No such thing as too March fun
After the festive season in January and February, everyone’s back to the mundane work routine. But March doesn’t have to be just a boring chiongster month – it’s okay to regulate your schedule with pockets of fun, so that you don’t go insane while getting back on track..
This month, look forward to numerous events spanning across many genres – including a library without books and a disco without blaring music.
– Events –
1. Singapore Festival of Fun
Catch Jamey Mossengren, the world unicycle champion, at Street Fest. Source
Get ready to let loose and party hard at the very first Festival of Fun. The 9-day festival will be jam-packed with exciting activities, so clear your schedule and head down to experience them all. From the Nickelodeon Fiesta to Magners International Comedy Festival, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
A highlight of the entire event has to be the Street Fest along Clarke Quay. Be entertained by a whole range of international acts, including dangerous escape stunts by Rob Roy Collins and tricks by America’s Got Talent alumni Kamikaze Fireflies.
When: 11th – 19th March
For more details about the venues and pricing, refer to their website.
2. i Light Marina Bay
Make your way down to i Light Marina Bay for a vibrant festival of colours and lights, and get ready to snap a ton of amazing photos with the showstopping installations. Keep an eye out for Gastrobeats, which will feature mouthwatering grub from Skewer Bar, Poke Theory and Starker.
Also get your rave on at the Silent Disco, where party-goers can jam to the hottest hits with headphones on. That’s right – no more screaming to your friends over a rowdy crowd. But if you’re not into partying, there will also be Silent Yoga sessions for you to fully relax after surviving the first grueling quarter of 2017.
When: 3rd – 26th March, 7:30PM to 11:00PM (extended to 12:00mn on Fri & Sat)
Where: Marina Bay Waterfront
Price: Free
Website
3. Flea For Good
Attention all Carousellers – if your “BNIB” items in “10/10” condition still haven’t gotten any love, set up a temporary physical store with Flea For Good, and get rid of your junk once and for all – while doing good at the same time. For every booth rented, a portion of the costs will go to the Singapore Children’s Society.
Shopaholics can rejoice too, with everything being sold at pocket-friendly prices – so go crazy and fill your shopping bags to the brim. When I popped by previously, I managed to snag a classy faux leather sling bag for just $6. With a spread of goods ranging from handicrafts to clothes, there’s no way you’ll leave empty-handed.
When: 18 – 19 March, from 11am onwards
Where: 180 Kitchener Rd, Singapore 208539 City Square Mall B1 Fountain Square
Website
4. Garden Beats Festival
For a fresh partying experience, secure your tickets for Garden Beats Festival and you’ll be in for a chill night of fun. Dubbed an “Electronic Picnic Festival”, participants can indulge in funky electronic tunes, food and games before retiring to their own picnic mats to lepak at.
Look forward to sick beats from local and international DJs such as Teenage Mutants as you soak up the atmosphere amidst the greenery of Fort Canning. Bound to be immensely different from your typical clubbing experience, this event is one you should dive right into if you’re looking for something new.
When: 18th March, 1pm – 10:30pm
Where: River Valley Rd 179037 Fort Canning Park, Fort Gate
Website
5. Singapore Design Week
Design Trail participants will get to visit all these places that not many know of. Source
Sate your artsy fartsy soul with the whole line-up of activities and workshops at Singapore Design Week. Embark on the Design Trail and explore places such as the National Design Centre and Chong Wen pagoda. Also worth checking out is the Design, Make and Craft Fair, which features 11 unique workshops which include perfume-making, creating your own miniature garden and even spoon carving.
Besides these, there are numerous other activities going on during the week – click here for the full activity schedule.
When: 3rd – 12th March
6. Human Library
No books are involved in this one-of-a-kind library. Instead, participants can “borrow” humans for unadulterated conversations. Each unique individual – such as a former sex worker, migrant worker, or funeral home director – will share his own special story with “readers”, allowing everyone to gain deeper insight into his struggles and triumphs. With newfound empathy, you’re bound to walk out more cultured than a bottle of Yakult.
When: 5th March, 12pm – 6:30pm
Where: The Red Box 113 Somerset Rd, Singapore 238165
Price: Free
Website
7. Duathlon in the Metasprint series
Now’s your chance to steer your New Year’s resolution of getting a hot bod back on track. Up your fitness game and shrug off your work-day lethargy as Metasprint’s Duathlon takes you through an intense workout, comprising 6km of running and 20km on wheels in total.
When: 19th March, 5am start time
Where: F1 Village (Nearest MRT station is Promenade) F1 Village (Nearest MRT station is Promenade)
Website
8. Yoga and Wine Night
Grab your girlfriends and make your way down to Yoga and Wine Night by Urban Yogis, where you’ll go through a series of challenging yet uplifting yoga exercises – and be rewarded after the workout with a wine tasting sesh. Can’t get any better than that!
Be sure to chope a spot via funzing with the promo code “CrazyFunzing10” for 10% off your bill.
