When we think April, most of us cheapo Singaporeans think B&J’s Free Cone Day. But there’s a lot more to anticipate this month than just free ice-cream. Expect an electrifying music run, splurge like you’re in BKK, and get up close to cute critters – no matter whether your interests lie, there’s bound to be a couple of exciting events for you to fill up your calendar with this April:
Some say fate has tricky ways of bringing you things you’ve never expected. At the Pet Expo, you might wind up with a furry soulmate at the Pet Adoption Drive – speed dating style.
Charismatic Coby (@cobythecorgi), an Instafamous doggy, won my heart at first sight
But even if you’re not looking to fill the void in your heart, the Pet Expo boasts an array of activities to celebrate the finest talents in the pet world – from the Grumpiest Bunny Contest, Best Song Bird Contest to a Meet & Greet with Singapore’s hottest pets on Instagram.
And if you think your furry friend has what it takes to be the next superstar, bring your furkid down to flaunt his tricks! Find out more about the highlights of Pet Expo 2017 here.
When: 14 – 16 April
Where: Singapore Expo Hall 7
Price: $5 per day, $12 for 3-day pass
Website
Singapore may be a tiny red dot, but we’re a feisty bunch with an explosion of creativity. And to celebrate that, creative flea market MAAD (Market Of Artists And Designers) gives recognition to local innovations, regardless of field of art.
Pose for a self-portrait drawn by various Singaporean artists during Organisation of Illustrators Council’s #PortraitsAfterDark. Source
Purchase 100% locally designed knick knacks or be serenaded by homegrown talents this April for MAAD’s final installment – before Red Dot Traffic Building undergoes refurbishment and will only reopen in the 2nd half of 2017.
When: April 7, 5PM – 12AM
Where: Red Dot Traffic Building
Price: Free
Website
Source: @electricrunsg
Now here’s a good reason to exercise – at Electric Run Recharged, be pumped with the adrenaline of a workout, but with good vibes of a dance party. Whether you’re an EDM junkie or a serial “Throwback Thursday” playlist repeater, you’ll be dancing your way through 7 courses and party zones with music accompanying you every step of the 5km route.
Sustain your stamina for the post-event concert to party your night away with live DJ and light show – synced to your personal ELECTROBAND, an exclusive LED technology that connects you to your friends.
When: 22 April, 6 PM – 9 PM
Where: Marina Barrage
Price: $95 per person
Website
Sharing the same concept as beer mile – albeit non-alcoholic – Teh Tarik Run 2017 will have you running a 4km route, motivated by our favourite frothy “pulled tea”. Drink like a laojiao, tik gong style – with 4 cans of teh, one for each kilometre ran.
Adapted from Source
After a grueling 4km dash, feast on crispy prata to your heart’s content at the post-race Prata Party. But there’s a catch: only the top 20 runners get to savour their prata with mutton or chicken curry, while the rest make do with regular curry.
Note: Water will not be served. Here, it’s teh tarik or nothing.
When: 9 April, 7.10AM
Where: Blk 1202 #01-01 Seafood Centre East Coast Park, East Coast Parkway, 449881
Price: $49
Website
PSA: Calling all Spitz and their owners to Singapore’s first-ever SG Spitz Festival.
When: 8 April, 3PM – 6PM
Where: Sembawang Park
Price: Free
Website
Source: @singjazzfestival
If you’re still having withdrawals from La La Land, the Singapore Jazz Festival will help you quell your post-movie withdrawal symptoms. Groove to the blues, alfresco style at the MBS Event Plaza, with a 360 degree view of the tinsel Singapore skyline.
When: 31 March – 2 April, 4PM – 4AM
Where: Marina Bay Sands
Price: $108+
Website
At Amoy St. Bloc Party, the entire street is your dance floor. Bop to live music by local acts and feast on a delish spread – such as Mediterranean at Maggie Joan’s, French-Japanese fusion at Le Binchotan and much more. And don’t stop the carousing after 10pm, ‘cause there’s still the after-party at retro-themed Ding Dong till 12am.
When: 23 April, 3PM – 10PM
Where: Amoy Street
Price: Free
Website
You can’t run away from global warming, but you can run for a good cause – the Nat Geo Earth Day Run 2017 advocates the lowering of our carbon footprints with a race and Eco-Carnival, where you’ll be serenaded by live performances and rewarded with eco-friendly goodies.
Fun fact: Their official race tee is crafted from recycled plastic bottles!
When: 23 April, 2.30PM – 8.30PM
Where: Gardens by the Bay, The Meadow
Price: $69 per person
Website
Source: @affordableartfairsg
At Affordable Art Fair Singapore, art doesn’t come with a heavy price-tag – with prices starting from just $100. But even if you’re not a serious art collector looking for pieces to purchase, feel free to browse and also participate in art workshops and performances all under one roof. There’s a reason why it’s called a pARTy!
When: 6 – 9 April
Where: F1 Pit Building
Price: $15+
Website
Take a journey around the world at the Singapore Art Book Fair 2017, where you can bury your nose in contemporary art books and magazines by 36 local and international exhibitors.
Source: @magpiemags
And even if you’re no Shakespeare, Proletariat Poetry Factory is at your service to cook up customisable typewritten poetry to sweep your crush off her feet. Aspiring writers can try their hand at the Make-Your-Own-Zine workshop or even gain inspiration from the Wall of Women – an entire wall dedicated to zines created by women around the world.
