20 New Things To Do In September 2021 - Nissin Cup Noodle Museum, Inflatable Theme Park, & VR Arcade

By Rachel Yohannan on 01 Sep 2021

Senior Digital Editor

Crazy cat lady who loves afternoon tea, kawaii Japanese fashion, and all things Sanrio.

It’s been an endless see-sawing of tightened and loosened restrictions over the past few months, but things are - dare we say - somewhat stable now, and most of us are raring to hit up our long-lost friends for much-overdue hangouts. Now that we’re no longer limited to just 2 pax, here are 20 things to do in September 2021, including a permanent Eatbox market, a massive go-karting facility, and multiple Instagram-worthy exhibitions.

Read on for things to do in September 2021 in Singapore!

#1: Go snap-happy at Singapore’s first themed selfie studio with over 20 backdrops

Photo from 123 ChiCha

Grainy selfies with oversaturated filters slapped on them in a vain attempt to disguise bad lighting? That’s sooo 2011. Take your photography game up a notch at 123 ChiCha, Singapore’s first-ever thematic selfie studio with over 20 special backdrops for you to strike a pose with! These include a trippy neon-lit room, floral parlour, pink bedroom with sunset lamp, and even a glamping setup complete with a spread of artificial confections.

Photo from 123 ChiCha

Half of what makes up a winning photo is the styling, but fret not if you don’t have the right wardrobe, for the studio has their own host of over 200 costumes, including puffy princess gowns, Chinese qi paos and han fus, and trendy street-style togs. Shoes, hair accessories, and arm candy are included as well!

Photo from 123 ChiCha

The studio near Aljunied MRT station spans across two storeys. Read our full article on 123 ChiCha here.

#2: Frolic among cute ball-like animal lanterns at Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2021

Photo from Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

The annual Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2021 is back with another round of cute lantern illustrations, this time in collaboration with Thai artist, Ngaew Ngaew, who’s famous for his adorable doodles and figurines. Titled “Those Moonlit Moments..”, this lantern display features the artist’s creatures enjoying mooncakes with the moon bunny - and they’re all adorably ball-like.

Most of the rest of the festival will be held online via Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s Facebook page, and will include lantern riddles, craft demos and games.

Date: Until 26 September 2021
Time: 10am - 9pm daily
Location: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Price: FREE
Website

#3: Enter cup noodle paradise at SG’s version of Japan’s famous ramen museum

Photo from Slurping Good!

Japan has their famous Nissin Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka and Yokohama, which often draws long tourist queues, and there’s now a similar experience in Singapore. Also created in collaboration with Nissin, Slurping Good! is a vibrant pop-up full of instant noodle-themed installations made for the ‘gram, along with games, artwork, and interactive stations.

Photo from Slurping Good!

The exhibition is suitable both for kids and adults, and there are even separate noodle slides for the two age groups. Every visitor will receive a free goodie bag consisting of a tote, vouchers for food and merch, claw machine tokens, and a packet of Nissin instant noodles to sate your cravings at home with.

Photo from Slurping Good!

Read our full article on Slurping Good! here.

#4: Have a romantic “Netflix and chill” session in full privacy at CozyPlace

Photo from CozyPlace

“Netflix and chill” nights with your partner may be the ideal way to spend quality time together, but there’s just one problem: A severe lack of privacy. With many of us still living under our parents’ roofs, there’s just no way we can snuggle up, uninterrupted, away from their prying eyes.

It doesn’t help that some of us don’t have TVs in our bedrooms, which means we either have to sit in plain view in the living room, or rely on tiny phone/laptop screens behind closed doors. Not so romantic anymore, is it?

Photo from CozyPlace

CozyPlace will be the end of your problems. This space offers private rooms specially for watching shows in, be it movies or TV series, and everything is set up to be super cosy and comfy that you’ll feel right at home! Other than Netflix, they also have Disney+, so you won’t be short of titles to pick from.

You can even take it up a notch with their dining packages, which will include a teepee tent and table strewn with rose petals, LED candles, and fairy lights. Looks like the perfect setting for a surprise proposal!

