Free events to check out in May

May in Singapore always feels more alive than the other months. May-be it’s because it marks the start of school holidays, the numerous festival programmes popping up, or the urge to enjoy outdoors before the weather turns unpredictable. If you want to make the best of this month without overspending, this is your sign.

May 2026 stands out for its variety. Trade your usual plans for hands-on workshops, spirited sports, thought-provoking exhibitions, or films beneath the open sky. Some suit solo exploration; others fit groups, families, or even pets. Your weekends can be full without repeating the same experience. 

Here are 14 best free events worth checking out this May, all without spending a cent.

1. Sentosa Embrace Litter Free (S.E.L.F) 2026

If you’ve been meaning to do something more meaningful with your time, this beach clean-up at Sentosa is a solid place to start. It’s not just about picking up litter and heading home; the session is structured to feel engaging and social.

The afternoon begins at Sapphire Pavilion with a short briefing before participants head out across Palawan and Siloso Beach. Once the clean-up wraps up, the event becomes more relaxed.

There are hands-on activities like aluminium tinwork, where you turn discarded cans into small embossed artworks or bookmarks. For something more visual, the lightbox activity lets you trace and colour projected images, which feels almost meditative after being out in the sun.

There’s a short sharing session on Sentosa’s marine biodiversity, adding context to the experience. It’s not overly technical, but it’s enough to make you think differently about the environment you just helped clean.

The event closes with a Kahoot quiz that keeps things light while reinforcing what you’ve learned. It’s a nice balance of effort and reward, and you leave feeling like you’ve done something worthwhile without it being too heavy.

Sapphire Pavilion, Siloso Beach, Singapore 098995
8 May 2026: 4pm – 5.30pm
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2. Car Expo 2026

Even if you are not planning to purchase a car soon, the Car Expo 2026 at Singapore Expo offers an engaging experience. The event is easy to explore at your own pace, with enough activities to keep visitors interested for several hours.

Featuring over 40 brands, the expo showcases a wide range of vehicles, from new models to practical family cars. The event distinguishes itself through interactive features, including complimentary gifts for early visitors and trivia quizzes with hourly prizes.

For those considering a purchase, incentives such as vouchers and a cash draw are available. However, even without making a purchase, the event offers enough value to warrant a visit. The lively atmosphere is welcoming and not overly sales-focused.

The Expo is also suitable for groups with varied interests. Some attendees may be interested in cars, while others simply enjoy the overall experience. It is a low-commitment outing that remains engaging throughout.

1 Expo Dr, Singapore Expo, Singapore 486150
9 & 10 May 2026: 10am – 9pm
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3. Life Book Club

Starting 10 May 2026, the Life Book Club at *SCAPE, Orchard offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s not your typical book club with assigned reading and structured discussions. In fact, there’s no pressure to prepare anything.

You can show up with a novel, a half-finished book, a journal, or nothing. You’re not expected to analyse anything deeply or speak if you don’t want to. It’s more about being present, hearing different perspectives, and leaving with a few new ideas. 

The session usually starts with a reading time to ease everyone into the space without forcing interaction. After that, conversations happen naturally and people share passages they liked, thoughts they’ve been sitting on, or simply listen. 

The group tends to be a mix of readers, writers, and curious individuals, which keeps discussions varied without feeling overwhelming. If your weekends have been feeling a bit rushed lately, this is an easy way to reset.

2 Orchard Link, SCAPE Level 2, Singapore 237978
Every alternate Sun: 1pm – 3pm
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4. Pets & Food

If your ideal weekend involves good food and even better company, this pet-friendly event checks both boxes. It’s basically a casual gathering where food vendors, pet owners, and families come together in one lively space.

The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. You’ll see dogs of all sizes, people sampling snacks, and small groups chatting like they’ve known each other for ages. Food is a big part of the experience, with local vendors offering a mix of treats. While the offerings may vary, the focus is on small discoveries rather than big-name brands.

For pet owners, there are activities designed with animals in mind, which adds a playful element. Even if you don’t have a pet, it’s still enjoyable just being around the energy of the space. It’s the perfect pick for a carefree afternoon with no agenda.

