Whether it’s a high-energy dance festival or a winter wonderland in the heart of the city, it’s time to let our hair down, bid goodbye to 2023 and welcome the new year.
Extra•Ordinary Stars Fundraiser Concert
Dec 1; The Star Theatre
Extra·Ordinary People presents Extra·Ordinary Stars, an inaugural star-studded fundraising concert to empower less privileged youths with special needs to pursue their dreams and shine. Differently abled youths will perform alongside American magician Cyril Takayama and award-winning Taiwanese singer A-Lin as well as Singaporean talents Benjamin Kheng, Wheel Smith, violinist Zanna Phua, Adelyn Koh, John Chan, Isabelle Lim, and Daniel Teo. The concert will also feature Cantare Choir, Singapore Raffles Music College, Extra·Ordinary People’s Extra·Ordinary Light Orchestra, and others. Tickets can be purchased here.
Christmas Wonderland
Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024; Gardens By The Bay
This 10th edition of Christmas Wonderland is set to be more dazzling with a supersized fairground, more light displays and carnival rides. Presented by Trip.com, Christmas Wonderland will span more than 27,000 square metres with three zones: Supertree Grove, Frosty’s Fairground at The Meadow, and Gingerbread Grove.
Heartlands Festival
Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 31, 2024; islandwide
Heartlands Festival returns for its third edition under the banner of “Celebrating the Community”. The festival shines a light on Singapore’s heartlands as a treasure trove of vibrant neighbourhoods that have shaped the nation’s identity. Participants are encouraged to explore their neighbourhoods or venture into new grounds with interactive quests, themed races, heritage trails and exhibitions.
ZoukOut 2023
Dec 2 and 3; Siloso Beach, Sentosa
ZoukOut 2023 will once again take over the iconic Siloso Beach with DJ Martin Garrix and electronic music heavyweight Alesso as its headliners to the milestone 20th anniversary party. Also helming the deck is house music sensation Fisher, who will be performing for the first time in Singapore. Starting from sunset to sunrise, partygoers can expect the same high-energy tunes, world-class performances and spectacular sets.
Space Fest @ Expo
Dec 2 to 31; Singapore Expo
Space Fest @ Expo returns for its second edition with a cosmic array of family-friendly activities. About 10,000 square metres of exhibition hall space will be transformed into an intergalactic playground, featuring over 20 space-themed carnival rides by Singapore’s leading carnival organiser Uncle Ringo. Space explorers will set-off from a sci-fi spaceport and portal through to Galaxy World to take on giant astronauts, colliding meteorites, and gravity-defying rides.
The Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift
Dec 5 to 27; islandwide
The Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG) project is returning for its 36th year and will be reaching out to a record 45,431 beneficiaries this year, including 2,800 from ComLink for the first time in the project’s history. Help deliver BBSG Food Hampers to the homes of all its beneficiaries. Volunteers can drive their own vehicles, or borrow one for a few hours to help deliver the hampers. There will be three sessions daily, at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. For more information and registration details, visit www.bbshare.sg.
Jazz by the Cove
Dec 8 to 17; Sentosa Cove
Jazz by the Cove (part of the inaugural Sentosa Music Fest) offers a captivating journey through diverse jazz themes and genres across six themed nights. From soulful ballads to energetic grooves, each set features local and international performers such as Jeremy Monteiro, Alberto Marsico, Sheila Majid, Alemay Fernandez, and Michelle Poh for an enchanting experience.
Ice Magic
Dec 9, 2023 to Jan 21, 2024 
Asia’s largest touring pop-up winter playground returns on an epic scale, featuring a blizzard of thrilling snow and ice activities for an unforgettable arctic adventure. Try Singapore’s first-ever Merry-Go-Round on Ice, the Longest Snow Slope, Double-Lane Couple Ice Slide, a picturesque wooden cottage etc, perfect for the ’gram.
My Grandfather Came To Singapore in 1900s – Life in ChinatownTour
Dec 9; Chinatown Visitor Centre (starting point)
Embark on a journey with a young guide as he recounts stories of his Ah Gong (aka Grandfather) in Chinatown when he first arrived in Singapore. Learn about life in Chinatown in the 1900s, and see how forefathers of Singaporeans used to live, eat, work, and relax. Be ready to even pick up and learn some of the local terms in dialects while having fun touring ethnic quarters. Buy tickets here.
Crack The Case: Mind Hunter
Nov 10 to Dec 10 (every Thursday to Sunday); 42 Waterloo Street
Mind Hunter is a live immersive theatre experience where audiences are invited to delve into the psyche of an alleged psychopath to uncover the truth and save innocent lives. The story unfolds in five IG-worthy zones where you can explore freely. For the duration of the play, which is approximately 90 minutes, your goal is to solve the mystery before it is too late. You must be willing to dig into the nooks and crannies of the criminally insane, and your decisions have real ramifications.
Singapore International Film Festival
Nov 30 to Dec 10; various locations
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) returns for its 34th edition this year with over 100 films from 50 countries, including 20 world premieres. It opens with Tiger Stripes, the first Malaysian film to win the best feature prize at Cannes’ International Critics’ Week earlier this year. Three Singaporean films will also be competing in the prestigious Asian Feature Film Competition for the first time in 25 years.
Christmas Bake Sale by Crane Living
Dec 16 and 17; OCBC Wisma Atria
Treat yourself to an array of freshly baked delights, including cakes, cookies, and more, sourced from a diverse selection of independent Singapore-based businesses. Whether you’re seeking the perfect holiday treat or a thoughtful gift, this Christmas bake fair is your go-to destination for mouthwatering sweetness. Enjoy exclusive deals when you pay with an OCBC credit or debit card, or scan to pay via the OCBC Digital app. Merchants’ terms and conditions apply.
Japanese Film Festival
Oct 5 to Dec 20; various locations
The Japanese Film Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Singapore in a big way. With more than 27 films, including all-new contemporary hits, indie films and must-see retrospectives, this year’s festival will be the longest-running yet. The shows, screening from now till Dec 20, are shown at Shaw Theatres Lido, Asian Film Archive at Oldham Theatre, The Projector (Golden Mile Tower and Picturehouse), Our Tampines Hub and ArtScience Museum (more details will be revealed soon). There are live-action, animated, comedic films, as well as other film genres expressing uniquely charming, powerful, unsettling, and intimate stories of relationships.
Last Minute Fair by Crane Living
Dec 24 and 25; OCBC Wisma Atria
No excuses for not getting presents. Discover the perfect last-minute gifts and festive treasures at the Last Minute Fair. Dive into a world of unique finds, specially crafted by a diverse array of independent Singapore-based businesses. Enjoy exclusive deals when you pay with an OCBC credit or debit card, or scan to pay via the OCBC Digital app. Merchants’ terms and conditions apply.
Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2024
31 Dec; Marina Bay
Welcome 2024 with a bang, literally. Singapore’s largest countdown celebration promises an unforgettable experience for revellers of all ages and backgrounds, with a breathtaking fireworks show, inspiring light projections, and exciting attractions.
Christmas on A Great Street
Nov 16, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024; Orchard Road
Christmas on A Great Street, the signature year-end light-up of Orchard Road heralding the holiday season, returns for the 40th year with a street party, Christmas villages, carnival rides and games, pop-up stores and F&B kiosks. This year’s light-up theme “A Child’s Dreamscape” is a sweet one, featuring cotton candy clouds replete with Christmas trees, bells, teddy bears, reindeer, and candy canes.
Immersive Disney Animation
Nov 18 to Dec 31; Sands Theatre
Immersive Disney Animation celebrates 100 years of Disney animation excellence and promises to transport visitors into the dynamic and enchanting realms of beloved Disney characters. Sands Theatre will be transformed into a hybrid of an immersive, 3D environment throughout the 90-minute experience. Explore the art, music and animation techniques that have brought timeless classics like The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and The Lion King to life. Tickets for Immersive Disney Animation are now on sale via Marina Bay Sands Ticketing, Sistic and Trip.com.
Nintendo Pop-up Store
Nov 17, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024; Jewel Changi Airport
Fans of games such as Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon and Pikmin are in for a treat this Nov. For the first time in Southeast Asia, a Nintendo Pop-up Store in Singapore will open in Jewel Changi Airport for a limited time period, from Nov 17, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024. The Singapore store will feature merchandise from popular games which were previously only available at Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo Osaka, and Nintendo Kyoto stores.
Colour My World 2023
Nov 20, 2023 to Jan 31, 2024; online
The annual festive fundraiser campaign by the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) supports community-based services for over 7,000 persons with Intellectual disabilities and caregivers. For the first time this year, donors will receive unique tokens – Christmas Ornaments or Mandarin Orange Bags – specially designed by MINDS Craft trainees. Visit here to make a donation.
Jumptopia Playful Wonders
Nov 25, 2023 to Jan 7, 2024; Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Hall C
Kiztopia, Singapore’s mega-indoor edutainment playground, brings back its eagerly-awaited, annual festive bouncy castle wonderland, for the third consecutive year. Jumptopia Playful Wonders spans 45,000 square feet and features two carefully curated zones and 10 specially-designed giant inflatables for a fusion of adventure, culinary delights, and non-stop entertainment. For the first time, there is a dedicated non-ticketed zone for everyone to soak in the one-of-a-kind festive exuberance.