Photo from CozyPlace

Prices start from $19 per hour (minimum 3 hours), which works out to $57 per couple ($28.50 per person). Considering premium tickets at a cinema can cost way more than that, this is still a reasonable price for a private screening.

Address: 345 Geylang Road, #03-14 Pavilion Square, Singapore 389366
Opening hours: 11am - 12am daily
Telephone: 8644 4376
Website

#5: Hold a 5 pax gathering at a neon space with laser tag, pool, video games & more

Photo from Hyperspace

Gather your pals and stay safe away from the hordes with a private 5 pax bonding session at Hyperspace Singapore, a neon-lit party space that hosts a slew of fun activities including but not limited to laser tag, archery tag, pool, and foosball. During regular times, they have karaoke facilities as well, though these are currently on hold due to current restrictions.

Photo from Hyperspace

Or, huddle around for a video game tournament with their Nintendo Switch console, challenge each other to board and card games, or simply chill with a movie session with a wide projector and beanbag chairs.

Photo from Hyperspace

Prices are surprisingly affordable - according to their Instagram page, their Neon Combat Archery Tag starts from just $20 per person!

Address: 91A Lavender Street, Singapore 338719
Telephone: 8769 1955
Website

#6: Transport yourself to Japan with Joya Onsen Cafe’s private and public baths

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Jurong brings us a slice of Japan with Joya Onsen Cafe, Singapore’s newest bathhouse with both public and private pools, saunas, and an ice pool. There’s even yukata rental for the most authentic experience, along with a zen garden complete with bamboo plants and sakura decor.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

As its name suggests, the facility has its own cafe, where you can freshen up with some sushi and Hokkaido milk desserts after your steamy soak.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Read our full review on Joya Onsen Cafe here.

#7: Drop by Coach’s vintage-themed pop-up for photo spots & bag customisation

Photo from Coach

Luxury bags are timeless, for other than their lasting quality, they never seem to go out of style. To celebrating their history throughout the years, designer brand Coach has opened Tomorrow’s Vintage, a limited-time pop-up full of vintage-themed photo opportunities, along with a display of iconic bag designs from their archive.

Photo from Coach

You’ll also get the chance to have your bags customised with handpainted art and embroidery, or given a fresh breath of life with restoration or monogram services. Read our full article on the Coach Tomorrow’s Vintage pop-up here.

#8: Zoom across the country’s first full-fledged go-karting circuit

Photo from The Karting Arena

Get your adrenaline pumping at the second branch of The Karting Arena - which just happens to be the first and only full-fledged go-karting circuit with both electric and petroleum-powered karts in Singapore. Suitable for both pros and novices, this high-octane experience will have you snaking through a 700-metre long track with 11 technical turns - and it’s gonna be one helluva ride.

Photo from The Karting Arena

With a minimum width of 10 metres, this expansive track has enough space for 30 racers to use it simultaneously without safety being compromised. Prices are relatively affordable, starting from $25 per session for Novices, and $35 per session for Adults.

Photo from The Karting Arena

Address: 511 Upper Jurong Road, Arena Country Club, Singapore 638366
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 1pm - 9pm | Saturday & Sunday: 9am to 9pm (Closed on Monday)
Telephone: 8800 9580
Price: Novice: $25/session (minimum 9 years old, 140cm) | Adults: $35 per session
Website

#9: Learn how to make your own ethereal floral jelly lipsticks with gold flakes

Photo from Klook

Remember when those ethereal floral jelly lipsticks were trending a few years back? You can now try your hand at making your own, in a workshop that takes you through the whole process of melting the jelly wax, adding perfume, daisies, and edible gold foil, and finally setting everything in a casing of your choice. Colours are customisable so you can create something that’s uniquely you! The 2-hour workshop is priced at $55 and includes all materials.

Time slots: Monday to Friday: 2pm - 4pm | Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm
Make your booking here.

#10: Get unlimited remote control snapshots at a Korean-style self photo studio

Photo from STUDIO03 ROOM

The Korean trend of self photos studios, popular with both couples and groups of friends, has inched its way into Singapore. Such studios allow you to snap pictures on your own sans photographer, using a remote control, which makes everything more stress-free if you’re the awkward sort around strangers.

