Category: Singapore Festivals

Orchard Road Turns On The Christmas Magic With A Disney-Themed Light-Up This Year

Every year, in the months leading up to the festive Christmas season, Orchard Road is decked out in the prettiest of lights and glittery decor thanks to Christmas on a Great Street.

Who can forget the giant glowing arcs?

Now that National Day is over, that means it’s time to prepare for Halloween and Christmas. And this year, Orchard Road is about to be taken over by everyone’s favourite childhood characters.

This Christmas, Hitachi proudly presents Disney Magical Moments – Christmas on a Great Street!

A Very Disney Christmas

Disney fans can expect to see themed installations featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, the Disney Princesses, characters from Frozen, and Pixar’s Toy Story, all along the stretches of Orchard Road!

The Disney spectacle begins from Tanglin Mall along Tanglin Road with the Disney Princesses greeting you, and ends at Dhoby Ghaut, with the beloved characters of Pixar’s Toy Story.

Some of the highlights to look out for along the stretch include the Ariel (The Little Mermaid) photo spot at Shaw House, Mickey Mouse and friends set pieces, and pop-ups by popular brands such as OWNDAYS, Häagen-Dazs, Uniqlo, SK-II, and OPPO!

We heard there’ll be 25 brands in total, so stay tuned for more details on the other participating brands!

Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza will also host the Endless Wonder Christmas Village, with bouncy castles, food vendors, and musical performances!

That’s not all, head over to Plaza Singapura for the Light-Up Ceremony on 10 November 2018 at 7pm and watch as the Disney-themed decor lights up Orchard Road and usher in the spirit of Christmas!

The lights and decor will be up 1 January 2019 so you’ll have plenty of time to get all your photos.

Disney Magic Moments – Christmas on a Great Street
Venue: Along Orchard Road
Date: 10 Nov 2018 – 1 Jan 2019
Let It Glow, Let It Glow – Tsum Tsum Takes Over Vivocity With 2000 Lanterns This Mid-Autumn Festival

(Header Image Source: Study Break)

Art After Dark Returns – Another Round Of Good Food, Musical Acts And Exhibitions At Gillman Barracks This Sep

Singapore’s art scene has blossomed over the years, with numerous art festivals annually, celebrating the nation’s growing appreciation for the arts.

One of the most consistent and popular events is Art After Dark.

We had the first Art After Dark of 2018 back in January, in conjunction with Singapore Art Week. This time round, it’s coming back on 21 September 2018 as part of Gillman Barracks’ 6th Anniversary!

In celebration of the arts, galleries will open their doors with free entry to their ongoing or new exhibitions. Artists will also take the opportunity to showcase the works that they’ve been working on.

And of course, no arts festival is complete without entertainment in the form of musical performances.

Jam to a wide range of tunes by local Rock ‘n’ Roll quartet The Pinholes (7:50pm to 8:30pm), eclectic punk rock band Tiramisu (10pm – 10.40pm) and indie group, Pleasantry (8.50pm – 9.30pm).

After a long night of jamming to local music, dig into a variety of savoury bites and sweet treats by Handlebar, Park Bench Deli, The LAB, Hopscotch, Super Simple and Iskina Cebu.

This upcoming Art After Dark is set to be the biggest one yet, as Gillman Barracks celebrates its 6th anniversary, complete with live performances, interactive art experiences, precinct-wide activities and programmes and much more!

If you plan on going by public transportation, one-way FREE bus services to Gillman Barracks will be available from:

1. Raffles City (Swissotel Bus Bay) (7pm, 7.15pm, 7.30pm, 7.45pm and 8pm)

2. Vivocity Bus Bay (7pm, 7.15pm, 7.30pm, 7.45pm and 8pm)

3. Art Stage Singapore at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre (8.15pm, 8.30pm, 8.45pm, 9pm and 9.15pm)

Please note that cars will be directed to Alexandra Retail Centre carpark when the carparks onsite are full.

Come 21 September 2018, gather your friends and family and head over to Gillman Barracks to show your support for the arts and also for a night of good food and great fun!

Art is not just for the elite anymore. Art is for everyone.

Check out the full exhibition lineup here.

Art After Dark x 6th Anniversary Celebrations
Venue: Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road, Singapore 108937
Date: 21 Sep 2018
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Website

Also Read Calling All Roald Dahl Fans: Matilda The Musical Is Coming To Singapore In Feb 2019 

(Header Image Source: Gillman Barracks)

(UPDATE) Neon Lights Festival Is Finally Back This November – Interpol And Yuna To Headline

Neon Lights Festival has been one of the biggest events on the local live music calendar. Since its inception in 2015, crowds have thronged to this festival to enjoy the biggest names in the world of indie music.

