Have you been bored lately? Craving some spontaneous excitement? Then take a peek at our list of ‘Things to Do’ — a series dedicated to showcasing what you (and your family and friends) can experience in Singapore for the upcoming month!
This May 2025, get ready to dive headfirst into a world of culture, music, cinema, live entertainment, and artsy affairs. One moment you could be chasing nostalgia at candlelit concerts, the next hunting down hidden gems at a vibrant pop-up market, or basking in a beautiful sunset at an open-air cinema. Boredom doesn’t stand a chance – keep reading to find your next great adventure!
Singapore HeritageFest 2025
Start your journey through May with a blast from the past and present at Singapore Heritage Fest (SHF) 2025! With over 100 programmes islandwide and more than 90 community partners and tangible cultural heritage practitioners, there’s something for everyone at the festival’s biggest edition yet.
Don’t know where to start? Try some of the offerings we experienced at HOMEGROUND Village, or perhaps sign up for some of the many immersive talks and workshops that be warned, are selling out fast! No matter what you choose, every moment at the SHF 2025 promises to celebrate the best of our living heritage, showcasing the rich customs, traditions, practices, and stories that connect us across generations.
🗓️Date: 1 – 25 May 2025
📍Location: Various locations
💲Price: Various prices
⏰Time: Various times
Check out the SHF’s website for the full list of experiences and their details waiting for you at this year’s festival, and follow the Singapore HeritageFest on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates!
Candlelight Concerts in May 2025
If you wanna ditch reality for a while, the Candlelight Concerts are back to transform venues like The Arts House and CHIJMES Hall into twinkling dreamscapes, set aglow with tons of flickering candles. These intimate performances are multi-sensory journeys that turn every beloved melody into a magical experience.
One particular highlight is Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles – a one-night-only affair where legendary songs like Bohemian Rhapsody and Here Comes the Sun get an elegant twist that sweeps you away. This – and honestly, all the other Candlelight Concert programmes – would make the perfect Mother’s Day surprise, a swoon-worthy date idea, or just a gorgeous evening out you won’t forget anytime soon!
🗓️Date: 3 May 2025 (Tribute to Queen and The Beatles)
📍Location: The Arts House (Tribute to Queen and The Beatles)
💲Price: Various prices
⏰Time: 7pm (Tribute to Queen and The Beatles)
Hop over to the Candlelight Concerts page to explore the rest of the programme lineup in May. No matter which performance you pick, you’re in for a good time!
Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema
Cinephiles, listen up! This May, the shores of Tanjong Beach, Sentosa, will transform into a cinematic paradise as Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema returns for its annual run. The event invites guests to unwind under palm trees with sunset views, live DJ tunes, and a curated selection of award-winning films from Sundance, Cannes, and beyond.
Tickets include a complimentary Hendrick’s Gin cocktail, deckchair seating, and shuttle service back to Harbourfront MRT after the show.
With a full menu by Tanjong Beach Club – think chicken waffle sandos, chilled soba noodles, and gourmet hot dogs – plus multiple bars and pre-movie games from 5.30pm onwards, it’s the perfect way to spend a tropical evening.
Invite your friends, family, or partners. You can even spend a night out alone, treating yourself!
🗓️Date: 8 May – 25 May 2025
📍Location: 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Singapore 098942
💲Price: Various prices
⏰Time: Gates open at 5.30pm
Secure your tickets via their official website to indulge in an evening of fine cinema, refreshing cocktails, and unforgettable beachside vibes! To stay updated on the latest regarding Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema, you can check out their Instagram. For more information, you can take a look at our article!
Cultural Extravaganza 2025
And since you’re already checking out our heritage, get ready for the Cultural Extravaganza at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC), celebrating SINGAPO人 Arts! From 9 May to 7 June 2025, immerse yourself in a range of 10 programmes spanning theatre, dance, music, and cross-disciplinary performances – each celebrating the vibrancy and distinctiveness of our local Chinese arts and culture.
Through performances by Nine Years Theatre, Dance Ensemble Singapore, Ding Yi Music Company, and plenty of other notable local arts and cultural groups, catch a refreshing and innovative take on what it means to celebrate Chinese heritage!
🗓️Date: 9 May – 7 June 2025
📍Location: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Blvd, Singapore 018906
💲Price: Various prices
⏰Time: Various times
Besides checking out our article linked above, dive deeper into the Cultural Extravaganza’s offerings by checking out their dedicated webpage and the SCCC’s Instagram!
Doujin Market 2025
Doujin Market blasts back into town this May for their 2025 edition with a vibrant showcase of indie creativity! Featuring over 500 curated booths and 750 artists from 19 countries, this year’s event invites fans to shop, discover, and connect with the best in independent art, crafts, and illustration. From exclusive convention deals to stamp rallies, there’s plenty to explore — including a dazzling array of pop culture merchandise perfect for every kind of collector.
