Summer is here, and it’s time to embrace the sunny days and warm nights with exciting activities and events happening in Singapore. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to this beautiful city-state, there are plenty of fun things to do in July and August 2023. From cultural exhibitions to interactive tours and entertaining shows, Singapore offers something for everyone. Get ready to embark on a journey of exploration, entertainment, and enrichment as you dive into the highlights of July and August 2023.
Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit
- Date: 21 April – 29 October 2023
- Admission Fee: Free for Singapore Citizens and PR
- Website: https://go.gov.sg/semangatyangbaru
Step back in time and discover the spirit of Singapore’s early years at the Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit exhibition. Delve into the challenges faced by the founding generation as they built our nation and explore the values that have shaped Singapore. Participate in interactive curator tours, film screenings, and engaging conversations that will help shape the Founders’ Memorial. This exhibition is a testament to Singapore’s resilience and determination, making it a must-visit for both history enthusiasts and those seeking inspiration.
Interactive Bus Tours to ‘Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit’ Exhibition
- Dates: 18 June – 29 October 2023
- Time: 10am – 1pm, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
- Fees: $5
- Bookings: https://go.gov.sg/sybbustour
Hop on board an interactive bus tour organized by the Founders’ Memorial and explore Singapore’s nation-building years. Learn about the challenges and dilemmas faced by our leaders and people during the 1950s to 1970s. Role-playing guides will share captivating stories, bringing history to life. Immerse yourself in the multicultural fabric of Singapore and gain a deeper appreciation for the values that have shaped our nation. As a bonus, participants will receive a limited-edition tote bag filled with snacks.
Mandarin Melodies: From Words to Lyrics
- Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum, River Room
- Date: 6 July
- Time: 7.30pm
- Fees: Free
- Website: www.mandarin.org.sg
Join the Speak Mandarin Campaign for a captivating talk on the magic of lyric-writing. Talented lyricists and personalities will engage in a fun game show, revealing the intricacies of creating Mandarin melodies. Be one of the first 50 attendees to complete the online feedback form and receive a bubble tea voucher! It’s an evening of cultural exploration and entertainment that Mandarin music lovers won’t want to miss.
Racial Harmony Day Open House 2023
- Venues: Indian Heritage Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
- Date: 22 & 23 July 2023
- Time: 10am – 6pm
- Admission Fee: Free
- Websites: https://www.sysnmh.org.sg/en, https://www.facebook.com/malayheritage/, and https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en
Celebrate the richness of Singapore’s multicultural heritage by visiting the Racial Harmony Day Open House at the Indian Heritage Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Immerse yourself in various cultural programming experiences, enjoy free drop-in crafts activities, and be enthralled by live performances. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of Singapore’s diverse roots and foster a sense of unity among different communities.
Bulan Bahasa 2023
- Venue: Various locations in Singapore
- Dates: 13 August – 9 October 2023
- Time: Please check Calendar of Events at http://www.mbms.sg, @bulanbahasa on Instagram, or facebook.com/majlisbahasa
- Fees: Free (unless stated otherwise)
- For the full programme listings, please visit the website http://www.mbms.sg or contact NHB_Malaylanguagecouncil@nhb.gov.sg
Majlis Bahasa Melayu Singapura (MBMS or Malay Language Council, Singapore) invites everyone in the community to participate in Bulan Bahasa 2023, taking place from 13 August to 9 October. The official launch ceremony of Bulan Bahasa will be broadcast on Mediacorp Suria, 2 September, 8.30pm. Join us in the various programmes and activities organised by different community partners to celebrate the Malay language, culture, and heritage!
Monumental Hunt in the Civic District
- Dates & Time: 15 July & 19 August, 9.30am – 12noon
- Fees: $55 per participant
- Register here: https://tribe-tours.com/product/monumental-hunt-civic-district/
Set off on a fun-filled puzzle hunt in the Civic District! Inspired by escape rooms and treasure hunts, participants go on an immersive outdoor expedition featuring nine National Monuments in the area. Facilitated and guided by a game master, get ready to put on your thinking caps to decode the puzzles and discover fascinating facts about these historic buildings and sites along the way! Note: This Monumental Hunt will be recurring and take place every 3rd Saturday of the month.