When: 27 April (Opening night); 28 – 30 April (Fair days)
Where: Gillman Barracks
Price: Free
Website
Be transported back to the blast you had at Bangkok’s Artbox – with its long-awaited Singaporean installment! Housed in gigantic shipping containers with draping fairy lights, Artbox Singapore promises top-notch retail therapy with over 200 fashion stalls, 100 stands serving up gastronomical eats, and lots of revelry.
When: 14 – 16, 21 – 23 April, 3PM to 11PM
Where: Bayfront Event Space
Website
You’ve heard their thundering regal tunes at National Day Parades. Now the full-time NSFs behind SAF’s Ceremonial Band will showcase their musical versatility in Bandstand 5 at the Botanic Gardens – with Disney medleys to reminisce your childhood.
When: 29 April, 5.30PM – 7PM
Where: Singapore Botanic Gardens,Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage
Price: Free
Website
Pop into the the new Coco Chanel Cafe, and you’ll find yourself strutting out with newfound glamness – and perhaps a new lipstick or two. Here, you’ll get to be the first to try out lippies from the new Chanel Cruise Makeup Collection, and see which shades suit your pucker best.
Pre-register for priority entry and free drinks. Walk-ins are welcomed, but anticipate long queues.
When: 8 – 16 Apr, 11AM – 8PM, Daily
Where: Visual Arts Centre at Dhoby Ghaut Green
Website
Source: @jonathanwong
A new pop-up store in the east, Garang Grill by New Ubin Seafood will give you a garang appetite – with their Western spread mixed with a touch of local flavour. Charred over the grill to perfection, their signature USDA Prime Rib-Eye Steak ($90 for 500g) is complemented with a serving of Garang Fried Rice – rice infused with beef fats and chilli padi. Mmm, sedap!
End your sumptuous meal with a resounding bang – try one of their sugar treats to drag you out of post-lunch food coma. Pssst, we heard they have Mao Shan Wang Creme Brulee ($9) or even a Gula Melaka Banana with coconut ice-cream ($8). Did someone say sugar rush?
When: till 25 June, daily except Mon, 11.30am-2.30pm; 6.30pm-10pm
Where: Garang Grill, 15 Swan Lake Ave, S455711
Website
If you’re up for a paddle fest, skip the mob at Singapore Sports Hub and venture to the more secluded St John’s Island with Kayakasia Sentosa – with a whopping 10km St John’s Trail kayaking event. Don’t be put off by the distance though – even amateurs are welcome to troop along in inflatable doubles kayaks.
While you’re at it, gain special access to Pulau Tekukor, St John’s almost-forgotten neighbour that is usually closed to the public! It’ll be one heck of an adventure in the great outdoors.
When: April 16, 7.45AM – 12.30PM
Where: Kayakasia sentosa
Price: $95 per person
Website
Stay active with the mewest exercise trend around – Cat Yogalution. We’re no strangers to the benefits of yoga, from increased flexibility to reduction of insomnia. But yoga lessons graced by furry felines? Some say it’s cleansing for the soul and even aids in concentration.
When: 23 April 2017, 10AM – 12PM
Where: Cat Cafe Neko no Niwa
Price: $45 per person (Inclusive of entrance fee)
Website
Source: @frinallyfete
Gone were the days when receiving hand-me-downs was deemed uncool. Mass produced clothing are passe – vintage is the new black. A trip down The Vintage Market will sate your appetite for granny-style clothing and accessories. After that fashion fix, hop on over to the arts and food stalls as you embrace the festivities at this hip flea market.
When: 14 – 16 April, Fri: 7PM – 11PM, Sat & Sun: 3PM – 11PM
Where Baghdad Street
Website
Source: @carriewocket
Pack a picnic mat and attend Picnic Under the Planets with bae for a romantic outdoor movie screening sesh – followed by stargazing with a telescope at the Science Centre! It’ll be even more memorable when you get to feast your eyes on Jupiter at its brightest and fullest in the year!
And the best part is that this event is completely free! Who says a great date has to cost a bomb?
When: April 7, 7 PM – 11:30 PM
Where: Science Centre Singapore
Price: Free
Website
Bring your date for a fancy candlelight dinner in April when their food is priced the lowest! Source: @wangjay95
At most high-end restaurants, you could expect a $100 price tag for a 3-course meal. But at L’Rez – a trainee restaurant run by Nanyang Polytechnic’s Food & Beverage Diploma students – you can get a restaurant-quality 3-course meal for just $15 nett ($12 for NYP staff/students)!
These trainee lobangs are not limited to food. Teaser alert: $6 hairdos and dental treatment at 50% off. Find out about more cheap trainee places like L’Rez here.
Address: 180 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 Nanyang Polytechnic Block F, Level 3, Singapore 569815
Telephone: 6451 4384
Opening Hours (from April to August only): Mon – Fri: 11.30AM – 2.30PM
Website
They even screen 3D movies! Source
Even as a grown adult with a long-expired student pass, there’s still a way to enjoy cheap movie prices of your past – with the $7 movie screenings at the Singapore Discovery Centre. Sink into your plushy seat, and enjoy blockbusters – such as Beauty and the Beast – in Singapore’s largest flat-screen theatre with an excellent sound system.
Check the full list of movies and their show timings here.
Address: 510 Upper Jurong Road Singapore 638365
Telephone: 6792 6188
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun, 9AM -6PM
Website
Don’t despair if you’ve missed the cherry blossoms at Gardens By The Bay, or didn’t manage to snap the perfect photos during iLight in March – you can still have a whale of a good time this April, even in tiny Singapore. April, we’re ready for you!
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