Beyond the art, Doujin Market 2025 amps up the action with the Geekified Games Experience Zone, offering tabletop RPGs, trading card games, and a brand-new Dungeons & Dragons adventure exclusive to the show. Gamers can also dive into demos of indie video games, thanks to a partnership with the Singapore Games Association.
🗓️Date: 10 May – 11 May 2025
📍Location: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard Singapore, 039593
💲Price:
- Single Day Pass: S$10
- Two Day Weekend Pass: S$18
⏰Time:
- Day One: 12pm – 8pm
- Day Two: 11am – 7pm
Tickets are available exclusively through Eventbrite, and VIP Fast Pass holders can look forward to queue-cutting perks and exclusive merch, so be sure to grab yours early! For more information, be sure to check out Doujin Market’s socials on Instagram and YouTube.
Singapore International Festival of the Arts
Singapore’s biggest celebration of the arts, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), is making its grand return, just in time for the nation’s 60th birthday bash. Themed More Than Ever, you can expect a packed line-up of local talents and international stars. What’s more, with 15 Singaporean commissions – a record-breaker – and a mix of theatre, dance, music, puppetry and everything in between, this is SIFA’s most ambitious edition!
SIFA 2025 plants itself firmly in the heartlands with the debut of the SIFA Pavilion at Bedok Town Square, turning the heartlands into an arts playground. It’s also where the festival opens with The Sea and the Neighbourhood, a mash-up of dance, visuals and music inspired by Bedok’s coastal spirit.
Families are in for a treat too, at Little SIFA at Empress Lawn – where kids can wander through whimsical installations and free performances. And with international hits like Geoff Sobelle’s Home and Manuela Infante’s wickedly funny Vampyr on the bill, alongside Singaporean favourites like The Finger Players’ Animal Farm and Hossan Leong’s hilarious Hossan-AH! In The High Arts, you’re bound to leave feeling inspired.
🗓️Date: 16 May – 1 June 2025
📍Location: Various locations
💲Price: Various prices
⏰Time: Various times
Curious what’s in store for you? Check out the Singapore International Festival of Arts’s website or take a peek at our article to see what catches your fancy and start booking your tickets!
Lilytopia
Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome transforms into a slice of old-world Italy with Lilytopia. Visitors can wander through dreamy cobblestone streets and glide past lush canals inspired by Venice, all while surrounded by the intoxicating scent and vibrant colours of lilies in full summer bloom. It’s a floral fantasy that transports you straight to La Serenissima, without leaving Singapore.
Lilytopia invites guests to lose themselves in a sea of lilies, each carefully curated to evoke the romance and charm of a sun-drenched Italian town. The sensory experience – from the stunning floral displays to the evocative Venetian setting – is pure magic. It’s the perfect little getaway for flower lovers, photographers, or anyone yearning for a serene escape.
🗓️Date: 22 May – 15 June 2025
📍Location: Flower Dome, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
💲Price: Admission price to Flower Dome applies
⏰Time: 9am – 9pm
Book your tickets here at the Gardens by the Bay website and let Lilytopia sweep you away – and stay tuned to Gardens by the Bay’s socials on Instagram and TikTok for more enchanting experiences!
Flipside 2025
Ready to loosen up and have a laugh? Flipside is back at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, bringing a riot of circus acts, puppetry, physical theatre, comedy, and all things playful. This year’s theme, The Games We Play, is a cheeky celebration of competition, collaboration, and life’s delightful absurdities, happening from 30 May to 8 June 2025.
One show you’ll want to catch early is Bill’s 44th, running from 30 May to 1 June 2025. Think birthday party for grown-ups, complete with cake, snacks, party games – and a side of soul-searching. Created by Andy Manjuck and Dorothy James from the USA, this interactive performance blends puppetry, physical theatre, and bittersweet comedy into a hilarious (and a little heartbreaking) celebration. It’s adults-only, so leave the little ones at home and come ready to toast to life’s quirks and curveballs.
And that’s just the start – across the festival, expect shows for all ages, from circus feats to surprising pop-up performances around Esplanade’s grounds!
🗓️Date: 30 May – 1 June 2025
📍Location: Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981
💲Price: Starting at S$32
⏰Times (Bill’s 44th):
- 8pm – 8.55pm (30 May 2025)
- 3pm – 3.55pm, 8pm – 8.55pm (31 May 2025)
- 3pm – 3.55pm (1 June 2025)
Head over to the Esplanade’s website for more information and to snag your tickets – hurry before it’s too late!
Like any of the selections we have for you this month, or have others we should include 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 Resorts World Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Hendrick’s, Doujin Market, Arts House Limited, and Singapore Heritage Fest.