Tales from the Nusantara: The Snake in the Banyan Tree
- Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Centre for Ethnobotany
- Date: 3 July 2023
- Time: 11am – 12.30pm
- Admission fees: $16 per parent & child; $8 per additional child
- Register here: https://tftnthesnakeinthebanyantree.peatix.com/view
Embark on a captivating journey into local folklore with “Tales from the Nusantara: The Snake in the Banyan Tree” by Malay Heritage Centre’s docent and storyteller, Hafiz Rashid. Discover the origins of the Malay musical instrument, kompang, as it intertwines with the legend of a gigantic snake attempting to lull a village to sleep with its haunting melody. Explore the significance of the banyan tree, Southeast Asian mythology, and musical instruments during the tour. Additionally, create your own mini drum and let your beats resonate!
My First Wayang Kulit Show
Online game – accessible anytime for free, at https://go.gov.sg/myfirstwayangkulitshow
Explore the wonders of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) with Laila in this interactive online game! Be a little dalang (puppeteer), put up your first Ramayana performance, and learn what goes on behind the screen in a wayang kulit show. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of wayang kulit while having fun in this educational game suitable for all ages.
Tales from the Nusantara Storytelling Video Series
- Video series – accessible anytime for free, at Youtube
Stay entertained at home or in school with the “Tales from the Nusantara Storytelling Video Series” by the Malay Heritage Centre. This series showcases folktales from the Nusantara (Malay world) through pre-recorded storytelling videos. Check out their YouTube Channel for a collection of engaging stories. Activity sheets in both Malay and English are available for selected videos.
I am a Little Jewellery Designer
Online game – accessible anytime for free, at https://go.gov.sg/littlejewellerydesigner
Discover the fascinating history of a diamond village called “Kampong Intan” that used to exist in Singapore. Join our friends Laila and Oreo in this interactive online game, where you can harvest your own intan (diamond), polish it, and create a beautiful piece of jewelry. Your creation can be downloaded as an image file to cherish forever.
Connections Across Oceans: Early Chinese Mutual Aid Organisations
- Venue: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
- Date: 10 March – 10 December 2023
- Time: Tuesday – Sunday; 10am – 5pm (Last Admission 4.30pm)
In partnership with C.V. Starr East Asian Library, University of California, Berkeley, this exhibition at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall traces the history of mutual aid organizations in Singapore and San Francisco from the 19th to the 20th centuries. Delve into the stories of organizations like Hongmen, locality-based groups, and surname-based organizations, and learn about their crucial roles in supporting early Chinese migrant communities.
Bricks Fundraising – Own a Part of History
- Date: Ongoing while stocks last
- Cost: $500 per brick
- Visit https://www.giving.sg/childrensmuseumsingapore/bricks_fundraising for more details.
Support Children’s Museum Singapore by making a donation and contributing to their projects, educational initiatives, and public programs. For a donation of $500, you can obtain an old handmade brick that was originally part of the extension block for Anglo-Chinese School constructed around 1907. These limited-edition bricks were obtained during the revamping of Children’s Museum Singapore’s building, and all proceeds will go into their Education Fund.
Changi Chapel and Museum
- Address: 1000 Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707
- Tel: 6242 6033
- Website: www.changichapelmuseum.gov.sg
- Opening Hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
- Closed every Monday except Public Holidays
- Last admission at 5pm.
- Free admission for Citizens & PRs
The Changi Chapel and Museum, managed by the National Museum of Singapore, tells the poignant story of prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation. The museum, revamped and reopened in May 2021, features new content and artefacts, including personal objects collected from families of former internees. Through an intimate and engaging format, the museum encourages visitors to reflect on the hardships, courage, and resilience of the internees during those challenging times.
Reflections at Bukit Chandu
- Address: 31-K Pepys Road, Singapore 118458
- Tel: 6250 6675
- Website: http://www.bukitchandu.gov.sg
- Opening Hours: 9.30am to 5pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
- Closed every Monday except Public Holidays
- Last admission at 4.30pm.
- Free admission for Citizens & PRs
Reflections at Bukit Chandu is a World War Two interpretative center that commemorates the Battle of Pasir Panjang and the brave soldiers of the Malay Regiment who fought in it. The center is located in a bungalow closely tied to the history of the battle. Visitors can explore immersive exhibits, audio-visual displays, and dioramas that bring to life the experiences of the soldiers and the significance of the battle. The center offers a solemn and educational experience for all ages.
Please note that the information provided is accurate as of my last knowledge update in September 2021. It’s always a good idea to check the respective websites or contact the organizers for the most up-to-date information regarding dates, timings, and admission fees. Have a great time exploring Singapore’s vibrant lifestyle!
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