Besides celebrating the nation’s 53rd birthday, there’s a lot more things worth celebrating. For one, August has always been earmarked for IndigNation, the city’s LGBTQI festival and pride season with a whole platter of juicy events by and for the queer community. Otherwise, a couple of things you should look out for this month would be the return of the Singapore Night Festival, Becca D’Bus’ over-the-top drag revue, Films At The Fort, another raucous warehouse party by The Council, a slew of live gigs, the 17th Baybeats festival... well we're not going to list everything here. Have a gander, and take your pick.
 

Golden Village's Hong Kong Film Festival - Happiness (2016)

FILM
Golden Village will be hosting its first ever Hong Kong Film Festival at their Tiong Bahru cinema, screening seven different films. Through Aug 1

PARTY
Another month, another Emo Night. Now a regular series happening every first Wednesday of the month at their latest shindig, pull out those studded belts and waterproof eyeliners for a nostalgic night of all your favorite tear-inducing emo and punk music of your not-so-serious years. Adulting is hard.

FESTIVAL
Pink Dot may be over, that's just the icing on the cake. Gear up (and glitter up) for Singapore's LGBTQI festival (and pride season), IndigNation, as it returns for its 14th year. Kicking off the season of the month-long festival of events by and for the queer community, is the highly anticipated IndigNation Queer Film Festival. Check out their website for a whole smorgasbord of campy and fun events. Aug 1-30

Find out where you can catch the fireworks at not-so-popular spots around Singapore here.

DRAG 
Ooh the competition is getting tight. With six remaining hopefuls and two rounds of Peaches' inaugural amateur drag queen competition, Drag Wars, left, who will be that much closer to being crowned the reigning queen? We're now into the semi-finals, so they better step up their game. Read this to find out more about the competition. Aug 3

ART
The second edition of Keepers Playground of Infinite Happiness, previously held at the former New Majestic Hotel when before it shuttered, will take place at the National Design Centre over two weekends. While last year’s shebang involved more than 60 local creatives and brands, this year’s will bring together over 100 Singapore and Singapore-based designers, craftsmen, artists, chefs, mixologists and inventors. Bring your socializing shoes. Aug 3-5

"Adventures in Grimmsneyland" by Andsoforth

FOOD/THEATER
Local theater company Andsoforth is back with another immersive theatrical pop-up feast. The Secret Garden Supper Club is a collaboration with renowned London-based supper club The Literary Hour—and yup, will be based on the 1911 children’s classic of the same name. Instead of the multi-room setting, all the magic will take place in a single room. Aug 3-5

FILM
The annual open air cinema Films At The Fort (FATF) is back with even more award-winning films, new releases, Singapore premieres and nostalgic classics at the natural amphitheater, Fort Canning Park. You’ll get to enjoy these great films under the stars while munching on some gourmet bites and sipping on some fantastic vino. Aug 3-19

FESTIVAL
We aren’t called the Garden City for nothing. Singapore’s obsession with manicured shrubs and tree-lined avenues is only the beginning when it comes to displaying our penchant for well-designed flora. If you fancy yourself a fan of horticulture, head to Gardens by the Bay for the return of the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF)—the premiere garden show showcasing creations from the world’s top garden and floral designers under one roof. Through Aug 3

BOOK
You might have seen the book under the "new" section of bookstores everywhere, but head down to BooksActually for the official launch of Rachel Heng's debut novel Suicide Club, which has been regarded as a "most anticipated summer read". Aug 4

PARTY
The Council's last rave at the Tuck Lee Factory left many of us craving for more. They've heard us, and will be throwing another massive warehouse party (exact location to be disclosed) featuring Korean techno and acid house sweetheart Damie, alongside residents Julien Brochard and Deen. Aug 4

Japan Park Singapore. Photo credit: © JPSG2018

CONVENTION
You don’t really have to leave Singapore to have a slice of Japan, especially with the onslaught of Japanese food enclaves, restaurants, and shopping places. But this one takes the cake: two halls at Suntec Convention Centre will be turned into a massive Japan Park, bringing the best of food, touristy things, tech, lifestyle, live performances and more from all 47 prefectures. Aug 4-5

EXHIBITION
Take a glimpse into the everyday life of migrant workers through an intimate lens at Blind Spots, an interactive photography exhibition at Objectifs by non-profit creative group Labour Arty that seeks to bring about greater awareness of what migrant communities in Singapore go through daily. Through Aug 5

DANCE
The M1 Contact Contemporary Festival returns for its ninth run, presenting 16 shows of 28 dance works from 14 different nationalities across six performance platforms. Through Aug 5

