Hands up if you’re still in the mood to work. Nope? Guessed as much. As we head into the holiday season proper, markets filled with festive buys and all sorts of Yuletide feasts begin to sprout everywhere like fairy lights on a Christmas tree. There’s no need to hold back – aspirations can wait until 2019 comes around.
The Weeknd
MARKET
Finally, you too can shop where the movers and shakers of Singapore come to gather. Private members club 1880 is opening its doors to the public for a one-day, special edition festive shopping pop-up called The 1880 General Store. Browse homegrown brands, artisanal aromatherapy products, designer handbags, alcohol and more. RSVP to [email protected] to enter. Dec 3
CONCERT
He’s gon’ and made it come true, y’all. Canadian R&B superstar and our homeboy The Weeknd is finally making his Asian debut at the end of the year, with stops in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok Seoul, Manila, Bali, Taipei and of course, Singapore. Abel Tesfaye, how could you have forgotten us all these years? Fret not, Starboy singer came through and he’ll be before the year ends. Dec 5
DRINK/FOOD
In this next edition of PS. Cafe’s wine dinner series, head over to their Palais Renaissance branch for a five-course wine pairing meal done in collaboration with one of Italy’s finest houses, Cordero di Montezemolo. Dec 5
FOOD
Everyone’s fav hangout spot Read Bridge will be the site for the inaugural Great Clarke Quay Feastival, a pop-up dining event where some of Clarke Quay’s best restaurants will be offering their signatures in a vibrant street food format. Over the four days, 15 outlets will set up shop on the bridge from 6pm-11pm offering dishes ranging from $10-$32. Dec 5-9
MAAD
MARKET
Original works only at the next Market of Artists And Designers (MAAD). Happening from 5pm till midnight, come meet some of the island’s most dexterous crafters, artists and designers as they hawk their handmade creations—ranging from ceramics to literature, fine art and accessories. There’ll also be an ongoing exhibition and beer for the thirsty. Dec 7
FESTIVAL
It’s gonna be big, it’s gonne be crazy, but most importantly, it’s gonna be a ton of fun as the largest adult playground in Singapore opens its doors over the whole weekend. GTFO! Festival 2018 is the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle course for adults; kinda like Ninja Warrior but soft and bouncy. Strictly for those aged 18 and above only. Dec 7-9
PARTY
Ever wanted to skate under the moonlit sky while grooving to tunes based on themed nights like movies, Kpop and electro? The first floor Outdoor Plaza outside VivoCity is turning into a giant skating rink this festive season for Viesta, where you get to skate to the music till you drop. Dec 7-25
THEATRE
A box-office hit in South Korea, Mandarin production Musical TARU features life-sized dinosaur skeletons, an impressive museum set and a catchy soundtrack that will have you singing along. You’ll find many familiar faces among the cast that is set to bring you on a big adventure promising plenty of laughs, tears and drama. Dec 7-Jan 13, 2019
THEATRE
If your words were the only thing a little girl could hang on to in this maddening world, what would you say to her? Find out in Charlie, a one-on-one interactive performance piece by artist Victoria Chen, where you, the audience, is the only one who will know the outcome of your words. Through Dec 7
DRINK/PARTY
Asia’s premier gin festival, the East Imperial Gin Jubilee, will be making its triumphant return to Singapore. For nine days, bartenders from participating bars will be concocting their best versions of G&Ts, where you then get to vote via social media which one is most deserving to be crowned the best. We’re most looking forward to the real highlight of the annual festival, Gin Lane, where gin brands and bars will banding together for a pop-up street party along one of Singapore’s alleyways. Through Dec 8
The Great Christmas Village
FILM
The island’s undisputed film event of the year, the Singapore International Film Festival, returns with another 100 or so critically acclaimed films—including Singapore’s own A Land Imagined by local filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua, which won the top prize at Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival 2018. Through Dec 9
THEATRE
Hard to believe it’s been 15 years since Wild Rice first blessed us with Christmas pantomimes. This year, the theater company is taking a step back from Chinese folk stories, and putting a local spin on a hallmark Christmas tale instead with A $ingapore Carol, a reinvented take on A Christmas Carol, complete with laughs, love, and some obvious cha-ching. Through Dec 15
FESTIVAL
The definitive way to get into the festive mood is a trip to Christmas Wonderland, now back for its fifth edition bigger and better. The European-style festival once again features giant luminaire structures, giant Christmas trees, Yuletide performances, markets, rides and more. Be sure to get lost in the 22-metre high luminarie mirror maze, making its debut appearance here. Through Dec 26
FESTIVAL
The massive Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza is back for the second time, and this year, they’re running it for longer. Over 42 days, there’ll be plenty to do, eat and drink thanks to a collab with Timbre. The homegrown F&B and music group will be in charge of the Food Village, where food kiosks by the likes of New Ubin Seafood and Two Wings will be set up. There’ll also be a Craft Beer Bar and performances from Timbre’s musicians too, naturally. Take a ride on the beautiful duplex carousel before you head home. Through Dec 26
In an Instant: Polaroid at the Intersection of Art and Technology
MARKET
Bugis Junction’s very own TommorowLand Christmas Market is landing along the mall’s level 1 event spaces, bringing with them over 20 food and drink stalls, retail booths and carnival game booths. Feel free to snap away at the pretty lights and decor. Through Dec 30
EXHIBITION
Get some sand beneath your feet while putting some art on your Insta feeds at Island Lights 2018, where massive neon light art installations are taking over sandy Palawan Beach till the end of the year. While you’re there, get snacks from the food kiosks and throw some shapes as live bands bring the tunes. Through Dec 31
FESTIVAL
While indulging in some festive shopping is no cardinal sin, why not do so more consciously at this plastic-free, sustainability-focused event that seeks to enrich your life at the same time. Held for the whole month, Loop is the first event of its kind here, where makers, crafters and growers alike gather to celebrate the pursuit of sustainability. Through Dec 31
EXHIBITION
This Christmas, the S.E.A. Aquarium is getting a glow-up, literally, as it gets transformed into a luminescent underwater world filled with glowing animals, stunning light art installations, and a first-of-its kind underwater LED dive appearance. Check out five different zones and interact with the displays while going oooh and ahhh as illuminated sea creatures swim by. Through Jan 6
THEATRE/FOOD
Remember how the toys all came to life in the story of The Nutcracker? Now you too can play a part in the magical Christmastime tale, as immersive theatre company Andsoforth brings the classic story to life in their latest theatrical feast, Marie and The Nutcracker. Journey through four rooms in a secret location with The Nutcracker himself, defeat the Mouse King, and reap your sweet rewards in the Kingdom of Sweets at the end. Through Jan 6
EXHIBITION
Diner/bar/community space Telok Ayer Arts Club’s next showcase, tell me how they kiss you, tell me how you kiss, is gonna be a raunchy one. Spanning multiple mediums, the eight-week exhibition features three local artists who will be presenting ceramic sculptures, paper drawings and photography accompanied by artist-led events and live music. Go for a sex toy workshop, listen in on an artist talk, or just chill with a themed cocktail (like the cheeky A Whole Lot of Head, a creamy, frothy take on the classic Ramos Gin Fizz) in hand. Through Jan 12, 2019
Minimalism: Space. Light. Object.
EXHIBITION
Local artist John Toh is showcasing watercolour pieces of iconic Singapore landmarks old and new, such as Temple Street, Keong Saik and the Supertrees, in a new solo exhibition titled Cityscapes, Ancient and Present. Held at Pan Pacific Singapore‘s public art space. Through Jan 28, 2019
EXHIBITION
Celebrating our hawker culture and protecting the men and women toiling behind each stall has never been more pertinent. Pledge your support to induct this beloved part of our everyday life into the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the travelling Our SG Hawker Culture Exhibition popping up at various hawker centres and community venues around Singapore. Through Jan 31, 2019
EXHIBITION
Peranakan Museum’s latest exhibition, Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography, delves into the Southeast Asian history of photography through the pictured lives of the Peranakan community in the region. Through Feb 3, 2019
EXHIBITION
From Cold Storage to Tiger Balm, come chart the evolution of print advertising in Singapore from the 1830s to 1960s at Selling Dreams: Early Advertising in Singapore. Aside from just print advertisements, the exhibition at the National Library also includes interactive multimedia stations for you to experience life as a consumer in early Singapore. Through Feb 24, 2019
EXHIBITION
Trace the Polaroid camera’s fascinating history at the National Museum of Singapore’s latest exhibition, In an Instant: Polaroid at the Intersection of Art and Technology, featuring over 200 Polaroid artefacts and artworks from the original collection. Through Mar 31, 2019
EXHIBITION
The ground-breaking Minimalism: Space. Light. Object exhibition spanning National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum traces the origins and evolutions of the Minimalist art movement, in more than 150 works loaned from all over the world. Check out our quick picks here. Through Apr 14, 2019
