As the weather cools, the month of October welcomes plenty of family-friendly activities, heritage walks, music festivals and Halloween parties for all ages.
Singapore Design Week 2023
Sep 21 to Oct 1; various locations
The theme for Singapore Design Week (SDW) 2023 “Better by Design” celebrates DesignSingapore Council’s 20th anniversary by bringing its motto to life over 11 days and more than 80 events during the festival. A new festival highlight is the Design Districts where each district will reflect the unique character and charm of its community, and offer a wealth of immersive design experiences within walking distance.
Shop Small Pop-Up Market
Sep 25 to Oct 1; Suntec City Atrium (Tower 1 and 2)
Shop Small began as a movement founded by American Express in 2010 to ignite passion for small and local businesses and to encourage shoppers to support them. This pop-up features 16 local businesses such as Creamier, Woods in the Books and Drips Bakery, as well as social service agency ART:DIS. There will also be a slew of activities led by local businesses such as candle- and jewellery-making workshops, and kid-friendly events. American Express Card Members who spend S$50 or more at the pop-up will receive a goodie bag of Shop Small vouchers and limited-edition merchandise (worth over $130) designed by local artists.
5 Of A Kind Street Art Festival 2023
Sep 29 to Oct 1; Downtown East
Dive into creativity and diversity at this three-day street art festival with local and international artists. Celebrate the vibrant tapestry of urban subcultures, from dance, music and street art to fashion and food, as it kicks off its anticipated second edition at D’Marquee @ Downtown East.
Clay Camp
Sep 27 to Oct 3; various locations
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Mud Rock will be hosting its first five-day Clay Camp and offering participants Masterclasses with award-winning master ceramicists, alongside lectures, career talks, live demonstrations, and guided museum tours. Clay Camp will be free for public visitors, with some ticketed events. Those who want the full experience can get the Clay Camp All-access Tickets for $350 where they can enjoy privileged perks and priority access to all Clay Camp programmes.
World Food Fair
Sep 28 to Oct 1; Singapore EXPO
Take your tastebuds on a journey to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam and a host of other popular food destinations under one roof. Explore a plethora of international delights at wallet-friendly prices, including Unagi Rice Bowls by Ishiro, Indian Claypot Rice from Seni Satti Sorru and Penang Asam Laksa from D’Laksa. Look out for promotions, new launches and freebies at the fair, such as Skinnie Biscotti flavours from The Cookies Factory, as well as Gsure – the first low GI plant-based complete nutrition beverage in the market.
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.
Hokkien Lam Ann Cultural Festival
Sep 29 to Oct 8; 30 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore Lam Ann Association presents the country’s first-ever Singapore Hokkien Lam Ann Cultural Festival, a celebration of the colourful culture and storied heritage of Nan’An province in Fujian, China. The festival will be a jamboree of Lam Ann cuisine, history and arts, with close to 20 food stalls peddling a variety of over 40 Hokkien signatures, as well as lively lineup of cultural activities and family workshops.
StoryFest
Oct 6 to 7; Civic District
StoryFest 2023 returns in a refreshing new format with Story Walk, an outdoor storytelling experience of local stories set against the rich backdrop of the Civic District. Presented and organised by Arts House Limited and The Storytelling Centre Limited, Story Walk is a unique and specially curated outdoor roving walking experience along the riverside to rediscover the beauty of the arts and culture precinct through storytelling, shining the spotlight on iconic monuments, institutions and public spaces in the district.
Baybeats 2023
Oct 6 to 8; Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
The biggest indie rock and alternative music festival is back, better than ever this year – and is still free! Baybeats’ 22nd edition will feature a fusion of homegrown and international acts, supported by new partnerships with overseas music festivals and footwear brand Keen. It has also partnered with two renowned East Asian festivals this year: Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards and Festival and Hong Kong’s Ear Up Music Festival, so fans can enjoy even more global acts.
LKY: The Experience
Oct 6 to Dec 31; 11 Prinsep Link
Delve into the life of Lee Kuan Yew at LKY: The Experience, an immersive experience that re-creates his memories, milestones and motivations in a novel journey through time. Explore over 20 rooms across three zones, each unlocking a chapter to pull back the curtain on a lesser known side of Lee Kuan Yew as a child, a student, a husband and a statesman. The stories are told through interactive installations, multimedia displays and hands-on activities to initiate a meaningful and entertaining experience that celebrates his extraordinary life and work.
