The best things to do in Singapore this week (December 15-21)

Usher in the winter solstice (yes, even in sunny Singapore) at Chinatown’s celebration on December 21. Smith Street will be transformed into a lively playground full of activities — look forward to free performances, such as exciting lion dances and face-changing acts, and try your hand at fun activities like calligraphy, paper cutting, and even Nonya dress-up. Of course, no winter solstice celebration is complete without tang yuan – don’t miss the tang yuan experience, where you can enjoy freshly-prepared, limited-edition durian and gula melaka rice balls.

From sunrise to starlight, Sentosa is celebrating its most enchanting season yet. Inspired by the new film Wicked: For Good, the island now glows in emerald and pink, with whimsical installations, themed bites and plenty of moments that feel straight out of Oz. To make these moments extra magical, Sentosa has unveiled its all-new Starter Charm, your exclusive key to unlocking the island's best experiences, including priority entry to Universal Studios Singapore and Singapore Oceanarium, sweet dining perks across Resorts World Sentosa, and even islandwide exclusives at thrilling favourites such as AltitudeX and Skyline Luge Sentosa. 

DBS/POSB Cardmembers enjoy an extra sprinkle of goodness too, including 10 percent off Sentosa Wander Pass bundles, RWS bundled privileges and access to over 60 Dine, Shop, Play and Stay deals across the island. Get your Starter Charm when you book a Resorts World Sentosa Wonder Experience or a Sentosa Wander Pass package. Experience the magic before it fades on January 4. 

Singapore’s nightlife gets a luxe upgrade this year with the launch of CHADA by Tin Box, the city’s newest premium boutique club at Suntec City. Since its opening in October, CHADA has been redefining the party scene with a curated lineup of global and regional DJs, including R3HAB, Blasterjaxx, 22Bullets, Bassjackers, Lizzy Wang and more. Across its exclusive 180-guest capacity, the petite club promises seamless service, premium bottle offerings, and intimate vibes that make every night feel like a private celebration.

Get hyped this December for a calendar packed with themed nights and special guest DJs, including Wukong on Christmas Eve, Ashley Kiara on December 26, plus Brennan Heart and Rave Republic on New Year’s Eve. Curated for the discerning partygoer, CHADA blends luxury with authentic music experiences, ensuring Singapore’s year-end celebrations soar to a euphoric high.

Book your tickets and tables here.

Westies loath to make a trip to the city centre for festive activities will be glad to know that they won’t have to go very far to partake in the celebrations. The Jurong Point Christmas Fair brings the season’s festivities to the West, with an array of artisanal pastries, handcrafted drinks, and delectable sweet treats. Among the offerings are matcha and genmaicha lattes from Ichigo by Tea Cottage, frozen custard from Crumble Culture, Korean walnut puff cakes from Kimhodu, and artisanal bakes from The French American Bakery. 

Who says you need alcohol to party and have a good time? Drip & Flow is a first-of-its-kind clubbing party – sans alcohol – by the Singapore Red Cross. Dance to great music, learn about blood donation, and mingle with local celebs like Sonia Chew and Joakim Gomez while sipping free matcha from Average Service. Other activities include a photo booth, jagua tattoos, and interactive booths. The best part? Entry to the event is completely free, so you won’t have to spend a single cent to enjoy a fun afternoon out.

If you’ve somehow still yet to complete your Christmas shopping, fret not – the Secret Santai Christmas market will be happening this Sunday at Santai cocktail bar, where you’ll have your pick of the finest goods from talented local makers and crafters. Highlights include customised t-shirts, leather crafts, vintage glassware, ceramics, and vinyl records. Click here for the full list of offerings. 

If you’re a fan of Dearborn’s signature granola and sourdough, you’ll be sure to enjoy Dearborn’s Christmas market, which returns from December 17 to 23 at their New Bahru outlet. Savour decadent donuts and bakes fresh from the oven, paired with housemade gourmet spreads – the new salted pistachio praline flavour sounds especially tempting. You can also stock up on their granola and coffee beans from the local roastery, Nylon Coffee. 

It’s a classic love story, with some (read: a lot) of Disney magic. Join your favourite characters Belle and the Beast, alongside their enchanted castle friends Lumière, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth and others for this brand-new stage reimagining of the beloved 1991 animated movie.

This latest production of Beauty and the Beast is led by actors Shubshri Kandiah and Brendan Xavier as they bring the timeless tale about friendship and love to life. Enjoy and move along to all the nostalgic songs by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, including “Belle”, “Gaston”, and of course, the iconic “Be Our Guest”. The new and improved outing also features upgraded sets and new costume designs, and it’s infused with creative, cutting-edge technology.

It’s the season to be jolly and merry as Wiggle Wiggle welcomes you to its new hotel-themed activation at Plaza Singapura. Described as the lifestyle brand’s largest Southeast Asian pop-up to date, the festive and whimsical wonderland is bursting with its signature vibrant palette and introduces a bunch of new playful quirks for you to experience.

