What a year! We end 2024 with festive markets, immersive exhibitions, family-friendly activities, and of course, countdown parties. Enjoy the festivities!
New and noteworthy:
Singapore International Film Festival
Nov 28 to Dec 8; various locations
The 35th edition of the Singapore International Film Festival features a jam-packed line-up of over 30 Singaporean feature-length and short films during the festival’s run from Nov 28 to Dec 8. Films to look out for include opening film Stranger Eyes, a psychological thriller directed by Singaporean filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua; Spirit World, a supernatural drama by local filmmaker Eric Khoo, and City of Small Blessings directed by Wong Chen-Hsi, which adapts a local book by Simon Tay depicting the struggles of finding one’s identity in a crowded urbanscape.
Amazonia
Nov 22, 2024 to Mar 2, 2025; National Museum of Singapore
The latest exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore is a stark reminder of the world’s climate, a showcase of the fragility of the Amazon rainforest, and an urgent call for greater climate action today. Amazonia is an extraordinary photographic odyssey by internationally acclaimed Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado, transporting visitors into the heart of one of the world’s greatest ecosystems with over 200 images of his signature evocative medium of black-and-white photography.
Christmas Wonderland
Nov 29, 2024 to Jan 1, 2025; Gardens by the Bay
Ignite your senses this festive season at the 11th edition of Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair. It will feature an array of new immersive experiences, more light displays and festive performances, as well as the return of fan favourites that will delight visitors of all ages. Look forward to an expanded entertainment line-up which includes festive flash mobs and more choral performances than the previous edition of Christmas Wonderland.
A Universal Christmas
Nov 29, 2024 to Jan 1, 2025; Resorts World Sentosa
Part of Universal Studios Singapore’s A Universal Christmas, visitors will find themselves transported to the world of Wicked. At the Emerald City in the Land of Oz., they can meet iconic characters Elphaba, Glinda, and even The Wizard himself, and be a part of the daily hustle and bustle of the Emerald City life with photo spots featuring a recreation of The Hot Air Cafe Float on In, The Emerald Beautification Salon, and more.
SG Cares Giving Week
Dec 1 to 7; Online and in-person
The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, in collaboration with the SG Cares Office and National Council of Social Service, has launched the annual SG Cares Giving Week (SCGW) to encourage individuals, groups and organisations to give to charitable causes during this season of giving. Under the theme ‘Everyone Can Give’, close to 50 giving opportunities will take place during SCGW 2024 involving partners from the corporate and non-profit sectors, to provide Singaporeans diverse avenues to contribute to causes that they support. For more information, visit www.giving.sg/giving-week.
The Art of Banksy: Without Limits
From Dec 5; 25 Scotts Road
Fans can now experience Banksy’s provocative artworks up close at the exhibition The Art of Banksy: Without Limits. Custom-built to fit the unique Singapore venue spanning 1,200 square metres, the exhibition includes several experiential areas and more than 170 of the artist’s works such as certified originals, prints, photos, lithographs, sculptures, murals, and video mapping installations specially created for this tour.
World Christmas Market Singapore
Dec 5 to 25; The Promontory@Marina Bay
Look forward to a twinkling magical landscape with Christmas melodies filling the air. Visitors can shop amidst glittering adornments and towering Christmas trees that create a vibrant tapestry of seasonal cheer, and explore stalls offering handcrafted treasures and a range of traditional Christmas treats with local and Asian favourites. Live festive entertainment such as The Christmas Musical and Roving Carollers will keep everyone entertained.
Merry Market
Dec 6 to 9; New Bahru
Merry Market will feature over 30 emerging local brands across the School Hall and Factory spaces at New Bahru. A discovery ground for Singapore entrepreneurs and creatives, brands will span beauty, food, fashion, home and pet care including brands that have been strictly online-only. For the ‘extra curious’, over 15 crafty workshops have been curated for guests.
Archive Collective Fashion Archive Market
Dec 7; HighHouse
Archive Collective is a one-of-a-kind fashion archive market that’s set to take over HighHouse for one day only. Coinciding with the nightlife and culinary destination’s first anniversary activities, Level 62 will be transformed into a marketplace offering fashion enthusiasts the exclusive opportunity to shop pre-loved designer pieces from some of Singapore’s most influential names in the industry such as Jamie Chua, Rachel Wong, Calista Cuaca, Carrie Wong, Carol Loo and Jumius Wong, stylists like Joshua Cheung, Furqan Saini and more. Entry is free.