Not all self photo studios in Singapore allow you to keep unlimited RAW shots at no extra cost, but STUDIO03 ROOM is one of the few that does. Go trigger-happy against their minimalistic earthy-toned backdrop, and pick from either the Neutral (coloured) or Black and White filters.

Photo from STUDIO03 ROOM

The owner, Tiffany, is an animal lover and pawrents are more than welcome to bring their pets along for some fur-mily shots together. Read our full article on STUDIO03 ROOM here.

#11: Visit the first Dimoo exhibition in Singapore with giant character installations

Photo from Popmart

Even if you’re not a Dimoo figurine collector, the Happiness in the Garden City pop-up - Singapore’s first Dimoo exhibition - is still worth a visit for its adorable larger-than-life character installations! Some highlights include a 5-metre ferris wheel tower surrounded by purple tulips, and giant Dimoo statues in various outfits including a mermaid one.

Photo from Popmart

There will also be shelves of Dimoo collections up on display, and should you want to get your own, simply feed some cash into the vending machines available and wait for yours to pop out. They’re all blind boxes, as is the case for most Pop Mart merchandise, but that just adds to the excitement of the whole experience!

Photo from Popmart

Watch our video on the Dimoo exhibition to find out more.

#12: Enjoy dessert-themed photo spots and free treats at the Museum of Ice Cream

Photo from Museum of Ice Cream

We know a lot of you love desserts and all things pink - so you’re gonna have a sweet, sweet, time at the Museum of Ice Cream. Hailing from the USA, the pop-up exhibition first appeared in Los Angeles, California, before making its way to other states like New York and Austin. Count yourselves lucky, for their Singapore edition is their very first overseas venture!

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Make your way through 14 multisensory, photo-worthy zones including an ice cream cone castle, retro diner, and a sprinkle tub that you can dive right into - all splashed in vivid shades of pink, pink, and more pink!

Photo from GirlStyle SG

As you go along, you’ll also be given complimentary treats such as lemon bon bons and apple pie soft serve - truly a feast for both the eyes and tummy. Read our full review on the Museum of Ice Cream here.

#13: Admire blooms at the enthralling Orchid Haven, GBTB’s newest permanent attraction

Photo from Gardens by the Bay

The orchid is our country’s national flower, so it’s only fitting that Gardens by the Bay has opened a brand new permanent attraction dedicated solely to those colourful blooms. Not to be confused with the new Tropical Montane Orchidetum at Botanic Gardens (which you can read about in point #10 here), the Orchid Haven sure lives up to its name with an enthralling “tunnel” of pink orchids and dreamy butterfly decor that glistens in the sun like stained glass.

Photo from Gardens by the Bay

Read our full article on Orchid Haven here.

#14: Play games at VR Wan+, a new virtual reality arcade at Orchard

Photo from VR Wan+

New virtual reality arcade VR Wan+ quietly opened their doors at Orchard Gateway recently, adding to the list of spots in town for group outings or dates that don’t just involve eating. Don’t underestimate their unassuming exterior, for within are a whole slew of exhilarating VR experiences including zombie shooting, escape games with a horror element, and adventure games.

Photo from VR Wan+

The faint-hearted need not be scared out of their wits, for there are also more lighthearted gameplays involving cartoon snowmen and LEGO-style brick characters.

Address: 277 Orchard Road, #02-03 Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 10am - 9pm | Thursday: 10am - 9.30pm | Friday to Sunday: 10am - 10pm
Telephone: 8743 1181
Website

#15: Bounce around at Jumptopia, a giant inflatable theme park with 7 zones

Photo from Jumptopia

We may have revelled in the joy of playing on pasar malam bouncy castles as kids, but if there’s one thing places like HydroDash have shown us, it’s that experiences like these aren’t just for little ones It’s a good thing then, that Jumptopia is open to anyone, including adults! Spanning across 7 cute themed zones, each with a different animal character theme, this giant inflatable wonderland will sure take you back to those good old days.