When: 2nd March, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore, 088997 (Nearest MRT station is Outram Park)
Price: $18
Website
9. The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice
Take a trip down memory lane with this installment of Disney on Ice as you fawn over the figures that were your childhood faves. Reconnect with all-time favourites such as Princess Ariel, or Anna and Elsa from Frozen – because let’s face it: we’re never going to let it go.
When: 15th – 19th March
Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium 2 Stadium Walk, 397691
Price: $25 to $200 depending on the category / package
Website
10. Francophonie Festival
Source: @elsieyeolo
It doesn’t matter if the only French word you know is “croissant” – the Francophonie Festival will be an enriching platform for you to gain exposure to a whole new world. Pop by to indulge in all things French – ranging from film screenings with English subtitles, concerts and even a comic exhibition. Submerge yourself in a foreign culture and learn more about their language, art and perspectives in this eye-opening experience.
When: 15th – 19th March
For more details on the events, check out their website.
11. Earth Hour 2017
Earth Hour is an annual wake up call to reflect on our alarming consumerism levels. All it takes is a flick of a light switch to show our support for energy conservation efforts – turn off your lights for just one hour in this international movement and exhibit your support for a sustainable environment. Even beyond that hour, it doesn’t hurt to be conscious of your consumption habits and encourage your friends to do the same.
This may sound like a chore for many of us – considering how we rely heavily on lights and cooling devices in our homes. But Earth Hour doesn’t have to be done begrudgingly – organise a movie marathon at home with legit cinema feels, or have a romantic candlelight dinner with bae.
When: 25th March, 8:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Anywhere you are!
Price: Free
12. OFC Social Market
Being a farm-to-table restaurant, Open Farming Community (OFC) prides themselves on using harvests from their very own backyard for their dishes. Feast on organic produce at their Social Market and visit their live grill station for irresistible grub. Chill out with a drinks from the Garden Grown cocktail menu, featuring beverages made using freshly plucked ingredients from their own fruit and vegetable patch.
Besides the host restaurant, keep an eye out for other vendors such as SOICOCO for refreshing treats.
Alternatively, make a beeline for their yoga sessions on the lawn. Other highlights include gardening lessons by Edible Garden City as well as an Open Air Cinema sunset screening of ‘My Dharma’ – an inspirational tale of the yoga culture around the world.
When: 4th – 5th March, 11.00am to 5.00pm (Open Air Cinema from 7.00pm onwards)
Where: Open Farm Community, 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819
Website
13. IMPOSSIBLE Magic Show
Pyrotechnics, eerily accurate mentalism and precarious stunts – these are just some of the dazzling acts you’ll witness at IMPOSSIBLE, featuring renowned magicians from London. The star-studded cast includes Chris Cox – a charming mentalist who has read the thoughts of One Direction members – as well as Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Aaron Crow.
Bringing their A-game onstage, they’ll be showcasing a series of tricks that will leave your jaws hanging. Be mindblown by traditional body-sawing acts and card tricks as they are given a whole new lease of life by the charismatic performers.
Find out more about this top notch show here.
14. Good OH! Holland Village
Holland Village has been known for fine dining and its happening nightlife, but now we all have a chance to know this neighbouthood like never before. Embark on up to 3 art tours, each of which will run for 45 minutes.
At Chip Bee Gardens, venture into the former colonial estate and visit a terrace house which has been converted into a museum. Other highlights include the Holland Drive HDB flats and Hakka Cemetery. Explore exclusive areas that are usually out-of-bounds to the public as you make house visits and discover elusive art spaces that have been tucked away from plain sight.
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 4 March – 19 March
Where: Starting point – 52 Jalan Kelabu Asap
Price: $27.50 for all 3 tours
Website
– Things to do –
1. Travel back to the 80’s at a local vintage flea market
Source: @theretrofactorysg
Vintage goods don’t always come with a hefty price tag – especially not at Singapore’s rendition of London’s Portobello Market. A one-stop space for everything old-school, the Lifestyle and Vintage Market has all sorts of treasures ranging from chunky accessories to vinyl records which will satisfy your hipster spirit.
When: 11th – 12th March, 1pm – 10pm
Where: Katong Square 86 East Coast Rd #01-38/39, Singapore 428788
Website
2. Catch films at an exclusive theatre
Expect a fusion of film, food and nightlife at the Screening Room, nestled in the heart of Chinatown. The extensive food menu comprises Mediterranean and Western items for your choosing – so kick back in the plush seats and savour scrumptious delights as you enjoy the screening of popular movies.
Afterwards, head up to the rooftop bar to indulge in drinks and tapas under the stars. Wrap up your night with the refreshing Agua Passion Mocktail with hints of citrus, fresh passion fruit pulps and basil leaves to wash everything down.
