10 New Things To Do In May 2025: A Spoonful of Peranakan Heritage, Maison Margiela Pop-Up Cafe, The Phantom Of The Opera & More
Ready to romanticise your life this May? Here comes a whole new wave of cool-girl things to do, see, sip, and obsess over in Singapore. From dreamy pop-up cafés to immersive art exhibits that rewire your brain, expect nothing less than an exciting roster of activities to keep you on the edge of your seats (in the best way possible)! Scroll on to see our top 10 picks of the freshest and most aesthetic happenings and activities around town this month.
1. Step into the colourful world of Peranakan culture at Capitol Singapore & CHIJMES
Prepare your senses for a cultural treat because A Spoonful of Peranakan Heritage is landing at Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES this May, and it’s bringing all the style, colour, and charm! In conjunction with Singapore HeritageFest (1–25 May), you can expect everything from gorgeous crafts to seriously pretty photo ops. If you’re into culture with a side of IG-worthy activities, you’ll want to put these activities down on your weekend to-do list.
Peranakan Arts Workshops:
Photo from Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES
1. Tile Motif Painting
📍Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza
🗓️ 4 May (Sun), 25 May (Sun) | 4pm - 6pm
📍CHIJMES, Main Lawn
🗓️ 10 May (Sat) | 4pm - 6pm
Photo from Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES
2. Batik Handkerchief Painting
📍Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza
🗓️ 4 May (Sun), 24 May (Sat) | 4pm - 6pm
📍CHIJMES, Main Lawn
🗓️ 11 May (Sun) | 4pm - 6pm
Photo from Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES
3. Nyonya Beading Embroidery
📍CHIJMES, Main Lawn
🗓️ 17, 18 May (Sat & Sun) | 5pm - 7pm
Spend a minimum of $60 in a single receipt at Capitol Singapore or CHIJMES from 1–25 May to score a spot in one of our exclusive workshops. Just swing by the Spend & Redeem booth to pre-register — but don’t wait, slots are limited!
Spend & Redeem:
Photo from Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES
1. Peranakan Dessert Spoon (Set of 2) worth $20 by Little Nyonya Batik
📍Redemption Booth, Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski
🗓️1-25 May | 12pm - 8pm
Photo from Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES
2. Peranakan Pot Coasters worth $19.50 by Table Matters
📍Redemption Booth, CHIJMES, near Lei Garden
🗓️1-25 May | 5pm - 10pm
To redeem these special gifts, simply clock a $60 spend in one receipt at Capitol Singapore or CHIJMES between 1–25 May and visit the redemption booths to collect them. While stocks last!
Life-Size Peranakan Display
Photo from Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES
📍Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza
🗓️1-25 May
Strike a pose with this larger-than-life Peranakan display! It’s the perfect backdrop for your next IG moment.
This listicle insert is brought to you by Capitol Singapore & CHIJMES.
2. Experience an immersive scent journey at Maison Margiela Fragrances: House of Memories
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Maison Margiela Fragrances is taking storytelling to a whole new (and very Instagrammable) level with its pop-up cafe concept: part sensorial journey, part fragrance archive. Sip coffee, taste memory-themed treats, and discover the scent that speaks to your soul. Trust us: this isn’t your usual perfume counter situation!
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
This two-storey pop-up offers a super immersive experience — visitors can start off by exploring the brand's iconic fragrances through different rooms on the top floor, each designed to evoke specific memories and emotions. Look out for a personalisation counter, where you can make your purchases extra special.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Round off your visit by enjoying a cuppa in the stylish cafe on the first floor, where there are also plenty of photo spots to be found!
3. Be seduced by the spectacle of The Phantom of the Opera
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The world’s most haunting love story, The Phantom of the Opera, returns to Singapore for a limited season and the drama is just as delicious as you remember. From the soaring vocals to the lavish costumes, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical is the perfect escape from your weekday grind. Yes, the chandelier scene still slaps! With performances running from 9 May to 15 June at the Sands Theatre, it's a theatrical event not to be missed.
The Phantom of the Opera
Date: 9 May – 15 June 2025
Location: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands
Price: From $93
Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Fuel up at the prettiest new Starbucks outlet, inspired by iconic scenes of Chinatown
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If you're thinking: what, another Starbucks outlet? We're going to have to stop you right there! Housed in a heritage shophouse in the heart of Chinatown, this brand-new, two-storey flagship at 37 Smith Street is Starbucks’ most culturally rich, design-forward outlet in Singapore yet.
From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by “星巴克” signage crafted by local artisans using traditional calligraphy and wood-carving techniques. Inside, expect museum-worthy murals by local artist Tiffany Lovage, second-floor seating inspired by void-deck chess hangouts, and a retail section that feels more like a design gallery than a coffee counter.
The store-exclusive drinks? Instagrammable and crave-worthy. Try the Black Sesame Oatmilk Coffee Frappuccino® with Soy Pudding for an ultra-local twist or sip on a Yuan Yang Coffee Frappuccino® if you're in the mood for something bold. And don’t even get us started on the merch: limited-edition collabs with local artists JunleFont and wheniwasfour, plus an adorable Samsui Bearista keychain you’ll want to hoard.
Starbucks Chinatown@ 37 Smith Street
Address: 37 Smith Street, Chinatown
Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 7.30am-10pm | Friday - Saturday: 7.30am-11pm
Website | Facebook | Instagram
5. Step into a stunning, exploratory dreamscape at Seeing Forest
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Nature meets new media in this lush, multi-sensory exhibition that explores secondary forests, Singapore’s evolving landscape, and the intricate relationship between urban planning and nature. Seeing Forest, created by Singaporean artist Robert Zhao Renhui, is a hauntingly beautiful space that feels not-quite-natural and not-quite-urban.