Unfortunately, this highly raved festival took a hiatus in 2017, for reasons yet unknown. With Foals, Sigur Ros and Crystal Castles having performed back in 2016, fans are definitely looking forward to another exciting line-up this 2018!

Guess Who’s Back, Back Again

A few days ago, Neon Lights finally updated their Instagram page which got all their fans excited again.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmuqTQVnjMR/?taken-by=neonlightsfestivalsg

We know you’ve been on the edge of your seats, praying for updates but good news is coming very soon! Neon Lights is finally coming back this November for a spectacular 3-day festival.

It’s time to camp in front of your laptops guys because we’re pretty sure their tickets will sell out in a couple of minutes.

Neon Lights is back this November, bringing you a music and arts festival that promises a selection of eclectic acts performing at this three-day event. Malaysia’s sweetheart Yuna and Indie Rock band Interpol will be headlining Friday and Saturday respectively.

The line-up following these acts include big names in the Indie world such as Cigarettes After Sex, The Vaccines, Sticky Fingers.

And for those hoping to #SupportLocal, homegrown acts like Mediocre Haircut Crew, FAUXE and Perk Pietrek have recently been added as well!

Fastest fingers first!

Tickets are available at Ticketflap and SISTIC right now, with early bird deals still available at $99.

Meanwhile, you can relive Neon Light’s 2016 music playlist Facebook

Also Read Take A Break From Crowds At The Singapore Night Festival At This Indie Pop-Up Market At SOTA

(Header Image Source: Neon Lights Facebook)

Take A Break From Crowds At The Singapore Night Festival At This Indie Pop-Up Market At SOTA

It seems to be the season of flea markets and bazaars, with many popping up around Singapore.

Happening over 2 weekends, 17 to 19 August and 24 to 25 August 2018, the MOX Parade will be taking over the space at SOTA level 1!

[caption id="attachment_36586" align="aligncenter" width="1018"] Image Credit: Image Credit: Momotataki, Twocuriously, Lovelystrokes, Lunaliliputian, and even our favourite Kettle Gourmet will be there selling popcorn in locally-inspired flavours.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmbP8hDHsrb/?taken-by=momotataki

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmdWSqen_V8/?taken-by=twocuriously

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl9-yCng-Ii/?taken-by=lovelystrokes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmOHODqj8HA/?taken-by=lunaliliputian

That’s not all, there will also be mini workshops by Lyn from Yumumu and Vanessa from 3oddducks, who will be teaching how to make a wooden photo frame without using glue, and how to paint your own concrete tealight candle holder!

If you pay using OCBC PayAnyone at the MOX Parade, you’ll get $2 cashback, limited to the first 10,000 transactions.

So why not pop by the MOX Parade this weekend and the next? Who knows, you might find something you like.

MOX Parade
Venue: SOTA, School of the Arts, Level 1, 1 Zubir Said Drive, 227968
Date: 17 – 19 Aug, 24 – 25 Aug 2018
Admission: Free
Clash Of The Thai-tans: Top 5 Dishes To Try At This Upcoming Thai Food Festival

(Header Image Source: Fleawhere)

Clash Of The Thai-tans: Top 5 Dishes To Try At This Upcoming Thai Food Festival

While Singapore is burning up, no thanks to this accursed weather, I still find the appetite for Thai food.

If you’re a big fan of Thai cuisine, then you’ll be happy to know that the Chang Sensory Trails Food Festival is back for its third edition at The Lawn @ Marina Bay!

Organised by Thai beer brand, Chang, the food festival spans 3 cities in 3 continents and features our 3 favourite things – food, art and music.

This year’s festival will showcase 24 dishes from 8 Thai restaurants in Singapore – Aroy Dee, Bangkok Jam, Baan Ying, Gin Khao, Little Elephant, Long Chim, Tamarind Hill, and Un-Yang-Kor-Dai.

But in a sea of 24 signature Thai dishes, I’ve singled out the ones that you NEED to go for because OH MY GOD they’re good.

Let’s get to it.

1. Aroy Dee – Thai-Style Prime Ribs

You know when you order premium Bak Kut Teh, and they serve a HUGE rib bone in a tiny bowl?

This is that, but instead of it cooked in a peppery broth, the prime rib here is simply fried enough to keep it juicy and served with Aroy Dee’s signature sauce.

2. Gin Khao – Watermelon Fried Rice

When we saw this, I was VERY confused, to say the least. I mean, Pineapple Fried Rice took a while for my tastebuds to grapple with.