432 Joo Chiat Road, Crane, Singapore 427647
+65 9826 9498
16 & 17 May 2026: 10am – 6pm
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5. Making Records: Meet The Vintage Lathe Machine

If you have ever been curious about how music was physically recorded before the digital era, this intimate session offers a rare opportunity to see the process up close. Held at the Boutiques Fair within the F1 Pit Building, the experience centres around a beautifully preserved Presto 6N Record Lathe, a historic piece of equipment once used to cut records directly onto physical discs.

The session begins with the story behind the machine itself, focusing on how this particular unit was discovered and restored. You hear how collectors tracked it down, how restorers carefully brought it back to working condition, and how it eventually made its way to Singapore. With each session limited to just 10 participants, visitors can observe the machine in detail, follow the narrative closely, and ask questions throughout without feeling rushed or distant.

In an age when music is streamed instantly and largely exists in the cloud, this experience offers a grounding contrast. Watching how sound, once required careful, physical inscription, changes the way you think about recording and preservation.

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6. Play Wellness – Build, Create, Connect

There’s something unexpectedly calming about sitting down and building LEGO, and this event leans fully into that idea. Play Wellness takes a simple concept and turns it into a shared, low-pressure experience.

You’ll be given access to pre-loved LEGO sets, which you can build at your own pace. There’s no competition or goal beyond enjoying the process. Once you’re done, the pieces are taken apart so someone else can experience the same set later.

It sounds simple, but that’s exactly the point. In a world where everything feels goal-driven, this is a rare chance to do something purely for the sake of it. The space is designed to feel welcoming, whether you’re coming alone or with others. You’ll see a mix of adults, families, and individuals who just want to try something different.

It’s also surprisingly good for clearing your head. The repetitive nature of building helps you focus without overthinking, and by the end, you feel a bit lighter. If you are searching for something uncomplicated yet deeply satisfying, this experience is well worth a try.

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7. Beginner Pickleball

Pickleball is catching on everywhere, and it’s easy to see why. The game is simple to learn, fun for beginners, and you don’t need to be an athlete to join. This session opens the door for anyone curious to give it a go.

The session starts with a quick introduction to the rules, followed by casual gameplay. There’s no pressure to perform or compete seriously. It’s more about getting comfortable with the game and having fun.

What makes it especially approachable is the social aspect. People are paired up easily, and the atmosphere stays light. Even if you arrive alone, you won’t feel out of place for long.

Equipment is provided, so you don’t need to prepare anything. Just show up ready to move and meet new people. It’s the perfect excuse to shake up your routine, especially if you want to try something active without signing up for a fitness class.

Bishan Street 23, Bishan Active Park, Singapore 570231
22 May 2026: from 7.30pm onwards
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8. Support Local Creators

This event convenes a diverse group of local creatives, including artists, designers, and small business owners. It serves as a celebration of Singapore’s creative community within a single venue.

Attendees can explore booths featuring handmade goods, artwork, and distinctive designs that represent a variety of styles and perspectives. The focus is on discovering local creative output rather than solely on shopping. The atmosphere remains vibrant yet accessible.

Visitors can engage in conversations with local creators, gaining insights into their processes and the narratives behind their work. It’s also a good place to get a sense of current creative trends in Singapore. There’s a mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern design, which keeps things interesting. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth going for the experience alone.

432 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427647
23 & 24 May 2026: 10am – 6pm
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9. Movies by the Beach

Watching films outdoors already feels like a treat, but doing it by the beach takes it up a notch. Held at Palawan, this open-air screening offers a relaxed way to end your weekend.

Part of the ongoing vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2026, the line-up focuses on French animated films, each with its own visual style and storytelling approach. On 23 May, the evening opens with Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia at 5.30pm, a subversive tale that follows the beloved bear-and-mouse duo as they journey to Ernest’s homeland.

At 7pm, Dilili in Paris transports audiences to the richly imagined world of Belle Époque Paris. Along the way, she encounters notable historical figures, adding an educational layer to the narrative, while the film itself celebrates curiosity, courage, and the enduring allure of Paris as the “City of Light”.

