Fasten those seat belts, ‘cos September in Singapore is all about high-speed action and world-class entertainment. With the return of the highly-anticipated Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix to our sunny island (for the ninth time!), you can certainly expect an assortment of high-octane activities both on and off the track. But if you’re not into fast cars or want some quiet time away from the commotion, we’ve got you covered. September is also brimming with an endless list of exciting events such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Ultra Music Festival, Asics City Relay and plenty more!
1. Enjoy delectable Italian cuisine with Gusto Italiano 2016
Lovers of Italian cuisine, look this way. With the return of this gastronomical Italian food festival, you can definitely expect all your ravioli and risotto cravings to be satiated. The month-long festival will feature kitchen takeovers by highly acclaimed international chefs, exclusive dinners at top-tier restaurants such as Senso, Aura and Garibaldi, culinary workshops, and dining deals – buon appetito!
2. Get ready for one badass party at Aliwal Arts Centre
Escape 56 is an underground pop-up party that’s taking over Aliwal Arts Centre with local DJs and filmmakers. A dance music event pumping out the hardest in house, tech-house and techno from the best local DJs in town, this underground rave by DJ Zig Zach will also feature a screening of local films.
3. Rock out at Mosaic Music Weekend
Venture into a realm of sonic bliss at Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Weekend where you can discover an array of music genres – from electronic and folk to indie and rock. A double-bill folk frolic with Lisa Hannigan and Patrick Wolf (2 Sep), synth-gushing South Koreans Idiotape (3 Sep), and hotly-anticipated noir-rock debut of Singapore’s own TOMGIRL; what’s not to like?
4. Walk through an enriching exhibition that transforms data into art
We’re surrounded by infinite streams of data in our modern-day society, taking the forms of emails, selfies, Google searches, you name it. So what if we could turn all that into art? Through the work of artists, designers, journalists and visionaries, this travelling exhibition explores the phenomenon of the information explosion we face in today’s interconnected world.
5. Get better acquainted with wine and gin
Heads up all you gin guzzlers or wine connoisseurs! Head down to B°NU Space Wine and Gin Affair where you can enjoy both wine and gin under one roof. Or mingle with the folks from B°NU and Drinks Express and learn more about wine and gin appreciation if you wanna get savvy while you sip.
6. Sweat it out at Momentum’s birthday Bootcamp
Looking to shed off a few calories with a gruelling group workout in Singapore? Push yourself at Momentum’s full body birthday bootcamp and feel the burn! In conjunction with its 2nd anniversary, all proceeds from the day will be going to the Abilities Beyond Limitations & Expectations (ABLE) charitable organisation, so you’ll be getting fit for a good cause.
7. Be serenaded by the prince of Mando-pop
Known throughout the region as the brooding prince of Mando-pop, Jay Chou returns to Singapore with more heart-tugging ballads and gung-ho rock numbers. Never mind his Hollywood accolades; Chou is still a vehement force in the music industry, and his resilient, loyal fan-base of weeping fan-girls is testament to that.
8. Catch eight intriguing films on art, fashion and music
A Design Film Festival, presented by Anonymous, returns to Singapore for its sixth year with a medley of eight films on fashion, art, music and more. Broaden your horizons while feeding your culture vulture with these films that document various tales and cultures of all walks of life at Capitol Theatre and Shaw Lido – from Mumbai poster art to the Japanese Visual Kei movement.
9. Visit a Thai-themed flea market
Fans of Bangkok’s famous Rod Fai Train Night Market, we’ve got some good news for you. Next month, Fleawhere – the folks responsible for curating some of the largest flea markets and bazaars in Singapore – is bringing you a Thai-themed market called 泰 Fantastic Thai Market, and it’s going down at the historical Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (before it officially closes for a complete overhaul on December 26).
10. Learn more about Christianity in Asia
After its extensive revamp, the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore presents its first special exhibition that features a marvellous collection of Asian-influenced Christian art made from the 13th through the 20th century. From realistic paintings depicting the life of Christ to intricately detailed sculptures of the Virgin Mary, this exhibition offers a deeper insight into the spread of Christianity in Asia.
11. Head down to a new exquisite café at Rochester Park
Aside from its well-curated interior that encapsulates the juxtaposition of old with new, DW Workshop also packs quite a punch with its contemporary food fare. Try their delicious healthy rice bowls that are only available during weekdays!
12. Have a pop-punk blast from the past with Simple Plan
Torchbearers of the pop-punk renaissance in the early noughties, Simple Plan is back in Singapore to deliver more sprightly, hell-raising riffs, chugging power chords, and emotional lyrics that won’t make you feel ashamed to shed a tear.
13. Witness a fun fusion of classical and pop music
Think you’ve heard all sorts of covers of your favourite pop hits? Not like this, you haven’t! Pop anthems from Bruno Mars, Adele, and Taylor Swift get transformed into classical renditions courtesy of the Mus’Art Wind Orchestra. This wind band pop concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall looks set to blow you away – pun intended.
14. Discover a brand new izakaya bar at Amoy Street
Eastern and Western influences come together in exquisitely crafted cocktails in this snazzy new addition to Amoy Street’s bustling bar scene. Head bartender, Sugar Ray Ruban, works his magic behind the bar, creating popular classics as well as unique concoctions like the cheekily named Sake My Cucumber. Le Binchotan also offers izakaya-style dishes that marry Japanese ingredients with French culinary techniques.