For Art’s Sake
Oct 14, 2023 to Jan 28, 2024; various locations
GOFY, a Singapore-grown creative community uniting urban artists from the Southeast Asian region, presents the second edition of For Art’s Sake with 80 artworks from 63 Southeast Asian urban artists installed in 21 commercial venues across the island. The contributing artists hail from six different countries across the region – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The exhibition offers a fresh take on how art is purchased, presented and circulated, making the encounter with art approachable and accessible by melding it with daily life. Artworks are available for purchase from $80.
LKY100 – The Boy Who Became Prime Minister
Now till Jan 14, 2024
Discover a different side of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at Children’s Museum Singapore’s exhibition, LKY100 – The Boy Who Became Prime Minister. The exhibition, held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Mr Lee’s birth, traces his story from childhood to his career as a statesman, and examines the values he espoused and the legacy he left behind.
Now Boarding: Experiencing Singapore through Travel, 1800s–2000s
Now till Feb 25, 2024; National Museum of Singapore
Come on board for an exhibition that traces the evolution of Singapore’s identity as a travel destination, through the lens of those who arrived at our shores from past to present. Get up close with a special selection of over 600 artefacts, including the iconic Changi Airport flight information display flip board, Raffles Hotel doorman uniform, and the Neptune Theatre Restaurant’s signage.
Ho Tzu Nyen: Time & the Tiger
Nov 24, 2023 to Mar 3, 2024; Singapore Art Museum
Ho Tzu Nyen: Time & the Tiger is possibly one of the most significant exhibitions this year. Presented by Singapore Art Museum (SAM), this is the Singaporean artist’s first mid-career survey exhibition highlighting his prolific artistic practice. Internationally acclaimed as a writer, visual artist and theatre-maker, Ho explores identity, storytelling and time in Asia, particularly after World War II.
New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed
Oct 21, 2023 to Mar 3, 2024; ArtScience Museum
ArtScience Museum opens a portal to extraordinary new worlds with its latest exhibition New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed. Visitors will be able to uncover new perspectives on the genre of science fiction, encountering multiple futures and alternative realms inspired by Asia’s rich history and culture. The contemporary art exhibition spotlights 24 Asian women artists and collectives, including some of the biggest names in contemporary art globally, such as Mariko Mori, Cao Fei, Patty Chang, Sputniko!, Lee Bul, Shilpa Gupta and Anicka Yi.
Gallery Children’s Biennale
Now till Mar 31, 2024, National Gallery Singapore
The 4th edition of Gallery Children’s Biennale 2023 is themed “Let’s Make a Better Place” and will showcase 11 art installations by international artists that spotlight four core values: Care, Collaborate, Imagine and Respect.
Chaos Lab
Nov 11 to second quarter of 2024 (exact date to be determined); Changi Airport Terminal 2
Chaos Lab, a wacky lab-themed experience, will debut at Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 on Nov 11 – just in time for the upcoming school holidays. Presented by Fever, a leading US-based entertainment discovery platform, families are invited to check out 11 interactive activities based on science themes. With each activity, kids are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild.
Ente Veedu, My Home: Malayalees in Singapore
Nov 25, 2023 to Sep 15, 2024; Indian Heritage Centre
This is the first exhibition of its kind to focus exclusively on the Malayalees’ heritage, culture, and identity. It features both intangible and tangible aspects of Malayalee history through artefacts and stories as well as a variety of community programmes.
Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail
Ongoing; Ang Mo Kio town
The refreshed Ang Mo Kio Heritage Trail, first launched by the National Heritage Board (NHB) in 2011, covers a total of 40 heritage sites and includes 10 heritage markers. The trail also reveals new stories about its history. Using fresh research and interviews with town residents, it examines the town’s transformation from plantations and farms to a bustling residential and commercial hub.
VibranSEA exhibition and Aquarist Lab
Ongoing; S.E.A Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa
Deepen your understanding of ocean life and aquatic systems at S.E.A. Aquarium’s two new experiences – VibranSEA and the Aquarist Lab. VibranSEA will offer greater insight into our oceans through art, science and educational displays. Over at the Aquarist Lab, visitors have a window, literally, into marine nursery habitats and plankton culture set-ups. It offers an intimate perspective into how aquarists breed, nurture and care for juvenile marine animals, and culture microorganisms.
