From a chess night at a bathhouse to Singapore Night Festival and the return of POP TOY SHOW, there’s plenty happening around Singapore this week.
Here are five things worth checking out from 17 to 23 August 2026.
Chess Night at NOWHERE
Image: NOWHERE Baths / Aliwal Chess Club
Chess at a bathhouse probably wasn’t on your bingo card for this week.
On 19 August, NOWHERE Baths is teaming up with Aliwal Chess Club for an evening of bathing, chess and music at its Dempsey bathhouse.
Running from 7pm to 10pm, Chess Night brings chess into NOWHERE’s lounge, accompanied by music from RTJ, Kin Leonn and Derrick F.
The Dempsey space is built around communal bathing and recovery, with two hot baths, a cold plunge, sauna and steam room. This one-night collaboration gives the usual wellness ritual a more social spin, where you can soak, play a round of chess and stay for the music.
Date: 19 August 2026
Time: 7pm–10pm
Location: NOWHERE Baths, 14A Dempsey Road
Website | Instagram
Singapore Night Festival 2026
Singapore Night Festival returns to the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct from 21 August, transforming the neighbourhood after dark with projection mapping, light installations, performances and interactive experiences.
Now in its 17th edition, this year’s festival takes on the theme “Myths and Legends”, drawing inspiration from folklore and stories across Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Among the highlights is Tales of Earth and Sea, which will illuminate the façade of the National Museum of Singapore, alongside MALAM, the festival’s first projection mapping competition at The Cathay. Light installations will also be spread across the precinct, including Vikings of the Tropics at Armenian Street and ART-ZOO’s colourful Lovebug outside the National Library.
If you’re heading down during opening weekend, look out for Birdmen, a roaming light, puppetry and live music performance appearing around the district from 21 to 23 August.
Date: 21 August–5 September 2026
Time: From 7.30pm
Location: Bras Basah.Bugis precinct
Admission: Free for most installations, selected programmes are ticketed
Website | Instagram
POP TOY SHOW Singapore 2026
Image: POP TOY SHOW Singapore
Collectors, this one’s for you. POP TOY SHOW Singapore returns to Marina Bay Sands from 21 to 23 August for three days of designer toys, collectibles and pop culture releases.
Organised by POP MART, the annual convention brings together artists, creators and brands from Singapore, Southeast Asia and beyond. Visitors can expect exclusive product drops, artist appearances, interactive experiences and plenty of collectibles to browse.
This year’s line-up includes familiar characters and creators from the designer toy world, alongside independent artists and brands from around the region.
Whether you’re a serious collector or simply curious about the designer toy scene, expect plenty to see and probably a few things you’ll be tempted to bring home.
Date: 21–23 August 2026
Location: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 1, Halls A–C
Admission: Ticketed
Website | Instagram
Singapore Shorts ’26
Singapore Shorts returns for its eighth edition this August, bringing together 18 short films selected from more than 100 submissions. Organised by the Asian Film Archive, the annual showcase spotlights new works by emerging Singapore filmmakers and offers a snapshot of what is happening in the local film scene.
The films are spread across four official selections, with works made between 2025 and 2026 spanning different styles, subjects and perspectives.
The selection panel itself comes from backgrounds across film, curating, sound design and the visual arts, bringing different perspectives to this year’s line-up. Selected screenings are also accompanied by post-screening conversations with filmmakers and panel members.
Date: Throughout August 2026
Location: Oldham Theatre, National Archives of Singapore, 1 Canning Rise
Admission: Ticketed
Website | Instagram
Good Pet Fair: Kampong Edition
Image: Good Pet Fair
Make weekend plans with your furry companions at Good Pet Fair: Kampong Edition, happening at the Great Eastern Promenade at The Kallang.
Beyond shopping from pet brands, the two-day fair has a packed line-up of pet-friendly experiences and community activities. Visitors can join workshops, meet a pony, explore the precinct through the Paws Around The Kallang guided tour and wind down with a pet-friendly movie night under the stars.
It’s an easy weekend pick whether you’re bringing your own pet along or simply looking for an afternoon surrounded by furry friends.
Date: 22–23 August 2026
Time: 10am–8pm
Location: Great Eastern Promenade, The Kallang
Admission: Free
Website | Instagram
Looking for more things to do this month? Check out our guide to 10 things to do in Singapore this August 2026 for more events, exhibitions and experiences happening around the city.