Singapore Comic Con and Creators Con
Dec 7 to 8; Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Celebrate the best of Western and Asian pop culture at Singapore Comic Con. From toys, collectables, comics and gaming to cosplay, there will be exciting activities such as fan-based zones, cosplay competitions, a tabletop gaming arena and a pop culture food zone. Meanwhile, the Creators Con will provide a dedicated space for content creators to connect, share their experiences, and inspire the next generation of creators. Highlights include guest appearances by illustrator Yuko Shimizu and cosplayer Rurusama, and four new Made-with-Singapore games that will be making their debut.
Crossing Cultures
Dec 6 to 8; Asian Civilisations Museum
Deep dive into Asia’s rich heritage at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)’s festive weekend. Have a picnic on ACM Green with upbeat performances by local arts groups or sign up for festive workshops where you can learn to make culinary treats like ang ku kueh, or create your own cocktail with Native Bar. Learn about holiday traditions with the Filipino Association of Singapore by sampling bibingka (traditional Christmas rice cakes) or decorating parols (Christmas lanterns from the Philippines). Families with little ones can look forward to a variety of drop-in activities, including learning the art of miniatures and creating ACM-inspired models in a festive ornament workshop led by art studio Tinysnips. They can also decorate their own mini-model pagoda and contribute to a community display inspired by ACM’s ongoing special exhibition Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco.
Food-themed scented wrapper installation
Dec 7 to 8; VivoCity (outside of FairPrice Xtra at B2)
FairPrice is offering limited-edition food-themed scented wrappers for the first time ever to elevate the holiday gift-giving experience. If you missed the Christmas Salad and Raspberry Chocolate-scented wrappers that were dispensed at an installation at FairPrice Finest Clarke Quay, you can still get Cherry Pie scented gift wrappers outside FairPrice Xtra at VivoCity. They can also be redeemed with a minimum spend of $50 in a single receipt.
The Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift Project
Dec 10 to 27; islandwide
Have a meaningful holiday season this year by volunteering with The Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG) Project to deliver food hampers and fulfil the Christmas wishes of 51,185 beneficiaries across Singapore. Make a real difference by volunteering for door-to-door deliveries to beneficiaries. BBSG’s red food hampers are packed with essentials including rice, beverages, and canned halal food. For more information and registration details, visit www.bbshare.sg.
Behind the Canvas Series 1: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Dec 16, 2024 to Mar 6, 2025; Marina Bay Sands, Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Making its official debut in Singapore, the immersive experience will showcase a myriad of iconic art pieces by renowned New York artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. The art exhibition is reimagined through interactive installations, rare archival materials, and multisensory experiences, and visitors will be able to step into Basquiat’s creative world, uncovering his inspirations, artistic evolution, and the thought-provoking themes of identity, race, and social dynamics that defined his work.
EOY J-Culture Festival
Dec 21 and 22; Suntec City Convention Centre
EOY J-Culture Festival 2024 returns bigger and better than ever. Now spanning two halls this year, Singapore’s largest Japanese pop culture celebration offers fans an immersive experience packed with vibrant performances, creative showcases, and cultural activities. With international guest artistes, over 30 daily Stage Performances, a vibrant Creators’ Alley with 250 exhibitors, and engaging fringe activities like cultural workshops and gaming zones, this is the ultimate gathering for J-pop, anime, and cosplay fans.
Marina Bay Singapore Countdown
Dec 26 to 31; Marina Bay
The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown returns with a collection of festivities to usher in 2025. This year’s countdown is part of the ONE Countdown series of celebratory events islandwide organised to commemorate Singapore’s 60th birthday. Festivities have already begun at Marina Bay with illumi — one of the world’s largest light and multimedia show. From Dec 26 to 31, see a new series of Brightening Lives light projections on The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, featuring artworks by artists with disabilities. Then catch free music performances at the Esplanade Concourse and the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre. The festivities will culminate in spectacular fireworks displays which will light up the sky around the Bay on New Year’s Eve to bid farewell to 2024.
Mediacorp Let’s Celebrate 2025 countdown show
Dec 31; Singapore Sports Hub
Organised by Mediacorp in partnership with Singapore Sports Hub, the celebration will feature fun-filled activities for all ages and a dynamic mix of live music performed by homegrown talents. Partygoers can jump into the celebrations early with fun, family-friendly activities from 5.00pm at the Stadium Riverside Walk. At midnight, the evening will culminate in Singapore’s longest single countdown fireworks display this year that will illuminate the sky to usher in 2025.
Countdown 2025 Celebration Concert
Dec 31; Resorts World Ballroom, Resorts World Sentosa
Ring in 2025 with a dazzling New Year’s Eve concert at Resorts World Sentosa’s Countdown 2025 Celebration features the globe-trotting seven-piece pop band Groove Thang! alongside tribute acts by Katy Ellis channelling Katy Perry’s chart-toppers, and Bruno and the Hooligans delivering Bruno Mars’ greatest hits from “Uptown Funk” to “24K Magic”. Get ready to welcome the new year with a high-tempo musical extravaganza!
Ongoing events:
Becoming Lim Tze Peng
Oct 25, 2024 to Mar 23, 2025; National Gallery Singapore
An exhibition featuring over 50 artworks from Singapore’s oldest living artist and Cultural Medallion Winner, Lim Tze Peng, is now happening at the National Gallery Singapore. Becoming Lim Tze Peng dives deep into the legacy of the 103-year-old calligrapher and painter who was duly recognised with the country’s highest arts award in 2003 for his pioneering artistic achievements. Lim’s artistic evolution across the decades is chronicled in its entirety, with the exhibition drawing both from the artist’s personal collection of oeuvres – dating back to as early as 1946 – and the public coffers.
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic
From Nov 22; Resorts World Sentosa
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic will open for the first time in Asia at Resorts World Sentosa on Nov 22 where it will bring to bear more than 40,000 square feet of unabashed Harry Potter magic. The experience includes ten environments, two of which are debuting for the first time in Singapore. Visitors will hear whispers of Parseltongue in The Chamber of Secrets and access a series of chambers protecting a legendary treasure beyond The Trap Door.
Glacier Luge, Rainbow Frosty Playground and Snow Village
Ongoing; Snow City
Snow City, Singapore’s first indoor snow centre located in Jurong, has elevated its signature winter wonderland experience with loads of new attractions. Slide down the new three-storey, 120-metre glacier luge, explore the 30-metre-long Rainbow Frosty Playground made entirely of solid coloured ice blocks, and experience real snowfall at the Snow Village.
Everyday Practices
Aug 30, 2024 to Jul 20, 2025; Singapore Art Museum
Everyday Practices is the inaugural exhibition at Singapore Art Museum (SAM)’s new collection gallery at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, marking the opening of a dedicated space featuring artworks from the SAM collection that reflect contemporary global practices and life today. The exhibition features 21 artworks from 19 artists and one artist collective from 10 countries across Asia, whose practices span different generations and media. It delves into the themes of everyday life, examining the repetitive nature of daily activities and the physical endurance they demand. Visitors can discover how everyday actions can be transformed into meaningful gestures amidst adversity. The public can also look forward to a variety of programmes and activities designed to foster diverse conversations inspired by SAM’s collection.
Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience
From Aug 31; Singapore Expo
Following its world premiere in Milan and expansion into the USA, Brussels and London, Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience is making its Asia-Pacific debut in Singapore in August. The surreal and colourful interactive experience invites guests to escape into a whimsical world of bubbles, in which they can engage their senses and let their imaginations run wild.
Teo Eng Seng: We’re Happy. Are You Happy?
Sep 6, 2024 to Feb 2, 2025; National Gallery Singapore
This is the largest and most in-depth survey on Cultural Medallion recipient and pioneer artist Teo Eng Seng to date. Featuring close to 70 artworks that respond to global social-political events of the mid-20th century, visitors can peek into Teo’s own lived experiences and his contributions to the local visual arts scene. Discover how he transforms everyday materials into vibrant works of art, embedding humour and irony into his socially engaged practice.
illumi
From Sep 13; Bayfront Event Ground
The world’s largest light, sound and multimedia event illumi will make its international premiere at Bayfront Event Ground from Sep 13, and promises to be an unforgettable experience for all ages with plenty of photo ops for the ’gram. Experience immersive spaces, magical landscapes and lifelike animatronics throughout the nine themed worlds.
Kim Lim: The Space Between. A Retrospective
Sep 27, 2024 to Feb 2, 2025; National Gallery Singapore
This exhibition shines a light on one of Singapore’s most prominent female artists, Singapore-born British artist Kim Lim. It features over 150 works, including critical sculptures and prints spanning four decades, as well as maquettes, never-before-seen photographs, and archival materials. The artworks and archival materials provide fresh insights into Lim’s artistic journey, influences, philosophy, and creative relationships and how her Asian heritage and extensive travels profoundly shaped her practice to transcend cultural boundaries and spark novel explorations of sculpture.
This article was first published on Oct 30, 2024.
