Rachel Yohannan

There’s a whole load of cool stuff happening across the world in 2026, but if you’re after some outstanding art to add to your bucket list for the year, Time Out has you covered. We’ve called on our international network of editors and writers, and dug around the ‘upcoming’ sections of galleries across the planet, to curate our very own list of all the art and culture worth travelling for in 2026. From retrospectives of greats like Raphael and Matisse to city-wide biennales and beautifully crafted fashion retrospectives, read on for all the very best exhibitions taking place across the planet in 2026. RECOMMENDED:🎪 The world’s best music festivals for 2026🛍️ The coolest streets in the world🏘️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🌍 The best new things to do in the world in 2026 Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.

The New Year's Eve fireworks in Singapore get even more impressive with each year, and we aren’t expecting anything less this December 31. While the annual Let’s Celebrate countdown show and fireworks will be televised live on our local free-to-air channels, nothing beats getting to experience the fireworks in person. While this show will be held at Siloso Beach this year, the Marina Bay area will still be having its own fireworks extravaganza, as will Kallang – which means you’ll get to admire the pyrotechnics from even more locations this year. Read on for a list of the best New Year’s Eve fireworks viewing locations in Singapore, from free viewing spots to paid venues that are worth the splurge. RECOMMENDED: Best New Year's Eve parties and events in Singapore and 17 heartland locations across Singapore will have New Year's Eve celebrations

December in Singapore sure hits different. The streets light up, everyone’s in that year-end holiday mood, and there’s a buzz in the air as we go about shopping for gifts for loved ones. To soak in the yuletide vibes all in one place, an outing to a Christmas market does the trick – they’re a happy spread of trinket-filled stalls, food kiosks dishing out seasonal treats, live shows by talented performers, carnival games and more, all set against twinkling decorations that create a magical atmosphere. Read on for our pick of the best Christmas markets in Singapore in 2025, each with plenty of fun for the whole family. RECOMMENDED: The best places Christmas events in Singapore and  The best Christmas log cakes to get in Singapore this year    

Whether you’re a visitor planning your very first visit to Singapore, or a Singaporean mapping out a special occasion in the city, choosing a hotel in Singapore is an important (and sometimes overwhelming) task. With so many spectacular stays to choose between – from the world-famous Raffles to new boutique stays like 21 Carpenter – it can be challenging to decide which is best for you. To help you determine which hotel to book for your next visit or staycation, our team of local editors (including Time Out Singapore Editor Cheryl Sekkappan, Regional Content Director for Time Out APAC Nicole-Marie Ng and local writer Dewi Nurjuwita) have tried and tested the city’s top-ranking hotels to determine which are worth your time.The list has been overseen by Winnie Stubbs, Travel and Hotels Editor APAC and self-confessed hotel obsessive. Each hotel has been chosen based on amenities, design and proximity to the city’s highlights – with many hotels on the list within walking distance of the best restaurants and bars in Singapore.Read on for our guide to the very best hotels in Singapore right now. RECOMMENDED: The best Singapore attractions to visitThe best rooftop bars in SingaporeAirport hotels in SingaporeThe best luxury hotels in Singapore At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on to

Mariah Carey has defrosted, and the island is lit aglow with thousands of twinkling lights and towering trees. Yes, the Christmas season is here once again to close off another year. While we can only dream of a white Christmas in these tropics, the festivities in Singapore are no less magical with stretches of magnificent street decorations, scheduled ‘snowfall’ sessions, and even themed set-ups featuring your favourite characters from Disney and Sanrio. Go on and chase those lights at these best places to see Christmas decorations in Singapore in 2025. RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas 2025 events in Singapore and The best Christmas log cakes to get in Singapore this year  

This list is from 2024. Our latest ranking for 2025 is live here. Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character. Streets are the heart of local life; they’re where communities come together, where new local businesses become go-to staples and where urbanites go out, hang out and have fun.  So what are the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now? To find the answer, we reached out to our global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. We then narrowed down the selection to create a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities. Over the last few years, street life has gone through something of an evolution. Outdoor drinking and dining, at one point a temporary measure, has become a staple on many of the streets on our hotlist; only bolstered by green initiatives like pedestrianisation and low-traffic avenues. In other words, these streets have become much more walkable and pleasant places to spend our time. On every street on this list, there are bold, creative new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture: from listening bars to repurposed heritage buildings, these streets are where you’ll find a city’s most ex

