#1 Catch the National Day fireworks display for free
What: National Day Parade
When: 9 August 2018
Where: Singapore
If you missed out on the Singapore National Day Parade ticket draw (only citizens and permanent residents who register for the ballot stand a chance to get tickets to the epic parade), you can still catch the big fireworks display from various vantage points for free. Some of the most popular ones are the Marina Bay Sands event space, Waterfront Promenade, Helix Bridge, Merlion Park and Marina Barrage. While you’re at it, get acquainted with this year’s theme song: We Are Singapore (and good luck getting it out of your heads).
#2 You’re in Singapore, right? Eat, lah!
Tourist or not, you should have a number of food stops to make in Singapore at any given time. This National Day, a good number of the country’s top restaurants and bars are offering special limited-time-only menus. Here are our top picks:
The Spot
Where: 5 Straits View, Marina One, #01-26/27, Singapore 018935
When: 6 to 11 August 2018
The details: There are a few National Day specials in the menu, including a laksa with poached Boston lobster. Book a table here.
Le Binchotan
Where: 115 Amoy Street, #01-04, Singapore 069935 (entrance via Gemmill Lane)
When: 27 July – 31 August 2018
The details: This French-Japanese restaurant is serving supper from 9.30pm this month, serving a foreign take on local favourites.
Ice Cream National Day at Gallery & Co.
Where: National Gallery, 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
When: 9 August 2018, 3pm to 11pm
The details: Celebrate the occasion with the special ice cream and whiskey promo (two ice vanilla ice cream cones and two shots of Naked Ground whiskey for SGD13). Between that and filling your tummies with other delicious bites, you could also do a spot of shopping there at Gallery & Co.
Read also: What to watch, read and listen to in August
#3 Watch a movie outdoors
What: Films At The Fort
When: 3 to 19 August 2018
Where: The amphitheatre at Fort Canning Park, River Valley Road, Singapore 179037
Sultry nights with near-30-degree temperatures? Perfect for that outdoor cinema experience! Jokes aside, we admit it’s always cool (no pun intended) to get outside and watch a movie under the stars. Call your friends or that long overdue date, and sit back with a glass of wine for your movie of choice. We’re particularly keen on seeing Lily James in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Read also: The best restaurants and bars for date night in Bangkok
#4 Spend all your money on concerts
When: Ticket buying? Now. Attending said concerts? Read on.
Where: All over Singapore
Wow, you have a busy (an expensive!) month ahead of you. Nick Jonas, CL and Alessia Cara are performing at MTV Spotlight on 4 and 5 August; Halsey is taking on The Star Theatre on 8 August; Paramore is playing at Zepp@BigBox on 21 August; and Boyzone is performing on their last tour together as a group on 21 August at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
#5 Discover the next Tony Stark
What: Maker Faire Singapore 2018 at the Singapore Science Festival
When: 17 August to 8 September 2018
Where: Community auditorium, Level 3, Our Tampines Hub, 1 Tampines Walk, Singapore 528523
An upcoming event under the science festival is the Maker Faire, which is a DIY and tech event, focus on all things STEAM (yes, they added a letter – it’s now Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths!). It’s like a giant show-and-tell, but with a big nudge from 21st century technology. As you’ve probably guessed, the kids are going to love it. Buy tickets here.
#6 Embrace being a night owl
What: Singapore Night Festival
When: 17 to 25 August 2018, 7.30pm to 12am
Where: Bras Basah.Bugis
Now here’s another good reason to stay up late (cc: those of us who are ‘old inside’). The Singapore Night Festival runs till midnight with light shows best seen with your own eyes, and not through your phone screens, okay, social media addicts? That said, ready your Instagrams for the onslaught of Insta Stories and posts of the many performances on the roster.
Read also: These are the best things to do in Bali this August
