The best things to do in Singapore this May

Join a specially curated bar hop experience organised by Time Out Singapore and Pernod Ricard in partnership with Perrier. On May 29 and 30, you’ll get to explore three of the hottest bars in Singapore each night and taste three cocktails – while staying hydrated and drinking responsibly. The featured cocktails are crafted with Pernod Ricard spirits and Perrier, and are only available during this Hydration Hop. The selected bars range from trendy joints like White Shades, Neon Pigeon and Spectre, as well as timeless classics in the bar scene like Atlas, Smoke & Mirrors, and the Lobby Lounge at Intercontinental Singapore. There will also be bar bites, a free $20 Ryde transport voucher for your journey home, and limited-edition Time Out goodie bags. Find out more here and sign up here.

Frida Kahlo, the world-renowned Mexican painter, needs no introduction. Regarded as one of the most influential female artists of the 20th century, she is celebrated for her self-portraits that delve into themes of identity and the human body.

There will be three different segments with nine spaces filled with 360-degree projections, interactive installations, photographs, and films. You’ll be able to trace her artistic journey, starting from her early years as a young girl. The show will also touch on her medical journey – one that isn’t widely discussed about. There’ll also be virtual reality experiences for you to truly step into her shoes and see the world from her point of view. Join the waitlist for ticket sales here.

Learn more about Chinese culture in Singapore’s local context with the two-month-long cultural festival, Cultural Extravaganza 2024. Presented by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, this festival is happening from May 8 to June 30 2024 and follows the theme of (Re)presenting Our SINGAPO人 Treasures. Highlights include the free art exhibitions showcasing works by local cartoonists and students, along with musical performances featuring childhood rhymes and folk songs that will take you down memory lane. Theatre buffs shouldn't miss Essentially Macbeth, a play following the lives of ex-drama club members as they put together a production of the Shakespearean classic in Mandarin, presented with English surtitles. Find out more and book your tickets here.

The timeless tale of Swan Lake graces the stage at The Theatre at Mediacorp this May, performed by the St. Petersburg National Ballet Theatre. For those unfamiliar with the famous ballet, Swan Lake follows the story of Princess Odette, cursed to transform into a swan by day, and Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with her. The highlight of the ballet is the black swan pas de deux, a dance filled with seduction, confidence, and of course, the 32 fouettés, a turn requiring the dancer to use her leg to whip herself around. This production of Swan Lake will also feature former soloists from the famous Mariinsky Theatre, so do not miss out on this spectacular performance.

Get your dose of nightlife this month at Zouk Singapore, with its exciting line-up of international guest DJs renowned in the electronic music scene. The party begins with Argy in the house on May 3, known for his unconventional techno dance beats. In collaboration with Collective Minds, Zouk Singapore continues the fun on May 16 with a set by Eats Everything, aka Daniel Pearce. Anticipate his high-energy presence and versatile style that’s influenced by house, jungle, garage, disco, and techno. Finally, get on the Afro house and Latin hype train on May 21 with Afro Bros, the Grammy-nominated DJ and producer duo, best known for their works with noteworthy artistes like J Balvin and Daddy Yankee. Find out more and get your tickets here.

Singapore maybe be tiny, but we pack lots in terms of culture and history. To get brilliant insight into that, join the many workshops, tours, trails, and exhibitions lined up for Singapore HeritageFest.

This year's theme focuses on 'reliving the stories that connect us', bringing you into the untold stories of our city's oldest buildings and landmarks. Get your steps in on walking tours of iconic landmarks in Singapore's downtown district or 'abandoned' buildings like 37 Emerald Hill. You can also hop on a bus tour through cultural neighbourhoods, or explore the Peranakan shophouses and traditional businesses in Joo Chiat. There's more, including access to restricted areas of the former Supreme Court, exploration tours of historical venues, and exhibitions dedicated to our national monuments and conserved buildings. Check out the full list of programmes here.

Blockbuster event i Light Singapore is back this May. This year, the event will light up more than Marina Bay and its neighbouring precincts – it will also be activated in Tanjong Pagar for the very first time. The theme this year is Cyclical Nature, spotlighting all things sustainability through 17 interactive artworks by 25 local and international artists. Besides tramping around the city in search of these dazzling artworks, you can also take part in wellness workshops, talks, and bootcamps, or shop at an outdoor marketplace (presented in collaboration with The Conscious Festival). i Light Singapore is also running alongside GastroBeats at the Bayfront Event Space, so you can look forward to trucks of good sustainably-produced grub and musical performances.

The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) returns from May 17 to June 2, 2024, following the theme They Declare. Don’t miss out on The Prose And The Passion, a collaboration between Singapore theatre-makers Haresh Sharma and Chong Tze Chien where characters created by English novelist E. M. Forster come alive to interact with characters from Sharma’s imagination. Other highlights include Singapore visual artist Genevieve Chua’s Wilful Machine; and a 90-minute live adaptation of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick by Norwegian theatre troupe Plexus Polaire, a performance that employs filmic techniques, captivating puppetry, and clever stagecraft to manipulate the audience’s perspective.

Vine star, Tik Tok viral sensation, platinum-selling indie-pop sensation – it's easy to run out of superlatives with Ricky Montgomery. The American singer-songwriter's hit singles Mr. Loverman and Line Without a Hook cradled many through the Covid-19 pandemic and shot him to stardom. Now, he'll be bringing his soul-soothing tunes to Block A, a "cosmic" block party full of great music and community vibes. Look forward to a set by emerging singer-songwriter hongjoin as well as a whole slew of art, food, and merchandise at Pasir Panjang Power Station. Tickets start at $95. 

Celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Europe at the annual European Film Festival. This year’s edition features 24 films from 24 countries, offering a variety of perspectives and insights into histories that are representative of Europe’s shared cultural heritage. Opening the festival is Here, directed by Belgian filmmaker Bas Devos, a film about the deep human desire for connection in a world of transience and movement. Other highlights include 125 Years Memory from Turkey, which won Best Art Direction at the 39th Japan Academy Film Prize, and Norway’s Dancing Queen, a coming-of-age film delving into themes of romance and girlhood.

Check out the full list of films and purchase tickets here. 

Those who love tulips will be pleased to know that Gardens by the Bay’s Tulipmania will be returning to the Flower Dome this year. In honour of its 10th edition, the floral display pays homage to its inaugural showcase in 2013. The tulips will once again be planted in rows of singular colour, much like the iconic tulip farms in the Netherlands. Adding to the charm, the display will feature a blend of traditional Dutch landscapes with modern elements, including windmills and watermills, alongside innovative features highlighting urban farming and clean energy initiatives.

Find out more about Tulipmania here.