With December finally upon us, you’ll soon find yourself immersed in the upcoming flurry of holiday affairs. Whether you’re taking in the sights of Orchard Road’s Christmas Light-Up, or cooking up Christmas recipes at home for a get-together with your best mates, the festive spirit still burns bright even in a snow-less Singapore.
In case you’ve got time to spare before you jet off for dreamy winter destinations, here’s a list of what’s going on in Singapore this month, as we round up 2023 with the familiar warmth of year-end festivities.
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If you haven’t heard, Ice Magic is back – in the biggest way possible.
Covering 3,000sqm of real estate at Marina Bay, the dreamy winter playground features a double-lane ice slide, giant snow slope, merry-go-round, and several illuminated ice sculptures of castles, reindeer, and snowmen. When you’re not slipping, sliding, or taking pics, there’s a food village for you to put your legs up and stuff your face with tasty grub such as rostis.
Admission: $19-$39/pax on weekdays and weekends | $49/pax on PH and eve of PH with 1 free hot chocolate
Address: Bayfront Event Space,12A Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018970
Date: 9th December 2023 – 21st January 2024
Time: 10am-7pm, Daily
Contact: Ice Magic Asia Facebook
Just because you aren’t able to board an intergalactic spaceship and hit the red button to launch into the universe, it doesn’t mean you can’t take a trip to space. Hit up Space Fest @ EXPO so you can explore the cosmos without having to leave Earth.
Happening from 2nd-31st December 2023, the space-themed carnival features plenty of rocket and moon motifs, space station-inspired booths, stage shows, and arts and crafts. But that’s not all; mini astronauts will also get to spin around on over 20 Uncle Ringo rides and games, as well as go on a shopping spree at the retail booths.
Oh and, there’ll be food trucks and F&B booths so you can munch on out-of-this-world snacks.
Address: Singapore EXPO Hall 6, 1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150
Opening hour: Mon-Thu 1pm-9pm | Fri-Sun 11am-9pm
Contact: Space Fest @ EXPO website
Image credit: National Gallery Singapore
You don’t have to be an artist to appreciate the newest addition to the National Gallery Singapore.
Titled Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America, the exhibition lets you cruise over 200 incredible artworks, sculptures, and drawings. If you’re into all things 20th century, from history and landscapes to books and cultural objects, this is your spot.
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Opening hours: 10am-7pm, Daily
Contact: 6271 7000 | National Gallery Singapore website
The holidays are all about families, and some families are all about Disney. If yours is one of those, then the POP MART x Disney exhibits at CapitaLand Malls is where you should be.
Happening until 31st December 2023, the 3D displays tell the stories of some of the most iconic Disney characters. There’s Mickey at Aperia Mall, Tinker Bell at Bugis Junction, Bambi at Bugis+, Stich and Pinocchio at Funan, and even an Enchanted Express train filled with Disney figurines waiting for you at Plaza Singapura.
Find out more about POP MART x Disney exhibits.
By now, you’ve probably heard of the spanking new EDITION hotel in Singapore. In addition to having a fish-focused fine-dining restaurant, the 204-room property also boasts 3 luxe cocktail bars, a swank rooftop pool with an unobstructed sunset view, a spa with thermal pools, and a fitness room fitted with modern equipment.
With wood carpentry, huge glass domes and windows, an all-white spiral staircase, and several plants and rare bonsais lining the space, The Singapore EDITION is both sexy and sophisticated.
Address: 38 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249731
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: The Singapore EDITION website
This December, Disney fans are in for another treat. Taking place at Sands Theatre until 31st December 2023, the Immersive Disney Animation lets you walk through 3 zones and over 40 scenes of Disney classics.
During the 90-minute visit, you can expect to snap cute pics with a giant Mickey Mouse and life-sized Frozen princesses, as well as watch Disney hits such as Lion King unfold in a mind-bending 360° cinema.
Admission: From $33/person
Address: 4 Bayfront Avenue, Sands Theatre, Singapore 018973
Dates: 18th November – 31st December 2023
Time: 8am-11pm, Daily
Contact: Immersive Disney Animation website
If you’re looking to bounce away the last few weeks of 2023, you may not have to travel far.
Jumptopia Playful Wonders, Kiztopia’s annual holiday bounce house, returns to MBS this month. Spanning a section of the Expo and Convention Centre, the giant inflatable attraction features 10 bouncy castles, obstacle courses, go-karts, claw machines, and toddler-friendly ball pits for kiddos of all ages to have a ball.
Plus, there’s an F&B booth fueled by Swensen’s to keep the hanger at bay.
Admission: From $28/person
Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore 018956
Date: From now till 7th January 2024
Time: Mon-Thu 10am-7pm | Fri-Sun 10am-8pm
Contact: Jumptopia Playful Wonders website
Image credit: Jewel Changi
While it’s not quite Super Nintendo World, the Super Mario pop-up at Jewel Changi is the closest we can get to the real deal over in Japan. This December, the Shiseido Forest Valley has been spruced up with nostalgic elements from the games, from the familiar warp pipes and coins to the iconic question mark box which beckons you to give it a good bop.
Those who spend $50 in a single receipt at Jewel Changi will also be entitled to purchase exclusive merch at the pop-up, such as a 2-in-1 cushion and neck pillow ($13), 3-in-1 travel organiser ($13), and travel pouch ($12).
Admission: Free entry
Venue: Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Date: From now till 1st January 2024
Time: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: Christmas at Jewel website
It seems like Singaporeans truly cannot get enough of whiling nights away at karaoke joints. In November, we saw the opening of the space-inspired Chao K Party KTV; this month, it’s another KTV joint with over 50 themed rooms and a giant dance floor to boot.
