The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (February 27-March 1)

Capitol Theatre is bringing back the classics with Classics at Capitol, a brand-new programme curated by local film writer and researcher Dr Ben Slater. From February through the end of April, the century-old movie palace is hosting limited screenings of nostalgic Hollywood favourites digitally restored in clear 4K resolution. The lineup kicks off with Singin’ In The Rain, starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynold and Donald O’Connor. The 1952 romantic musical comedy follows a silent movie star who falls for an aspiring actress as they both learn to navigate the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. The film is followed in March by the 1962 war epic Lawrence of Arabia, before wrapping up with Alfred Hitchcock’s spy thriller North by Northwest. Each screening will feature introductions from experts and guests, as well as special surprises.

This newly-opened entertainment complex in Jurong East is well worth the trek. It's got saunas, hot springs, and meditative lounges next to private movie theatres and a space for e-gaming. The best part? It's open around the clock, so you can stay as long as you want to make the trip worth it. Bathing facilities here are split by gender, with each offering different benefits (think comfort and relaxation for women, and recovery for men). But if you'd just like to chill, curl up in reading nooks, capsule pods and a relaxation pod to get some quality Zs in. 

History and heritage take centre stage at this year’s Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts, with a focus on the enduring legacy of dialects and dynasties. The 10-day celebration of Chinese arts and culture features artists from Singapore and beyond, who will tell legendary tales through different art forms. Expect grand theatrical productions and musical performances, to contemporary dance showcases and even interactive craft sessions.

Kicking off the festival is Deling and Cixi, a lush and moving story by acclaimed playwright He Jiping. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Qing Dynasty, it captures the unlikely friendship between a spirited, Western-educated aristocrat and the powerful Empress Dowager. Elsewhere on the stacked festival lineup is Le Père (The Father), a Mandarin adaptation of Florian Zeller’s successful French play, a showcase of Fujian opera, and live performances from international acts like YELLOW and WANGWEN.

Experience 60 years of David Hockney’s art through his eyes in this immersive installation at the newly opened IMBA Theatre at Gardens by the Bay. Hailed as a central figure in British art and one of the most influential contributors to the pop art movement in the 1960s, Hockney continues to push technological boundaries to create vibrant, attention-grabbing masterpieces.

This 50-minute looped showcase uses a large-scale projection to fill the room, from floor to ceiling, with mesmerising colours, images and sound. It’s divided into six chapters of Hockney’s work, spanning from the start of his career to the present day, giving you a look at his creative process over the years. Accompanied by a specially composed score by American contemporary classical music composer and arranger Nico Muhly, the showcase also lets you hear from Hockney himself as he explains his experimental style.

This 33-day bazaar isn’t just a bazaar; it’s a community get-together. The theme for this year’s Ramadan celebrations in the Kampong Gelam district is Honouring the Roots, Sampling the Future, which explores local Malay heritage with a contemporary twist. There will be a series of free programmes focused on the Malay-Muslim community and its traditions, which include storytelling sessions, reflective Ramadan discussions, and kid-friendly workshops. Every week in the evenings, there are also scheduled live performances from homegrown favourites and regional highlights, including Iskandar Ismail, ALYPH, ABANGSAPAU, Fariz Jabba, and Nadhif Basalamah.

To top it off, the food and beverage selections here are also a bit different, with tons of traditional-meets-modern combinations and interesting flavours beyond the standard bazaar fare. Expect satay and lemang alongside strawberry matcha, churros, cheesy tacos, and beef steak. Want more? Here's our round-up of the best Ramadan bazaars and markets in Singapore. 

Fans of the Hollywood blockbuster Now You See Me, you can finally experience the magic IRL with this live stage adaptation, which is based on the characters of the popular magic-heist franchise. Watch as four world-class illusionists – America’s Adam Trent, France’s Enzo Weyne, Italy’s Andrew Basso and Gabriella Lester from Canada – put on a jaw-dropping spectacle of slick trickery. Don’t blink or you might just miss the mind-blowing magic tricks and surprise twists.

The original 2013 movie, directed by Louis Leterrier, stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher as the legendary collective, The Four Horsemen. The film was followed up with two sequels, Now You See Me 2 in 2016, and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, which premiered last year.

Once a trading port and now a commercial hub, the CBD isn’t just a workspace – it’s a district with plenty of forgotten stories, quiet characters and hidden memories. This is what Momentary Pulses: Art in the Central Business District, a commissioning series by The Everyday Museum and initiated by Singapore Art Museum, aims to uncover. Amid the city’s hustle and bustle are seven showcases by Singapore-based artists that have been seamlessly woven into public spaces along buildings and walkways. Each artwork has been designed to reflect, rather than distract, as it responds to the sights and sounds of the ever-evolving landscape. They invite us to look more closely at our everyday surroundings, pause, and let our imagination wander, offering a moment of calm and curiosity in a fast-paced environment.

Discover the art and culture of tea at Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie, a brand-new exhibition by the Asian Civilisation Museum, in collaboration with CHAGEE. This multi-sensory showcase goes beyond the taste and smell to trace the history of tea, from how it has shaped different rituals, practices and cultures for centuries to its role in our daily lives. The exhibition features collections from the past, such as historic tea wares and 3D-printed replicas, as well as newly commissioned contemporary art from local creatives. ‘Shade of Tea’ by Ashley Yeo is an atmospheric display of tea leaves in floating paper forms, while ‘Symphony of Tea’ is a series of ASMR-inspired videos produced by Alecia Neo, Clarence Chung, Jonathan Goh and Wesley Meow that explores the symphonic experience of tea.

Celebrate the craft and heritage of French winemaking through a heady mix of performances, tastings, concerts, and cultural experiences.

French Excellence Programme – À TABLE! is an immersive theatre journey that guides you from room to room, unfolding scenes of poetry, song, and monologue. Elsewhere, wander through an immersive gallery tracing the rich tapestry of French winemaking, complete with sensorial zones where you can explore aromas, learn the art of pairing, and unpack the processes behind red and white wines. Music lovers can opt for a music-and-wine programme, where three wine pairings mirror the musical arcs of early 20th-century music. There’ll be live performances too, blending piano and drums with contemporary dance, poetry, and cinematic visual art.

Warning: this one might not be for the prudes, but you’re welcomed anyway. Step into Taiwanese illustrator Ikuiku Studio’s vibrant and raunchy world at Heartware Store & Gallery’s The Ikuiku Love Hotel. Presented through risograph prints, the playful exhibition reimagines lust and intimate acts using adorable animal characters and bright colours. The result is a cheeky, hilarious and light-hearted approach to an often-thought taboo topic. Her artworks are guaranteed to make you giggle or blush – or maybe both.

As part of the showcase, the gallery has also transformed its space into a love hotel of sorts, complete with a shower room and queen-sized bed (you’re allowed to sprawl on the latter, but a reminder to keep it, um, PG). Oh, and before you leave, don’t forget to cop yourself a custom condom blind box, alongside other love hotel-inspired merch, such as hotel key chains, towels, bar soap, hotel slippers and even a memopad. Ikuiku Studio is also debuting new zines at the exhibition as well.

Chinatown is galloping full speed into the Year of the Horse, and you’re invited along for the ride. For a whole two months from January, the precinct will be decorated in festive cheer as the Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations return with a dazzling street light-up, cultural performances, hands-on workshops and the much-loved International Lion Dance Competition.

The streets officially light up on January 30, with the ceremony broadcast live from Kreta Ayer Square. Stroll along South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street as they come to life once the sun sets. The ceremony, officiated by Minister Mrs Josephine Teo, will also feature a performance showcasing Singapore's multicultural identity, melding Chinese dance with Malay kuda kepang, Indian Rajasthani horse dance, and Western styles. 

Get up close and personal with all types of bugs and creepy-crawlies as you never have before at ArtScience Museum’s latest exhibition, held in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History. It features 37 high-magnification portraits of insects captured by renowned British photographer Levon Biss. Known for his remarkable and impressive microscopic images, Biss’ striking photographs give viewers a rare chance to uncover the beauty and intricacies of these tiny creatures that are sometimes hidden from the naked eye. Take a trip around the world through his photos and discover the distinct beetles, bees, and more from South America, China, and Africa. Supporting the showcase is a short film offering a behind-the-scenes look at Biss’ elaborate and fascinating photographic process and his attention to detail.

Elsewhere, the exhibition also lends the spotlight to Singapore’s rich biodiversity, highlighting our nation’s efforts in research and in new species discoveries from local institutions like the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and Nanyang Technological University.