Although not widely celebrated by Singaporeans, the occasion of Thanksgiving has an essence that’s borderless: Being grateful for both the big and little things, and gathering in the company of your loved ones over a delicious meal. Relatable enough. Whether it’s an existing tradition in your family or otherwise, there’s no harm in partaking in the festivities and carving into a stuffed turkey together, just like how they do in those Hallmark holiday movies. Who could say no to that? Consider Thanksgiving a nice prelude to Christmas, since it occurs on the fourth Thursday of November each year – this year’s is on November 27, 2025. Besides, the seasonal autumn flavours often seen in Turkey Day spreads are always a palatable plus. Here are the six best restaurants in Singapore for a hearty Thanksgiving get-together. RECOMMENDED: Check out this list of restaurants in Singapore recommended by the Time Out team for 2025 and The best new restaurants in Singapore

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali (or Diwali) is an annual religious celebration for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in Singapore. For those who are still unfamiliar, here's an in-depth guide on everything you need to know about the occasion, from its origins, to how it's celebrated in the Little Red Dot, and where you can get in on the celebrations regardless of your background.We've also compiled some tips on house guest etiquette if you've been invited to a friend's Deepavali open house party for the first time and aren't sure of what to wear or bring. RECOMMENDED: The best Indian restaurants in Singapore and the ultimate guide to Little India

This list is from 2024. Our latest ranking for 2025 is live here. In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is

The good thing about working in Singapore’s Central Business District is that you’re never short of food options. And on weekdays, there’s that added perk of set lunches, often at value-for-money prices. Whether you’re bonding with your favourite colleagues during break time or entertaining clients, these CBD restaurants offer some of the best business lunch sets in town – with prices starting from just $18. Even if you’re not planning a meal with work associates, these set lunches are worth taking leave for on a random weekday where you simply feel like treating yourself. RECOMMENDED: The best new restaurants in Singapore and the best happy hour deals in the city

It’s time to live life in the fast lane – the Grand Prix™ Season Singapore (GPSS) is back from September 26 to October 5, revving up with even more thrills beyond the race track. Besides cheering on your favourite speedsters zipping through the circuit, there are also plenty of things to do to immerse yourself in the buzz. With one-of-a-kind experiences that roll out just once a year during race week, you’ve got every reason to explore the city before – and even after – the final checkered flag waves. We’re talking 10 days of exciting experiences covering everything from parties at the hottest clubs to exclusive F&B deals, plus unique retail pop-ups and limited-edition merch drops – there’s bound to be something for everyone, no matter your speed. Here are the best spots to hit up this GPSS 2025, and all the activity highlights you shouldn’t miss. For the full lowdown, download your ultimate guide to the season.

There’s never a bad time for ice cream – especially not in Singapore’s unforgiving tropical heat. An abundance of ice cream parlours are dotted all around the island, and we’ve got the scoop on which are most worth your calories. From a gelato café with tea-based flavours, to a late-night joint that opens till 2am, and a homegrown chain we grew up with and still love dearly – here are the best ice cream stores in Singapore for a cool indulgent treat. RECOMMENDED The best guilt-free ice cream in Singapore and the best soft-serve ice creams in Singapore  

Christmas fairytales come to life at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, with this year’s festive decor following a Nutcracker theme – referencing the classic Christmas adventure we all know and love. But it’s not ‘B’ for ‘book’ nor ‘ballet’ this time. It’s ‘B’ for ‘butler’, as in MBS’s dedicated troop of butlers – Singapore’s largest – who are always ready to assist visitors and guests’ every query with a smile and peak professionalism. The sprawling Marina Bay Sands compound is now home to nearly 190 Christmas trees, and among them stand 88 nutcracker butlers as homage to these key but oft-overlooked staff members of MBS. Making a comeback at The Shoppes is a whimsical ‘forest’ of floating Christmas trees, as though straight out of our dreams. Except, this enchanting sight isn’t a ‘pinch me’ hallucination – it’s real life, and you’ll be able to witness it till December 29, 2025.  The Christmas magic dials further up a notch with The Nutcracker Butlet’s Concert, a twinkling fairy light show at this levitating forest at 7.30pm and 8.30pm daily, with lilting music and immersive LED animations on 16 screens as the backdrop. The show runs for just five minutes at a go, so plan your visit in time to catch its epic blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. But don’t just stay indoors, because the experience extends outside with a gold-hued light-up of the building’s facade, along with nutcracker-themed projections on the lotus-shaped structure of the ArtScience Museum. Take note: The outdoor disp