Sentosa Festive Market by Sunday Social
Oct 7 and 8; Palawan Beach Walk, Sentosa
Sentosa Festive Market celebrates Children’s Day with a playful and educational outdoor weekend market. This special edition features a selection of kid-friendly vendors and activities, as well as a “mini entrepreneurs” initiative where children between seven and 14 years old get to experience entrepreneurship and showcase their business skills while learning about environmental choices. It’ll be a weekend of family-friendly fun, community spirit, and eco-conscious discoveries.
The Macallan Colour Collection Showcase
Oct 7 to 11, ArtScience Museum
The Macallan is bringing its immersive art exhibition to Singapore from Oct 7 to 11 at the ArtScience Museum. The brand celebrates its newest travel retail exclusive whisky range, The Colour Collection, and its exclusive partnership with world-renowned artist and graphic designer, David Carson. Highlights include a Time Tunnel that takes guests through the maturation process of whisky, and the Exploration of Colours, which is an immersive and textural showcase that brings Carson’s work on The Macallan to life using augmented reality (AR).
The Conscious Festival
Oct 13 to 15; South Beach
The Conscious Festival brings together the best local and international conscious brands, experts, entrepreneurs, and business owners working hard to make meaningful changes in their industries. It will also feature live performances, art installations, interactive exhibits that probe and educate, and a Conscious Festival F&B village with vegan street food, sustainable beer, organic wines, and conscious alcohol-free cocktails.
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.
Gateway to Hell
Oct 14 to 31; Orchardgateway
Shoppers at this event are invited to a 1960s-themed haunted house in a bid to stop a demonic schoolgirl from wreaking havoc in our world. With six curated zones, a photo booth and a Virtual Reality room, this first-ever haunted house installation at Orchardgateway will bring guests up close and personal with familiar yet unsettling characters of the time and in fantastically detailed settings — albeit in new, spine-chilling iterations — as they venture through to stop the evil spirit.
FairPrice Xtra Beer, Wine and Spirits Fest
Oct 16 to 22; VivoCity Central Court 2
Oct 16 to 31; FairPrice Xtra stores
The FairPrice Xtra Beer, Wine and Spirits (BWS) Fest will be happening at all nine FairPrice Xtra stores from Oct 16 to Nov 1. As part of the festival, a large-scale, first-of-its-kind BWS atrium fair will also take place at VivoCity in Oct. More than 400 types of beers, wines, spirits and sakes will be on sale at discounted prices. Sample up to 120 different offerings, sign up for Wine and Spirits Masterclasses to learn about different types of alcohol, and enjoy special promotions and gifts.
German Film Festival
Oct 19 to Nov 4; The Projector and Singapore Botanic Gardens
The 26th German Film Festival x KinoFest (a new regional film event) presents a compelling collection of cinematic narratives that transcend mere entertainment to provide profound glimpses into the intricate tapestry of contemporary German cinema, through the genres of drama, documentaries, and animation. Don’t miss the free outdoor screening of the award-winning animated fantasy comedy The Amazing Maurice on Nov 4 at 7.30pm in Singapore Botanic Gardens. The precise location of the screening is yet to be disclosed, adding an element of anticipation to this exciting show. Registration is required.
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.
Halloween Scream Fest 2023
Oct 26 to 29; Downtown East
Halloween Scream Fest 3 is an immersive, interactive haunted house experience that will test your courage like no other. Organised by The Vault Singapore, encounter your deepest fears as you enter the 1,700-square-foot “built from ground up” haunted house by Fullhouse Studio.
Haw Ror Villa 2
Oct 27 to 29; Haw Par Villa
This iconic cultural destination has put together a spine-chilling event aptly named “Haw-Ror Villa 2” with a fun-filled line-up of activities all around the park that will delight all ages. Expect themed Art Jamming workshops, Tarot Reading, a curated Booth Market, a free escape themed game, Treats and Tricks, and simply a hell lot of scares! Brave souls are invited to come explore the depths of the afterlife at Hell’s Museum from 7pm to 12am on Oct 28 and 29. Buy tickets here.
