10 New Things To Do In May 2024: Borealis, i Light Singapore, The Xperience & More
Are you on the lookout for some fun and May-rriment? This month has us absolutely spoiled for choice, with options ranging from dazzling immersive experiences such as the ArtScience Museum's Frida Forever exhibition, to activities that will take your heart rate through the roof, like Rollermania 4.0 at The Xperience!
If you're ready to find your next girl's day out or date night activity, read on to check out our roundup of 10 new activities and events in Singapore this May.
#1: Experience the alluring Northern Lights amidst Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
If catching a glimpse of the famous Northern Lights is an activity on your bucket list, the Borealis outdoor art installation is going to be right up your alley! This new immersive light and sound experience at Gardens by the Bay designed by Swiss artist Dan Acher combines layers of light and cloud particles to emulate the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis.
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
During the display, an atmospheric soundtrack by French composer Guillaume Desboisis will accompany the light as it shifts and blends. The illumination will look different at every experience since the particle formations depend on the wind, humidity and temperature! You can catch this display three nights a week, on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays.
#2: Explore the life and adventures of Antoine de Saint Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Few stories have managed to capture the hearts of children and adults around the world as profoundly as The Little Prince, a timeless tale about a playful prince who comes to Earth from a distant planet. In fact, the novella holds the record for being the most translated book in the world (available in 480 languages)! Though the iconic tale is well known, not many have heard of Antoine de Saint Exupéry, its author and illustrator.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Those who enjoy gallery-hopping can now check out Antoine de Saint Exupéry: When a Prince takes Flight, an intriguing exhibition on the adventurer, writer, and WWII hero.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Exupéry dedicated his life to daring aerial journeys and profound literary contributions, leaving behind plenty of artefacts from his time as a pilot and early manuscripts of his work. Visitors can view these along with family photographs, letters, videos and more in this flight-themed exhibit over at the Alliance Française de Singapour.
When a Prince Takes Flight
Date: 3 May (1pm) - 31 July 2024 (7.30pm)
Time: 1pm - 7.30pm from Tuesday to Friday | 9am - 5.30pm on Saturday | Closed on Sunday & Monday
Location: La Galerie, Level 2, Alliance Française de Singapour, 1 Sarkies Rd, Singapore 258130
Price: FREE
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#3: Roller skate, feast and game your heart out at The Xperience at CQ @ Clarke Quay
Photo from The X Agency
Just want to get your body moving after a long week of sitting in front of the desk, but genuinely can't bring yourself to head out into the sweltering outdoors? Well, The Xperience is the place to be! Not only is this pop-up just brimming with fun activities, but all 10,000 sq ft of this retro-themed space is fully air-conditioned!
Get your blood pumping with Rollermania 4.0 — if we've learned anything from the retro roller rink's past three runs, it's that getting your skates on here always means an Instagrammable, fun time. To avoid disappointment, make sure to book your slots here before heading down.
Photo from The X Agency
Once you've worked up an appetite, make a pitstop at Singapore’s first-ever White Rabbit pop-up cafe! Pick from a menu of over 20 exclusive White Rabbit Candy-infused shakes, cakes, beers and tipples, as well as mouthwateringly savoury treats from the non-White Rabbit menu, which includes snacks like Mozzarella Potato Corndogs. And of course, make sure to snap some photos with the enormous white rabbit mascots before heading out!
The Xperience at CQ @ Clarke Quay
Date: Now till 31 July 2024
Time: 12pm -10pm on Sunday, Thursday & PH | 12pm - 2am on Friday, Saturday & PH Eve
Location: 3B River Valley Road, Blk B, #01-01 Singapore 179021 (3 min walk from Fort Canning MRT Station)
Price: Rollermania 4.0 tickets start at $35 per 120-minute slot
Website | Rollermania 4.0 Instagram | The X Agency Instagram
#4: Get together with your gal pals to DIY some gorgeous crystal jewellery
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
If you had an amazing time making friendship bracelets for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Singapore, here's your sign to get once again get crafty and personalise your own jewellery — this time, in any style you like! And no, we don't mean just getting an engraving or picking out your initials, but having free rein to design every part of the accessory.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Simply head down to Acrysty Co., a recently launched boutique that offers DIY workshops where you can create crystal bracelets, earrings, necklaces, or anklets from a dazzling selection of beads, charms and chains.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
To make things even more interesting, customers can learn about the art of crystal healing while building their designs! Those who too aren't fond of crystals can make charm jewellery instead, or sift through the store's lovely range of self-care essentials and gifts.