Calling all Demon Slayer fans, your favourite anime comes to life at this exclusive exhibition taking over the former Singapore Sports Hub Library. The showcase marks its Singapore debut and the only Southeast Asian stop in its tour. Spanning two floors, the first-of-its-kind, sweeping exhibition promises to be an immersive, multi-sensory experience, featuring original illustrations and life-sized sets inspired by the visuals and landscapes of the animated series. Step into the action-packed universe and relive scenes from the show, including the Demon Slayer Headquarters, Mugen Train and Battle of Mount Natagumo. A key highlight is Infiltrating the Entertainment District, where you can join Tanjiro and the gang on a mission to uncover the demons hidden within the space. The exhibition also features a section on the show’s comedic spin-off, Kimetsu Academy, which portrays the Demon Slayer Corps in a modern school setting. And for all you avid collectors, be sure to hit up the merch store for a range of Singapore exclusives, including chibi versions of the characters alongside iconic local landmarks.

Start the year with a visit to Singapore Art Museum’s latest installation, Nafasan Bumi – An Endless Harvest, featuring works by Indonesian artists Elia Nurvista and Bagus Pandega. The exhibition explores the environmental costs of economic growth in an era of climate crisis, while exploring how the items we use today may leave their mark on the future.

This immersive environment brings together kinetic, multimedia and sculptural installations that trace the impact of extractive economies across regional and global networks. Highlights include batik and palm oil sculptures depicting plantation labourers, mechanical systems powered by biofeedback from live plants and more.

In this larger-than-life artwork taking over the National Gallery’s Padang Atrium, contemporary Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul captures the dynamic and passionate cultures and lives that make up the diverse Singaporean community. Following a year-long engagement with migrant workers, indigenous groups and faith organisations, the artist’s revelations and discoveries are translated into spectacular billboard paintings, video interviews and a travelogue that celebrates their vibrant stories and voices.

The showcase is supported by an enriching two-part programme that highlights the people who have inspired the installation. Join in on fireside chats with the artist to explore behind the scenes and the empowering migrant stories. Singaporama Unfolded Part I centres on Kaugnay, an organisation for Filipina domestic workers, and its fabulous Trashion Show, while Part II traces the history of migration in Singapore. The latter presents a performance of a traditional Indian folk dance by Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) Ambassadors, alongside a discussion on identity, community and collaboration.

Five women, over 50 artworks and one shared mission. This exhibition brings Southeast Asian artists Amanda Heng (Singapore), Dolorosa Sinaga (Indonesia), Imelda Cajipe-Endaya (Philippines), Nirmala Dutt (Malaysia) and Phaptawan Suwannakudt (Thailand) to display their work together in Singapore for the very first time. But more than just an art showcase, Fear No Power is a space to have a conversation about meaningful change and the artists’ decades-long commitment to it. Featuring photography, paintings, sculptures and performances that date all the way back to the 1960s, this multidisciplinary exhibition examines the concept of communal world-building across the region and what it means to forge a community. Every piece of work is an intimate and powerful reflection deeply rooted in care, collaboration and resistance.

How much do you really know about lion dance, apart from the loud drums and colourful costumes? Find out more about the history and heritage behind lion dance at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s vibrant exhibition just in time for Chinese New Year. The exhibition showcases over 50 artefacts, including rare lion head designs in Hainan and Fujian styles. You’ll also be able to learn more about different lion dance styles, local lion dance troupes, and lion dance culture in Singapore today. Admission to the exhibition is free.

Discover unexpected artworks embedded within familiar, everyday settings at the Singapore Biennale, which makes an ambitious return this year under the evocative title, 'pure intention'. The contemporary arts festival invites audiences to explore the duality of Singapore’s layered urban story, in which both meticulous urban planning coexists with serendipitous surprises.

This year’s edition features over 100 new and existing artworks, which are situated across the Civic District, Orchard Road, the Rail Corridor, and the SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. The artworks on display are not just visual – some are also immersive, interactive, and multi-sensorial, such as Taiwanese artist Huang Po-Chih's Momocha, featuring a series of kombucha flavours, to Filipino artist Eisa Jocson's The Filipino Superwoman X H.O.M.E. Karaoke Living Room, which transforms a shop unit into a space reminiscent of a Filipino living room.

Mahjong, congkak, Go...there innumerable Asian games we're sure are part of your fondest childhood memories. This September, the Asian Civilisations Museum is exhibiting Let's Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games, which takes a look at how these games, whether sporty or strategic, have evolved and shaped communities and traditions over time. Explore more than 150 games, and actually try them out at interactive installations. There'll be fun outdoor set-ups and talks and programmes throughout the exhibitions long run, too (until June 7, 2026).