It’s finally August, and we’re prepared to wave our red and white flags up in the air! This month is packed with exciting events and fresh experiences.
From celebrating National Day with a fun-filled SAFRA Family Day Out at Gardens by the Bay, to enjoying the dazzling Singapore Night Festival, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive into the highlights.
Things To Do
SAFRA Family Day Out at Gardens by the Bay & Mediacorp National Day Concert 2024
Gather your friends and family for the Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2024 on 4 August. This year’s theme, “Our Home, Our Heart, Our Singapore”, promises a fun-filled celebration of Singapore’s 59th birthday. Enjoy dazzling performances by homegrown talents, family-friendly games, and breathtaking fireworks!
Look out for the SAFRA booth at the pre-show carnival and check out the bouncy castle in collaboration with Families for Life at Supertree Grove! Admission to the event is free, but the first 1,000 SAFRA members who pre-register will receive an exclusive goodie bag.
The highlight of the event is the National Day Concert, where you’ll be serenaded by Olivia Ong, and sing along to National Day favourites by Benjamin Kheng, Taufik Batisah, and Sezairi. Don’t miss this vibrant display of music, joy, and patriotic pride!
For more information and to register for the goodie bag, visit bit.ly/3StgSQF
SAFRA Swim For Hope 2024
Attention all swimmers: SAFRA Swim For Hope is back from 1 September to 27 October this year. Get fit and bond with the family while raising funds for a good cause. There are 6 distances across 3 categories — Team, Individual and Families for Life — to choose from, so even amateur swimmers can take part and contribute.
Similar to previous years, participants can choose from three options: Full Virtual, where they swim at their preferred location and time and submit records online; Full Physical, completing the swim at a SAFRA club; or Hybrid, which combines a virtual swim with a 1km physical swim at a SAFRA club.
Each participant will receive an event t-shirt, finisher medal and goodie bag, and finishers of the 55km Individual Open and 25km Team categories will also receive a finisher tee. SAFRA members get an additional perk: a $10 SAFRA Swim For Hope e-voucher when you register for the event. The $10 e-voucher will be available in the SAFRA mobile app (e-voucher wallet) from 4 October to 31 December 2024.
Registration for SAFRA Swim For Hope 2024 is open from 1 August to 30 September, and fees start from $22. Proceeds will go to 5 beneficiaries — SG Enable, SPD, President’s Challenge, SAF Care Fund and Singapore Aquatics (Development Fund).
For more information, visit safras4h.sg
SAFRA Celebrates Singapore’s 59th Birthday
We’re going all out to celebrate the nation’s birthday at SAFRA!
First up, pledge your support for Total Defence at ipledgetd.sg, present the completed pledge page to our Customer Service Counter when you visit any of the SAFRA clubs on 9 August (between 9am to 9pm) and receive a gift card from us! (limited to the first 200 SAFRA members per club)
We’ve also lined up a bunch of treats for you. Be the first 200 SAFRA members at each SAFRA club to redeem a National Day $5.90 e-voucher in your SAFRA mobile app, which you can utilise at participating outlets at the SAFRA clubs from 1 August to 31 August 2024. There’re also exclusive treats for SAFRA Dependent Members — find out more here.
And while you’re at the SAFRA clubs on 9 August, look out for the craft activities, games and food booths. There’s something for all in the family!
For more information, visit safra.sg/whats-on/national-day-2024
Singapore Night Festival
The Singapore Night Festival returns to the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct for its 15th edition from 23 August to 7 September. This year’s festival, themed “Art of Play”, celebrates the area’s historical significance as the birthplace of Singapore’s first schools. Expect over 50 exciting experiences, including dazzling projection mapping artworks, night light installations, and live performances!
Don’t miss this year’s festival highlight, Wonder World, conceptualised by local artist SKL0. It offers a whimsical journey back to 1950s-1970s Singapore, complete with retro amusement park rides and nostalgic games. Besides that, there’ll be four festival villages, including the new Twilight Playground @ GR.iD.
With free general admission and extended hours from 7.30pm to midnight, the Singapore Night Festival 2024 promises an unforgettable celebration of our rich heritage and vibrant arts scene.
