Things To Do

19 Things To Do In Dec 2019 – Uncle Ringo Carnival, Comic Con & GBTB Christmas Wonderland

Things to do in December 2019 in Singapore


Image adapted from: Sentosa, @teelala

Crazy to think that yet another year has flown by and we’re soon on to a fresh new start. Make the most of the rest of the year by filling your days with these fun events, from musicals to Christmas carnivals and even a cat photography workshop. All the better if you’ve got extra annual leave to clear!


1. Admire the festive Poinsettia Wishes display at GBTB



Image credit:
@gardensbythebay

We always look forward to Gardens by the Bay’s seasonal Flower Dome displays – especially during Christmas when a festive cheer fills the air. While last year’s Poinsettia Wishes display was Tsum Tsum-themed, this year’s goes back to traditional roots with a Nordic Yule theme – think cosy fireplaces, wooden hearths, and a cute little nisse gnome choir to entertain you with their jolly tunes.


Nisse choir

Image credit: @fionahoot

At the centre of it all is a giant installation of a sleigh with reindeer taking off in flight, against a background of conifers and of course, striking red poinsettia flowers.


Image credit:
@gardensbythebay

Date: Until 5th Jan 2020
Time: 9AM-9PM, Daily
Venue: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Price: From $28. Get your tickets here.
Website


2. Geek out over the best of comics at Singapore Comic Con



Image credit:
@sgcomiccon

Singapore Comic Con is back for the 7th year running with the best of all things comic-related from both Asian and Western pop culture. As with previous years, you can expect a good mix fanart, figurines, and collectible merch featuring characters from famous superhero franchises or anime – but beyond that, there will also be showcases by independent artists like Fishball, creator of couple webtoon My Giant Nerd Boyfriend.


Image credit: @dukarriope

No comic convention is complete without a good dose of cosplay, so come dressed as your favourite characters – and maybe even sign up for the cosplay competition. 


Image credit:
@dan.iphite

There will also be an e-sports zone where you’ll be able to cheer on local and international gaming leagues.

Date: 7th – 8th Dec 2019
Time: 10AM-8PM, Daily
Venue: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Price: From $21. Get your tickets here.
Website


3. Learn how to photograph cats at the Cat-O-Graphy workshop



Image credit:
@nekononiwa

Cats are a cute bunch, and it’s hard to resist whipping out your phone or camera to snap photos of them. Problem is, they’re active creatures with minds of their own, so it’s hard to get them to stay put for a nice portrait.

Cat-O-Graphy, hosted by the Cat Welfare Society, will teach you the best techniques of capturing that winning feline shot. Your models will be the 11 gorgeous kitties of Neko No Niwa cat cafe, and the $49 course fee includes usage of a Sony camera, 1 drink at the cat cafe, and a goody bag from CWS.

Write in to fundraisers@catwelfare.org to book your spot.

Date: 21st Dec 2019
Time: 10AM-12PM
Venue: Neko No Niwa
Price: $49 inclusive of camera use, 1 drink, and goody bag
Website


4. Snap photos with giant sculptures of Cony and Brown at LINE FRIENDS World Tour



Istanbul-themed installation at Bugis Junction

LINE FRIENDS fanatics, now’s your time to go full-out with your obsession over characters like Cony and Brown. LINE FRIENDS World Tour has sprung up in Singapore after a successful run in Taiwan and Macau, blessing us with tons of adorable photo-worthy installations.

These installations are scattered around 13 different malls across all regions in Singapore – including Bugis+, Funan, and Plaza Singapura – and each one comes with a unique theme inspired by a different country, so you’ll really have to traipse around to complete your “tour” around the globe!

Some themes you can look forward to: New York at IMM, Istanbul at Bugis Junction, and London at Westgate.

Find out more about LINE FRIENDS World Tour in our article here.

Date: Until 24th Jan 2020
Venue: 13 shopping malls. Check them out here.
Price: FREE
Website


5. Play games at Uncle Ringo’s carnival and watch acrobatic acts at The Great Circus of Europe



Image credit:
Uncle Ringo

For the first time ever, The Great Circus of Europe is stopping by in Singapore – brought in by Uncle Ringo, everyone’s favourite carnival operator. Apart from skilled acrobats and contortionists wowing you with death-defying acts, there will also be motorbike stunts and clowns to ring up more excitement.


Image credit: Uncle Ringo

Adjacent to that is an Uncle Ringo Carnival, with the standard host of games and rides for all ages. Food vendors will be present so you can get a quick bite in between some ring toss.


Image credit:
Uncle Ringo

Date: 20th Dec – 1st Jan 2020
Time: 2-3 afternoon and evening shows per day. Find their timings here.
Venue: Bayfront Event Space
Price: From $70. 
Website


6. Watch an enchanting ballet performance of Swan Lake



Image credit:
@msbern

You may have watched the Barbie cartoon version of Swan Lake back in the day as a kid. Now, here’s a live version of the fairytale that goes back to its original ballet roots – presented by our very own Singapore Dance Theatre. Be enthralled as you watch the skilled dancers pirouette with grace along to the classic compositions by Tchaikovsky. 

