As the year draws to a close, so too starts the customary period of reflection. For us, it’s a sigh of relief as we finally bid farewell from the stresses of 2016, and a time-out for our workaholic selves. Christmas is coming, and the holiday season with it. So in the spirit of unwinding and having fun (or squealing at a line of hobbling Pikachus), we’ve compiled a list of events and things to do to keep your December break a rejuvenating one.
Remember those giant bouncy castles we used to play on at friends’ birthday parties? Getting older doesn’t mean having less fun, and if anything, getting on bouncy castles at this age gets us #throwback-ing to our nostalgic childhood. Here, you can bounce, slide, jump, and feast at the Bounce-Off Fiesta. Think extreme playground for adults. With more than 15 gigantic inflatable obstacles and slides, as well as a chance to leap off Southeast Asia’s Tallest Blob Jump, you’re going to have some serious child-like fun.
Find out more here.
When: 2 Dec – 1 Jan, Weekdays 5pm – 11pm, Weekends 2pm – 11pm.
Where: Marina Bay Area
Admission: Tickets start at $25. Check here for more.
Of Universal Studios Singapore’s three new additions for Santa’s All-Star Christmas, we thoroughly expect The Universal Journey to be the highlight of our visit. With 824,961 light bulbs (!), USS now has the World Record for the world’s largest indoor light bulb display. Live the fairy tales you’ve grown up on at eight thematic zones like the enchanted Pine Forest, as well as a zone where you’ll feel like you’ve shrunk to Alice in Wonderland size – everything is gigantic.
Find out more here.
When: 1 Dec – 2 Jan
Where: Universal Studios Singapore
Admission: $74 for adults, $56 for children, $36 for senior citizens.
Designer bags and branded goods from Prada, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Michael Kors seem like a lifetime away (of paying off credit card debts), but this Christmas, it’s time to treat yourself. Reebonz is getting you up to 70% off storewide. Look out for their One Priced Wonder Deals, and download the Reebonz app on the App Store and on Google Play to get 3% rebate. Dress comfy, because it’s going to get wild in there.
Get an additional 5% off for all DBS/POSB Credit and Debit Cards, only valid at Suntec City outlet, and not valid on items with >50% discount. Find out more here.
When: 1 – 4 Dec, 11am – 9pm.
Where: Suntec City Tower 2, North Atrium, 3 Temasek Boulevard #01-496, Singapore 038986
As it is, Gardens by the Bay is already a hotspot for both tourists and locals, but this Christmas, they’ve up-ed their game, as if getting any better was possible. Catch the Luminarie light sculptures that are great for some bokeh shots, and visit a Christmas-themed food fair that’s bound to give you a food baby by the end of the evening. Get to be Elsa at the Ice Palace, where you can twirl and glide (or hobble) over the cool skating rink, frolick in the snow playground, and zoom down an ice slide.
Be sure to visit the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay too. With Christmas Wonderland tickets, you’ll enjoy $4 off double conservatories tickets. Check out how pretty the Flower Dome is this December below!
When: 2 Dec – 1 Jan
Where: Gardens by the Bay
Admission: $4 on 2-8 Dec, $6 on 9-15 Dec, $8 on 16 Dec – 1 Jan
(Admission to individual attractions start from $12. Click here to find out more.)
Flower Dome might be a magical conservatory, but wait till you see it in decked out in its Christmas decor. You’ll feel like you’re in a European field – at 23 – 25 degrees, a day or night out with bae (we suggest coming at night. Much more romantic) is going to be pure bliss. From ballerinas to nutcracker dolls and 8m high Christmas trees, as well as a Baroque Christmas Tower, your evening stroll with bae just levelled up so hard.
Find out more here.
Where: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Source @yunamusic
Wearing the Hijab isn’t always something that’s readily accepted or welcomed everywhere in the world. At the Asian Hijab Fashion Festival, see famous designers shine the spotlight on the designs, how-tos, and the religious significance of the Hijab, and get some discounts and free gifts when you attend the event. If you’re looking to look as good as Yuna in her Hijab, you’ll be in for a treat, too. Even if you don’t wear Hijabs, you’re bound to learn something.
When: 8-11 Dec, 10am to 10pm
Where: Bigbox, 1 Venture Avenue, Jurong East, Singapore 608521
Admission: Register by sending an email to inprom2event@gmail.com.
Find out more here.
Listening to the same Mariah Carey Christmas album playing on repeat can get on your nerves but Christmas isn’t complete without some music to remind us to be thankful for the year that’s passed. Christmas is also the season of giving, and a group of local performers – Dru Chen, bittymacbeth, and Shak and the Baits – are performing old school jazz hits for charity. All proceeds will go to Healthserve, a non profit organization dedicated to providing healing and hope to migrant workers.
Tune in to this concert, and lend a fundraising hand for good.
