Singapore is one of the poster boys when it comes year-round tropical heat. The humid and hot weather has come to encapsulate the quintessential Singapore experience with the majority of things to do on our island revolving around our largely perpetual sunny days.
But if you’re lucky, every once in a while, the heavens grant us their blessing as rain showers down from above, offering a cool respite from the intense heat of the day. Approximately 167 days out of the year will Singapore experience rainfall, with the bulk of the days falling between the months of September to February.
With the rainy season upon us, here are some things you can do and places to explore when it’s pouring outside.
1. It’s Time to Put on Your Creativity Hat
Photo by arteastiq via Instagram.
Over millennia, art has often been viewed and reserved for the higher echelons of society, a high-brow, niche hobby that the masses couldn’t enjoy. That ideal is changing as time progresses and art is as much the property of the masses as it is of the upper class.
In Singapore, Arteastiq is just one of the many art jamming studios that offer a conducive space to let you explore the artistic (pun intended) side of yourself. A popular haunt amongst many budding artists, Arteastiq provides everything you need from canvases and brushes to acrylic paint. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s an extensive brunch and high tea menu available as well.
Other noteworthy places include ARThaus Singapore and Artefakts as well, providing excellent indoor hangouts when the rain rages on outside.
Address & Opening Hours (Arteastiq)
Mandarin Gallery, #04-14/15 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897
Mon to Fri: 11 AM – 10 PM
Sat & Sun: 10 AM – 10 PM
68 Orchard Rd #03-70/72, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Daily 11 AM – 10 PM
78 Airport Boulevard #05-201 Singapore 819666
Sun to Thurs: 9 AM – 12 AM
Fri, Sat, and eve of PH: 9 AM – 1 AM
2. A Dinner Date at The Screening Room
Photo by screening_room via Instagram.
Now people always lament that Singapore is boring and that there’s nothing much of anything to do. Well, those people should look no further than The Screening Room, nestled in the heart of the historic neighbourhood of Ann Siang Hill.
Only open in the evenings, The Screening Room is where you can hole up, have a great dinner and catch movies which screen based on a monthly theme. For the month of September, The Screening Room zooms ahead running circles around cars and racing, featuring hit movies like The Fast and The Furious and Gone in 60 Seconds.
With a boutique theatre space, a private bar, and Middle Eastern-themed restaurants serving up flavours from the region, it’s a great place to huddle up, tucked away from the rain.
Address
12 Ann Siang Rd, #03-00, Singapore 069692
Opening Hours
Mon to Thurs: 6 PM – 1 AM
Fri & Sat: 5 PM – 3 AM
Closed on Sundays
3. This is Heaven on Earth for Movie Buffs
Photo by madeinthenutella via Instagram.
Stepping into the premises of The Projector transports you back to the Golden Age of Cinema, a place where cinephiles will step in and quite possibly never step out. The Projector was something of a hipster hidden gem in the years’ past, though it’s slowly becoming more popular and mainstream amongst Singaporeans.
Housed in the Golden Mile Tower, The Projector assumes the space that was once the historic Golden Theatre, providing an independent cinema and creative platform that curates and showcases films and programmes that range from indie and foreign, to classics and local flicks. It also has a versatile event space called The Blue Room which occasionally features live music gigs and comedy nights!
Let the rain pitter patter outside as you catch films from yesteryear, long faded from the consciousness of today.
Address
6001 Beach Road, #05-00, Golden Mile Tower, 199589
Opening Hours
Box Office
Mon to Fri: 6 PM – 8:30 PM
Sat, Sun, and Public Holidays: 1 PM – 8:30 PM
Intermission Bar
Mon to Fri: 5 PM – 11 PM
Sat, Sun, and Public Holidays: 1 PM – 11 PM
4. Take a Cultural Trip to The Museums
Photo by arahim via Instagram.
For a country that has a relatively short history compared to some of our neighbours and around the world, there is an abundance of museums and galleries littered throughout Singapore.
At the forefront of the historical and cultural institutions would perhaps be the National Museum of Singapore, charged with the retelling our country’s history. Though it became known as the National Museum of Singapore in 1993, its history dates back to 1849 when it was a mere section of a library of the then Singapore Institution.
Today, it houses an extensive collection of works, providing a comprehensive showcase of Singapore’s journey from the 14th century till today. It’s a fitting time to visit the National Museum of Singapore, seeing the Singapore Night Festival is happening now, with stunning lightshows turning the white neo-classical façade into a colourful spectacle.
The Asian Civilisations Museum and the Singapore Art Museum presents more in-depth history into their specific fields, giving you a few choices to shelter in the rain whilst learning more about the history and culture of Singapore.
Address
93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
Opening Hours
Daily 10 AM – 7 PM
5. Frolic in the Gardens By The Bay
Photo by ishzgram via Instagram.
Nice bright sunny days may be popular for visiting Gardens by the Bay. The Supertree Grove and everything around it is best experienced without dark clouds looming over your head. But that doesn’t mean that Gardens by the Bay has nothing to offer when it pours. On the contrary, the overcast skies filtered through the iconic glass domes can confer a chill, moody vibe.
Before Jewel Changi Airport was built, Cloud Forest boasted the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, falling from a height of 35m. Scale up the waterfall and notice how the vegetation and flowers change, something that was designed to mimic the actual flora changes of a mountain.
The neighbouring Flower Dome is where you can get up close to the various species of flowers that change with the seasons. The Flower Dome also boasts themed events scattered throughout the year, so be sure to check out their website to find out what’s in store!
Address
18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Opening Hours
Daily 9 AM – 9 PM
6. Explore The New Jewel of Singapore
Photo by sandmarc via Instagram.
It was the talk of the town back in April when Jewel Changi Airport first opened its doors to the public, captivating locals and foreigners alike with its massive waterfall pouring through the middle.
Photos of the Jewel fountain have since been flooding social media and continue to be the central attraction of Changi Airport’s newest baby. But don’t let the glitzy show blind you to everything else Jewel has to offer. From a bunch of first-time in Singapore brands such as Shake Shack and Burger & Lobster to the return of A&W, Jewel is a perfect lifestyle hub that you’ll find yourself spending the entire day hidden away from the pouring rain.
Address
78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Opening Hours
Open Daily
Individual shops’ opening hours vary
