Covid-19 has ruined pretty much all of our plans for 2020 as well as affected our daily lives for the worse. From cancelled overseas trips to plenty of restrictions, the pandemic has been a wet blanket and the worst way to start another decade.

However, it hasn’t completely put a permanent halt on some of the activities that we have been looking forward to. A number of events in Singapore that were scheduled to happen across 2020 have bounced back innovatively with online versions of what they had originally prepared. While it definitely won’t feel the same as physically being there, for now, it’s better than nothing.

From the National Day Parade 2020 to Shilin-inspired Night Market, here are 8 events and activities in Singapore that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home while you #stayhome and #staysafe.

Photo Credit: Cé La Vi Singapore 

CÉ LA VI SINGAPORE

The party doesn’t have to stop even though you can’t head out to a club! CÉ LA VI Singapore will be bringing the clubbing experience to you at home so you can still let loose and unwind while bopping to some sick beats from your bedroom. Recent DJs they’ve hosted include the renowned Fabio Neural, and they’ve even held fundraising live streams for the Italian Red Cross. You can be sure that there will be more great music to come until you can physically visit the club again.

Check out their Facebook or Instagram for updates.

Photo Credit: Gavin Foo

NATIONAL DAY PARADE 2020

This year’s National Day will definitely be vastly different from what we are used to. The parade will mostly be focusing on allowing Singaporeans to celebrate our Nation’s birthday online at home instead of the usual locations like the floating platform at Marina Bay.

The theme for 2020 is ‘Together, A Stronger Singapore’. The bulk of the parade segments will be moved to heartland areas and streamed on both television and internet platforms. Traditional performances such as the Red Lions free-fall jump, state flag fly-past and mobile column will take place in various locations across our little red dot. An evening show will also be held at The Star Performing Arts Centre in Buona Vista where they will feature films and performances by Singaporeans. Of course, everything will end off with a breathtaking fireworks display across multiple sites.

While it definitely won’t feel the same as any other parade we’ve attended, we are glad that we are still able to celebrate Singapore’s birthday despite what is going on in the world. It is crucial for us to remember that at the end of the day, the only way we can overcome this adversity is to stick together as a country.

When: 9 August 2020

Photo Credit: Marquee Singapore 

MARQUEE ONE LIVE

Another club that has moved to the online sphere is Marquee Singapore. During this period, they will be live streaming virtual parties that you can partake in at home. They even celebrated their One Year Anniversary with a lit online birthday bash with performances by DJs such as Steve Aoki, Nicky Romero and Andrew Rayel.

For more groovy jams, hop on over to their Spotify and check out some of their playlists.

Check their Facebook and Instagram for more updates.

PINK DOT 

Celebrate love and Singapore’s LGBTQ community even while you stay home. This year’s Pink Dot celebration will be live-streamed on its online platforms instead of their usual venue at Hong Lim Park.

Dress up all pretty in pink and tune in at 6.30 pm on the 27th of June 2020 to watch the line-up of discussions, activities and programmes that they have in store for you. The world is in a tough place right now and a little more love will help make everything better.

Check out their Facebook or Instagram for more information.

When: 27 June 2020, 6.30 pm

SHILIN-INSPIRED NIGHT MARKET 

Enjoy a slice of Taiwan with the online version of Shilin-inspired Night Market in Singapore! The bright side about this year’s online event is that you won’t have to sweat it out and battle with throngs of other people just to have the night market experience. This year, you can attend their virtual marketplace which will have four zones: Eat, Shop, Play & Fun.

Enjoy performances and shop online for food and products without having to take a step out of the house. With over 100 local and regional vendors like Mori, Playmade and D’bun, the people behind Shilin Night Market hope to be able to boost sales for these F&B & retail operators who have been badly hit by the pandemic blues.

The event will be happening across two weekends, so mark your calendars!

When: 12 June 2020 to 14 June 2020, 19 June 2020 to 21 June 2020

Photo Credit: Singapore Heritage Festival 

SINGAPORE HERITAGE FESTIVAL: DIGITAL EDITION  

Want to feel like a tourist in your own country? You can do so via the Singapore Heritage Festival: Digital Edition.

