So Much To Do/See In September!
I love seeing the Things To Do / What’s On listicles from my favourite magazines or influencers — but I do find that can be quite repetitive, covering the same events. Fun fact: I’d never heard the word listicle until about a year ago. It’s a portmanteau — a word that’s a blend of two words — in this case, list and article. You’re welcome.
I know first-hand from my work trying to get various events I’m involved in — Design Assembly and Glamorous Giving — listed that many of the events who get featured have some kind of paid-for tie-in.
Sheesh. As someone who used to work in PR and for a radio station, this is galling. What happened to merit-based features?! I remember an old radio producer at GLR (Greater London Radio — now BBC London), where I worked after university, telling me that the best guest bookers were the ones who could get people to come in for a chat when they had nothing to promote.
These days, most guests on radio — and now podcasts — seem to be there almost exclusively to promote their latest book, film, TV show, podcast, product… you get the idea. [Though for the record, I'm all down for long-form interviews on podcasts.]
So, I’ve put together my own little list of fun things I’ve come across — events that perhaps haven’t made it into the big publications’ somewhat homogenous listings. Think of it as an off-the-grid September list: things I’ve found interesting, different, creative or just plain fun.
And, of course, this is entirely subjective — these are things that have caught my eye, rather than a definitive guide to everything happening in Singapore.
What can you add?
1. Glamorous Giving
Singapore’s best-kept secret? Possibly! Glamorous Giving is a feel-good, design-led clearance sale, bringing together 65+ brands selling past-season pieces, samples and preloved goodies at up to 80% off. Elyse & i will be there too, so come and say hello!
22 & 23 September
📍 SCAPE The Ground Theatre & Campground, 2 Orchard Link
🚇 Somerset MRT
🎟️ Free entry
👉 @glamorousgiving
2. David Hockney: Bigger & Closer, Not Smaller & Further Away
An interactive Hockney retrospective. I saw this in London and absolutely loved it — Hockney is one of my favourite artists, so this was always going to be up my street.
Until 30 September
📍 IMBA Theatre, Bayfront
🎟️ Tickets from $22 - more info here
3. Kampong Gelam Guided Walking Tour
A friend of mine is one of the guides on this walk around Kampong Gelam, and I loved doing it. There’s so much to learn — including a surprising amount that I had absolutely no idea about despite having lived in Singapore for 15 years!
The Malay Heritage Centre and historic Istana Kampong Gelam have also recently reopened following restoration, making this a particularly good time to explore the area.
Every Wednesday & Saturday in September
⏰ 9.30am, lasting approximately one hour
🎟️ Free, registration required
👉 @malayheritage
4. The Art of Noticing
A guided outdoor sketching workshop with artist Ying, as part of the Big Sketch Up.
I’ve long admired Ying’s illustrations and work, so I was excited to spot this. The idea is simple: slow down, look closer and sketch what’s around you.
Saturday 12 September
📍 Asian Civilisations Museum
🎟️ $15, including access to the Big Sketch Up
👉 @yinginart
5. Happy Girl Walk
I joined one of Amelia’s @amelia_singapore group walks at the end of last year and had such a good time. It was a lovely combination of walking, chatting, meeting new people and simply being outside. This one is on my doorstep, so I’ll be there!
Saturday 19 September, 8.30am
📍 Singapore Botanic Gardens
🎟️ $12, registration required
👉 @happygirlmovement
6. Lights by the Lake
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at Jurong Lake Gardens with lanterns, light shows, foodie markets and all kinds of crafting activities.
19–27 September
⏰ 6.30–10.30pm daily
📍 Jurong Lake Gardens
More information: NParks – Lights by the Lake
7. Jaewalkers Social Club
Jadals, the sandal makers, have a fun-looking morning planned in Chinatown involving tea, crafting, walking, making friends and a delicious vegan lunch — plus some freebies thrown in.
Saturday 26 September
🎟️ $35+ — limited spots
👉 @shopjaedals
8. The Gathering Line
An exhibition bringing together artistic voices, perspectives and experiences from local artists including Irina Forrester, Susan Olij, Aparna Chakravarty and more.
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 September
📍 Selegie Arts Centre
👉 @canvas.connections
9. Botanic Gardens Guided Nature Sketch & Walks
I’m at the Botanic Gardens several times a week but still manage to miss so many of the free activities happening there — recitals, workshops, walks and more. These are my September picks:
5 September — Guided Nature Sketch, 8.30am ✏️
6 & 13 September — Heritage Nature Walks 🚶♀️
🎟️ Free; registration required where stated
👉 @singaporebotanicgardens
10. Geneva’s DIY School: Hand Embroidery
OK, so technically this one isn’t in Singapore — it’s online. But I’m holding myself accountable to finally finishing the embroidery course I started last summer and never completed! Australian Geneva Vanderzeil has long been one of my DIY heroines, so I’m dusting off my looms and picking this one up again.
Hand Embroidery online course
💰 $35 USD
👉 @genevasdiyschool
So there you have it — my slightly more off-the-grid September list.
If you know of something interesting, creative, unusual, independent or just plain fun that I’ve missed, send it my way! I’d love to keep adding to the list.