Families looking for a weekend activity can visit OneSG61 with Antica, a two-day community carnival taking place at Perennial Business City on 22 and 23 August 2026.
The free event brings together carnival attractions, performances and community organisations, alongside the final stages of the ANTICA Singapore International Challenge 2026. While the badminton tournament began earlier in the week on 18 August, it continues through the weekend and concludes on Sunday, 23 August.
The event’s main point of difference is its attempt to place international competition, youth development and adaptive sport within the same programme. For visitors, this means the weekend offers more than a conventional family carnival or badminton tournament.
What visitors can expect at the carnival
OneSG61 with Antica runs from 12pm to 8pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the carnival is free.
Activities include carnival rides, bouncy castles, arcade and interactive games, food stalls, busking and live stage performances. A lion dance competition featuring 17 teams is also expected to be among the weekend’s highlights.
The variety may make the event suitable for families whose members have different interests. Children can take part in carnival activities, while visitors interested in sport can watch the badminton programme taking place within the same development.
An optional limited-edition goodie bag is available for S$2 when booked in advance through Eventbrite or S$3 at the event, while stocks last. It includes credits that can be exchanged for a ride or food item and an entry into the lucky draw.
As with any large family event, parents may want to consider the heat, crowds and noise levels before attending. Bringing water, allowing time for breaks and avoiding an overly packed itinerary can make a busy outing more manageable, particularly for toddlers or children who become overstimulated easily.
The badminton tournament enters its final stages
The ANTICA Singapore International Challenge 2026 is a Badminton Asia and Badminton World Federation-sanctioned tournament held at Wyse Active Hub from 18 to 23 August.
It features men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches, with a total prize purse of US$33,800. The tournament’s closing rounds take place over the OneSG61 weekend, rather than the entire competition beginning with the carnival.
More than 50 Singaporean players entered the tournament, according to the organisers. This gives local competitors the opportunity to face overseas players without the costs and logistics of travelling to another country.
For families, watching part of a live competition can be a useful way to introduce children to badminton before committing to formal lessons. A child who has only encountered a sport through short videos or school activities may find it easier to understand the pace, rules and atmosphere after seeing it played in person.
However, showing an interest during an event does not necessarily mean a child is ready for regular training. Parents can first consider how to prepare their child for their first sports class, including explaining what the session will involve and allowing the child to ask questions before attending.
Adaptive badminton shares the main stage
Sixteen teams from Special Olympics Singapore and Team ABC are expected to participate in an adaptive badminton showcase during the wider event.
Special Olympics Singapore provides year-round sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Team ABC is an inclusive badminton initiative for adults with intellectual disabilities, including autistic adults.
Placing adaptive matches within the central sporting programme matters because disability sport is often presented as a separate demonstration rather than part of the main event. Here, athletes with different abilities will use the same competitive setting as youth and international players.
This gives spectators a broader view of what participation in sport can look like. Ability, enjoyment and progress do not need to be measured against one standard, and not every person needs to pursue the same level or style of competition.
It may also help parents think beyond the usual distinction between team sports and individual sports. The suitability of an activity can depend just as much on the coaching environment, sensory demands, social expectations and adaptations available.
An exhibition match featuring local and international names
The programme also includes an exhibition match involving Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong.
He is expected to play alongside Indonesian badminton player Hendra Setiawan, Singapore Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold medallist Terry Hee and PT Djarum CEO Victor Hartono.
Setiawan’s career includes an Olympic gold medal, four world championship titles, two Asian Games gold medals and two All England titles. His participation gives recreational spectators the chance to see an established international player outside a conventional high-pressure tournament match.
The exhibition is part of the event’s effort to bring political representatives, corporate leaders and professional athletes into a shared community programme. However, the more relevant aspect for most visitors will be whether the appearance helps make elite badminton feel more accessible to families and younger players.
Supporting participation beyond the court
Antica Community Development and Services Limited, the registered charity behind the event, works with seniors, young people, former offenders and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Community groups involved in the weekend include organisations working in active ageing, disability inclusion, rehabilitation, health and community wellbeing. Ultimate Friends, a group supporting drug rehabilitation and community reintegration, is among those participating.
Artists from MINDS also helped to create visual materials for the carnival and tournament. The collaboration provides artists with intellectual disabilities with a paid or professional-style platform to contribute their work to a large public event, rather than limiting their involvement to attendance or beneficiary programmes.
The organisers expect approximately 5,000 people to attend across the two days. Visitors with young children or family members who are sensitive to crowds may prefer to arrive earlier, identify quieter areas and leave room in the schedule for rest.
Event details
Event: OneSG61 with Antica
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, 22–23 August 2026
Time: 12pm–8pm
Venue: Perennial Business City, 1 Venture Avenue, Singapore 608521
Admission: Free
Optional goodie bag: S$2 with advance registration or S$3 at the event, while stocks last
Badminton tournament: ANTICA Singapore International Challenge 2026, concluding on 23 August at Wyse Active Hub
Registration: Register through Eventbrite
Website: https://antica.sg
Images: Antica
Trevor Klass
Melissa Fann
Natasha Mitter