When: 2 Dec, 7pm – 11:30pm
Where: The Singapore Jazz Club, 101 Jln Sultan, Singapore 199002
Admission: $50 here.
The local music scene is rising, and we’re scrambling for any chance we can get to listen to our favourite local artists. Neon Lights showcased Gentle Bones and Linying, but we need more. At *SCAPE Invasion, catch acts like Take Two, Inch, Nathan Hartono, and Sezairi.
For the budding musician or performer, check their Facebook page for contests you can join here, and stand to win $500.
When: 17 Dec, 2pm – 10pm
Where: Ground Theatre, 2 Orchard Link #04-01, Singapore 237978
Admission: $5 here.
Source @zouksingapore
As Zouk’s 25 year-old curtains close at Jiak Kim, the final act, the final goodbye stage is due. Before their official move to Clarke Quay, bit a final farewell to Singapore’s nightlife icon with current and alumni DJs like Hong, Lincey, Ghetto, Eclipse, KoFlow, Phuture, and LeNerd at their weekender event.
When: 2 – 3 Dec, 10pm – late
Where: Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St, Singapore 169420
As the largest, most successful book festival in its 10th year running, Bookfest@Singapore is going to get our inner bookworms burrowing out from the confines of our room and out into the open. Besides getting the best reads out there, you’ll get to participate in games and competitions, of course, with prizes up for grabs. And while most bookstores forbid you to eat and drink within the premises, pick up your fill at the Tidbit Carnival – perfect for feeding wandering friends or baes who have little interest in books.
When: 2-11 Dec, 10am – 10pm
Where: Suntec Singapore Convention Centre Halls 401-406, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039593
Virtual reality has been used for many applications. We’ve used it to scare the rest of the office in a YouTube video, Mark Zuckerberg has used it to give a kick-ass presentation – now VR is will be used to let you know your food better.
At The Food Court Takeover: Virtual Reality Showcase, virtual reality will be used to watch how our favourite food – paus, soy milk, and fish balls – is prepared. As an immersive glimpse into the people, passion and innovation behind our famed food, The Food Court Takeover is bringing food manufacturing to us. It also helps that it’s virtual reality so we don’t put on all those unconscious pounds on.
The first 30 to download the SG Food Makers app at the event get a free Virtual Reality cardboard viewer.
Click here for more info.
When: 3 Dec, 11am – 3pm
Where: VivoCity Food Republic, 1 Harbourfront Walk Level 3, Singapore 098585
Admission: Free
Don’t worry, it’s not actually a race. Project Happy Feet Slipper Race is Singapore’s only non-competitive walk, where 100% of funds raised go to local and overseas charities.
Why walk with slippers for 3.2km? It’s to simulate the lives of the less fortunate Cambodian children, who have to take the 5km journey to school in slippers or bare-footed. Set aside the money you intended to spend on that second pair of Flyknits you don’t need, and gift a child in Cambodia with the daily necessities.
When: 10 Dec, 9am – 1pm
Where: Punggol SAFRA, 9 Sentul Crescent, Singapore 828654
Admission: $40
Find out more about the Slipper Race here.
Source @catalunyasg
Grab the bae, grab the fam, because the countdown party is here. Admission is free, but if you don’t fancy jostling with the sweaty crowd at Marina Bay, you can always chill out with the special people in your life around the bay area or at MBS, and talk about that diet resolution that never came about (or if it did, you’re amazing) until the fireworks start. Single people, careful not to make eye contact with couples making out on this momentous occasion.
When: 31 Dec
Where: Around Marina Bay
Source @yang.yang.young
When it comes to Pokemon, no place is too far to go. Changi Airport may be far off the usual hangout spots that non-Easties would think of, but this is worth it. Watch the horde of Pikachus hobble, bounce and spazz their little T-Rex arms in unison in such synchronised cuteness, even the repeated few moves are still super entertaining to watch. You also get to see life-size Snorlaxes in the Snorlax Garden, both standing and in its natural position – lying down. Take pictures, cuddle up with these furry Pokemon, go on a Poke Trail, and it’ll be your 10 year old self’s Pokemon trainer dreams come to life.
When: 6-8pm on all Saturdays and Sundays until 1 Jan 2017, except on 3 Dec
Where: Changi Airport
Bras Basah is more than just old bookstores mended by uncles and aunties. Tucked right in the middle of the city is a hidden gem of culture, hipster knick-knacks, and art and collectibles, so if you’re about that life, Bras Basah is paradise.
Our favourite: Chen Soon Lee Book Stamp and Coin, where you can get premium calligraphy materials like brushes, ink and paper for those traditional writing feels.
Find out more here.
Besides being known to be super ulu, Kranji is also an MRT stop commuters dread. Why does it take so long to travel from Kranji to Yew Tee???
