20 New Things To Do In August 2022: Night Festival, Pink Starbucks, Whimsical Museum Exhibitions & More
It’s Singapore’s birthday month and we’re all ready to celebrate…with a long-awaited public holiday! Other than simply watching the live telecast of the NDP at home with your family, here are 20 new things to do in August 2022 in Singapore which will keep you busy through the PH week as well as the many weekends to come - including Singapore Night Festival, a pink strawberry-themed Starbucks outlet, and whimsical free-entry museum exhibitions, among plenty others.
#1: Admire psychedelic paper installations at Superfluous Things: Paper
Photo from Singapore Art Museum
Paper is a medium that we encounter in our daily lives and often overlook, but you’ll be mesmerised by the endless possibilities that can be created out of it with the Superfluous Things: Paper exhibition at Singapore Art Museum’s new Tanjong Pagar Distripark branch (which you can read about here!)
Photo from Singapore Art Museum
Comprising a number of colourful art installations by various artists, this vibrant display includes the whimsical large-scale “Land of Fairy Tales” by Li Hongbo, which looks like a whole landscape in itself, as well as “Just a Little at a Time” by local artist Cheryl Teo, made up of tons of little matchbox-sized paper sculptures, all painstakingly hand-crafted. These includes miniature spaceships, musical instruments, and familiar sights like our HDB flats.
Photo from Singapore Art Museum
There’s also Eccentric City, a visualisation of a floating city, made of tatebanko (Japanese paper craft). One side is black and white, but walk over to the other end and the sculpture takes on a psychedelic nature.
Photo from Singapore Art Museum
Superfluous Things: Paper
Date: Until 14 August 2022
Time: 10am - 7pm daily
Location: SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark
Price: FREE for Singaporeans
Website
#2: Get ultra-rare Hermès bags at Ginza Xiaoma’s first Singapore store
Photo from Ginza Xiaoma
Here’s one for the ladies of luxury: Hailing from Japan, Ginza Xiaoma is said to be Asia’s top reseller of authentic Hermès bags, which not only offers these branded handbags at more competitive rates, but also has ultra-rare pieces that you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Joining their flagship in Ginza, Tokyo and their Hong Kong boutique is their very first branch in Singapore, conveniently located at orchard.
Photo from Ginza Xiaoma
They don’t merely sell handbags. Look forward to their monthly online auctions with bargains as well as prized rarities, with low starting bids and free worldwide shipping, as well as their upcoming NFT auctions of collector’s pieces and blockchain proof of authenticity for their bags.
Photo from Ginza Xiaoma
Rest assured that all your purchases will come with trustable certificates of authentication and all customers will get to enjoy free insurance, along with free courier and no cancellation fees, among other perks.
Photo from Ginza Xiaoma
Those who’d like to let go of their Hermès bags to make way for new models can also look into Ginza Xiaoma’s consignment services, where they’ll sell off your pre-loved items at a good rate on your behalf. Payment will be made promptly once someone decides to give your bag a new home.
Ginza Xiaoma Singapore
Address: 391B Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Tower B Office, 23-05/06, Singapore 238874
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10am - 6pm (Closed on weekends)
Telephone: 6530 3529
Website
#3: Bask in Ghibli vibes at the reopened Bukit Timah Railway Station
Photo from NParks
Feel like you’re in a Studio Ghibli movie at the idyllic Bukit Timah Railway Station, which has finally reopened to the public after 2 years of restoration work. Fresh additions include station signs, token poles, and a cute yellow train cart for that perfect photo opportunity. Head inside the station building to go back in time with a heritage gallery, where you’ll learn more about the history of the place and the surrounding Rail Corridor.
Photo from FuYong Estate 芙蓉园
That’s not all. The former Railway Staff Quarters has been converted into retro-themed cafe 1932 Story, where you’ll get to savour some coffee and tuck into brunch fare.
Photo from Urban Redevelopment Authority
While you’re there, have a stroll through the Herb and Spice Garden, before taking a rest at the sheltered yard area.
Photo from Urban Redevelopment Authority
#4: Discover bizarrely realististic animal-human hybrid sculptures at ArtScience Museum
Photo from Patricia Piccinini
There have been human ears made from cow cartilage grown on mice, and just this year, the first pig heart transplant in a human was successfully completed. Science is moving at an amazing speed - sometimes to controversial extents - and there’s no telling what sort of other new developments there might be in the years to come.
The Patricia Piccinini: We are Connected exhibition takes this idea of animal-human interconnectedness even further with hyper-realistic sculptures of strange hybrid creatures - think children with beaver-like tails, a baby with a snout and ears with “gills”, and other imaginary humans with animalistic features.