Then Gin Khao decides to take things to another level with their Watermelon Fried Rice. And it’s quite loaded – it comes with salted egg fish skin, nuts, floss, and watermelon cubes (of course).

If you’re looking to expand your food horizons, then you need to try this.

3. Tamarind Hill – Deep Fried Prawns With Crispy Noodles

This dish is almost like a deconstructed dragon beard roll that’s traditionally found in dim sum menus. Prawns and a crispy fried strands of carb. This combination has proven to work, and this is no exception.

4. Little Elephant – Grilled Pork Neck

While this dish sounds simple, it’s packing a lot of flavour. Pork neck is a cut of meat that’s evenly marbled and is never dry.

Grilling is one of the more common cooking methods for pork neck and it’s a simple way to bring out the flavour and texture of the cut of meat.

If you want something easy to eat, this is it. Don’t forget to dip it with their chilli sauce!

5. Un-Yang-Kor-Dai – Grilled Chicken

This dish is a classic recipe from the city of Khao Yai in Thailand. Half a chicken is marinated with coriander and white peppercorns before being grilled to perfection.

So simple yet so good. Plus, it’s healthier if the chicken isn’t fried, right? *wink* Now excuse me while I enjoy my healthy grilled chicken.

A Multi-Sensory Festival

Of course, other than the food, you can expect entertainment in the form of musical performances by cover bands, O.K Ready! and 53A.

Watch 53A perform at the National Day Parade 2016 below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSCQoYtJZjU

The food festival spans 2 days, 31 August to 1 September 2018, at The Lawn @ Marina Bay and most importantly, ENTRY IS FREE!

So if you’re in the mood for some authentic Thai food, there’s no need to travel all the way to Bangkok.

See you at the Chang Sensory Trails Food Festival!

Chang Sensory Trails Food Festival
Venue: The Lawn @ Marina Bay
Date: 31 Aug – 1 Sep 2018
Time: 4pm – 10pm
Website

Also read Foodpanda Pops Up At Amoy St This September With Food, Booze, Music And Workouts

(Header Image Source: Chang Sensory Trails)

Foodpanda Pops Up At Amoy St This September With Food, Booze, Music And Workouts

There’s always something for Singaporeans to do every weekend.

And this coming September, foodpanda, in partnership with Sunshine Nation, will be hosting bites & vibes, a pop-up block party at Amoy Street!

Don’t worry, the event is open to public with free admission. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, on to the vendors!

The Bites

Dine from 10 different food stalls at bites & vibes.

Taste the best of Greek food from ALATI, dumplings from Dumpling Darlings, delightful sandwiches and burgers from Park Bench Deli and Burger Joint, empanadas and more from BoCHINche, asian fusion dishes from Ding Dong and cool down with Ben & Jerry’s!

Vatos Urban Tacos will also have a booth at bites & vibes, serving up their signature Korean-Mexican fusion dishes! Don’t miss out on their Galbi Short Rib Taco! (It’s REALLY good.)

Of course with all this food, you need some drinks to wash it all down and the mixologists from Proof & Co. have got you covered with their refreshing cocktails. PengWine will also be there serving glass after glass of wine and sangria and hosting wine tastings.

If that’s a little too fancy, how about just getting a nice cold mug of beer from Tiger?

The event will also be plastic-free – all packaging will be made from biodegradable sugar cane pulp.

Cash, NETS, Credit Card and DBS PayLah are all accepted payment methods at bites & vibes.

The Vibes

No block party is complete without the activities! Though there’s no retail market here, there are a few activities that you can take part in!

Take part in a workout session by F45 Training or WeBarre, or relax and stretch in a yoga session with Pure Yoga. Ohmmmm….

These sessions are all free and you can sign up here.

That’s not all, you can expect performances by local artists such as Sam Rui, Sobs, Maricelle, and DJ Sivanesh Pillai!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAYJHgY-QvY

There will also be international artists such as DJ Mack Hampson, Toppings, and Bari Rumbles Brass!

With so much to eat, drink, do and listen to, the bites & vibes pop-up block party looks set to be a great way to spend Sunday!

bites & vibes
Venue: Amoy Street
Date: 9 Sep 2018
Admission: Free
Website

Also read Continue The National Day Celebrations With Good Makan, Music, And Movies This Weekend

(Header Image Source:

From Alt Rock To Hip-Hop: Here Are 5 Local Acts You Should Check Out At Baybeats 2018

Music lovers rejoice: the 2018 edition of Baybeats is upon us, which means that you can look forward to three days of free performances from some of the best that the local music scene has to offer.

