The festive season officially begins, and it’s set to be the most wonderful time of the year. Get your calendars out, because November is going to be packed with Christmas markets, film festivals, art fairs, exhibitions and more.
New and noteworthy:
Singapore Coffee Week
Oct 31 to Nov 3; Plaza Singapura
The first-ever Singapore Coffee Week, launched by the Singapore Coffee Association, is a chance for everyone to explore over 32 coffee and coffee-related brands in one place. The event aims to educate the public about Singapore’s coffee history, and coffee origins and preparation methods through fun-filled interactive activities, booths and coffee masterclasses, and an exciting barista team competition. There’s also the opportunity to learn about Singapore’s coffee culture, history, and bean-to-brew process.
The Malt Affair Volume 8
Nov 2; Amara Singapore Ballroom
Get set for a spirited adventure filled with over 400 whiskies from 21 exhibitors, including Diageo Rare & Exceptional which is joining the event for the first time as official bottler. While the line-up features rare vintage whiskies from the 1950s to 1980s and cult Japanese labels, 70 percent of the whiskies are priced below $50 per pour, ensuring there is something for every palate. Bring your own glassware or purchase a Luigi Bormioli snifter glass on-site for $10.
Affordable Art Fair
Nov 7 to 10, F1 Pit Building
The F1 Pit Building will once again come alive as the Affordable Art Fair (AFF) returns, continuing its mission to make art accessible to everyone and celebrating its enduring influence on the global and local art scenes. This year, the fair celebrates the 25th global anniversary and the15th anniversary in Singapore. AFF 2024 will feature 83 galleries, including 19 new participants for a fresh selection of affordable artworks. About 75 percent of artworks are priced under $7,500 and all pieces capped at $15,000.
Christmas on A Great Street 2024
From Nov 8; Orchard Road
Kick-start your celebrations on Nov 9 when the lights are turned on along Orchard Road. Stroll down the iconic street surrounded by twinkling lights and Christmas elements set in a “firefly garden”. This year’s two Great Christmas Villages – one at Shaw House Urban Plaza and the other at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza – will open to the public on Nov 8 and 10 November respectively. See the new 14-metre-tall outdoor Christmas tree and enjoy nightly immersive snowfall shows. Highlight is the Christmas Eve Street Party, stretching 400 metres from Ion Orchard to Ngee Ann City with live DJ performances, roving mascots, pop-up stalls, and food trucks. The countdown to Christmas Day begins at 8pm, and revellers can party the night away till 2am.
Singapore Writers Festival
Nov 8 to 17; various locations
Singapore Writers Festival (SWF 2024) is back with its 27th edition from Nov 8 to 17. This year’s theme, In Our Nature, explores what it means to be human, as well as our relationship with nature as humans, writers, readers, and global citizens.Presented by Arts House, look forward to 300 local and international presenters, Signature Programmes include Literary Pioneers, Youth Fringe, SWF Playground, SEA xChange (previously SEA Focus), Country Focus, and SWF In Conjunction. There will also be more than 200 thought-provoking programmes, including several that address climate emergencies, as well as conversations between generations. Among these are activities for children, seniors, and everyone in between, making the festival accessible to a wide audience.
Clay Makers’ Market 2024
Nov 8 to 10; Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
The Singapore Clay Festival’s annual Clay Makers’ Market expands to feature handmade creations by 220 potters, double the number from 2021. This year’s Market will also see six clay making demos and nine paid workshops by Ken Lu of Homily Studios, Emily Moh of Tiong Bahru Pottery, and Studio GDMC.
Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium
Nov 9 and 10; City centre (from Connaught Drive)
The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium (TDF SG) returns for its third edition on Nov 9 and 10 with a new route starting at Connaught Drive. Catch star cyclists such as defending TDF SG champion Jasper Philipsen, legendary sprinter Mark Cavendish, four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome and young star Biniam Girmay. Spectators can also enjoy a lively and engaging programme off the race track, with the inauguration of TDF SG Family Day. Enjoy games, entertainment and food for the whole family.
Bag It by Cloop
Nov 9 to 17; APSN Cafe for All
Cloop’s newest initiative Bag It! offers a fun, affordable way for shoppers to refresh their wardrobes sustainably. Simply select a bag and fill it up with as many preloved clothes as you like, starting from just $10.Shoppers can choose from three bag sizes: Mystery Plastic Bag for $10; Decathlon Bag/ Medium IKEA Bag for $35; and Large IKEA Bag for $50. Bag It! is open from 10am to 5pm at APSN Cafe for All, 11 Jln Ubi, Singapore 409074 (within Kembangan Chai Chee Community Hub).
vOilah! French Film Festival
Nov 14 to 30; various locations
The French Film Festival returns this November with another exciting cinematic rendez-vous that immerses every movie lover into the vivid storytelling of French cinema. This year’s line-up features a total of 36 films comprising those fresh from the box office and the timeless classics that shaped the face of French cinema. Visit here for more information on the festival and ticketing details.