AXEAN Festival
Oct 28 and 29; Goodman Arts Centre
Alongside live music performances by renowned and up-and-coming acts from 10 different countries across Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, the festival is partnering with a wide variety of craft beer, food, and art vendors from Southeast Asia to give festivalgoers a fully immersive experience, fostering a spirit of community and collaboration.
Performers include Malaysia’s cultural icons Masdo and Zamaera, renowned lyrical storyteller Taba Chake from India, feel-good alt-rock band Helsinki Lambda Club from Japan, and many more. The festival operates on a pay-cos-you-want system with a 250 percent tax-deduction for donations over $100 through its charity partner Foundation Music. Get tickets here.
Get Fit in Mind and Body
Oct 28; Oasia Hotel Downtown
Inaugural health and fitness event Get Fit in Mind and Body is held in collaboration with Oasia Hotel Downtown to commemorate International Stress Awareness Week and this year’s theme of “anxiety”. Taking place on Oct 28 from 8.30am, the event will be a morning filled with invigorating workouts, inspiring talks, and rejuvenating activities. Participants get to destress and boost energy levels.
Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium 2023
Oct 28 and 29; Suntec City
The second edition of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium is set to thrill cycling fans in Singapore and the region on Oct 28 and 29. Get ready to catch 32 top cyclists from some of the world’s best professional teams race along a new three-kilometre street circuit. More star riders have since confirmed their participation for Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium in October. Jasper Philipsen, Sepp Kuss, Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and Giulio Ciccone will join Tadej Pogacar in the highly anticipated race.
Spooktacular Halloween Party
Oct 28; The Polliwogs @ VivoCity
Step into a world where magic and mischief collide at The Polliwogs @ VivoCity. As part of the Halloween LIVE Adventure, little adventurers get to venture into the haunted corners of The Polliwogs Town and brace themselves to take on daring challenges, solve intricate puzzles, and even engage in hilarious monster chases. Each challenge conquered brings them one step closer to collecting the coveted ingredients.
Harrowing Halloween 3
Now till Oct 29; Singapore Discovery Centre
If you and your gang love scaring yourselves silly, Harrowing Halloween 3 promises a fear-filled adventure, thanks to the talented youths of Singapore Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, and ITE College East. Working together, they co-created the concept and used technology and AI-generated graphics for an even more terrifying experience.
Singapore Archifest 2023
Sep 29 to Oct 28; various locations
Organised by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), Singapore Archifest 2023 is back for its 17th edition with a diverse line-up of over 80 programmes themed “Interim: Acts of Adaptation”. The festival centres itself in the Kampong Gelam precinct, acting as a playground for experimentation and dialogue. In addition to festival mainstays such as Archifest Conference and Exhibition, festivalgoers can expect a breadth of new programming – with incubator design workshops, residencies, and thought-provoking talks. The festival’s traditional pavilion format has also been reimagined as six dispersed urban installations, providing meaningful art encounters that encapsulate the character of the precinct.
Sensory Odyssey: Into the Heart of Our Living World
Now till Oct 29, ArtScience Museum
Visitors are taken on a voyage through seven ecosystems from around the world. These environments are brought to life through ultra-high-definition video projection, spatial audio, and unique scents that engage and magnify visitors’ perceptions of sight, sound, and smell.
Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit
Now till Oct 29, National Museum of Singapore
This is a pilot exhibition by Founders’ Memorial which showcases challenges faced by the country’s first-generation leaders during the nation-building years from the 1950s to 1970s. It is co-presented with the National Museum of Singapore.
Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 11
Sep 29 to Nov 4 (selected nights); Universal Studios Singapore
For the first time ever, Netflix’s global hit zombie series All of Us Are Dead will be coming to Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 11. Southeast Asia’s iconic scare event, organised in partnership with the streaming service, will feature a terrifying new experience based on the Korean horror series. Other spine-chilling haunted houses include Rebirth of the Matriarch and DIYU: Descent into Hell. Visitors will also meet the fearsome legendary Chinese pirate Madame Dragon at Dead Man’s Wharf; The Hacker, a destructive A.I. being who reigns supreme over a terrifying cyber-hellscape; and the tormented villagers at The Cursed Kiramam.
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.
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.
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.