For more information, visit nightfestival.gov.sg
Shopping
Casetify x I.M. Pei
Get ready to elevate your tech accessories with a touch of architectural brilliance. In partnership with M+ Museum in Hong Kong, CASETiFY has launched a limited-edition collection inspired by the iconic works of renowned architect I.M. Pei.
This exclusive collection celebrates Pei’s groundbreaking designs, coinciding with M+’s Special Exhibition “I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture”. Choose from customisable tech accessories like iPad and iPhone cases, with patterns inspired by Pei’s iconic works, including the Expo ’70 Taiwan Pavilion, National Gallery of Art East Building, and Bank of China Tower. Prices start from $57 for cardholder stands and $99 for phone cases.
For more info, visit casetify.com/co-lab/mplus.
Skechers for National Day
This August, get ready to paint the town red and white with Skechers footwear! They’ve got stylish kicks like the Sport Court 92 – Telmont ($119), available in off-white and white, navy, or red for you to combine sleek design with unbeatable comfort. The smooth leather upper, adorned with an embroidered SKX logo, ensures you step out in style.
Inside, you’ll find a cushioned Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole that makes every step feel like a dream. The lightweight, shock-absorbing midsole and flexible traction outsole provide the support you need, while the one-and-a-quarter-inch heel adds a touch of flair.
Priced from just $59, these must-have shoes are available online at Skechers and at selected Skechers concept stores.
For more information, visit skechers.com.sg.
Travel
Scoot flights to Subang
Travelling to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore just got easier! Scoot’s new flight route from Singapore to Subang Jaya, launching this September, offers a convenient alternative to reach KL. The Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang is only a 30-minute drive to KL City Centre, compared to the 50-minute to 1-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Daily flights from Changi Airport will depart at 11.55am and arrive at 1.10pm, with return flights from Subang departing at 2.10pm, arriving back at 3.20pm. All-in Economy class fares start from $83 (MYR108), and you can easily get round-trip flights from around $114.
For more info, visit flyscoot.com/en.
Dining
A.K Zai Meow Cafe
There’s a new two-storey buffet restaurant with an in-house cat cafe on Smith Street. A.K Zai Lok Lok, known for its budget-friendly hotpot and BBQ buffets, has opened A.K Zai Meow Cafe right above the restaurant. The eatery is home to 10 adorable cats and kittens and features fun play elements like toys, a jungle gym, and a cat tower.
Dine at their Lok Lok buffet from Monday to Thursday and enjoy 15 minutes of free playtime with the cats. Otherwise, sessions are priced at $9 per hour on weekdays and $12 on weekends, which comes with unlimited drinks. While you’re there, why not indulge in their buffet as well? It costs $19.90++ per person and offers over 40 types of skewers and 10 sauces from their condiment bar.
14A Smith St, Level 2, Singapore 058928
Fa Si Xi Traditional Chinese Dessert
In this adorable new dessert cafe located near Lavender MRT, the interior as well as their serving ware are mahjong and casino game-themed, from poker to roulette.
Of course, the highlight at Fa Si Xi Traditional Chinese Dessert is their range of traditional Chinese desserts. If you’re not sure where to start, try the Da Xi Si ($11.80), which has servings of black sesame paste, peanut paste, glutinous rice cakes, and curry fish balls. Those with a sweet tooth can consider the hot Red Bean Soup With Mini Rice Ball ($5.80) or the chilled Durian Chendol Ice ($10.80) to cool you down from the heat.
And if you’re hungry, mains – like the Signature Penang Prawn Mee ($12.80) and Ipoh Hor Fun ($8.80) – are available too.
500 Jln Sultan, #01-11, Singapore 199020
Small Batch
Singapore Botanic Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in Singapore to chill with friends or family on weekends. There’s a new halal eatery joining tried-and-tested spots like Bees Knees at The Garage and Privé. Enter Small Batch, a cafe with glasshouse vibes and plenty of seating options.
This charming cafe offers a unique Build-Your-Own-Board (BYOB) brunch platter starting at $15.90 for three items and $24.90 for five items. You can also choose to add extras like fresh bakes, veggies, and cheese. Opt for the chicken sausage or smoked salmon, served with house-made chilli jam and pickles.
Wash it down with a refreshing Tropical Acai juice ($9), or cold-pressed juices ($7) like Beet Red and Going Green. Otherwise, coffee is available from $5.50.
1H Cluny Road, #01-K1, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Singapore 259604
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