The best things to do in Singapore in July

It’s time to get grooving with soulful tunes – Esplanade’s yearly Jazz in July festival is back once again, bringing us a full month of all things jazz with both free and ticketed programmes for all to enjoy. Look forward to performances by talented jazz artistes including triple Grammy Awards nominee Jazzmeia Horn, jazz guitarist Pasquale Grasso and his trio, and many more.

It doesn’t end there – Esplanade will also be hosting other jazz-focused events post-July. As part of Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series, there will be a captivating jazz showcase on August 30 titled Seeds & Flowers by Andrew Lim, Aaron James Lee & Kenji Nakano, where both local and international musicians will take the stage. Following that on October 2 is a farewell concert by veteran crooner Gilberto Gil – famous for his post-bossa nova music with jazz and rock influences. 

Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey is a thought-provoking contemporary art exhibition that will get you pondering the nuances of perception and reality. The exhibition showcases 17 key artworks, all reminiscent of themes commonly found in Eliasson's works. While shedding light upon social and environmental issues, he simultaneously emphasises the urgency of climate action and invites you to reflect on your own experiences and perceptions.

Of 17 key artworks, don't miss two never-before-seen exhibits: The last seven days of glacial ice (2024) and The seismographic testimony of distance (Berlin-Singapore, no.1 to no.6) (2024) – which both bring the pressing issue of climate change to the forefront with an intentional use of mixed media. There are two Singapore exclusives to catch, too: The cubic structural evolution project (2004), where you're invited to build a shared world, and Symbiotic seeing (2020), which integrates colourful laser lights with intermittently released fog to generate intricate swirls and ripples.

Hours of fun are bubbling up at Resorts World Sentosa this school holiday season. From now till August 11, take your family and friends to Bubble Fiesta at Adventure Cove Waterpark for a romp at eight bubble-inspired zones. Bounce around giant inflatables and stand under a shower of rainbow bubbles in a giant dome. There will be DJ masterclasses, free frozen treats, and exclusive bundle deals too. Get your tickets here.

Singapore’s party scene is maturing admirably, with creative collectives bringing alternative sounds and genres to the dancefloor. Get acquainted with these left-field artists at The Party Exposure, which features DJ showcases, workshops, and talks in a unique and educational deep-dive into what the Singapore party landscape is about – and what more it has to offer. From July 6 to August 31, drop into DJ booth sessions with collectives and labels like Last Saturdays, Eatmepoptart, Midnight Shift, North East Social Club, and BlackLight Tribe. Aspiring DJs, level up your skills with Nez Sanja (chief of Revision Music) while vinyl lovers, bring your favourite records to a chill listening sesh with other collectors. And if you’re raring to make a difference, join the panel session on July 19 to ponder the future of the local party scene.