Date: 5th – 8th Dec 2019
Time: Thu – Fri 8PM | Sat 1PM & 8PM |Sun 1PM & 7PM
Venue: Esplanade Theatre
Price: From $40. Get your tickets here.
Website


7. Get down and dirty in the Know Your Poo exhibition by Science Centre



Image credit:
Science Centre Singapore

Perhaps poo isn’t a subject to be mentioned at the dinner table, but hey, it’s still part of our lives – and we’re not talking about all the sh*t your boss gives you on a daily basis.

At the Science Centre’s Know Your Poo exhibition, you’ll get to delve deep into the ins and outs of bodily waste, flatulence, and learn about how the toilet system in Singapore has progressed from night soil trucks – where people did their business in buckets – to the modern ones today. 


Image credit:
@lim.susa

Along the way you’ll encounter photo spots like a toilet bowl throne, a slide leading into a “poo” pit, and a Cheeky Fart Chamber where there’ll be plenty of toots dealt.


Image credit:
Science Centre Singapore

This lighthearted new exhibition is a permanent one, and entry is already included with purchase of a general admission ticket.

Address: 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081
Opening hours: 10AM-6PM, Daily (Closed on some Mondays – check closure dates here)
Price: From $6 for general entry. Get your tickets here.
Website


8. Catch the chilling musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street



Image credit:
@lella_diaz

You might have caught the film rendition of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring Johnny Depp back in 2007, but the live musical has just made its debut in Singapore with a stellar cast including veteran actress Lea Salonga.

This macabre tale is centered around a bloodthirsty barber who traps and kills his customers before letting his lover bake them into meat pies to be sold at her store.

Date: Until 8th Dec 2019
Time: Tue – Fri 8PM | Sat 3PM & 8PM | Sun 1PM & 6PM
Venue: Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands
Price: From $55. Get your tickets here.
Website


9. Grab a good read at National Gallery’s grand Rotunda Library & Archive


Image credit: National Gallery Singapore

We have tons of libraries in Singapore – 26 public ones under NLB, to be exact – and no matter where you stay, there’s bound to be one close to your area of residence. But a hidden bookworm’s haven, the Rotunda Library & Archive, has recently opened to the public at the National Gallery 2 months ago. And boy does it ooze grandeur with its stately columns, dome-shaped ceiling, and charming old wooden desks. 

Image credit: National Gallery Singapore

This free-entry library was once the law library of the former Supreme Court, and now houses a collection of art history books.

Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, National Gallery, Level 3 Supreme Court Wing, Singapore 178957
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 10AM-12.30PM, 2-5PM
Telephone: 6697 9180
Website


10. Have a laser tag battle from just $4/person



Image credit: Bowdy Wanders

If your group outings only consist of dinner and a movie, it’s time to switch things up. There’s nothing like a little friendly competition, so amp up the fun with laser tag, guaranteed to get everyone yelling with excitement. There are plenty of places to have a shootout; Some have rates from just $4/person, others have funky smoke effects and blacklight, and there’s also one that lets you battle robots and drones.

Find out more about these laser tag arenas in our article here.


11. Listen to an instrumental performance of movie theme music at SSO Pops: The Music Of Star Wars



Image credit:
@browncow68

Many can say they’re fans of Star Wars and know the theme music by heart, but not everyone takes the time to really appreciate the harmonic nuances and dynamics of those tunes. SSO Pops: The Music Of Star Wars will have you really focusing on the movie soundtrack – played live without the film in the background – and perhaps even give you a new perspective on classical orchestra music. 

The concert programme has 14 numbers, including the dramatic Imperial March.

Date: 19th – 20th Dec 2019
Time: 7.30PM
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Price: From $25. Get your tickets here.
Website


12. Party non-stop from 8PM to 8AM at Legacy Festival



Image credit:
@tiesto

If you’re a hardcore party animal who can go all night long without taking a break, you’ll want to be present at Legacy Festival, which runs from 8PM till as late as 8AM, non-stop. This new homegrown music festival held at Sentosa’s Siloso Beach will feature DJ headliners like Tiesto and Zedd, along with others like Don Diablo and Rave Republic.


Local singer-songwriter Tabitha Nauser will also be gracing the stage

Image credit: @tabithanauser

Find the full setlist here.

Date and time: 6th Dec 2019, 8PM-6AM | 7th Dec 2019, 8PM-8AM
Venue: Siloso Beach Sentosa
Price: From $130. Get your tickets here.
Website


13. Admire interactive neon installations at Sentosa’s Island Lights


Image credit: Sentosa

Sentosa’s neon light exhibition, Island Lights, is returning with an even larger lineup of installations this year in a 135-metre long stretch. Among these are a quirky illuminated see-saw, and an experiential game of sorts that plays on light, shadows, and movement.


Candy Quarts – an eclectic see-saw

Image credit: @bertatheexplorer

All the better if you’re able to drop by on Fridays and weekends, because there’ll be festive entertainment like fire twirlers, roving percussion performances, and movie screenings.