We're closing out October and can already smell Christmas in the air – especially with news about the return of Singapore's biggest year-end market. The World Christmas Market 2025 returns this December as Togetherland, running from December 11 to January 4 at Bayfront Event Space with an exciting Santa sack of activities and events. There'll be lots to explore at Togetherland, which unfolds across nine zones to the theme of "A Christmas Constellation". Each zone is named after one of the Reindeer Hosts, featuring a lively musical, artisanal bazaar, community initiatives, and family attractions.  The clear highlight is Dancer's Magical Playground, a commissioned Christmas musical with a line-up of live performances under a canopy of stars. After singing along to cheerful Christmas carols, you can pick up handcrafted Christmas gifts and social-impact creations at Prancer's Star Bazaar. And because Christmas is all about feasting, you can bet on an impressive spread at Togetherland: modern dining and themed cocktails star at Dasher's Festive Feast, while fine cheeses, wine, chocolate and festive bakes await at Comet's Global Market.  The very first World Christmas Market had a popular Candy Cane Lane – and we're chuffed to say it's back. Get your cameras ready for illuminated candy cane installations, real Christmas trees, and expanded photo installations. And in the Christmas spirit of giving, visit Donner's Heatrlight Haven, where you can meet charities and social enterprises

Christmas on a Great Street – Orchard Road’s annual year-end light-up – is back once again to blanket our shopping belt in sparkling Yuletide magic. Those with sharp eyes might already have noticed some baubles and bits being strung from Orchard’s lamp posts, but things are about to get more dazzling with the flick of the switch on November 8. Running till January 1, 2026, this 55-day festive display stretches all the way from Tanglin to Dhoby Ghaut. That’s 3.1km worth of sights to soak in. This year’s colour theme features soft, elegant hues of rose gold, gold, and silvery white. But because it’s SG60, local motifs like Merli the Merlion and the iconic dragon playground will pepper the area with more vividness. In lieu of the usual sleigh, Santa’s reindeer will be pulling a trishaw instead – a cute nod to our past. As you’re strolling along, make a point to stop and look up at the facade of Hilton Singapore Orchard for a mesmerising 3D projection mapping show. Spirits will run high at not one but two Christmas villages. The one outside Ngee Ann City will feature carnival games, rides, and a revamped Christmas market with tasty bites and a craft beer bar. Gather around the 14-metre tree for nightly "snowfall", and don’t miss the weekend evening live performances starring Jill-Marie Thomas, Singapore Idol alumni Mathilda D’Silva and Maia Lee, and more. Over at Shaw House, things are more child-friendly with a Kiztopia Christmas Market featuring milder rides and claw machines.

The festive season is upon us, and you know the drill: Christmas Wonderland is here to bring cheer to Gardens by the Bay for yet another magical edition, starting from November 29, 2025. Presented in collaboration with Trip.com, this massive outdoor Christmas market and carnival has been ranked as one of the best in the world by CNN Travel. While the event is returning to its usual location at the Supertree Grove, this year’s iteration will also sprawl across The Meadow – so expect it to be even more exciting than you’ve ever experienced. One of the main highlights of Christmas Wonderland in Singapore is its annual Spalliera illumination displays, expertly crafted by Italian artisans. Revellers can look forward to frolicking beneath those magnificent structures as powdery white “snow” falls all around. Get further into the Yuletide spirit with carnival games and rides, carolling performances, and tasty Christmassy treats from a mini food village – just like the ones seen at those classic Christmas markets in Europe. A little birdie also told us that there will be a flying Santa making an appearance this year. Christmas Wonderland will be running from November 29, 2025 to January 1, 2026, from 6.30pm to 11pm daily. Ticketing information, including prices, will be available from November 13 onwards. Find out more here. 

