We’re now well into the year, and we all deserve a good treat for hanging tough through the first quarter of it. To shake things up, there’s a whole range of new things to do this April 2021 that are sure to give you new experiences in familiar spots around Singapore.
From the annual Songkran festival at Wild Wild Wet to the opening of the new Botanic Gardens Gallop extension, these 15 new things to do will be sure to jazz up your weekends this April.
Image for illustration only
Image credit: @mackie_66
If you’re tired of the same old cycling routes at ECP or MBS, you’re in luck: St. John’s Island now has a pop-up bike rental station from now till 6th June 2021! You can rent bikes and kick scooters from just $10/hour or $30/day as you cruise around admiring nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Getting there: St. John’s Island is accessible via a $14 boat ride from Marina South Pier.
Date: Now till 6th June 2021
Image credit: @staywithkinn
Staycations are all the rage now to escape from our hectic lives, even if just for one night. For those who love Muji aesthetics and want to experience living in Japan’s popular capsule hotels, KINN Capsule Hotel will be open for bookings from 1st April 2021.
Lounge area/Common area
Image credit: @staywithkinn
From just $40/night, you’ll have access to all the hotel facilities, including an ultra-minimalist lounge area with comfy sofas to kick back and relax on.
Due to COVID-19, there are certain restrictions to take note of which can be found in our KINN Capsule Hotel article.
KINN Capsule Hotel
Date: From 1st April 2021
Rates: From $40/night
Address: 39 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058673
Telephone: 9172 7035
This year, the Songkran festival is back at Wild Wild Wet with mass water gun battles happening daily from 3PM – 5PM. Staff will be carrying water guns and you may even meet a super staff that is armed to the teeth with a giant Super Soaker to shoot at unsuspecting guests. So be sure to bring your best water guns for a fighting chance.
The lazy river, a.k.a. Shiok river, will also have moving targets for you to test your marksmanship skills as you go with the flow. On top of that, you can take pictures with actual tuk-tuk rickshaws and Thai-themed photo ops once you’re done blasting others with water.
Wild Wild Wet Songkran Festival
Date: 1st April 2021 – 30th April 2021
Price: From $20 for a Songkran weekday day pass, inclusive of a $5 Ola Beach Club voucher
Address: Wild Wild Wet, Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599
Opening hours: Wed – Mon 12PM-6PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Image credit: @yunomori_sg
If you’d rather have a day to chillax and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul, consider a night at Yunomori Onsen and Spa. For just $38, you can get access to the onsen and the new Sakura bath that will be available till 18th April 2021.
For those looking to regularly destress after work, you can snag their prepaid Gold Membership card at no extra charge to enjoy 1-for-1 passes every Monday to Thursday from 7PM till 11PM.
Price: $38
Address: 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628
Opening hours: 10AM-11PM, Daily
Cute. Cat. Drawings. Nuff said.
Image credit: Malay Heritage Centre
Aspiring cat mums and dads can look forward to Paw-verbs on the Lawn, a new exhibition featuring dozens of kawaii cat standees by popular Japanese artist Juno, more commonly known as @mofu_sand.
Snap photos with these adorable standees and check out the informative signboards scattered across the lawn as you ponder upon Malay proverbs like “serta lalu kucing, tikus tidak berdecit”, which means “when the cat is around, the mouse will not squeak”.
Paw-verbs on the Lawn
Date: Now till 30th May 2021
Time: 10AM-6PM, Daily
Address: 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
Possibly the closest you can get to visiting Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, the Hershey’s pop-up store at Changi Airport features a 3M-tall chocolate machine, giant photo ops and supersized chocolates for sale.
If you’re a chocolate lover like me and a regular bar of Hershey’s just isn’t enough, you can buy a whopping 2KG Hershey’s chocolate bar. With a minimum spend of $60 at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, you can redeem a go at the Hershey’s coin press – to commemorate your visit with a token embossed with your choice of four designs.
Date: Now till 3rd May 2021
Address: Changi Airport, Airport Boulevard, Terminal 3
Block printing with Eat To Draw
Image credit: Cats of the World Purrzaar
If cat standees aren’t enough for all ye cat lovers, head on down to the Cats of the World Purrzaar where you’ll be treated to an exhibition of IG-worthy cats, and get to purchase cat-themed merchandise like cat tote bags and masks. Plus, there are block printing and woodcraft workshops if you want to try your hand at crafting your own cat-themed merch.
For those interested in inviting a new feline into their family, there will also be an adoption drive ongoing over the weekend.
Check out our article on Cats of the World Purrzaar.
Cats of the World Purrzaar
Date: 10th & 11th April 2021
Time: 11AM-8PM (tickets available in hourly slots)
Address: 168 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207572
Como Adventure Grove Playgarden
Image credit: @playpointasia
Aside from the usual East Coast Park or Marina Barrage for picnics and evening strolls, Singaporeans can now visit the newly opened Gallop extension at the Singapore Botanical Gardens.
Highlights include the new Forest Discovery Centre where you can learn about Singapore’s wildlife, a stunning nature-themed playground with a giant jackfruit, and a 350M ridge trail to the top of the gardens.
The Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge
Image credit: NParks
In addition, you can go on a free 1.5-hour Gallop Extension tour with NParks for the full experience.
Gallop Extension guided tour
Dates: 3rd/10th/17th/24th April 2021
Time: 9AM-10.30AM
Address: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
Whether you relate to Shirokuma, a polar bear who is unfamiliar with the cold, or just love the cute character designs and plushies by San-X, you’ll be delighted by the Sumikkogurashi pop-up cafe that promises Instagrammable, almost too-cute-to-eat food from the Japanese series.
You can expect dishes such as the Left Behind Tonkatsu and Ebifurai no Shippo Cold Udon ($25.90+) and the Shirokuma Kawaii Strawberry Soda ($16.90+) with cotton candy that melts into the soda below.
Shirokuma Kawaii Strawberry Soda – We can’t *bear* see Shirokuma get eaten.
Aside from food, there’ll also be Sumikkogurashi merchandise for sale, including plushies, cute lunch boxes and stationery.
Address: 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central #04-08, Singapore 238896
Opening hours: 11AM-9.30PM, Daily
Image credit: @katsu4th
Despite being commonly referred to as a concrete jungle, Singapore has plenty of walking trails for nature lovers, including the newly refurbished rail corridor from Hillview to King Albert Park MRT station.
Image credit: Nparks
The central 4KM stretch provides a scenic trek pass an old train station and two refurbished truss bridges, perfect as backdrops for photographs. Runners will be pleased to know that the rail corridor also has eight new or improved entry points so you can plan your running routes with greater ease. Expect rough terrain so it’s best to wear trail running shoes or cycle on a mountain bike.
Read our full guide to the Green Corridor.
Image credit: Singapore Repertory Theatre
Now with added shows due to popular demand, The Sound Inside is an insightful rendition of the play by award-winning Broadway playwright Adam Rapp by the Singapore Repertory Theatre. It explores the social boundaries of what one can do for another and relates to how we all long for that human touch in our fast-paced society.
The Sound Inside
Date: Now till 16th April 2021
Time: Mon – Sat 6PM & 9PM
Price: $45
Address: 20 Merbau Road, Robertson Quay, Singapore 239035
Image credit: Resorts World Sentosa
While we can’t go to Hawaii just yet, you can have a taste of it at the S.E.A. Aquarium from now till 11th May 2021. The entire aquarium will be transformed into The Sea of Tiki, complete with Tiki-themed photo ops and the return of the fan-favourite dive feeding session.
This time around, divers or Tiki Warriors, are dressed with colourful garlands and grass skirts as they feed over 40,000 sea creatures across 120 species. You’ll also get to meet towering stilt walkers with oversized Tiki masks and adorable manta ray mascots to leave your kids in wide-eyed wonder.
The Sea of Tiki
Date: Now till 11th May 2021
Time: Mon – Tues 10AM-5PM | Sat – Sun 9AM-5PM
Address: Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Image credit: Urban Yogis
Instead of doing Yoga workouts at home and following an online class, consider a refreshing Yoga session at Mount Faber Park, led by Urban Yogis co-founder, Kathy Gabriel. You’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, clean air and wonderful people as you take time off to revitalise your mind and body with a one hour session suitable for all levels.
After that, you’ll be treated to a healthy brunch at Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro with fellow yogis. End off the day with a mesmerising view of the skyline as you board the cable car with the return ticket included in your package.
Date: 25th April 2021
Price: $45
Address: 109 Mount Faber Road, Singapore 099203
Image credit: Raffles Singapore
If you’re not one for horror-themed escape rooms that have become popular, consider a less scary but equally inquisitive whodunnit: The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure. The interactive playset lets you explore Raffles Hotel’s history as you piece together clues to solve mysteries.
You can choose to participate virtually from the comfort of your home or go on an exciting real-life adventure in Raffles Hotel with a staycation package. What’s more, those who manage to solve the puzzle can stand to win prizes ranging from Raffles Boutique vouchers to a one-night stay in the grand Presidential suite worth $18,000/night.
The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure
Date: 1st April 2021 till 30th June 2021
Price: $38 for virtual play
Address: 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673
Image credit: NLB
While most of us would have learnt of Singapore’s past in our social studies and history lessons, it’s safe to say that few of us know of the Sikhs and the integral role they play in our society as part of Singapore’s early police force.
Held at the Indian Heritage Centre, you can attend the free exhibition, Sikhs in Singapore – A Story Untold, to learn about the many stories of the Sikh community in our little red dot.
Sikhs in Singapore – A Story Untold
Date: 27th March 2021 till 30th September 2021
Time: Tue – Thu 10AM-7PM | Fri – Sat 10AM-8PM | Sun & P.H. 10AM-4PM
Price: Free
Address: 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
With the multitude of events happening this April, I’d be hard-pressed to say that Singapore is a boring place. From a whole 8-hectare extension to the Singapore Botanical Gardens to a full blown water festival at Wild Wild Wet, there’s plenty to explore and do while we wait for travel bubbles to get the green light.
For more things to do in Singapore, check out:
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal, Exotic Voyages, @playpointasia
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