But if we look past the slight inconvenience, Kranji is a fresh countryside in a world of its own, with war memorials, an abandoned HDB estate, a karting track, and boutique hotels for that farm life staycation.
Find out more here.
Farmstays are all the rage for that laidback life, but Singapore and our neighbouring countries have an abundance of surrounding water, so go on a quick getaway this December with a Kelong stay. Take a chill weekend to fish, laze around and disconnect from the stressful, fast-paced city life we’ve got so used to back on the mainland.
Find out more here.
Source @sup.fellas
You know that ‘I want get slimmer’ New Year’s Resolution is coming, but we all know that resolution’s probably going to lay stale. Working out can be fun, but running is the bane of my existence, so we’ve come up with 8 super fun workouts in Singapore for people who hate running.
Choose from a #throwback trampoline prancing workout, Aqua Zumba, Stand-Up Paddle boarding, or a Surf Workout on land – there’s bound to be one to get us shaped up for the New Year.
Find out more here.
Take an overland journey from Singapore to Bangkok without having to spend on that budget flight that neither has entertainment nor sights to see beyond the fluffy clouds below. If you’ve got some leave to clear this December, take a trip with bae.
Take a train to Malaysia, drive to Penang, minibus to Hat Yai then to Trang, board another train to Hua Hin, step into a gondola for some sightseeing, then take the final leg on rail again to Bangkok. Every stop is fully Instagrammable, so take some nice outfits with you to model for the perfect OOTD shot.
Find out more here.
Go on a hipster hunt for 80s collectibles from their source – no more crazy price markups on iced gem biscuits and good morning towels. Collect porcelain tingkats, old records, 19th century items, and old-school gizmos. For the vinyl lovers, Redpoint Record Warehouse is home to 10,000 vinyls. Rare 1960s jukebox or F4 hits don’t faze Redpoint, because you’ll find almost anything here. Just holler at Mr. Ong, the owner, and you’ll find what you seek.
Who knows – they may make for great Christmas presents for your hipster music-loving friends.
Find out more here.
Living in the west doesn’t mean living in and industrial jungle. Although the east is famed for its great eats, Jurong’s game is stepping up – fill your tummies with Cheers Cut’s Ninja Crispy Chicken, an erupting Hinomaru Tomato Ramen at Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen, 15 different types of sashimi at En Sakaba, and of course, an all-you-can-eat Japanese grill/hotpot buffet at Shaburi and Kintan Buffet.
Discover the newest eats in JEM here.
We can all agree that the most enjoyable way of learning is when there’s fun involved. If you’ve followed Pororo and friends, each character has a key strength that represents different life values. Whether it’s arts, sciences, social skills, or craft, sending your kid or your super young cousin here is going to be a better choice than leaving them to an iPad playing brainless games. Choose from Canvas Painting, Lego Engineering, or Game Coding.
Where: #02-29, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, 039594
Exclusively for DBS/POSB Card cardholders, enjoy up to $10 off child ticket prices for non-peak period. Check it out here.
Unlike what we see in most Instagram videos of first-timers, bodyflight isn’t just the classic hovering in a wind tunnel on your tummy. That’s just boring. No, we’re talking serious stuff:
Don’t expect to be able to do those jaw-dropping tricks on your first time, though. But after you’re done tummy floating for a few sessions, you’re sure to advance to greater heights without staying still while the 270km/h wind blows at you. If you think about it, it’s much cheaper than skydiving with more freedom to move about without the risk of dying.
Exclusively for DBS/POSB MasterCard cardmembers: You get 10% off with purchase of 2 First-Timer Challenge Packages (U.P. $238) here.
People love to sing, and whether you’re a K-Pop star (drools at BTS) or professional shower singer, choose to pay $1 per song, or book a booth starting at $10 an hour. Their sound systems are serious, so even if you’re practicing your singing skills or your electric guitar/saxophone/trumpet is disturbing your neighbours, you can use Voicebooth to practice.
If you’re looking to belt out your favourite K-Pop hit, this is the best place. They update their songs daily, so you’ll be able to sing your ever-changing faves.
Find out more here.
Where: The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, Level 3 Unit 14/15/16, Singapore 229233
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday and PH: 11am to 10pm | Friday, Saturday, Eve of PH: 11am to 1am.
With a calendar like this, your December will be filled with activities, so you’ll never spend a day at home contemplating the reason for your existence. But going out also inevitably means spending money, so we’ve got a tip for you save on those precious dollars.
Get discounts on Urban Ski, Madame Tussauds, and EDMosphere with DBS here.
This post is brought to you by DBS Cards.
Quality doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag.
No need to head to Japan or Korea, China has pretty blooms too 🌸
Unique SkillsFuture courses you should take this year.
You spin my head right round, right round.
Countdown to 2025 in Singapore Another year has flown by, and as we bid farewell…
Let's get dem gainz.