Instead of rainforest nostalgia, Zhao gives us something weirder and wilder. Think mysterious animal sightings, surreal forest “residents,” and meditative videos that loop like dreams you can’t quite wake up from. It’s part science journal, part urban fairytale, and full-body immersive. You’ll walk away rethinking what it means to live in Singapore — not the skyscrapers and condos part, but the messy, magical, overgrown in-between. Sounds like the perfect spot for slow Sundays, creative dates, and your next profile pic refresh!
Seeing Forest
Date: From now till 18 May 2025
Location: Level 3, Gallery 3, SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark
Price: General Admission is FREE
Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Celebrate our unique living heritage at Singapore HeritageFest 2025
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This May, step into the heart of Singapore’s culture with Singapore HeritageFest 2025, a month-long celebration of our vibrant Intangible Cultural Heritage, or living heritage! As we mark 60 years of Singapore’s independence, join us in honouring the rich traditions, timeless crafts, and inspiring stories that have shaped our national identity.
With over 100 immersive programmes islandwide, HeritageFest invites everyone to connect with the soul of Singapore. Meet passionate heritage practitioners, explore the legacy of vanishing trades, uncover the artistry behind traditional crafts, and rediscover local flavours and rituals passed down through generations. Psst: it sounds like the perfect opportunity for a family outing or cross-generational bonding sesh!
Singapore HeritageFest 2025
Date: 1 – 25 May 2025
Location: Various venues across Singapore — refer to full list of programmes
Price: Mostly FREE, with some ticketed workshops and tours
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Wander through the imaginative world of Wonders of Nature at the New Art Museum Singapore
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Step into a multi-sensory wonderland at Wonders of Nature, New Art Museum Singapore’s first large-scale immersive experience for the little ones (and the young at heart)! Running from now till 5 October 2025, this vibrant showcase brings together imaginative works by local and international artists — from AI-generated ancient sea creatures to tactile sculptures and nature-inspired play zones.
Explore five enchanting realms: Canyon of Cuddles, Animal Kingdom, Ancient Aquarium, Garden of Senses, and Imagination Room—a playful path through biodiversity, art, and creativity. Curated by Warren Wee.
Wonders of Nature
Date: From now till 5 October 2025
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11am to 7pm | Closed on Mondays & Public Holidays
Location: New Art Museum, 39 Keppel Road, #05-03/06 Tanjong Pagar Distripark (Lobby B), Singapore 089065
Price: From $18 per adult
Tickets | Instagram
8. Let your creative juices flow at this Sip & Paint session with a 'Gaga' twist
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Little Monsters, this one’s for you! Paintblush is hosting a special Lady Gaga-inspired sip and paint session, where you’ll get to create your very own Gaga portrait over some great tipples. Come dressed as your favourite Gaga era — or just as you are — and join a fun, fully guided art jamming session set in a cosy shophouse in Little India.
Each session includes a refreshing Little Monster Mocktail (or a Chromatica Cocktail), a snack of P-p-p-poker Chips, and a lively sing-along to Gaga’s biggest hits. You’ll also get to test your fandom knowledge with Gaga trivia, and strike a pose at the complimentary Gaga Glam Photobooth, which comes complete with fabulous props!
Lady Gaga in Paintblush
Date: 3 May 2025 (3pm – 6pm) 17 May 2025 (7pm – 10pm)
Location: Level 2, 73 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209401
Price: From $85 per person
Website | Facebook | Instagram
9. Enjoy a full K-culture takeover at Korea Travel Fair 2025
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This year's Korea Travel Fair is set to be bigger and better than ever: expect an immersive three-day celebration of travel, food, fashion, and everything Korean. It also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Singapore, making the event even more special! Held at Plaza Singapura, the travel fair will offer over 20 exhibitors, from both iconic and off-the-beaten-path Korean destinations like Jeju, Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeollanam-do.
There will also be limited-time travel deals from top agencies like ASA Holidays, Chan Brothers Travel, EU Holidays, and more up for grabs. Complete the Passport Challenge to redeem blind box gifts and stand a chance to win amazing prizes in daily lucky draws, including return tickets to Korea! Don't miss the celebrity appearances on 17 May, featuring K-drama star Yim Si-wan and OST singer PUNCH, plus a live Celebrity Travel Talk where Yim Si-wan shares his favourite Korean spots and stories.
Korea Travel Fair 2025
Date: 16 - 18 May 2025
Time: 10.30am - 9pm
Location: Korea Travel Fair 2025: Your Gateway to K-Culture, Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Facebook | Instagram
10. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring sights and sounds of Jurassic World at Gardens by the Bay
Photo from NEON
Step into a prehistoric adventure as Jurassic World: The Experience roars into Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay this May 2025. Inspired by the hit movie franchise, this immersive exhibition brings dinosaurs to life with cutting-edge animatronics and stunning set recreations. From photo ops to themed zones and interactive activities, this larger-than-life experience is perfect for dino lovers of all ages.
Photo from Jurassic World: The Experience
Expect to come face-to-face with a towering 8.5m-tall Brachiosaurus, wander through a baby dinosaur petting zoo, and explore the Evolution Walk, where ancient plants and prehistoric lore come to life. With over 72,000 plants at Cloud Forest—many dating back to the Jurassic era—this is your chance to walk among the flora and fauna of the dinosaur age. Are you ready to brave the wild?
Bored? Here are more fun things to do and places to visit:
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