Photo from Patricia Piccinini
With this thought-provoking exhibition, the Australian artist hopes to have us reflect on “what it means to exist in a world that teems with different kinds of life”, and develop more empathy for the world around us.
Photo from Patricia Piccinini
Creepy or cute? You decide. Whatever the case is, these uncanny installations are sure to get you pondering and will stay in your mind long after you’ve exited the museum’s doors.
#5: Catch the cute POP MART Hirono pop-ups in town
Photo from POP MART Singapore
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t already hopped on to the POP MART bandwagon yet - the limited-time pop-ups themed after the character Hirono are worth checking out if you love all things cute with a tinge of endearing sadness. For the uninitiated, Hirono is an adorable little boy character who often appears gloomy and sullen, but just wants a friend.
Photo from POP MART Singapore
The first part of the pop-up is located along Funan’s neon-lite underpass, which is now covered in Hirono wall murals and animations.
Photo from POP MART Singapore
The second part is located within the POP MART store, with figurines and art prints featuring the beloved character.
New to the whole trend? Check out our handy guide to collecting blind box figurines in Singapore, including tips on re-selling and the low-down on hidden items.
Hirono pop-ups
Date: Until 31 August 2022
Location: POP MART Funan & Funan Underground Pedestrian Link at Basement 2
Price: FREE
Website
#6: Channel Belle from Beauty and the Beast’s at Cultivate Cafe, a new book cafe
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
There’s quite a handful of book cafes in Singapore but none are quite as grand as Cultivate Cafe, located within colonial hotel, Maxwell Reserve. With velvety armchairs and arched wooden corridors, the Beauty-and-the-Beast-esque cafe is fully decked out in floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, on which a wide collection of books sits. Titles include antique versions of famous classics from authors like Charles Dickens.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Pick from balanced mains like Superfood Earth Bowls, sandwiches, organic salads, and pasta - or go for some gluten-free bakes and wash it down with a pint of beer. Find out more in our firsthand review!
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
#7: Check out a cute pink strawberry-themed Starbucks outlet
Photo from Starbucks Singapore
It’s strawberry season at Starbucks and the cult coffee chain is going pink to celebrate! As part of their new strawberry-flavoured Starbucks Refreshers drink launches for Summer, they’ve opened a cute pink themed pop-up within their VivoCity outlet with giant strawberry installations and floor-to-ceiling wall murals great for OOTDs.
Photo from Starbucks Singapore
Order a drink and have fun snapping selfies or simply chilling out with your friends on the pink seats.
Photo from Starbucks Singapore
#8: Have an open-air movie picnic with Films at the Fort
Photo from Films at the Fort
Unwind with a movie sesh in the great outdoors with the return of Films at The Fort, a premier open-air cinema event that’s celebrating its 8th anniversary this year at none other than Fort Canning Green. This year’s line-up includes the classic Forrest Gump, comedy film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent starring Nicholas Cage, as well as A Hero, which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival. Check out the full film list here.
Photo from Films at the Fort
While there, make sure to order some wine and gourmet food from the pop-up stalls to complete your experience. Those who are worried about aches and pains from sitting on the floor can top-up for a back rest cushion.
Photo from Films at the Fort
The movies start screening at 7.45pm, but if you manage to escape from work earlier, we’d suggest heading down to catch the sunset while the DJs and instrumentalists on site put on a complimentary pre-event show.
Films at the Fort
Date: 10 to 21 August 2022
Time: 7.45pm
Location: Fort Canning Park
Price: $36.80
Website
#9: Attend a Japanese wagashi-making workshop with tea appreciation
Photo from Love For Wagashi
Mooncake season is around the corner and while that equates to mooncake galore for most of us, it’s a little different for the Japanese, who tend to have wagashi shaped like the moon rabbit. If you’re still suffering from Japan withdrawal (we feel ya!), this Mid-Autumn Wagashi Appreciation + Tea Pairing workshop by local nerikiri artisan Love For Wagashi and tea sommelier Kohakudo Lenaria will be your cup of tea.
Photo from Kohakudo Lenaria
During this hands-on session, you’ll be learning how to make your own traditional Japanese nerikiri in cute designs, the art of tea pairing, and how the two are culturally connected.
Photo from Love For Wagashi
Mid-Autumn Wagashi Appreciation + Tea Pairing workshop
Date: 14 or 20 August 2022
Time: 10am - 2pm
Location: The Promenade@ Pelikat
Price: $220.
Website
#10: Get $2 photo booth strips with special filters, frames, & free soft copies
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Happen to be hanging out in the West with your pals? Make a short pit stop at this new photo booth we recently discovered at one of the malls there! While it’s not one of those newfangled Korean-style types like Life4cut, the low price tag of $2 per photo strip - along with free soft copies - makes it worth a try.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Other than 12 special filters, including a beautifying Airbrush mode, there are also 10 decorated frames to choose from, including floral, retro, and BFF-themed designs.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
While you’re supposed to top-up a fee for a photo booth video capturing your poses in motion, we found out a little hack that’ll allow you to obtain them for free - check out our full article for more details!
#11: Get cool kicks at PUMA’s new 2-storey store, Southeast Asia’s largest
Photo from PUMA
Get your wallets ready, sneakerheads - PUMA’s largest store in Southeast Asia is now open in Singapore at Somerset. This 7,100 square feet street-facing duplex flagship is home to the widest selection of PUMA’s sports and lifestyle products, including shoes, apparel, activewear, and accessories like bags.
Photo from PUMA
There are plenty of local collaborations as part of this store, including stylish pink feature walls by Tiffany Lovage, 3D art, and a Customs area where patrons can have fun with customisation with branded and local elements, special fonts, and pin badges. There’s also The Green Space, a fun social media engagement zone for you to unleash your creative side. Don’t forget to check out the themed LED screens where you’ll find the PUMA cat exploring local attractions!
Photo from PUMA
Other highlights include limited edition launches and outlet-exclusives.
Photo from PUMA
Puma at 313@Somerset
Address: 313 Orchard Road, Level 1 313@Somerset, Singapore 238895
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10am - 10pm | Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 11pm
Website
#12: Dress up for an Alice in Wonderland-themed indoor picnic
Photo from The Secret Patio
A picnic might sound like an off-putting idea now that the weather is hotter than ever, but hold up - there’s an indoor picnic event that’s happening over 2 weekends this month, and other than giving you the comfort of an air-conditioned environment, it also comes with a whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme! This includes 2 themed zones - the Red Queen’s Garden and Floral Forest - both with fresh floral decor, as well as a fun treasure box moment and live Mad Hatter show!
Photo from The Secret Patio
The food served will follow the theme as well, with “Drink Me’ potion beverages, mystery tea, and an assortment of fresh pastries.
#13: Check out vibrant light installations at Singapore Night Festival 2022
Photo from Singapore Night Festival
We’ve already had i Light and Light To Night Festival this year, but we’ll never tire of aesthetically-pleasing light art installations. Thus, we’re more than excited to welcome Singapore Night Festival 2022, which is returning to illuminate the Bras Basah and Bugis precinct after a 2-year hiatus.
Photo from Singapore Night Festival
Aptly following the theme of Rebirth, this comeback edition of the event - it’s 13th so far - will include a whopping 55 experiences including projection mapping art, Night Lights installations, immersive programmes, and F&B pop-ups.
Photo from Singapore Night Festival
While the event is still in its set-up stage, some artist impressions have already been released. Stay tuned for more updates of the full line-up, with photos of the actual thing!
Photo from Singapore Night Festival
Singapore Night Festival 2022
Date: 19 to 27 August 2022
Time: 7.30pm - 12am
Location: Bras Basah, Bugis
Price: FREE
Website
#14: Go crazy over Hello Kitty merch at the Sanrio Characters Garden pop-up
Photo from Sanrio
Sanrio fever will never die out, and the latest place that fans in Singapore would wanna make a beeline to is the Sanrio Characters Garden pop-up at Bugis - a garden-themed merchandise fair with all the Hello Kitty & Friends items you could ever dream of. Other than the life-sized Hello Kitty and My Melody plant sculptures, there's also a pink Hello Kitty entry arch that serves as a great photo spot!
Photo from Sanrio
Take your pick from cute plushies, keychains, and stationery, along with home items like drinking glasses, clocks, multi-purpose storage caddies, and even kawaii frying pans.
Photo from Sanrio
Items are priced such that the more you purchase, the cheaper it gets per piece, so team up with your friends for the best discounts!
#15: Customise your own ukulele or camera at Avant Garde Art Space
Photo from Avant Garde Art Space
Art jamming gets elevated at Avant Garde Art Space, a relatively lesser-known studio that allows you to get creative by painting on different objects rather than just canvas. Their current offerings include actual ukuleles, as well as Paper Shoot Cameras, which are digital cameras made using eco-friendly stone paper, which produce images with a rustic film-like quality.
Photo from Avant Garde Art Space
Go wild with illustrations of your favourite cartoon characters, abstract designs, scenery, or even try out some matching couple designs!