This year, delve into the less-known stories of areas such as Tanjong Pagar, Pasir Ris and Kallang. Learn more about Singapore’s vibrant history via a series of virtual tours, webinars and digitally commissioned works from your bedroom. You can even attend online masterclasses that will teach you how to make your very own belachan at home.

Check out their website for more information.

When: 19 June 2020 to 5 July 2020

Photo Credit: Star Wars Run 

STAR WARS VIRTUAL RUN 

Never would we have ever imagined that marathons and runs will go virtual, but 2020 has proven to us once again that such unfathomable things can actually be made possible.

This year’s annual Star Wars Run goes online for the very first time and from 15 June 2020 to 30 September 2020, you can partake in this legendary run at your nearest neighbourhood park or from your treadmill. Participants can choose between the Light Side & Dark Side and clock the distances they’ve run. Once completed, you’ll receive a commemorative Finisher Trophy. 40-kilometre runners will also be able to get a limited edition 40th-anniversary gold Darth Vader trophy. May the force be with you and good luck!

Check out their website for more information.

When: 15 June 2020 to 30 September 2020

Photo Credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

WAN QING DUMPLING FESTIVAL 

Explore ancient Chinese myths and practices during Wan Qing Dumpling Festival’s very first digital edition. Also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, the dumpling festival is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. This year, you can do so while you stay home with a line-up of family-friendly online activities such as cooking classes, quizzes, interactive craft demonstrations and contests that will be available on their Facebook page.

From learning how to make bak zhang to watching animated storytelling sessions about rice dumplings, there is something for the whole family!

When: 1 June 2020 to 30 June 2020

The Shilin-inspired Night Market opens to the public for two weekends (from 19 to 21 April & 26 to 28 April 2019) at Grounds@Kranji, Singapore Turf Club.

This Taiwanese-themed street festival is held at a 200 000 ft² space with over 300 stalls and different vendors segmented into four zones: Eat, Shop, Play, Fun. Despite there being enough nosh, fashion, lifestyle and design goods to see, the event was generally underwhelming.

Brought to you by Invade Industry who also hosted Artbox Singapore and other flea markets in Singapore, you would expect the event to be better organised. The queue at most of the stalls are between 30 to 90 minutes. And there’s a long snaking line just to enter Shilin-inspired Night Market.

Just to be clear, the Shilin Singapore is a Shilin-inspired Night Market concept and not the actual Shilin Night Market from Taiwan.

EAT

Popular Taiwanese F&B brands are featuring exclusive menus. There are five dining zones decked out with Airmocks and seats for 3000. However, the queues are very messy and can take half an hour and more before you can make your order.

Below are some of the food stalls we spotted.

CHIATE BAKERY

GONG CHA

JOLLY KITCHEN

KAZO

MILKBRO

MONKI CAFE

PLAYMADE 

SHOP

The least crowded areas were the aisles of booths with artisanal products by creative makers and partners from Taiwan and Singapore.

AMUSSE

AROMA PLATE

PLAY

The most interesting part of the ‘Play’ corner is the human claw machines where an adult can pretend to be the claw itself. Aside from that, there are the KTV booths and foosball for brief entertainment for the family.

FOOSBALL

HUMAN CLAW MACHINE

KTV BOOTHS

FUN

The notable spots aren’t that photogenic after all.

LANTERN WALL

LIGHTED WINDMILL FOREST

At the end of the day, it is ok to queue up and wait for something—if it is worth it. But in this case, nothing here is “original” and actually from the real Shilin Night Market from Taiwan.

Shilin Singapore

19 – 21 April 2019
26 – 28 April 2019
Fri to Sun: 3pm – 11pm

1 Turf Club Ave
The Grounds@Kranji
Singapore 738078
Nearest Station: Kranji

Shuttle Bus Service from Bugis
Shuttle Bus Service from Carros Centre (every 30 minutes)

Read our Taipei’s guide to discover the best places to visit in the city.