HaveFun Karaoke just opened their flagship outlet at Cineleisure Orchard, and to call their premises expansive is an understatement.
True to its name, it houses 52 karaoke rooms (from $22/hour) that can host up to 80 people. You’ll also want to come wearing your dancing shoes as there’s a dance floor that can fit up to 200 pax, a good alternative to clubbing.
Address: 8 Grange Road, Cineleisure Orchard, Level 8, Singapore 239695
Opening hours: 11am-3am, Daily
Contact: 6717 0008
Even if you’re not bound for faraway holiday destinations such as Europe, it doesn’t mean you can’t frolic in the cold right here in sunny Singapore.
This year, Changi Festive Village brings the snowfall to you with its Candy Snow House. Located at Changi Airport Terminal 3, the temperatures inside dip below -10°C as you whizz across ice slides and ice luges. There’s even a mini-golf course carved out of ice if you’d like to channel your inner Tiger Woods.
Photo ops are also aplenty at T3’s Departure Hall, which has been fashioned into the whimsical Candy Wonderland.
Striking installations here include a 5m-tall polar bear and a 2-storey tall cupcake ferris wheel, which you can’t ride, unfortunately. Do stick around for special performances as well. We’ve spotted towering stilt walkers, festive jugglers, and a marching band parading around the event grounds.
Address: 65 Airport Boulevard, Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore 819663
Candy Snow House
Location: Arrival Hall, B2
Dates: 4th November 2023-31st March 2024
Opening hours: 12pm-10pm, Daily (revised schedule starting from 2nd January 2024 – only open on weekends, school holidays & PHs)
Candy Carnival
Location: Arrival Hall, B2 & B3
Dates: 4th November 2023-31st March 2024
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Candy Wonderland
Location: Departure Hall, Level 2
Dates: 4th November 2023-1st January 2024
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
If Halloween ended a tad too early for your liking, then take a trip to the Science Centre to explore UNTAME: Future of Food’s dystopian food-themed maze. Set in the year 2123, the event will have you wandering around a radioactive garden and showrooms of “extinct” food, as you have a glimpse of what food could look like in the coming century.
For the more involved, expect to get chased around eerie laboratories and cryogenic chambers by malformed failed experiments at the 18+ zones. Afterwards, quench your thirst at a Tiger Beer-fueled stockroom or hit up the food booths to snack on bite-sized goodies before going on a scavenger hunt to unravel the secret behind the peculiar goings-on.
For the full experience, sign up for the UNTAME Dining experience ($38/pax), a curated 3-course meal where your menu will be decided for you.
Admission: $12.90 for Standard Pass | $18.90 for Extreme Pass (Use the promo code <20TSLOFFUT> for 20% off)
Date: 24th November-2nd December 2023
Time:
Standard Pass (General Public): 10am-5pm, Daily
Xtreme Pass (18+ only): Mon-Thu 10am-5pm | Fri-Sun 10am-5pm, 6pm-10pm
UNTAME Dining & Food Truck (Public): Mon-Thu 10am-5pm | Fri-Sun 10am-5pm, 6pm-10pm
Address: 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081
Although the diverse variety of marine life usually takes centre stage at the S.E.A Aquarium, they’ll be taking a backseat when it comes to these 2 upcoming events that’ll be taking place right here.
Image credit: Fever
Firstly, there’ll be a tranquil concert in the form of Candlelight: A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi taking place at the Open Sea Habitat of the aquarium. Although ticket details aren’t available yet, past renditions of this deep sea ensemble saw them playing scores from iconic Ghibli films such as Ponyo and Spirited Away amidst an alluring candlelit set.
Also taking place at Open Ocean Habitat is Minmed’s Cycle Pop-Up at S.E.A Aquarium. For a change of pace, try to keep up with the enthusiastic instructors as you follow various on-bike choreography in the presence of the aquarium’s sharks, rays and other fishes. It’s $35/person, inclusive of entry to the aquarium, but you can also purchase the squad bundle for $120 for 4 people in the same session.
Candlelight: A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi
Venue: S.E.A Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Date: 29th December 2023
Time: TBA
Tickets: TBA
Minmed S.E.A Aquarium Cycle Events
Venue: S.E.A Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Date: Select Thursdays between 30th November-21st December 2023
Time: 7.30pm-8.15pm & 8.45pm-9.30pm
Tickets: Minmed website
The 34th Singapore International Film Festival is back once again with its annual offerings of independent and non-commercial films. You’ll be able to catch 101 flicks from 50 different countries, so there’s bound to be one that tickles your fancy.
These movies will be screened at different cinemas across the country such as Shaw Theatres Lido, The Projector, and Filmgarde Kallang. Do check out the Singapore International Film Festival website for the full schedule of the films and their screening locations.
In particular, if you’re feeling extra patriotic, there’s a showing of local feature films as part of the festival’s Singapore Panorama. The screenings will take place on 1st and 2nd December at Oldham Theatre, so swing by to see what our Singaporean directors have been cookin’.
Admission: Tickets from $15
Venue: Shaw Theatres Lido, Filmgarde Kallang, Oldham Theatre, National Museum Singapore Gallery Theatre, The Projector
Date: 30th November-10th December 2023
Time: Various timings
As we head into December still reeling from the hustle of Q4, it’s important to set aside some time to unwind. Go on, book that long-awaited vacation or spend the day at any one of these year-end happenings as you recharge yourself for another great year ahead.
For more things to do in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: Capitaland, Fever, EDITION Hotels, @prisquek via Instagram
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