The programme continues on 24 May with Yakari, a Spectacular Journey at 5.30pm, offering a visually expansive adventure set against the sweeping landscapes of the American prairie. Yakari, a young boy gifted with the rare ability to communicate with animals, embarks on a journey that is as much about self-discovery as it is about tracking a wild mustang.

Later at 7pm, Calamity: A Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary presents a spirited coming-of-age tale rooted in the mythology of the American West. The film reimagines the early life of Martha Jane, who is forced to step into a position of responsibility during a perilous journey.

Bring a picnic mat and some snacks, and settle in as the sun sets; the environment does most of the work here. There’s something about watching a film under the sky with the sound of waves nearby that makes the experience feel more immersive.

For more details, refer here.

31 Beach View, Palawan Kidz City Level 3, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098008
23 & 24 May 2026: from 5.30pm onwards
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10. TGIF Music Station 2026

From 22 May 2026, TGIF Music Station brings fresh energy to the city at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, presenting a curated line-up that pairs seasoned performers with promising local talent.

There’s a variety of performers, so you might see a well-known artist take the stage or come across a rising talent finding their voice. This blend keeps the event dynamic while maintaining a high standard throughout.

TGIF Music Station adopts a hybrid format, which means you can either attend in person or tune in from home. While the digital option is convenient, the live experience is where it truly shines. There is something about being in the room, surrounded by others who are equally tuned in, that adds a layer of immediacy you simply cannot replicate through a screen.

Each session offers a slightly different musical direction, ranging from stripped-back acoustic performances to more experimental or contemporary sounds. That sense of unpredictability works in its favour, encouraging audiences to stay open-minded and perhaps discover genres they would not normally seek out. It also reflects the diversity of Singapore’s music scene, which continues to evolve in interesting ways.

For more details, refer here.

1 Straits Blvd, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Level 1, Singapore 018906
22 May to 19 Mar 2027: from 8pm onwards
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11. In Other Words: Musical Performance

Part of the ongoing vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2026, this multidisciplinary performance merges music, dance, and visuals into a cohesive, immersive experience. Inspired by composers such as Claude Debussy and Frédéric Chopin, it reframes familiar classical works through a contemporary lens, allowing well-known melodies to take on new shapes and meanings.

Musical fragments are stretched, layered, and intertwined with original compositions, creating something both recognisable and reimagined. It moves beyond a traditional recital, embracing experimentation without losing the emotional core that makes these works endure.

What distinguishes the performance is its expansion beyond sound. Dance adds a physical dimension, translating music into movement, while visual projections shape the atmosphere and guide audience focus. These elements create a dialogue between disciplines, building on one another so the performance unfolds in layers rather than allowing any single element to dominate.

There is no single way to interpret the performance, which is part of its appeal. If you appreciate work that challenges conventions and offers an exploratory experience, this is likely to leave a mark.

For more details, refer here.

1 Sarkies Rd, Alliance Française de Singapour, Singapore 258130
29 May 2026: from 7.30pm onwards
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12. Youth Baseball Carnival

Young ballplayers aged 9 to 12 are invited to spend an energetic morning at the Youth Baseball Carnival 2026. This lively event introduces the sport in a fun, accessible way and offers plenty for experienced players as well.

Expect a range of engaging stations throughout the morning, including a Home Run Challenge for those eager to test their power, a Strikeout Challenge that puts pitching accuracy to the test, and a Pitching Speed Radar to see just how fast you can throw.

There is also a Fungo Knockout Challenge, which adds a slightly more tactical edge, alongside a Baserunning Competition that rewards speed and agility. Mini baseball games round out the experience, giving players a chance to test their skills in a more relaxed setting.

Beyond the field, there will be food and game stalls to keep the atmosphere lively, and the first 150 attendees will receive goodie bags. Several of the challenges also come with prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement throughout the day.

In the afternoon, the focus shifts to opportunity, with U12 National Team Open Tryouts from 1pm to 2pm. It is a rare opportunity to be seen by selectors in a supportive setting, making it well worth staying on after the carnival wraps up. For those with aspirations in the sport, this could be the first step towards something much bigger.