Sentosa GrillFest
Nov 14 to Dec 8; Siloso Beach, Sentosa
Sentosa GrillFest returns with sizzle, sand and sensational flavours. The 7th edition of the gastronomic event features 33 participating vendors serving up a variety of mouth-watering grilled delicacies. Prepare your taste buds across four different zones for a culinary journey of smoked meats, flame-kissed vegetables, grilled desserts and seafood, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
Altered States: Experiments in Moving Image
Nov 16 to Dec 16; ArtScience Museum
Altered States: Experiments in Moving Image showcases experimental analogue film, alongside immersive, large-scale installations.The month-long exhibition features a select group of local and international artists and filmmakers who push the boundaries of moving image by employing everyday materials, cameraless techniques, chemical and ecological processes in their experimental filmmaking practice.
Boutiques Singapore: The Gifting Edition 2024
Nov 22 to 24; F1 Pit Building
Boutiques Singapore will be bringing over 300 brands to its year-end shopping fair, including more than 200 exclusive launches by an active community of participating brands. This year, in recognition of a new partnership between Boutiques Singapore and the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg), local design talents are set to take the spotlight at the holiday-themed shopping event. Highlights among the Singapore-based designers in attendance include Studio Kallang and Gin&G, both of which have been shortlisted to showcase their intricate interior design pieces at the fair.
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.
Whisky Live Singapore
Nov 23 to 24; Mandala Club
Organised by La Maison du Whisky, the 13th edition of Whisky Live Singapore 2024 will feature more masterclasses with renowned industry experts from around the globe, as well as immersive and inventive tasting experiences. Look forward to exhibitors and top distilleries like Nikka Whisky, Chichibu and Kavalan. Visitors will also have the opportunity to taste prestigious exclusives from LMDW’s ‘Foundations’ Catalogue, including rare bottlings of Caroni, Blanton’s and Macallan, plus LMDW’s own series of Artist #14 single casks. Cocktail Street also returns through partnerships with award-winning bars like Kafe Utu, Cat Bite Club, and RPM by D.Bespoke. Get tickets here.
Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2024
Nov 29 to Dec 1; Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre
Meet some of the biggest names in the J-pop, Vtuber and anisong scenes at Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2024 (AFA), the region’s most epic anime, cosplay, and games event. From Nov 29 to Dec 1 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, look forward to three days of concerts, live talk shows, fan meets, and exclusive launches.
The Marketplace Collective
Nov 30 and Dec 1; Hall A, Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Shop till you drop at The Marketplace Collective on Nov 30 and Dec 1, 2024, at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. This vibrant event brings together 300 diverse lifestyle and maker stalls, offering unique, lifestyle and handcrafted items, including fashion, pet products, snacks, gifts, and more. Visitors can also enjoy live performances, workshops, photobooths, and interact with influencers. Furthermore, shoppers stand a chance to participate in a lucky draw by spending $100 and a sure-win lucky dip for those spending $200. With Christmas-themed decorations and free admission, this event is the perfect holiday outing for families, tourists, and anyone seeking a festive shopping experience. For more information, visit here. To book a stall, visit here.
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.
Ongoing events:
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 to Feb 2; 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.
Underground: The Summoning
Sep 25 to Nov 3; Battlebox, Fort Canning
Set in the historic Battlebox World War II bunker spanning 12,000 square feet beneath Fort Canning, Underground: The Summoning is Singapore’s largest immersive horror experience. The nerve-wracking experience features interactive sequences, live theatrical performances, and mind-bending special effects.
Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 12
Sep 27 to Nov 2; Universal Studios Singapore
Get ready for more bone-chilling scares as the event returns to Universal Studios Singapore on selected nights from Sep 27 to Nov 2. With the theme of dark dreams, the event will transport guests to a realm where dreams and nightmares co-exist, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. There will be four all-new immersive haunted houses, three terrifying scare zones, and three hair-raising shows.
School of Tomorrow
Oct 17 to Nov 28; New Bahru
This interactive exhibition by Kinetic Singapore, puts a unique spin on eleven familiar school subjects, like painting with natural inks derived from fallen leaves in art class and counting your carbon footprint in maths class. In partnership with social impact hub Temasek Shophouse, the exhibition will feature a new History Class that takes you on an immersive journey through Singapore’s transformation from rickshaws to electric cars and two free fireside chats on Oct 24 and Nov 7 (registration is required) where experts discuss the fascinating challenge of balancing heritage, conservation and sustainability. Another addition is the operational bookshop, featuring specially designed stationery and wares made in collaboration with eco-innovators from materials such as eggshell and sawdust.
Red: An Artful Murder
Oct 30 to Dec 1; To be revealed
Part of Sight Lines’ Crack The Case immersive theatre experiences, audiences are invited to the opening of Red, a new art exhibition by Ragavan for a night of art, wine… and murder. With a glass of complimentary wine in hand, audiences will interrogate suspects, find clues, and try to crack the case of this artful murder. This will also be the first time the series is taking place outside of a conventional theatre space.
This article was first published on Oct 30, 2024.