Image credit: Sentosa

Psst, get $6 off your Grab ride to Sentosa with the promo code “SentosaEvenings” from 5PM-9PM daily from now till the end of the event.

Date: Until 31st Dec 2019
Time: 6.30PM-10.30PM
Venue: Sentosa Cove
Price: FREE
Website


14. Get up close to ants at the Singapore Ants Exhibition



Image credit:
@jasontoh5386

We don’t often give much thought to ants – unless they’re crawling around in our houses and attempting to steal a piece of our food. But there’s more to these little creatures than meets the eye; For one, they’ve outlived the dinosaurs. And they’re also highly intelligent, able to work together to build intricate colonies with a full hierarchy.


Image credit:
@a.g.n.e.s.n.g

Get up close to different ant species at the first Singapore Ants Exhibition, and even learn about building your own ant tunnels if you’re keen on taking ant keeping up as a hobby.

Date: Until 31st Dec 2019
Time: Mon – Fri 6PM-10PM | Weekends and PHs 8AM-11PM
Venue: PeopleUp@Katong
Price: $11. Get your tickets here.
Website


15. Enjoy carnival games, rides, and a festive parade at GBTB’s Christmas Wonderland


Image credit: Christmas Wonderland

Each year during Christmas season, The Meadow and Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay come alive with the Christmas Wonderland carnival. Walking in, you’ll first be greeted by those iconic arched Luminarie light sculptures, leading in to the grand Spalleira tower that’s a favourite for lovey-dovey Christmas couple shots.


Image credit:
@christmaswonderlandsg

You can expect the usual carnival attractions – rides like bumper cars, a mini ferris wheel, and plenty of game booths where you can win plushies for bae. Along the way, get into the Yuletide spirit with carolling performances and theatre shows, and pick up some snacks and souvenirs from the Festive Market.

Image credit: Christmas Wonderland

One thing markedly different about this year’s event? Their first-ever Christmas Parade, where vibrant floats will cruise along, dotted with characters like Santa Claus and Rudolph.

Date: Until 26th Dec 2019
Time: Mon – Thu 5PM-11PM | Fri – Sun 4PM-11PM. Timings for the Christmas period differ, check them out here.
Venue: Supertree Grove and The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay
Price: From $6. Get your tickets here.
Website


16. Sing along to the Cats musical


Image credit: Alessandro Pinna

If the grisliness and gore of Sweeney Todd isn’t for you, then perhaps the more family-friendly Cats musical might be. Based on the poetry collection by T.S. Eliot, this story told through songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber focuses on a group of felines called the Jellicle Cats, who gather to decide who gets to go to cat heaven and be reborn.

Image credit: Alessandro Pinna

Date: 17th Dec 2019 – 5th Jan 2020
Time: Tue – Fri 8PM | Sat 2PM & 8PM | Sun 1PM & 6PM
Venue: Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands
Price: From $50. Get your tickets here.
Website


17. Go crazy over Japanese pop culture at EOY J-Culture Festival



Image credit: Nyvrem Photography

It’s time for all self-proclaimed otakus to go cray at EOY J-Culture Festival – one of the biggest annual Japanese pop culture events here. Apart from all the cosplay and idol performances, there will be booths featuring illustrations, photo sets, and merch for sale.


Image credit:
@aum2u

This year’s special guests include J-idol Riona Hamamatsu who was formerly from AKB48, and Taiwanese-Japanese pianist RuRu.

Date: 28th – 29th Dec 2019
Time: 1PM-7PM
Venue: Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre
Price: From $11.90. Get your tickets here.
Website


18. Pop by a CD store for music albums and vintage vinyls



Image credit:
@hithisischeng

It’s all about seamless streaming when it comes to music these days, but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of holding a physical music album by your favourite band in your own two hands. Pay a visit to some of the remaining CD stores in Singapore to pick up copies of the latest releases or vintage vinyls.

Find out more about these CD shops in our article here.


16. Be entertained by Kumar and Selena Tan at Crazy Christmas – Crazy Grinch Asians



Image credit:
Dream Academy

Move over, Crazy Rich Asians, for it’s now time for Crazy Grinch Asians to shine. This year’s edition of local theatre company Dream Academy’s Crazy Christmas concert has a star-studded lineup including favourites like Kumar, Sebastian Tan (Broadway Beng), Selena Tan (Dim Sum Dollies), Lim Kay Siu and more. 


Image credit:
Dream Academy

It’s gonna be a fun-filled affair with catchy songs, jolly dances, and a whole load of humour guaranteed to get you chuckling.

Date: 11th – 21st Dec 2019
Time: 3PM & 8PM
Venue: Capitol Theatre
Price: From $48. 
Website


Events in December 2019


December isn’t only about Christmas parties – this month is full theatre productions, educational exhibitions, and photo-worthy displays too. Send off 2019 with a bang with these events before you ring in 2020 on a clean slate.

For more ideas on things to do this month, check out our article on newly-opened attractions here.

For the best deals to catch this month, check out our article here.

Rachel Yohannan

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