21 Jurong East Street 31, Jurong Softball Field, Singapore 609517
30 May 2026: 9am – 2pm
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13. Brandon Tay: Sangkalan

Sangkalan is a fictional island created by Singaporean artist Brandon Tay, unfolding as an expansive, speculative world built through sculpture, textiles, and written fragments.

Visitors are introduced to this imagined ecosystem through three key organisms: a fruit, an insect, and a bird. Together, they form the foundation of how the inhabitants of Sangkalan interpret their surroundings and make sense of the world around them.

At the core of this constructed ecology is the Ta’Lur fruit, a surreal element said to produce shared hallucinations when consumed. These visions are not random; instead, they mirror the behaviours of two other species on the island, the Selantri insect and the Zaraun bird.

The insect’s pollination and reproduction cycles, as well as the bird’s shifting songs and migrations, guide how inhabitants read environmental change. The exhibition mirrors this concept. Colourful textiles serve as an alternative record-keeping system, using coded patterns rather than written language.

Brandon Tay: Sangkalan will travel to multiple National Library Board locations from now until 25 Oct 2026, starting at Woodlands Regional Library and continuing to Tampines, Jurong, and Punggol. With each stop, the archive grows, gradually completing the story of Sangkalan and its forgotten culture.

As the story develops, the exhibition asks viewers to rethink how knowledge is gathered, stored, and interpreted. This is vital in a digital age shaped by technology. The show focuses on natural rhythms instead of machine logic. It encourages reflection on memory, perception, and how stories travel through time.

For more details, refer here.

For a full list of locations, opening hours & contact number, refer here.
Till 25 Oct 2026
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14. When Art Meets Nature

When Art Meets Nature is a children’s art exhibition co-curated by the Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts and the National Gallery Singapore. It opens up a sensorial journey that encourages visitors to see the natural world not just as scenery, but as something alive with stories, systems, and possibilities.

Originally presented at the Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts between Jul and Nov 2025, 2 of the installations have now travelled to Singapore, where audiences are invited to explore nature through the artists’ perspectives and reimagine ways of living that support environmental care and sustainability.

One of the key installations, Peace Forest (2025) by Soh Ee Shaun, transforms the gallery into a vibrant, imaginative woodland filled with trees, animals, insects, and plant life. Inspired by the artist’s own nature walks near his home in Singapore, where unexpected encounters such as birds, insects, and even a flying lemur resting on a mango tree sparked moments of wonder.

Alongside this is Where the River Runs (2025) by Yenting Hsu, a work that highlights the cultural and ecological significance of waterways. Focusing on communities along Taiwan’s Dahan River, the installation highlights how rivers have long served as lifelines, shaping movement, storytelling, and ways of understanding the world.

Visitors are encouraged to engage with the work through sound and text, listening to stories while reading small booklets that combine scientific understanding with cultural narratives. Together, the exhibition encourages a slower, more attentive way of looking at these installations.

For more details, refer here.

City Hall Alcove and Keppel Centre for Art Education, City Hall Wing, Level 1, National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957
+65 6271 7000
Daily: 10am – 7pm [till 1 Nov 2026]
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How to choose free events in Singapore this May?

The choice depends on the kind of day you want, not the activity itself. For something social but low-effort, Car Expo 2026 at Singapore Expo works well as a casual walk-through with light entertainment, while Pets & Food on Joo Chiat Road suits a more relaxed weekend surrounded by food stalls and a pet-friendly crowd. If you prefer something slower and reflective, Life Book Club at *SCAPE offers a quiet space to read and exchange ideas without structure or pressure.

For hands-on or active experiences, Sentosa Embrace Litter Free (S.E.L.F) 2026 combines beach clean-up with creative workshops, whereas Beginner Pickleball at Bishan Active Park is better for those wanting light sport in a social setting. Cultural and creative interests are best served by Making Records at the F1 Pit Building or Brandon Tay: Sangkalan across NLB libraries, both offering more experimental ways to engage with art and storytelling. Together, the options suit different moods, from movement to mindfulness, without requiring any prior commitment.

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