While the i Light Singapore festival happens every year, we now also have the Bicentennial Edition based on the theme ‘Bridges of Time’. Launched by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Singapore River on Jan 28, the art installations explore the topic of connectivity, while reflecting on Singapore’s history and growth with the rest of the world. The pieces also aim to showcase a better and more sustainable future. Fun AND educational? Yes, please!

When: Jan 28 to Feb 24.
Where: The light-up spans the entire length of Marina Bay, as well as the historical areas of the Civic District, Singapore River and Raffles Terrace at Fort Canning Park.
Entry: General admission is free, charges may apply for selected programmes. 

Spearheaded by National Gallery Singapore, the Light to Night Festival takes on the theme of Traces and Echoes, and features an array of over 50 tantalising art encounters and multi-sensorial experiences for visitors of all ages.

Each edition of the Festival presents unique works that prompt you to pause and reflect, while they experience a journey with art and stories that push boundaries. Click here to check out the full line-up.

When: Jan 28 to Feb 24.
Where: The National Gallery Singapore is at 1 St. Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178957.
Entry: General admission is free for all Singaporeans and PRs, charges apply for selected programmes. This weekend (Feb 1 to 3), there is free admission to all exhibitions and ART x SOCIAL, where you can fuel up at the food and beverage stalls. 

Don your sneakers and take a walk at this new, highly immersive augmented reality (AR) experience, which you’d have to download a smartphone app for (available for download on both iOS and Android). Created by the National Heritage Board and National Parks Board, BaliksSG takes you along two key routes — Singapore River and Fort Canning Hill.

This clever tour allows you and the kids to revisit historical events and “interact” with early settlers along the river or to Fort Canning. You’ll gain glimpses into what life was like in the 19th century on the Forbidden Hill. Witness the signing of the 1819 treaty at the Padang, listen into a probable conversation between Sir Stamford Raffles and Major William Farquhar when they set foot on our shores, and see Fort Canning as it was when it was known as Bukit Larangan and Government Hill.

When: Singapore River trail starts Jan 28, and Fort Canning trail starts Jun 1. 
Where: The River trail is around 2km and takes roughly 60 minutes to complete on foot. The Fort Canning trail is around 3km and takes 90 minutes to walk.
Entry: Free!

Having opened at the end of last year, Six Senses Maxwell, located at the intersection of Duxton Road, Tanjong Pagar Road and Maxwell Road, is celebrating Singapore’s bicentennial in a rare way. It will display rare property deeds, or indentures, that are a fascinating look back into the colonial history of the island.

Open to the public, the heritage building will be showing the collection mounted along the hotel’s walkways. The documents themselves throw open a window to early Singapore, as well the Straits Settlements. The earliest document in this collection is a fragile land indenture from Surabaya in Indonesia, dated December 1709.

Where: Six Senses Maxwell is at 2 Cook St, Singapore 078857.
Entry: Free!

We’ve all heard of Sir Stamford Raffles, but do we really know anything about him?

This exhibit by the Asian Civilisations Museum and British Museum illuminates the different sides of this enigmatic figure and the impact he had on our island. Visitors will see around 240 objects that show the aspects of Southeast Asian history which most intrigued Raffles and the British.

This will also be the first time that pivotal objects pictured and discussed in Raffles’ The History of Java (which became an important 19th century reference to Java for the Western world) will be brought together from different parts of the world in one venue. The exhibition aims to be a celebration of the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Java and the Malay World.

When: Feb 1 to Apr 28.
Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555.
Entry: $12 for Singaporeans and PR, available at the ACM and Sistic. 

The Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations is hosting a ‘New World, New Life’ exhibition as part of it’s Unsung Heroes series of events, paying homage to Singapore’s forefathers.

Travel through time and experience how our ancestors sailed across the seas. See what their living conditions were like, how they supported each other, how they nurtured the next generation through setting up schools, what kampong games they played, and so much more.

The exhibition content spans a whopping two centuries and has many interactive elements to excite both the young and young at heart. 

When: Till Apr 28. 
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Ho Bee Concourse, Level 1.
Entry: Free!

Asia’s largest street performance and float parade, the Chingay Parade, pays homage to the Singapore bicentennial with its theme, “Dreams Funtasia”.  Exploring Singaporeans’ talent and imagination, the floats and performances will showcase what our multicultural country has previously achieved, and looks towards future milestones.

The carnival is going to be crammed with epic things to see and do, so head down and celebrate 200 years of Singapore.

When: Feb 15 to 16, from 3.30pm onwards.
Where: F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975.
Entry: From $28.50 (discounts available), available at APACTix and People’s Association. 

Experience everything from spectacular fireworks to dance shows, fairground rides and exhibitions. Truly, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s River Hongbao. Not only will this edition see the Singapore Bicentennial reflected in its themes, organisers have planned for the most spectacular fireworks show in the event’s 33-year history, with some fireworks displaying lasting 10 minutes!

Held at The Float on Marina Bay, it is set to be an extravaganza of lights, sights and sounds to usher in the Lunar New Year.

When: Feb 3 to 10, from 2pm onwards.
Where: The Float, Marina Bay, 20 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039805.
Entry: Free!

As part of Art Week 2019 and in line with the Singapore Bicentennial, artists Brian Gothong Tan and Mark Chan, will share their talents with us all with their exhibition space. Marvel at Mark Chan’s paintings and calligraphy in Chinese brush and ink on distressed paper as he crafts a mythical world.

When: Till Mar 31, from 11am to 8.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, 10am to 8.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Where: Jendela (Visual Arts Space), 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981.
Entry: Free!

On Hari Raya Puasa, The Istana will host a special open house, in conjunction with Singapore Bicentennial. Watch local schools present performances, engage in community activities and enjoy traditional Singaporean dishes at the food heritage showcase, while admiring the scenic grounds of the official residence and office of the President of Singapore.

When: Jun 5, from 8.30am to 6pm.
Where: The Istana, 35 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238823.
Entry: Free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents.

During this month-long festival, lesser-known stories of communities and places of the past are reimagined through artistic mediums. TFOOPFest, organised by Yale-NUS, will showcase 11 projects by students and recent grads from different tertiary institutions in Singapore.

They have been commissioned to investigate the micro-narratives of Singapore’s history, and present them via artistic mediums such as music and art installations. Also check out film screenings and workshops.

When: Feb 16 to Mar 17.
Where: Various locations around the island. 
Entry: Some events are free (with registration), while others are ticketed. Click here for more information.  

Goodwood Park Hotel will focus on the island’s multi-ethnic food culture that reigns supreme in the hearts of both locals and visitors.

Enjoy a thoughtfully curated five-course degustation menu of nostalgic local delights from the early days, or get their signature durian cake adorned with a white chocolate mosaic of imprinted historical scenes of Singapore and the Hotel’s illustrious past. This is one to take granny to, and hear her tales of a time long past.

When: Till Apr 30.
Where: Coffee Lounge at Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228221.
Price: $40++ per person.

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Text: Nicola Watson / Additional reporting: Elizabeth Liew
Photo: Goodwood Park Hotel