As you step into the space, you’ll be greeted by festive versions of Wiggle Wiggle’s popular characters Wiggle Bear and Little Play Bunny as they invite you to explore their colourful, winteresque playground. Every corner is decked out in festive cheer and a fresh line-up of Singapore-exclusive merchandise that will only be available at the pop-up store. Treat yourself or someone you love to Wiggle Wiggle’s whacky holiday collection, which includes a fruit mug, fabric sprays and ornaments. If you’re shopping for a more practical gift, level up someone’s office stationery with neon electronic calculators or a bright-coloured wireless keyboard.

Be sure to get your cameras ready too, as there are plenty of photo ops inside the space for some spontaneous fun. Roam the “hotel” grounds or check into the fantastical styled “guest rooms” for a snapshot.

All aboard! The Christmas Train Show at Gardens by the Bay is back with more festive fun for train lovers. Nearly 20 model trains will run along a 145-metre track inside the Flower Dome, now transformed into an American-inspired landscape complete with mini versions of the Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Terminal and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

In honour of Singapore’s 60th birthday, this year’s display adds a local twist with a specially commissioned SMRT train passing handcrafted landmarks like the Toa Payoh Dragon Playground and heritage shophouses. You’ll also find a Danish Christmas scene with a 5-metre LEGO tree and miniature Nyhavn, surrounded by 7,000 seasonal plants.

So you’ve been to weddings and birthday bashes, but a divorce celebration? Now that’s a first. Check it off your bucket list at The Divorce Party, Dream Academy’s whimsical dinner theatre comedy where the food is hot and the tea on exes is even hotter. Join the Choo Plastics Family as heiress Phoebe Choo (Sharon Sum) reclaims the single life after her disastrous marriage to Andy (Andrew Marko). Broadway Beng’s Sebastian Tan leads the chaos as matriarch Penelope “Penny” Choo Kim, alongside a riotous cast. Expect a three-course meal, dessert buffet, beach-chic dress code and plenty of saucy family drama. It’s the first in a trilogy following the outrageous Choo clan. Read our review here.

What if we told you that you could marvel at the paintings of iconic artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet without even setting foot in France? The National Gallery Singapore’s latest blockbuster exhibition, Into the Modern: Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, marks the largest showcase of French Impressionism ever seen in Southeast Asia. Featuring over 100 artworks by 25 pioneering artists, the exhibition spans three galleries and unfolds across seven thematic sections, each offering a perspective into the movement’s evolution from its early beginnings to the present day.

Whether you’re a peacock enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Peacock Power: Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures uncovers the majestic bird’s impact across Asia. Featuring over 100 artefacts, from ceramics and clothing to intricate jewellery,  the exhibition traces the peacock’s symbolism, especially in Peranakan art and wedding traditions. It also debuts Thousand Eyes, a new ecological reinterpretation of the motif by Singaporean artist Ernest Goh.

Beyond the displays, visitors can explore peacock species and behaviours through holographic tech and interactive stations. Round out your visit with curated public programmes or join a guided tour for deeper insight into the stories behind the pieces.

Step into the world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at Healing Heritage, an exhibition tracing its roots from 19th-century medical halls to its role in everyday Singapore life today. Split across five thematic zones, it spotlights milestones in TCM’s history – from community-run clinics to charitable institutions offering affordable care. It looks into the present and future too, exploring how digital diagnostic tools and halal-certified products are modernising this age-old practice. With archival materials, recreated settings and immersive displays, the exhibition celebrates TCM as both a cultural legacy and a living, evolving tradition that continues to heal and connect communities.

Step into a radical vision of the future at the ArtScience Museum, where Another World Is Possible is on display from September 13, 2025 to February 22, 2026. The exhibition presents a distinctly Singaporean perspective on what lies ahead, emphasising environmental pragmatism, careful planning and a sense of responsibility for the world to come. This ethos is reflected throughout the exhibition’s architecture, design and artworks.

Highlights include pieces by filmmaker and speculative architect Liam Young, alongside works from both international and local creatives such as Björk, Torlarp Larpjaroensook, Osbourne Macharia, Ong Kian Peng, Jakob Kudsk Steensen, Ming Wong and others, offering a thought-provoking exploration of how art and design imagine possible futures.

Mahjong, congkak, Go...there innumerable Asian games we're sure are part of your fondest childhood memories. This September, the Asian Civilisations Museum is exhibiting Let's Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games, which takes a look at how these games, whether sporty or strategic, have evolved and shaped communities and traditions over time. Explore more than 150 games, and actually try them out at interactive installations. There'll be fun outdoor set-ups and talks and programmes throughout the exhibitions long run, too (until June 7, 2026). 

The Gallery Children's Biennale returns to National Gallery Singapore from May 31, 2025 to March 29, 2026 for its fifth edition, themed Tomorrow We'll Be.... Coinciding with the Gallery’s 10th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday, this year’s event invites visitors to explore the possibilities of their future through the values of joy, kindness, dream and love. Families can look forward to eight immersive and multi-sensory installations by local and international artists, alongside a series of engaging programmes designed to inspire creativity and reflection.