CONCERT
Bob Dylan, one of the most influential musicians of our generation, will be hitting our shores as part of his Asia Tour. He was last here seven years ago when he played at Timbre's Rock & Roots, and has since been busy raking up numerous accolades for himself, like he always has throughout his career. Aug 6

COMEDY
Catch everyone's favorite drag queen comedian Kumar as he dishes out his usual antics, politically incorrect rants and Singapore issues-based jokes at Canvas. Aug 7, 14, 21 & 28

Halsey

CONCERT
Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, otherwise better known as Halsey, started out releasing music on her own social media platforms before being signed to US-based record label and unit of Universal Music Group, Astralwerks, in 2014. Music aside, she's also heavily involved in social activism like suicide prevention awareness and sexual assault advocacy. Catch her perform live at The Star Theatre. Aug 8

PARTY
Not too long ago DJs weelikeme and KiDG are changing things up for Electric Feel by diving into the '80s. For one last time, they'll pulling out tracks from the likes of Kylie Minogue, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Prince and more on National Day eve at Tuff Club. Aug 8

PERFORMANCE
Sydney's electronic music twins Cosmo's Midnight are bringing their distinctive sound that's known internationally to Singapore. Jive, groove and move your booty to their music at Kilo Lounge and expect tracks from their first studio album What Comes Next, released in June this year. Aug 8

CONVENTION
You probably need to top up your personal office pantry (a.k.a. your side drawer) with all your favorite munchies since they're probably already running out since the last World Snack Fair. The convention is back for its fifth edition at Suntec Convention Centre, and will feature more than 3,000 international brands of snacks from 30 countries. Aug 8-12

FOOD
RWS Street Eats, Resorts World Sentosa's own heartland-centric gastronomic affair, returns to the Malaysian Food Street. That's 11 whole days of gorging on some of the best hawkers and eaters from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Aug 9-19

Find out where you can get your fill of durians here.

DRINK
Whether you know exactly how to describe its taste (without using the word smooth), or fancy something that’s just easy to drink, Wine Lust 2018 promises to have a little something for everyone. Returning for the second time, Wine Lust presents an outstanding selection of 15 award-winning restaurants, 40 specialist wine events and 500 wine varietals. Aug 10-Sep 10

FILM
Catch one of Studio Ghibli's most moving works, the 1997 Japanese animated fantasy film, Princess Mononoke. Set in the late Muromachi period of Japan, join the young prince Ashitaka as he embarks on a journey to locate the cure for Tatarigami's curse. Aug 11

DRAG
After about an eight-month hiatus, the city's hottest drag revue Riot! is back at a whole new venue, Hard Rock Cafe. Catch Becca D'Bus and her girlfriend(emies) Elnina, Vyla Virus, Jess Station and more as they entertain you with blush-inducing humor, fantastic costumes and finger-snapping lip sync numbers. Aug 11

PARTY
Not sure what took em' so long but it's high time that Baby Boy, the queer night for lovers of R&B and Hip Hop from from the '90s to present day, returns. Work that booty or show off your voguing skills right after Riot! to the sounds of everything from Aaliyah to Ashanti, Brandy to Beyonce, Mary J Blige to M.I.A., Missy Elliott to Mariah Carey... you get the drill. Aug 11

FILM
Check out Wes Anderson's stop-motion comedy animation Isle of Dogs, a film that follows a young boy who heads over to an island after his dog (and its entire species) was banished after a canine-flu outbreak, at Blu Jaz. Aug 12

FOOD/PARTY
Dress to the nines, or not; but Camp Kilo Charcoal Club is back with another edition of After Dawn: BBQ Block Party. While you wait in line for your BBQ delights to be ready, dance to the tunes of a yet-to-be-announced lineup of DJs, take part in carnival games like the Ping Pong Toss and Beer Bottle Ring Toss, or check out the Weekend Market. Aug 12

Clean Bandit

CONCERT
In a cruel twist of events, Grammy Award-winning English electronic music outfit Clean Bandit had to cancel their one-night-only show on Jan 22 just the night before, because drummer Luke Patterson came down with chickenpox. But they've kept to their word and will be back to perform as part of their "I Miss You Tour 2018". Aug 15

CONCERT
"Shut Up And Dance" performers Walk The Moon are back in Singapore for the second time, performing an energetic live set at Zepp @ Big Box. Aug 16

FESTIVAL
The 17th edition of Esplanade's annual alternative music festival, Baybeats, is back. Aside numerous local and regional bands and musicians performing, they've also teamed up with the peeps behind EMONIGHTSG for a special edition of the raucous party at Esplanade Annexe Studio. This year also marks the last time you'll get to see acts perform at the Powerhouse Stage to make way for the Esplanade's new waterfront theatre. Aug 17-19

