Wines, beers and locally distilled gin will flow freely this Black Friday weekend, with all the parties happening, a craft tap takeover, and the long-awaited return of Pinot Palooza. It’s also the ultimate weekend of exclusive food pop-ups by big names like Guinness and Shiok Shack, so come hungry.
Friday, Nov 23
PARTY
Brass Lion Distillery is finally ready to throw its doors open to the public, so come celebrate with smooth, locally distilled G&Ts (the Signatures go at $10 nett all night), hands-on fun at the DIY Gin bar, and infectious beats by DJ YA5TH and DJ Aurora. Nov 23
CIRCUS
The Great Moscow Circus has come to town (their first time in over a decade), and you won’t want to miss catching some of the world’s most dangerous acts and high-energy performances from the stands of the big top erected at the Bayfront. Through Nov 23
PARTY
The next in-store music event at White Label Records will make you nostalgic for the heyday of Asian groove music: Ready Set A Go Go promises a night of Nanyang a-go-go, garage, psyche, Melayu-Indo soul funk, Chinese disco, pop yeh yeh and everything in between—and all on vinyl. Featuring the personal collection of host-DJ Itch. Nov 23
PARTY
We know the drill when it comes to silent discos—choose from three different headsets that corresponds to three different DJs belting out their own soundtracks live. Turning the fun factor up to a hundred this Friday though, the guys from Silent Disco Asia are throwing a dance party at Airzone; yes, that massive hanging ball pit housed within City Square Mall. So get ready to dance, bounce, and have a ball of a time. Nov 23
DRINK/FOOD
Calling all mofos out there, online wine delivery service Vinomofo is throwing a wine dinner unlike any other, partnering with local Peranakan favourite Violet Oon Satay Grill and Bar at Clarke Quay for a one-night only event. Enjoy a three-course dinner paired with premium vinos, saber a Champagne bottle, and be treated to a wine tasting while blindfolded. Nov 23
FOOD/DRINK
The same guys behind Good Luck Beerhouse have opened sister shop Good Luck Provisions across the road, and they’re throwing an all-you-can-eat boil party paired with a pint from their taps. Time to go cray cray. Nov 23
MARKET/DRINK
Thirsty Craft Beer Shop is holding their first ever Black Friday sale, with 10% off the entire range of craft lagers, wines, ales and ciders. Free samples available on the day to help you make better choices; time to stock up. Nov 23
PARTY
A Fung Kee Hotdogs and NINETEEN80 collab? Sounds like a recipe for an epic night. Over two Fridays, get to have some of the best grub in town paired with unadulterated Negronis and 8bit arcade games, all while DJ Joshua P dishes out soul and funk. Nov 23, 30
MARKET
Speaking of Black Friday—if you find yourself running out of clothing options, here’s a guiltless way to have your wardrobe updated instead of nipping out for a bit of retail therapy. The Green Friday Swap by Swapaholic will be happening at Mandarin Gallery, where some of Singapore’s fashion influencers (proper ones) will be stocking their pre-loved items for you to swap with theirs. Nov 23-25
FESTIVAL/WELLNESS
Detox from all that bad energy of 2018 at the inaugural Love & Light Festival, and pick up wellness products like aromatherapy oils while you’re at it. Don’t forget to stop by the Tarot Card and Oracle Card Reading corner to peer into what 2019 holds. Nov 23-25
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. Nov 23-Dec 15
Make a date with the local plays and productions happening till the end of the year.
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. Nov 23-Jan 6
Saturday, Nov 24
Photo credit: Colossal
PARTY
Sunshine Nation’s signature speakeasy Electro Ball is back, to celebrate the glamorous Hong Kong of the 1920s and ‘30s. At the equally elegant Madame Fan, enjoy an immersive dance show and pop-up showroom by Singapore-based Lisa Von Tang; then party the night away with tunes by Orio and DJ French Chris, and drinks from Glenfiddich. Nov 24
CONCERT
A mainstay of the Arts Weekend Civic District, the super chill Music@Empress is a free concert featuring a soulful mix of rising Singaporean artists who’ll be laying the soundtrack for a nice weekend out on the lawn with loved ones. Grab a picnic mat and some snacks as you enjoy alt R&B vibes from Houg, the lush atmospheric soundscapes and vocals of Bennett Bay and wistful musical musings of Theodora. Nov 24
DRINK
Oenophiles and raving alcoholics alike, here’s another major wine festival you’ll wanna check out in case you need to recover from the unadulterated vino bash that is the Singapore Wine Fiesta. Following its 2017 sold-out debut, Pinot Palooza will be back in Singapore, this time held at TheatreWorks. Nov 24
PARTY
Watch Arab Street transform into a buzzing performance venue of music, arts and culture at the inaugural Kampong Gelam Heritage Day Out. Organised to celebrate Singapore’s vibrant heritage, the one-day affair will feature talks and tours of the historic district’s iconic landmarks, workshops by local shopkeepers, a movie screening, live music and more. Nov 24
PARTY
Electric Feel from the EATMEPOPTART crew returns for another smashing round of ‘80s hits, this time at Hard Rock Cafe. For a night of one-hit wonders and the greatest kings and queens of the ‘80s, you know where to go. Nov 24
DRINK
The newest local craft brewery in town Pink Blossoms Brewing is doing a four-tap takeover at Good Luck Beerhouse. Come meet the founder over dim sum, music and good local brews—a New England Pale Ale, Galaxy Pale Ale, Milk Stout and Saison. Nov 24
FOOD
Pop-up burger concept Shiok Shack is back with another gastronomic collab; they’ll be serving delish cheesy burgers at MOJO Singapore paired with ice-cold Belgian craft beers from The Belgian After Work. Nov 24
FESTIVAL
Casio is celebrating its 35th anniversary with G-SHOCK G-FEST, a two-day festival of live music from the likes of Sam Rui and Caracal, graffiti demos and upcycling workshops, and a special showcase of the limited-edition anniversary watches. Nov 24-25
FOOD/DRINK
Love good roasts and exquisite fare? Paired with ice-cold Guinness draught? For a glorious selection of beers and eats, flock to Emily Hill for the inaugural The Great Grill Out by Guinness, where some of the hottest names in the biz will be manning the fire pit. Every ticket comes with a pint of velvety smooth Guinness, but there’ll be other beers on tap too. Nov 24-25
PARTY
Tan Boon Liat’s block party (#TBLblockparty) is back for its second edition with 36 participating furniture brands. For those unfamiliar with this underrated gem of a 15-storey building, all you need to know is that it is where many independent furniture stores call home. And for one weekend, they are all banding together for an open house filled with drinks, food and plain good vibes. Nov 24-25
FOOD
MasterChef Australia 2018 winner Sashi Cheliah is coming home to Singapore to cook for us all. Come hang with him at habitat by honestbee, where after his cooking demos, you can pick up the exact ingredients used. Nov 24-25
Sunday, Nov 25
THEATRE
After being murdered earlier this year in Shakespeare in the Park’s Julius Caesar, Jo Kukathas will see more blood at the Singapore premiere of Guards At The Taj, staged by the Singapore Repertory Theatre. The award-winning play by American dramatist Rajiv Joseph is a dark comedy revolving around a myth behind the Taj Mahal’s legendary construction—one that may or may not diminish its rep as a Seventh Wonder of the World. Through Dec 1
FOOD
Whip out your camera phones people, the Marina Square Whimsical Food Fair is back for the second time this year with even more Insta-worthy eats than before. Who cares what others say when there be 3D cake pops, syringe desserts, multi-coloured churros, edible balloons and cups of ramen for the taking? Through Nov 25
ARTS
In line with how arts and culture shouldn’t be just pensive museum visits, this year’s Arts In Your Neighbourhood by the National Arts Council returns for the 11th time with an expansive suite of over 70 curated activities in 18 locations nationwide. Time for the heartlands to shine. Through Nov 25
FILM
Singaporean filmmaker Shilpa Krishnan Shukla’s latest feature film Tashi has already bagged 10 awards at film festivals across India. Catch the English-Hindi family drama in its Singapore premiere at The Projector, at 3pm and 5.10pm. Nov 25
FILM
Bar Canary is screening the classic chick flick 10 Things I Hate About You, a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of The Shrew. Nov 25
FOOD/DRINK
It’s dining enclave Dine at Stevens‘ first year anniversary and all 11 establishments are coming together for a month-long celebration. Throughout the month of November, get to enjoy signature eats and drinks from each restaurant or bar for just $11. Through Nov 30
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
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
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
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
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 titeld Cityscapes, Ancient and Present. Held at Pan Pacific Singapore‘s public art space. Through Jan 28, 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