With more than 30 artists set to take the stage this weekend, it can be an understandably daunting task to pick which ones to watch. To help you out, here are five that we think you should totally check out:

Kin Leonn

https://soundcloud.com/kin-leonn/searching_v3

As the founding member of acclaimed electronic band Midst, Kin Leonn has been honing his craft as an ambient musician for years, and his solo material is both a culmination and evolution of those efforts.

A talented multi-instrumentalist, Kin Leonn is a master of creating haunting soundscapes that transport you to a state of pure calm and introspection. His music might not feature lyrics, but the tracks speak volumes on their own.

He’ll be playing two half-hour sets at the Chillout Stage / Esplanade Concourse on Friday at 6:30pm and 8:00pm, and is the perfect act to ease you into the Baybeats mood.

Annette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmPUpehiwuc

If Annette Lee looks somewhat familiar to you, it’s probably because you recognise her as “Sue Ann” from SGAG (yeah, we’re just as surprised as you).

Don’t let the goofiness of her day job fool you, though — Lee shows a completely different side of herself when she picks up a mic, exuding a confidence we didn’t know she had as she sings her self-written songs “about the human condition”.

Her repertoire ranges from upbeat dance anthems to dark, soulful ballads, and like Kin Leonn she’ll be playing two sets at The Chillout Stage / Esplanade Concourse on Friday at 7:15pm and 8:45pm.

Trust The Chaos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea2K6XrZSPE

If at first you don’t succeed, try again — after being eliminated in the final round of last year’s Baybeats Budding Bands initiative, the alternative rock quintet went on to earn a spot in NOISE Singapore’s music mentorship programme, and will finally be making their Baybeats debut this year.

Inspired by everything from One OK Rock to Avenged Sevenfold, the band’s energetic sound masterfully straddles the line between mainstream and underground. Frontman Li En’s voice in particular is a work of art, chock full of emotion and reminiscent of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington.

Considering the lengths they had to go through to make it here, you can bet that they’ll tear the stage down on Friday at the Powerhouse / Waterfront Carpark at 7:30pm.

Falling Feathers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9abvNJNnUA

Falling Feathers is no stranger to the big stage — having opened for big international acts like Mayday Parade and Before You Exit in recent years, it’s obvious that his Owl City-esque vocals have struck a chord with Singaporeans.

With most of his songs revolving around the universal topic of romance, his tunes are unapologetically pop-inspired — whether its blaring guitar chords or a smooth electronic beat, you’re guaranteed to be tapping your feet throughout.

If you want to feel like a secondary school kid again, you can catch him on Saturday at the Arena / Esplanade Outdoor Theatre at 7:30pm.

Yung Raja x Fariz Jabba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SUfLna8Oo

This year’s Baybeats aims to shine a bigger spotlight on Singapore’s hip-hop and rap scene, and the inclusion of Yung Raja and Fariz Jabba in its lineup is definitely a step in the right direction.

Both artists — who also happen to be best friends — have amassed massive followings thanks to a strong social media game, and their signature style of rapping in both English and their mother tongues have helped to further set them apart from the rest.

It’s always a banger when these two come together, so it’s rather fitting that they’ll be closing out Saturday with a late-night performance at the Esplanade Annexe Studio at 11:30pm.

And if you’re not looking to play favourites and want to watch every act (props to you), here’s the full lineup for your reference:

Baybeats Festival 2018
When: 17 – 19 August 2018
Website | Facebook

Also read When You’re Broke But Still Want To Shop – Here Are 6 Of Our Favourite Thrift Shops In Singapore

(Header Image Source: Baybeats Festival Facebook)

Sip But Don’t Spill – Enjoy Blends From Local And International Brands At Singapore Tea Festival 2018

For all you tea lovers out there, I suggest you take a sip of that chamomile for your nerves and grab on to something because we’ve got news.

Following its popularity when it debuted last year, the Singapore Tea Festival is back for its 2nd edition this coming 21 to 23 September 2018!

Tea Bazaar By teapasar

Organised by teapasar, the Singapore Tea Festival 2018 will be held at the ION Orchard’s Basement 4.

For those of you wondering, teapasar is the first global marketplace that features both local and international tea brands, and even rare teas direct from tea farms. Talk about exclusivity.

This year’s Singapore Tea Festival will be bigger than before, with 28 tea and tea-related brands all under one roof!

A Fes-Tea-val For Everyone

You can find single-origin tea merchants in the Timeless Classics section.

With vendors such as Tea Chapter, experts of the art of Chinese Tea and Chinese Tea appreciation, and Parchmen Academy, a school dedicated to the art of tea appreciation.

