SINGAPORE — After years of grumbling and complaining about people not soaking in any experience without the need to go on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, we’ve finally seen the light. Hundreds of them, in fact, all glowing from handphones poised to capture images and comments to share on social media. And the Night Festival is undoubtedly one of the best events to do so, with its festive vibe and endless stream of spectacles to enjoy and capture.

Spread over two weekends beginning next Friday, this year’s edition branches out even further from its regular base around the National Museum of Singapore (NMS), Singapore Art Museum (SAM), Singapore Management University (SMU) and Armenian Street premises with a new Festival Village at the Cathay Green, and the National Design Centre at Middle Road.

This year’s theme is Bold & Beautiful, which captures what organisers are going for this year. “It will be a visually-stunning, moving and multi-sensory experience for all our visitors as we want them to experience the beauty of the different art forms,” said this edition’s creative director Christie Chua.

And by multi-sensory experience, she also means connecting via social media. “Other than extra cool points — and likes, of course — on Instagram and Facebook, sharing your festival experience through photos and videos is great way to connect with other festival-goers and check out what else is happening that you may be missing out on,” said Chua. “Do post up your selfies, Instagram videos, and pretty filtered photos with the hashtag #sgnightfest!”

There is, admittedly, a lot to choose from this year, from the headlining act William Close, who will transform the NMS facade into a huge “earth harp”; to the Night Lights array of light installations, complete with intriguing projections of images courtesy of Clement Briend’s Divine Trees installation. But here are 10 things to check out with your friends, family and, yes, your trusty handphone to get you through the night:

INTO THE STARLIGHT: What exactly is “flow arts”? You can discover for yourself courtesy of local arts collective Starlight Alchemy. And you can participate in some portions as well, such as AcroYogis (an “acrobatic partner yoga” presentation) and Illuminated Playtime (where you can play with the group’s LED tools like “poi” and “hoop”). Aug 22 and 23, 7.30pm to 12.15am, SMU (beside the School Of Information Systems).

ROVING PERFORMANCE ARTISTS: You’ll never know what to expect from performance artists — that’s the fun of it. Curator Daniela Beltrani brings together a group that will mingle among audiences with pieces that respond to the theme, Spread The Love. Aug 22 and 23, at various times, Armenian Street.

VERY LIGHT EXHIBITION – BE PRESENT: Over at the National Design Centre is something for the whole family — with its ceiling of white helium balloons that changes colour. You can add on to it with your own lit balloons or just lie down on the “grass” patch and space out. Aug 22 and 23, 29 and 30, 7pm to 2am, National Design Centre, Design Gallery 1

HOMEMADE: Aside from the visual spectacles, the festival will be bursting with musical performances. While you can always check out the cutting-edge line-up over at The Substation, Homemade is one of the festival’s popular fixtures. It’s a pretty varied bunch, too. The first weekend features hip-hop and R&B, with ShiGGa Shay, Vandetta, Masia One, Inverse Proportions, The Irietones and the mega-jam In The Grove Project (comprising 10 DJs and a whole bunch of musicians). The second weekend goes rock with The Pinholes, The Stoned Revivals, Lost Weekend and The Fast Colors. Aug 22 and 23, 8.30pm to 1am, and 29 and 30, 8pm to 12.30am, SMU Green.

DAYDREAMS AND NIGHTMARES: You have two options: Check out the prints on display in this show curated by printmaking studio Monster Gallery, which features works by 13 artists including the likes of PHUNK and Holycrap — or try out making one yourself by taking part in workshops. Aug 21 to 24, 28 to 30, noon to 11pm, The Substation Gallery. Workshops on Aug 22 and 23, 29 and 30, 7.30pm to 10.30pm, The Substation Gallery. S$12 (25 participants per session). Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Register at registration [at] substation.org by Aug 18.

**INSERT CAPTION PLEASE: Singapore artist Ryf knows what you’re thinking. Sort of. Step under his LED screen installation that looks like a giant speech bubble and randomly generated messages come out. Snap away! Aug 22, 23, 29 and 30, 7.30pm to 2am, NMS Front Lawn.

ALSOS*: The crowd at the main areas getting to you? Drop by Armenian Church, which has a couple of exhibitions, including this one from France’s Scenocosme. It’s an interactive “forest” installation where, with flashlights, you can point at fluorescent flowers that each play different melody. Aug 22, 23, 29 and 30, 7.30pm to 2am, Armenian Church

LIGHT UP NINJA: Singapore’s Lighting Detectives have two pieces at the festival. Here’s an interactive piece for the family. Using fluorescent pens and paints, create some glow-in-the-dark paintings, or create a small lantern or windmill as a keepsake. #familyofartists anyone? Aug 29 and 30, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, SOTA, West Plaza Steps

SINGAPORE PRO WRESTLING: Yes, you read that write. Wrestling. In the middle of the street. It’s going to be a riot. Aug 29 and 30, 10.15pm to 11.45pm, Armenian Street.

THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING: This Venice Biennale video installation piece by Ho Tzu Nyen has been up for some time now as part of SAM’s Medium At Large exhibition, but it’s one of those rare moments where it gets the “live” performance treatment courtesy of musicians Bani Haykal and Randolf Arriola. You shouldn’t miss this. But switch off your flash, okay? Aug 29 and 30, 9.30pm and 10.45pm, SAM Chapel.

***

SILENT MODE PLEASE

Of course, there are some things where it’s probably better to just switch off and soak it all in. Here are 5 picks.

FOLLIES FOR E BIRDS: Arts Fission’s site-specific dance piece inspired by the mythical half-human, half-bird kinnaree takes place at the National Museum’s Fashion Gallery. The installation will also be on display throughout the festival duration. Aug 22 and 23, 29 and 30, by the hour from 7pm, NMS, Level 2, Fashion Gallery.

FAT KIDS ARE HARDER TO KIDNAP: SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW. So how would you like to catch 31 plays in an hour? Better yet, you get to decide on the sequence of this rather interesting show by homegrown improve group How Drama. Aug 22 and 23, 7.30pm and 9.30pm, The Substation Theatre

ROM-COM FILM WEEKENDS: Wading through a crowd of thousands may not be the ideal situation for a date—so why not chope a space, stay put and enjoy these homegrown romantic comedy shorts courtesy of The Substation’s Moving Images programme? (Popcorn not included.) Aug 22 and 23, 7.30pm and 9.30pm, Hotel Rendezvous Courtyard; and Aug 29 and 30, 7.30pm and 9.30pm, The Substation Theatre.

SINGAPORE REALLY REALLY FREE MARKET: What’s the Night Fest without a pasar malam? Only this time, nothing is for sale and everything is for free. One of the most unusual events from art collective Post-Museum, the MO goes: If you’ve got things or services to give away, set up your own stall. And if something catches your fancy, you can have as well. Aug 29 and 30, 8pm to midnight, Armenian Street.

FESTIVAL VILLAGE: It’s what it says it is. The festival’s latest addition will house food and drinks stalls, a flea market, performance and screenings. There’s also an open mic night if you want to get in on the action. Aug 22, 23, 29 and 30, 7pm to 2am, Cathay Green.

***

The Singapore Night Festival 2014 is on Aug 22 and 23, 29 and 30, 7pm to 2am, at the Bras Basah and Bugis district. For more information, visit http://www.sgnightfest.sg. Check out what others have posted on our microsite Artlanders (http://tdy.sg/artlanders), and hashtag #artlanders.