? ME4A Timothy: That proud moment when you can stand on the Padang ground, looking at the spectators all around you. Yeah. That is the moment! You won't get that feeling if you don't march in a contingent. ME5 Jesper: For me, I believe it's about the journey. All those hours of standing under the hot sun, all the effort, sweat, everything — all the training is just for that one NDP on the actual day. NDP training isn't exactly a walk in the park. What have you had to give up to be part of it? ME4A Timothy: My Saturday time! Which has been used for training. So I don't get to spend time with my mum, my sister, my brother. And during training on weekdays, I reach home around 9pm-plus. I usually just grab a bite, shower, then rest for the next day. ME5 Jesper: Same here. Like what Timothy mentioned, it's [a loss of] family time. On non-training days, I have to go back to the office to clear some emails. With all that marching, when do the parrots even get their, ahem, airtime? ME4A Timothy: We only get to bring them out on Sundays or public holidays now. That's when most of us are free. ME5 Jesper: Sometimes we use a cart, or we just carry them on our shoulders or hands. When it's nearby, like just downstairs, we can manage all 12. Last question — what does this year's NDP theme, "Majulah Singapore", mean to you? ME4A Timothy: It means continuing the legacy. Knowing the hardships the pioneer generations went through to get us to SG60 — and how my generation needs to step up and keep Singapore moving forward. ME5 Jesper: It's about unity. Not just about the parade, but how every Singaporean from different walks of life, come together to celebrate SG60. [[nid:720274]] This article was first published in .