LOOK: SingaPop! showcases 60 years of Singapore's pop culture in a colorful exhibit
Singapore, widely recognized as one of the world's most progressive cities, stands out for its innovations—from having one of the most powerful passports to adopting a "City in Nature" approach. Yet, to truly understand its present, one must look to its past.
The country's journey began as a British colony and a member of the Commonwealth. While it initially joined the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, Singapore eventually seceded to become a fully independent state on Aug. 9, 1965.
To celebrate six decades of independence, Singapore is commemorating this milestone with a variety of unique and colorful programs and events that don't hold back on creativity.
Among these celebrations is SingaPop!, an immersive multimedia exhibit at the ArtScience Museum designed to help citizens and visitors alike better understand the rich and complex history of Singapore's pop culture over the past 60 years.
Curated by cultural icon Dick Lee, visitors can learn about how the country has evolved into a multicultural society that shares a common identity.
The tour begins with an enlightening video hosted by Lee, who shared a brief introduction to his career as a singer-songwriter and his goal in assembling the display.
“Throughout my creative journey, I've always looked into what it truly means to be Singaporean. It's a question that has inspired my music and guided my path, which led me to the creation of this exhibition,” he said.
Lee hopes that the exhibit will be able to express their unique identity, and after we stepped into the next section, there was no doubt that they had more than delivered.
RojakLane, named after a popular dish of mixed fruits and vegetables, features artworks and cutouts of figures that represent Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, Peranakan, and other communities that make up Singapore's multicultural identity.
The colorful lights and scrapbook-like arrangement of the items make for a picture-perfect moment for your Instagram feed or TikTok.
There are also interpretative panels that explain each figure's significance, stories, and contributions to their communities’ culture.
Once you pass through this section, you’ll reach RojakLand, which is the vibrant heart of the exhibition. It houses five immersive sets inspired by shophouses and iconic buildings.
Right in the middle is a botanical garden pavilion. It's not just a great spot for your photos, it's also a fun, interactive way to learn Singlish, with questions that explore its unique words, pronunciations, and everyday use.
There's also a room called NDPop, and its design recreates the experience of watching the country’s National Day Parade in a typical Singaporean living room. You may be hit with a wave of nostalgia as you peruse the items on display, which include old televisions and radios.
Pageant fans are in for a treat as the SingaStyle area shines the spotlight on striking gowns and costumes worn by Singaporean beauty queens on the international stage.
One costume in particular was worn in the 2018 Miss Universe pageant by Moe Kasim and was designed to mark the meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the country’s Capella Hotel.
Those of you who have a love for music can meanwhile head into the SingaPop room, which pays tribute to the nation’s beloved artists.
The first thing you’ll notice when you step inside is the large jukebox, and this isn’t just for display, as you can actually select and play songs from iconic local artists across the decades. This is where your wrist tag comes in—simply tap the tag onto the scanner and choose from a total of 30 songs.
Of course, there’s also room for love for film fanatics through the Screening Room. If you need to take a break, the area offers a cozy space where you can lounge on bean bags as clips from classic shows and films play on the screen like a mini cinema.
Last but not least, there’s SingaMakan, which highlights Singapore’s hawker centers and how they have played an essential role in bringing together cuisines and people from different communities.
The room boasts faithful replicas of various culinary settings, from carts selling local snacks and street food to modern canteens complete with a kitchen and cooking equipment. What caught our eye the most, however, was the replica of what appears to be Singapore’s own version of a sari-sari store, or what they call "mama shops."
Your SingaPop! journey will reach a vibrant climax through the exhibit’s immersive 360-degree room, SingaStories, which surrounds you with a seven-minute video that takes you through the country’s cultural evolution in music, fashion, art, and more over the past sixty years.
It will conclude as you pass through SingaVoices, which features a video of over 900 Singaporeans singing Lee’s beloved 1998 song Home remotely during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This served as a testament to Singapore’s resilience and how the song became a unifying anthem of hope and togetherness.
All in all, the SingaPop exhibit is a fun and meaningful addition to your itinerary if you’re keen on all things history and pop culture.
This exhibit is only temporary, however. You'll want to make time for it before it closes on Dec. 28.
Tickets can be bought on Klook and cost P1,335 from Mondays to Thursdays and P1,558 from Fridays to Sundays.
More activities throughout the year
If you think the celebration ends there, Singapore still has a lot in store to make your vacation one for the books.
If food trip is on the agenda, the Singapore Food Festival 2025 is where you'll want to be. This is your chance to sample a wide array of local flavors, from casual bites at bustling food trucks to exquisite creations by award-winning chefs. The festival runs until Sept. 24.
Meanwhile, from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5, the city is more vibrant, thanks to the Grand Prix. Singapore will be buzzing with race-themed festivities, from immersive pop-ups to exclusive dining experiences and unforgettable parties. Whether you're a die-hard racing fan or just looking for something new to experience, this is an event you won't want to miss.
And finallly, if you're looking for an activity this Halloween, prepare to scream at Universal Studios Singapore's Halloween Horror Nights, running from Sept. 26 to Nov. 1. Here, you'll come face-to-face with every ghoul, creature, and demon lurking in the shadows, and get to enjoy the rides as well!
With so much on offer, your biggest challenge will be deciding which event in Singapore to dive into first!