#5: Change up your perspective by exploring the tiny world of Small MUJI
Photo from MUJI
MUJI is known for its furniture, clothing, and snacks, but this well-loved Japanese home essentials store is now adding 'exhibition venue' to its resume. Pop by their Plaza Singapura outlet to check out the Small MUJI exhibition — a collection of dioramas showing scenes of everyday life amidst iconic Singapore landmarks.
Photo from MUJI
What's really unique is that these representations are assembled using regular MUJI products, like pencils, cleaning brushes, clothing, and snacks!
Photo from MUJI
Visitors can view a total of 16 original miniature works by artist Tatsuya Tanaka, a photographer known for his playful, 'mitate' artistry.
#6: Witness one of the world's most famous ballets performed by the magnificent St. Petersburg National Ballet Theatre
Photo from Crescendo Asia
In the mood for a night of elegance and enchantment? The St. Petersburg National Ballet Theatre is taking its rendition of the iconic ballet masterpiece Swan Lake to Singapore this month! Known for its world-class excellence and attention to historical choreography, you can expect no less than perfection on stage from this iconic ballet company.
Photo from Crescendo Asia
Get ready to see a gorgeous medley of top-notch set pieces, impressive costumes, and renowned soloists hailing from the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia as they perform the full classical ballet in two acts and four scenes.
#7: Uncover the rise, rule, and result of plastics as the dominant material in contemporary society
Photo from National Museum of Singapore
How much do you know about the plastic bottles, containers, and bags that are everywhere in our everyday lives? Besides our immense reliance on plastic — and its infamous hand in ruining our environment — there's so much more to learn about this revolutionary material.
Photo from National Museum of Singapore
Plastic: Remaking Our World is an exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore that does just that, by featuring over 300 objects, artpieces, posters, films, and photographs. Visitors get to explore a blend of digital and physical installations, as well as an interactive space that charts the material’s role in society from its rise in the 20th century till today.
#8: Be dazzled by the contemplative and interactive artworks at i Light Singapore
Photo from i Light Singapore 2024
Back for its 10th edition, i Light Singapore 2024 will showcase 17 unique artworks by 25 artists, under this year’s theme of Cyclical Nature. There will be plenty of green-themed works that symbolise nature and the environment, as the sustainable light festival spotlights how everyday objects can be used for re-design, restoration, and repurposing.
Photo from i Light Singapore 2024
Aside from its usual installation spaces along Marina Bay, South Beach and Millenia Walk, i Light Singapore will also be arriving in Tanjong Pagar for the very first time!
Photo from i Light Singapore 2024
Some stunningly Instagrammable pieces to keep your eyes peeled for include: Spin Me a Yarn located at the main festival grounds at Marina Bay, BottleBlooms near Guoco Tower and Orchid Hotel in Tanjong Pagar, and The Lantern featured at South Beach.
i Light Singapore 2024
Date: 31 May - 23 June 2024
Time: 7.30pm to 11.00pm daily, extended hours to 12.00am on Fridays and Saturdays | Opening hours for various programmes may vary. View full list of programmes here.
Location: Multiple locations along Marina Bay, South Beach, Millenia Walk, Tanjong Pagar. Find out more about the individual installations here.
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#9: Bask in the sight of brilliantly coloured blooms at Tulipmania 2024
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
There's always plenty to see at Gardens by the Bay, but if you're a lover of bright and colourful florals, this is the prime time to hit up the Flower Dome. Tulipmania is back again for its annual run, this time accompanied by the charm of the Dutch tulip fields.
Photo from @gardensbythebay via Instagram
Those who visited during the 2013 season may recall the stunning layout of the tulips, arranged in neat rows by their colour. Amidst the traditional sea of flowers, viewers can also spot cozy farmhouses, a picturesque watermill, and even a cheery-looking windmill. Talk about major cottagecore vibes!
#10: Enter the vivacious and colourful world of Mexico's most influential female artist in Frida Kahlo: The Life of an Icon
Photo from Fever
Following on the heels of last year's immensely popular Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, the ArtScience Museum is once again transporting us into the world of another amazing artist, the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Besides being one of the most recognisable and influential art icons of the 20th century, Kahlo's introspective, brilliantly-coloured self-portraits and impactful sense of style has left an immense impact on generations of admirers.
Photo from Fever
Art lovers will adore the combination of 360-degree projections, larger-than-life installations and interactive zones that make up the immersive Frida Kahlo: The Life of an Icon experience. You can even take a trip into Frida Kahlo's home and imagination with the amazing VR experience, Exquisite Corpse — which is hands down the best virtual reality experience we have tried here in Singapore!
More exciting activities and events to check out in Singapore:
