The coming months are shaping up to be to be big ones in Singapore’s social calendar. Not only do they welcome the return of both the Singapore Formula 1, the SG Biennale and Singapore’s iconic Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios, but it’s time to bring out the sparklers for the Deepavali festival. Read on for what’s on in Singapore in September and October 2022.

On the lights!

This year, Deepavali (‘Festival of lights’) falls on Monday 24 October 2022 and you can expect a riot of colourful and vibrant revelry in Little India. Head there to celebrate this important Hindu festival after sunset when the streets come alive with beautiful illuminations, cultural activities and plenty of hustle and bustle to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The Deepavali bazaar will see stalls selling decorative and festive items, Deepavali gifts, and traditional sweets (‘mithai’). If you want to go all out, bag a small box of sparklers at Campbell Street, stay safe and enjoy! Discover more about specific Deepavali events in Singapore this year at indianheritage.gov.sg/en

The Great Outdoors

If you’re partial to a patio chair, love anything LavaVella, or follow the Italians for interior inspiration, get yourself to FIND – Design Fair Asia. This new event taking place in September will be showcasing the largest collection of interior brands, agencies, designers, galleries and homes content from across the globe. Visitors will have direct access to leading architects, interior designers and project developers, as well as hear talks from industry leaders.
22 – 24 Sept 2022. Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave, 018956. designfairasia.com

F1 fun here we come!

The 2022 Singapore Grand Prix takes place over 61 laps of the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday 2 October. Keep up to speed re everything you need to know at singaporegp.sg

Halloween Horror returns! 

Singapore’s iconic Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios is back for its 10th edition on 30 September – 6 November with brand new spooky experiences and plenty of thrills and chills. Prepare for haunted houses, scare zones, laser tag, a dining experience and behind-the-scenes tours. Universal Studios Singapore’s daytime family-friendly Halloween event will also make its highly anticipated return from 7 September – 6 November, with a park-wide procession featuring all-new original characters and meet and greets. No, YOU’RE scared!
Find out more about both events at halloweenhorrornights.com

Make a date with The Gruffalo

Whatever your age, everyone loves The Gruffalo! This October, the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler comes alive on stage for children aged three and above and their families. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation. Expect songs, laughs and fun for all from this much-loved show that has toured the world. See you in the front row.
7 – 15 Oct 2022. Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. 11 Empress Pl, #01-02, 179558. sistic.com

Love art? You’ll love this!

Good news for art lovers: Singapore Biennale 2022 (SB2022) kicks off on 16 October 2022 with a packed six-month programme of exhibitions and workshops. The massive event, also known as  ‘Natasha’ (more on that below!), features artists and collaborators from Singapore and Southeast Asia as well as around the world. Catch it at multiple venues on the island, from Tanjong Pagar Distripark to Singapore Art Museum. To find out more details, we caught up with this year’s Co-Artistic Director, June Yap.

What can readers expect from this year’s SG Biennale?
There’ll be art and artists across multiple venues, from Tanjong Pagar Distripark where Singapore Art Museum is located, to Sentosa, St John’s and Lazarus islands, to the places of our everyday life, such as regional libraries and residential areas of Singapore. This year we’ve given the Biennale a name – Natasha – to distinguish our approach, as well as draw attention to the experiences guests can have.

What kind of art will be on display?
A whole array of artistic and curatorial projects, including performances, thought-provoking visual displays, and opportunities to participate in public-oriented artworks that reflect on the relationship of art to ourselves, and of how we understand and experience the world around us. 

What are you most excited about for this year’s SB2022?
The chance to bring amazing artists with such keen insights and refreshing visual aesthetics to the public. Natasha will unfold and find form and shape in the spaces and over time. Bringing art to the Southern Islands of Singapore is also a treat, and we hope that readers will join us in a bit of island-hopping. 

What are your thoughts on SG’s art scene in general?
The past few years have been challenging for artists all around the world including Singapore. During the pandemic, digital platforms and remote connections have become a way of life, and this is evident in new approaches to art production and experience. The Singapore art scene is returning to its earlier vibrancy and we hope Natasha will be an opportunity for us to gather and enjoy art together as a community once more. 

June’s top 3 SG Biennale must-sees:

• We have an artwork at Yan Kit Playfield by Hong Kong artist Trevor Yeung which focuses on our personal relationship to plants. 
• Taiwanese artist Wu Mali shares her research drawn from the harbour of Kaohsiung, the Cijin district and island, presented at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Her work focuses on gastronomic flows through the lives, experiences and tastebuds of Cijin residents and migrants.
•  On St John’s Island is a work by Singapore artist Zarina Muhammad who has deep interest in ecological histories and cosmologies. Her work encourages us to step out of our usual frame by looking through a geomantic lens for a reorientation of our senses and consciousness.

SB2022 takes place from 16 October 2022 – 19 March 2023. singaporebiennale.org