The Modern Blends section will feature Singapore’s own local tea brands. You can expect to find unique tea blends inspired by local flavours, such as Durian Tea from SUCRE, and Nyonya Kaya tea from The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.

You can also get your hands on Botanically Cold Brewed Sparkling Teas from Gryphon Tea and even 100% compostable tea pods from A.muse Projects, that are compatible with Nespresso machines!

For those of you with more sophisticated tastebuds, the International Flavours section has got you covered with selections from Matchaya, Ito En, and Bali Organic Tea.

To go along with your tea purchases, you can also get tea-related items at the Lifestyle section, such as tea illustrations from Troops On Print and handcrafted ceramics from &Natural and Euphoramics!

If you love your tea as much as we do here at DiscoverSG, then you should head down to the Singapore Tea Festival 2018, happening from 21 to 23 September 2018!

Singapore Tea Festival 2018
Venue: ION Orchard Basement 4 Atrium, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Date: 21 – 23 Sep 2018
Website

Also read Carouselland Is Back With Over 500 Popular Sellers, Entrepreneurship Talks, And An IG Photography Trail

(Header Image Source: Singapore Tea Festival)

Singapore Night Festival Returns On Aug 17 With Luminous Horses, Lightning Duels And More

August is almost upon us. Other than National Day and a whole bunch of Durian, Nasi Lemak, and locally-inspired food to try, there’s also the annual Singapore Night Festival!

Happening from 17 to 25 August 2018, the Singapore Night Festival returns for its 11th edition, once again taking over the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct.

Over a span of 9 days, the area transforms into a midsummer celebration, with dance performances and art installations for festival-goers.

Singapore Night Festival 2018

This year, the festival kicks off with Night Lights, which will feature 16 light installations by both local and international artists peppered around the Arts and Heritage district.

Festival-goers can also revel in the showcase of 27 performances across various different art disciplines from 23 to 25 August 2018. As with the previous years, there will also be food and beverage options and artisan crafts on sale.

This year’s festival will also feature unique collaborations such as the performance by Hope Technik and local jazz dance troupe EV Dance.

The performance, named Let there be ____ will see the dancers donning and performing with the ‘Audra Exoskeleton’ – an exo-suit created by Hope Technik to assist workers in heavy lifting.

The Leap of Faith by Teng Ka Wei is a honeycomb-inspired installation that lights up with words of encouragement when visitors interact with it.

The World of WearableArt is an internationally-renowned New Zealand-based design competition, and this year it’s partnering with the Singapore Night Festival for the first time. They will be displaying 8 of the competition’s past intriguing creations.

That’s not all, this year, if you explore around the festival grounds, you’ll find numerous unexpected surprise performances, such as the FierS à Cheval (Proud Horses), a roving act featuring large luminous horses dancing and strutting around the precinct, by French theatre troupe, Company Quidams!.

If you liked the Tesla Coil show at the Science Centre when you were a kid, you’ll love this next performance.

In a stunning combination of physics and art, UK troupe Lords of Lightning’s performance, The Duel, will see nearly four million volts of electricity hurled into the air as thunderbolts. Pikachu got nothing on them.

The back alleys of Armenian Street will also be transformed thanks to the Graffiti Alive installation which uses lights and motion sensors to bring street art to life!

From 17 to 25 August 2018 at the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, the Singapore Night Festival 2018 promises to be the hottest event in town.

The question is, are you ready for it?

Singapore Night Festival 2018
Venue: Bras Basah.Bugis precinct (Also read 8 Unique And Underrated Photo Spots In S’pore Along The Downtown Line

(Header Image Source: Singapore Night Festival)

The ‘Geek In The Pink’ Returns – Jason Mraz Set To Perform In S’pore This October

Don’t panic, because every acoustic guitar players’ idol, Jason Mraz, will be coming to Singapore this October for a ONE NIGHT ONLY performance at the National Stadium!

This will be his only stop in Asia in 2018.

He’s Yours. We’re His. I’m Sold.

The last time the singer behind hits such as “Lucky”, “I’m Yours” and “Geek In The Pink” was in Singapore, was back in 2014.

In the meantime, it’s time to revisit some of Jason Mraz’s hits from the past.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acvIVA9-FMQ

And here’s the music video for “Might As Well Dance” off his new album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P-680IQcf8

Are you excited for Jason Mraz’s return to Singapore?

Jason Mraz Live In Singapore
Venue: National Stadium
Date: 27 Oct 2018
Price: $108 – $248
Website

Also read ZoukOut 2018 Returns This December For 1 Day Only – DVLM Among Headliners

(Header Image Source: Getty Images)