ART
It’s that time of the year again—when the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct lights up after the sun goes down for a full week of nocturnal revelry. The Singapore Night Festival is officially back, and this year, they’ve gone beyond just local and international artists to include contributions from pretty unexpected individuals too. Aug 17-25

Sky High Brunch

PARTY
While the view of Singapore's skyline from Ce La Vi at night is stupendous, you should also take the chance to see it during the day. And what better than to swing by their hectic and super fun daytime Sky High Brunch party, where you can sip on endless glasses of boozy, get your munchers on delicious grub and boogie to groovy tunes. Aug 18

FILM
Enter the whimsical world of shy Parisian waitress in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain. In her struggles with isolation, she decides to help others by doing small things to change the lives of those around her. Aug 19

CONCERT
It's been way too long—five years to be exact—since Paramore was in Singapore. The Grammy-Award winning band returns this Aug as part of their “After Laughter” tour. Sure, they may have adopted a new pop-ish, synth-heavy sound for their latest studio album, After Laughter, the band's first after more than four years last May. But while they might sound like a totally new band compared to music in their previous albums, these guys have established themselves an exciting live act to catch. Aug 21

CONCERT
Nostalgia continues to seep into 2018 as celebrated Irish boy band Boyzone returns to Singapore once again, this time to celebrate their 25th anniversary at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Aug 21

CONCERT
Linkin Park fans all around the globe suffered a tremendous loss when singer Chester Bennington took his own life last year. It's still a loss that many people are still trying to get over, seeing how much their music influenced them during their formative years. Nonetheless, life has to go on. For co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda, that means going on tour. He'll be performing in Singapore at Zepp @ Big Box as part of his "Post Traumatic" tour. Aug 22

"Before It All Goes: Architecture from Singapore's Early Independence Years" by Darren Soh

EXHIBITION
Before It All Goes: Architecture from Singapore’s Early Independence Years is local photographer Darren Soh's latest solo exhibition, which showcases his long-term documentation of sites in Singapore slated to disappear, or that already have. Aug 23-Sep 29

THEATER
Ground-up local favorite Centre 42 brings back its series of text-based performances Late-Night Texting, for its third edition. Head down to the little blue house at Waterloo Street to catch over 30 performances staged by up-and-coming local groups. Aug 24-25

CONCERT
2017 was definitely the biggest year for Chance The Rapper. That year alone, he took home numerous big awards, including the BET Award for Best New Artist and Best Collaboration, and Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album. And now, he'll be taking the stage at Zepp @ Big Box for an electrifying performance. Aug 25

EXHIBITION
The eighth edition of Singapore Art Museum’s annual family-friendly contemporary art exhibition explores the concept of time. Ten artists and art collectives from around the world have taken over SAM at 8Q for Imaginarium: Into the Space of Time, presenting immersive and interactive installations exploring the tales and theories that shape our memories and future. Through Aug 26

DRINK
Perhaps the only thing more exciting than the return of Singapore’s most anticipated beer event is the news that it will no longer be held at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. The 2018 edition of Beerfest Asia, which happens to be the festival's 10th anniversary, will be held at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay. As such, expect a supersized edition, with the bigger venue and an even larger range of local and international beers; over 600, up from last year's 500. Aug 30-Sep 2

The Lion King Musical

MUSICAL
We're just as excited as you are about the return of The Lion King to our shore for its 20th anniversary It's been more than two decades since the epic musical film about lions in Africa first came into our lives, and again in 2011 when the musical made its Southeast Asian debut. Immerse yourself in the magnificent world of Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Mufasa, Timon, Pumba and company when it returns for a two-month run. Through Sep 23

EXHIBITION
Dutch artist Theo Jansen is sending his prized Strandbeests to our shores. In fact entirely non-living, his world-renowned creatures made of PVC and wood are powered by wind, and spend their days moving gracefully across beaches (hence their name, which translates to “beach animal” in Dutch). Head to the ArtScience Museum for an exclusive look at this new species, where you can look at “fossils” of past beests, and even walk alongside 13 original Strandbeests. Through Sep 30

EXHIBITION
2018 has shaped up to be a fantastic year for Marvel. Besides the two epic movies releasing to staggering global success, they're also presenting Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes at ArtScience Museum, which delves into the science and tech behind the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through Sep 30

EXHIBITION
Peranakan Museum's latest exhibition, Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography, delves into the Southeast Asian history of photography through the pictured lives of the Peranakan community in the region. Through Feb 3, 2019

TOUR
The Singapore Zoo will be transformed into a lush and luminous universe to mark the attraction’s 45th anniversary this year. Experience Rainforest Lumina for yourself, where a whole stretch of tropical rainforest will be lit with multimedia visual effects come nighttime. You can even spend your night there by a campfire, if you so wish. Jul 1 onwards