Address: 12 Ann Siang Rd Singapore 069692
Screening Room – Level 3, Rooftop – Level 4
Opening hours:
Screening Room: 9am to 6pm
Rooftop Bar: 6pm onwards
Telephone:
Screening Room: 6532 3357
Rooftop Bar: 6221 2694
Website
3. Visit the Farmers’ Market at Loewen Gardens
Give the usual malls a miss and take a trip down to the peaceful Loewen Gardens instead. At the Farmers’ Market held on a Saturday every month, get your hands on gourmet meats, wines, organic vegetables, cheeses, breads and homemade baked goods.
Also tucked away in this quiet neighbourhood is The Pantry Cafe – a great alternative to the bustling city, serving a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Fun fact: they’re also a social enterprise hiring individuals with disabilities and encouraging them to hone skills in the F&B sector.
Address: 75E Loewen Rd, Singapore 248845
Telephone: 6474 0441
Website
4. Go on a treasure hunt
Fulfil your childhood ambition of being a treasure hunter and scour through the most obscure places in Singapore to find your loot in a game of Geocaching. Participants make use of GPS coordinates to track down caches – which usually have knick-knacks in them. Sign the logbook in the container itself to make your mark, and trade items if you wish, before you place it back at its original spot.
All you need is your phone to locate the treasure coupled with comfortable walking shoes, and you’re good to go. Travel to obscure places around the island and find the coolest little trinkets in the most unexpected places. In certain cases, you may even need to crack riddles or figure out binary codes in order to get to your cache.
Head down to this site to find out more!
5. Dine in a cargo container
Relive your BKK Artbox memories right here in Singapore, with the inception of Tebing Lane’s new container bistros. Even though Punggol may seem like the most secluded area for some, you can bet that your travel time will be well worth it.
Dig into anything from savoury fried Korean chicken to sambal stingray to satiate all your cravings. Cool yourself down with some grass jelly on a scorching day, or sip on drinks under the stars during a night out with your pals. Check out our experience here!
Address: 50 Punggol East Singapore 828826
6. Treat yourself to high tea in the heartlands
Source: @juicyfingers
A new contender has popped up in the local bakery scene. Salt and Delight is the new kid on the block serving quality cakes which has garnered rave reviews, and its Matcha Mandarin Orange ($7.50/slice) is the showstopper. This is an up-and-coming option for a great afternoon date, away from the usual crowd in town.
Address: Space@Kovan, 9 Yio Chu Kang Road #01-02, Singapore 545523
Opening hours: 11am – 7pm (Tue to Sat), 2pm – 6pm (Sun)
Telephone: 6909 0140
Website
7. Go on a wild trekking adventure
Just because our highest mountain is Bukit Timah hill, it doesn’t mean that we can’t have a trekking adventure in Singapore. Find your way to scenic places and take all the #OOTD shots you want while burning an insane amount of calories. Take a look at the elusive territories you can venture into here!
8. Go for the staycay you deserve
Reward yourself after countless days of OT by having a staycay with your best buds. If you’re sick of all the chalets and hotels in Singapore, give these new ones a shot. Packed with a ton of facilities and never-seen-before designs, you’ll be in for a treat for sure.
Take The Warehouse Hotel for instance. Situated on the bank of the Singapore River in Robertson Quay, this new establishment has captured the attention of many with its rich heritage and rooftop infinity pool. The rooms have a minimalistic yet welcoming layout as well. Be sure to make reservations for the next staycay with bae.
Address: 320 Havelock Road, Singapore 169628
Telephone: 6828 0000
Website
9. Up your handicraft game
If you’ve always envied those who effortlessly glide brushes upon paper to create flawless art, Naiise x Dazzling Cafe workshops are your chance to be one of them too – with activities such as ceramic painting, flower painting, and leather wristlet making, just to name a few.
Register for any workshop and it comes with an appetiser, main or a slice of cake – all paired with a drink of your choice. Opt for treats such as Mentaiko Fries, Cheese and Egg Souffle or even Shrimp Paste Winglets for a happy belly. The menu differs for various workshops, so be sure to check out the website for more deets.
Address: Dazzling Cafe @ Capitol Piazza, #01-85 (Nearest MRT: City Hall)
Telephone: 6384 3310
Website
10. Catch an award-winning play by Pangdemonium
Humour in the theatre has never been so dark. Source
The Pillowman revolves around the interrogation of a writer regarding a series of child murders and each chilling revelation will leave you at the edge of your seat. Referred to as a “spellbinding stunner of a play” by The New York Times, it’s a sinister comedy that has gone on to win the Olivier Award for Best New Play as well as the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Foreign Play.
Address: Victoria Theatre 9 Empress Pl, 179556
When: 24 February – 12 March
Website
Welcoming March with a bang
2017 has only just begun, so make the most out of this year. Even if life seems rather monotonous right now, trudge on and remember to enjoy yourself once in awhile. Give these activities a shot to ensure that you’ll be well-rested and ready for the uphill tasks ahead. Bring it on, April!