15. Party ’til the sun comes up at the biggest music festival in Singapore
Clubbing fans rejoice! The full-blown version of Ultra Music Festival is finally coming to Singapore for a two-day, three-stage event. Hold on to your horses, Ultranauts, as top-tier electronic acts like Kygo, Afrojack, Nero, Axwell & Ingrosso and more will be gracing this much-hyped spectacle.
16. The Music Matters Festival is back
Come September, musicians from all walks of life are making their way to Singapore for the astounding Music Matters Festival (a traditionally a multi-day music festival that takes over live music areas like Timbre). Featuring The Veronicas, Aaradhna, Raisa and local musicians, this giga-sized gig aims to promote new music from all around the world.
17. Uncover a new gelato house on East Coast Road
Know what’s even better than ice cream? Super smooth gelato at Birds of Paradise. The gelato here is made using natural and botanical ingredients like basil and blue ginger, and is heavily influenced by Southeast Asian palates – creating a refreshing gelato experience with aromas close to home.
18. Explore a new whisky drinking den in the city
If you know your Islays from your Highlands, you’ll feel right at home at Quaich Bar’s second outlet at The South Beach in Singapore. The bar showcases a spectacular variety of boutique, rare and collectible single malts, also available by the dram. Want to get into whisky? Take advantage of its themed tasting sets and dive right into the world of single malt whiskies.
19. Binge on delicious mooncakes this Mid-Autumn Festival
With the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival just around the corner, mooncake mania is taking our island by storm. Whether you prefer traditional lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk fillings, or fancy more ambitious flavours like Champagne, durian and peanut butter, get your mooncake fix at hotels and Chinese restaurants before it’s too late!
20. Visit the hippest club in Singapore
We’ve already declared that Headquarters by The Council is the hippest club in Singapore today, and if you’re still latching on to some doubts, you’ll be convinced once you make a date with these comeback crusaders. Berlin’s Kaiser Souzai returns to The Council on 8 September for more unwavering house and techno that hardcore ravers would eat up.
21. Immerse yourself in the hype of the Singapore F1 race
The ninth edition of the world’s only Formula 1 night race kicks off once again in September at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Fans of this high-octane motorsport can expect to see favourites like Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso take on the course’s narrow, winding turns. And don’t forget about the whopping live music acts like Kylie Minogue, Imagine Dragons, and even the legendary Queen + Adam Lambert.
22. Party hard at the hottest VIP party in Singapore
The F1 will be roaring into Singapore this September, and one party we can’t imagine ourselves missing is The Podium Lounge. Arguably the hottest VIP party in Singapore during the madness of Grand Prix season, this glitzy extravaganza will hear tunes from Mark Doyle (creator of HED KANDI), as well as Grammy award-winning vocalist Estelle.
23. Shuffle under the stars at this Haji Lane street party
Vintage stores and trendy bars aside, Haji Lane is also one of our fave hangouts for its pop-up street parties. Returning from a brief hiatus, The Shuffle series launches its second season with Zouk veteran Jeremy Boon and CÉ LA VI resident Brendon P, for an alfresco bash that can dish out anything from smooth house to kinky disco. Trust us: with these two scene icons on the decks, you won’t be able to resist shuffling under the stars.
24. Get thrifty with the famous hip-hop duo of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Making trips to the thrift shop (with only 20 dollars in your pocket) cool again, the trailblazing hip-hop duo of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis finally hustle their way to Singapore for the first time ever. Energetic, madcap and full of free-stylin’ swagger, these two hotshots can’t be held down.
25. Exchange your old clothes for new ones at a Clothes Swap event
Giving your wardrobe a facelift? Then you’ll have to pay this exciting Clothes Swap event a visit. Get rid of your old clothes and swap for fresh new threads – ’cause waste is so last season!
26. Tickle your senses with a cabaret F1 after-party
For something extraordinarily out there this F1 season, how about a cabaret-themed secret party to shock your senses? The debut edition of Boudoir Noire last year witnessed New York’s The Box – a campy theatre company known for its burlesque ballerinas and other eccentric performers – and Singapore’s own Sukki Singapora. There’ll be free flow for VIP guests, international DJs to get the tunage flowing, and yes, the return of The Box in case you missed them.
27. Participate in Singapore’s only night marathon relay
Wanna get back on track with your fitness goals? Then put on your running shoes and join in the Asics City Relay – Singapore’s only night marathon relay that’ll take running teams through iconic landmarks including Singapore Sports Hub, Gardens by the Bay, Helix Bridge and the F1 Pit Building in this 42.195-km route.
28. Witness an electrifying alt-rock concert from Bring Me The Horizon
Originally scheduled for January earlier this year, these Sheffield anarchists had to pull out due to tour conundrums. But it looks like these alt-rock deviants, Bring Me The Horizon, are finally about to make their presence felt, as they bring with them their growling vocals and belligerent dose of riotous rock this month.
29. Get your artsy fix with Joanna Lamb’s Home
Artist Joanna Lamb makes her debut in Singapore with her first exhibition entitled Home. Held at the gallery space of Sullivan+Strumpf in Gillman Barracks, Home presents haunting images that are both transportive and nostalgic, exploring themes such as the mundanity of suburbia.
30. Give your skin a little pampering at Estetica
Does your face look like it could do with a little R&R? Reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and puffy eyes with the geneO+ Super Facial from Estetica. Using cutting-edge technology, this super facial combines microdermabrasion, deep facial rejuvenation, and skin oxygenation to exfoliate, hydrate, and heal the skin.