Photo from Avant Garde Art Space
#16: Grab tix for the Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever concert in Singapore
Photo from Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is taking her world tour to Singapore and we’re Happier Than Ever! For one night only, you’ll get to treat your ears to the award-winning songstress’ smooth vocals, belting out hits from her second studio album. Tickets are selling fast as we speak, with some categories already fully sold out, but there are still a few limited spaces left for the standing pen and certain seats left. Grab them before they’re gone!
#17: Fall in love with the pink Loro Piana Lovebeat pop-up
Photo from Loro Piana
Specially for Chinese Valentine’s Day, also known as Qixi Festival, Italian luxury fashion label Loro Piana has come up with a pink and red heart-themed collection with sweaters, bucket hearts, and casual handbags. Accompanying this is a special Lovebeat pop-up featuring the various pieces, along with - you guessed it - an opportunity for cute Instagram photos.
Photo from Loro Piana
Snap some OOTDs against the walls of neon pink and red hearts beating in sync, or sit on the hot pink heart-shaped chairs and strike your best cool gal pose.
Photo from Loro Piana
#18: Enjoy pretty floral displays at Singapore Garden Festival 2022
Photo from Singapore Garden Festival
More and more people are becoming “plant parents”, and if you’re one of them, the Singapore Garden Festival 2022 is not to be missed. Think of it as a series of Gardens by the Bay-esque botanical installations, but free-of-charge. Highlights include pretty floral displays at ION Orchard, and intricate Show Gardens at Ngee Ann City as well as Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Photo from Singapore Garden Festival
Photo from Singapore Garden Festival
If you’re heading down to the Botanic Gardens, you might as well pop by the MarketPlace at Tyersall Coach Park to stock up on all things plant-related - including but not limited to gardening tools, eco-lights for your home garden, and packs of coloured moss for DIY moss terrariums.
Photo from Singapore Garden Festival
Singapore Garden Festival 2022
Date: Until 9 August 2022
Location: Orchard Road & Singapore Botanic Gardens
Price: FREE
Website
#19: Party with Jackson Wang at Marquee Singapore
Photo from Jackson Wang
You might have heard that Jackson Wang of K-Pop group GOT7 is visiting Singapore this August, during which he’ll be hosting a one-night-only party at swaggy nightclub, Marquee. It appears that online ticket sales are already wiped clean, but if you’re up for it, you can show up early on the day of the event to attempt to snap up some tickets at the door. No guarantees, but it might be worth it if you’re a Jackson superfan who’s into clubbing!
Photo from Marquee Singapore
Other than this event, Jackson will be going around promoting various new spots in Singapore during his 9 days or so here, so keep a lookout - you might just catch him when you’re hanging out around town!
#20: Camp out at strategic spots to watch the National Day fireworks
Photo from @ndpeeps via Instagram
While the National Day Parade’s fireworks look great on the TV screen, it goes without saying that they’re way more magnificent in real life. If you haven’t managed to ballot for tickets to watch NDP 2022 at The Float @ Marina Bay, you can still catch a glimpse of the pyrotechnics by camping out at strategic spots in town. Some of these places include The Promontory, Gardens by the Bay East, Merlion Park, the Helix Bridge or Sheares Bridge, and along the Esplanade.
Typically, the biggest fireworks happen towards the end of the parade, after 8pm. But you’d definitely want to start camping earlier than that to grab the best spots!
Photo from @ndpeeps via Instagram
If you’d rather not make the trip to town and fight it out with the rest of the throng, catch the fireworks displays in various heartland locations around the island, including Woodlands Stadium, Old Tampines Junior College, and the open field beside Ang Mo Kio Library. Check out the full list of Fireworks @ Heartlands locations here.
Bonus: SkyHelix Sentosa
Photo from SkyHelix Sentosa
SkyHelix Sentosa has been open for a while now, but if you’re one of those locals who’se been passing it off as a mere “touristy” attraction, you’re seriously missing out! At a whopping 79 metres tall, This panoramic 360° ride is Singapore’s highest, and offers an unblocked view of the surrounding seas, cable cars, and even Keppel Bay as the gondola rotates at its peak.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Manageable for those who can’t take roller coasters, yet exciting enough for thrill-seekers, this scenic ride is especially lovely when taken at night - during which it’ll be lit up in different hues as you gaze down at the twinkling lights below. It certainly makes for a fun and lighthearted pre- or post-dinner date activity, whether it’s with a new Tinder date or your longtime partner!
Photo from SkyHelix Sentosa
All patrons will receive a free non-alocholic beverage, which you can sip while admiring the views up high.