Photo from Jumptopia

Also in store here are craft activities and photo booths. Make sure you snap a pic with the giant inflatable character statues too! Prices for individuals cost $18, but you can shave some bucks with a 4-person Family Package at $64 ($16 per person).

Photo from Jumptopia

Date: Until 10 October 2021
Time: Sunday to Thursday: 10am - 5pm | Friday - Sunday: 10am - 10pm
Location: D’Marquee @ Downtown East
Price: From $16 per person. Get your tickets here.
Website

#16: Craft your own clay earrings at Hands On Klay’s gorgeous new workshop space

Photo from Hands On Klay

After a couple of years of operating solely online, clay earring business Hands On Klay has opened up their first physical outlet, with chic pink decor and neon lights to boot. Other than a retail space, it also has a workshop corner where you can try your hand at making your own personalised accessories out of polymer clay. It’s the perfect activity for a hen’s party! A basic class with all materials provided costs $78 per person.

Photo from Hands On Klay

Address: 277 Orchard Road, #03-05 Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: 10.30am - 10pm daily
Telephone: 8858 9654
Website

#17: Step into a multisensory floral-themed container exhibition

Photo from Chloe Manasseh

Housed in a clear glass container is Petals Fall, Now and Then by Chloe Manasseh, a floral art installation that has sprung up in Bugis as part of the Art Encounters event. Chloe has been painstakingly working on a multicoloured mural within, adding a bit more to the flurry of flowers on a daily basis.

Photo from Chloe Manasseh

Her artwork will be complete on 3rd September, but till then, you can pop by to catch her in action, putting brush to wall, live! Once the floor-to-ceiling mural is done, step into the multisensory space to admire the artwork and breathe in the aroma of actual flowers, further enhanced with an ambient fragrance customised by local label Scent by SIX.

Photo from Chloe Manasseh

There’s also an adjacent container with a triptych by the artist, also following a nature theme.

Photo from Chloe Manasseh

Date: Until 3 October 2021 (live painting until 3 September 2021)
Time: 11am - 8pm daily
Location: Bugis+ Outdoor Plaza
Price: FREE
Website

#18: Catch the newest Crayon Shinchan movie in cinemas and score free merch

Photo from MUSE

The Crayon Shinchan run is still ongoing, but let’s be honest: Some of us ain’t got energy to go for a run, even with the promise of free merch dangled in front of our faces. Lazier peeps who prefer not to work up a sweat, here’s something for you too: The newest Crayon Shinchan movie, coming to cinemas in Singapore this September, titled Crayon Shin-chan: Shrouded in Mystery! The Flowers of Tenkazu Academy.

In true Shinchan fashion, this mystery tale will offer plenty of laughs and lighthearted moments - including butt jokes. It opens to the public on 9 September, but super fans can attend the Fan’s Screening on 4 September with a free goodie bag of character-themed merchandise.

Read our full article on the Crayon Shinchan movie for 2021 here.

#19: Try unique food items at Eatbox, now a permanent food market

Photo from @ashlyszhn via Instagram

By the same company that brought the now-defunct Thai market Artbox to Singapore is Eatbox, and hipster foodies will be glad to know that while previous editions were merely pop-up events, they’re here for good this time. Yup, Eatbox is now going to be a permanent food hall at Tekka, bringing you the best of quirky eats all in one air-conditioned space!

Photo from Eatbox

Some of the vendors here include Butcher the Burger Bar with premium beef patties, Korean-inspired bakery Haengbok Cakeyo, Bly’s Banh Mi, Okinawa Onigiri with fillings like spam, eggs, and tempura - among many others..

Photo from Eatbox

Date: From 3 September 2021
Time: 8am - 10.30pm daily
Location: Tekka Place
Website

#20: Increase your “huat" with a mahjong-themed art installation in town

Photo from Singapore Art Museum

When will Singaporeans get tired of anything mahjong-related? The answer is never. We’ve got mahjong keycaps, mahjong macarons, and even mahjong-themed couple wear, and now, there’s a massive mahjong mural along the hoardings of the Singapore Art Museum. Perhaps snapping a photo here before a big MJ game will help up your “huat”!