Have you been bored recently? Want a little spontaneous excitement? Then, peek at our list of Try What Now — a series dedicated to showing what you (and your family and friends) can experience in Singapore for the coming month!
Oh hey! We are now three-quarters of the way through the year, but fret not; there’s still lots to check out before 2023 ends. September 2023 offers many exciting experiences, the biggest being a particular racing event in the middle of the month. See what’s there to check out with our guide for this month!
F1 Singapore GP 2023
It’s time for some heart-pumping action as the F1 Singapore GP returns. Will Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen continue dominating this season when he arrives for the Singapore leg? Or will Sergio Pérez take the crown once again? You’ll have to catch the Night Race this month to find out.
But the event is more than just racing. Several musical artists are making their visit here as well! Party the night away alongside names like Jackson Wang and Post Malone over an electric three-day period that promises to be something you won’t forget.
Date: 15 to 17 September 2023
Location: Marina Bay Street Circuit and Padang Walkabout
You can check out our guide to F1 Singapore GP 2023 to see ticket prices and viewing spots, among others. You can also read our coverage here to see the complete list of entertainment acts and how to prepare for them.
Singapore Design Week 2023
Singapore Design Week 2023 (SDW 2023) is an 11-day festival dedicated to showcasing Singapore’s distinctive brand of creativity. This year’s theme is ‘Better by Design’ and features Design Districts as a key highlight, with each district (Bras Basah.Bugis, Marina Bay, and Orchard Road) reflecting the unique character and charm of its community.
There will also be over 80 ground-up events ranging from exhibitions, talks and panel discussions to workshops, tours and retail pop-ups for visitors to experience at the festival, with a mix of returning and new designers participating this year.
Date: 21 September to 1 October 2023
Location: Bras Basah.Bugis, Marina Bay, and Orchard Road
For more information about Singapore Design Week 2023 and the complete list of programmes, check out the festival’s official website.
Sentosa Food Truck Fiesta
Sentosa Food Fest 2023 culminates its 10-week-long food extravaganza with Sentosa Food Truck Fiesta, with a fleet of specially fabricated food trucks ready to serve some delicious local and street food to the hungry crowd.
This year’s Sentosa Food Truck Fiesta has been improved and will be larger in scale, showcasing a wider variety of menu items to check out at the event. There will also be weekly movie screenings, music, and an artisanal flea market to bolster the experience when you visit.
Date: 1 to 17 September 2023 (Friday to Sunday)
Location: Palawan Green, Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa
Opening hours: 5pm – 10pm
For more information about Sentosa Food Truck Fiesta and the list of participating stalls, check out the Sentosa website.
Archifest 2023
Archifest marks its 17th edition with a focus on adaptive architecture, inviting festival-goers to “reflect on the adaptability of our built environment to respond to pressing issues” seen in the environmental, cultural, and technological mediums.
Featured within the historic Kampong Gelam precinct, the event presents a diverse range of programmes like installations, incubator design workshops, residencies, and thought-provoking talks for visitors to experience.
Date: 29 September to 28 October 2023
Location: Kampong Gelam and Festival House @ 45, 47 Sultan Gate
For more information about Archifest 2023, visit the festival’s official website.
POP TOY SHOW Singapore
Fans of Pop Mart figures can check out POP TOY SHOW Singapore, where the event makes its way out of China for the very first time. More than 50 different toy designers and international toy brands will be participating in the event, with exclusive product launches also happening throughout its three-day period.
Date: 8 to 10 September 2023
Location: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Basement 2, Halls D & E, 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
Price: S$32 (1-day), S$57 (2-days), S$78 (3-days)
Opening hours: 11am – 8pm
To buy tickets and to see the full artist line-up, visit the official website for POP TOY SHOW Singapore.
Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is bringing a host of exciting activities to celebrate the Mid-Autumn festivities this year!
First, be sure to check out the special outdoor lantern installation titled A Mid-Autumn Paw-trait, featuring an adorable coupling of giant panda lanterns at SYSNMH’s lawn. There’s also the Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House with various experiences like the Teochew Cultural Trail by the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan, among others.
Date: Now till 1 October 2023 (Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House: 23 & 24 September 2023)
Location: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore 327874
Price: Free Admission with Ticketed Activities
Opening hours: 10am – 6.30pm (extended hours to 9pm on certain days)
To view more information about Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 and the complete list of activities, visit their official website.
World Food Fair 2023
Hungry for some overseas eats but unable to travel this year? Not to worry, World Food Fair 2023 is bringing the food straight to you at the Singapore Expo!
The 18th edition of this event sees participants from Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and more, introducing a mix of local and global flavours for visitors to try. There will also be deals and promotions on food products happening during the event that you can take advantage of as you walk the site.
Date: 28 September to 1 October 2023
Location: Singapore Expo Hall 5, 1 Expo Dr, Singapore 486150
Price: Free Admission
Opening hours: 11am – 9pm
For World Food Fair 2023 updates, you can follow Singapore Food Shows’ socials on Facebook and Instagram.
Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 – Garden of Blooms
The Mid-Autumn Festival also arrives at Gardens by the Bay, with picturesque views and fun activities for you to experience with friends and family!
Create memories with the beautiful sight of colourful lanterns inspired by Chinese mythology lining the site’s pathways. You can also enjoy the cultural performances being held or participate in the fun carnival games on offer. Delicious street food from the marketplace will also be available for you to enjoy, ensuring that your tummy remains satisfied during your visit!
Date: 28 July 2023 to 17 September 2023
Location: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Price: Free Admission
Opening hours: 6pm – 10pm
Head to Gardens by The Bay’s official website for more details about the Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 – Garden of Blooms.
Singapore River Festival 2023
Singapore River Festival celebrates local heritage, culture and innovation amidst the scenic river backdrop with several interactive activities for visitors to experience.
Expect dynamic weekly events such as Moonlight Fiesta @ Robertson Walk for family fun and great Japanese food and music at WORLD X FEST 2023 JAPAN EDITION @ Clarke Quay Central. Experience historical landmarks in a different light as well with the help of AR as you discover untold tales of Singapore’s rich heritage with this unique tech adventure. There will also be a series of light art installations across Singapore’s three iconic quays — Cavenagh Bridge, Read Bridge, and Alkaff Bridge — where you can take in the beautiful display.
Date: 7 September to 1 October 2023
Location: Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay Central and UE Square
For more information about Singapore River Festival 2023 and its complete list of programming, visit the festival’s official website.
Shop Small Pop-Up Market
Want to support local? Be sure to check out Shop Small Pop-Up Market, where 16 local businesses will set up shop for visitors!
Names like Creamier, Woods in the Books and Drips Bakery are just a few who will be making an appearance at the Pop-Up Market, with activities such as candle-making and jewellery-making workshops available for you to try out. Kid-friendly events like a meet-and-greet with Baby Shark and a blind ice cream taste test challenge are also available for those with children, ensuring that everyone gets to participate!
Date: 25 September to 1 October 2023
Location: Suntec City Atrium (Tower 1 and 2), 7 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038987
American Express Card Members who spend S$50 or more at the pop-up will receive a goodie bag of Shop Small vouchers and limited-edition merchandise (worth over S$130). For more information on the event, visit the official Shop Small Pop-Up Market page!
Like any of the selections we have for you this month, or should we include others in this list or the next? Let us know at [email protected], or slide into our DMs on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. See you next month!
Visuals courtesy of Singapore GP Pte Ltd, DesignSingapore Council, Sentosa Development Corporation, Singapore Archifest 2023, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore River One, and Shop Small Pop-Up Market.