If you’re down to get edgy, mark your calendar for DnA Fest – an unexpected collision of different arts disciplines, served with a side of sass. Sit back for a screening of The House of Janus – a modern film take on Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas – starring and directed by Ong Keng Sen who’s also responsible for local comedy hit movie Army Daze. Or, get wild with Dido & The Belindas, a vibrant drag spectacle featuring none other than queen Becca D’Bus. End it off with Afterparty, an underground ballroom event with flashy runway battles and wicked beats. Find out more here.

It’s all things K-culture at Hallyu Weekend, a three-day festival packed with music, dance, and merch. Dance trainer DJ Blink from SM Entertainment will be hosting a free K-pop party with the hottest beats, while Jam Republic’s skilled choreographers will be conducting a dance workshop suitable for all levels. Dreaming of being the next big thing? Try your luck at auditions for KQ Entertainment – the same company responsible for world-famous groups like Ateez. If you’d rather be by the sidelines, watch the finalists of the Dance Dance Hallyu competition battle it out, or simply drop by the K-Culture Market to score some loot featuring your biases. Find out more here.

Thanks to Emerald Hill – a spin-off of popular Mediacorp series The Little Nyonya – Peranakan fever is sweeping over Singapore, and Sentosa is also getting in on the fanfare. From now till the end of August, hop on over to the scenic island and experience a cultural immersion like no other with kebaya rental, Nyonya-inspired afternoon tea, and heritage craft workshops where you’ll learn the art of tile painting and floral embroidery. But the grand highlight? Larger-than-life installations of giant beaded slippers, tingkats and teapots, and a kaleidoscopic replica of a Peranakan shophouse with nightly light shows. Find out more here.

Enjoyed the cute fruit-themed exhibition at Heartware Store & Gallery a couple of months back? The art space at Joo Chiat is now hosting Japanese artist maitoparta’s first solo Singapore showcase titled Itadakimasu! – featuring her signature kooky-looking wooden sculptures all handpainted in bright colours. There will also be exhibition-exclusive posters, plushies, bag charms and more, and pretty much everything you see displayed will be for sale. Be quick, because some of them are one-of-a-kind, with no remakes. Entry is free. Find out more here.

Grab your picnic mats and baskets and make a date for a musical soirée at the Botanic Gardens – because the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is gracing the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage with a free concert. Lounge on the lawn surrounded by lush foliage, and be serenaded with classical tunes composed by the likes of legends Brahms and Mendelssohn, as well as Singapore’s very own Lee Jinjun. Among the mix, look forward to the first movement of Beethoven’s iconic ‘Symphony No. 5’ – a number you should recognise by its grandiose melody, even if not by title. Pets are welcome too. Find out more here.

*Scape knows what’s up when it comes to the cool crowd. Its latest youth-centric event, It’s Giving Fest, is turning up the heat with a solid mix of music, food, wellness and games. Groove to live performances by homegrown music talents including Benjamin Kheng, Shye, and Tasha Low, or get your muscles moving with pilates and K-pop workouts – all for absolutely free. Or, team up with your fave local stars like Annette Lee and Zhang Ze Tong in a celebrity telematch showdown for laughs and prizes. Add some new treasures to your collection at the flea market and celebrity charity auction, snap some photo booth keepsakes, and when you’re hungry after all the action, stop by the food truck for burgers and other festival grub. It’s two days of non-stop fun – check out the full event line-up here.

Get swept up in a fairytale of gallant knights and castle landscapes with Rose Romance at Gardens by the Bay. This year’s edition of the Flower Dome display takes you back in time to old England, paying homage to the legend of King Arthur with scenes of Camelot brought to life. Spot the mythical sword of Excalibur, take your spot at the Round Table, learn about the history of British castles, and stroll through paths lined with thousands of beautiful roses in various species and hues. Also on display are icons of England’s more modern eras – from red telephone boots to mailboxes and royal palace guard uniforms. Find out more and book your tickets here.    

Seen a long queue outside Mandarin Gallery lately? That would be the line for the purchase of Singapore-exclusive blind boxes and other paraphernalia at the ongoing Pop Mart Summer pop-up. Even if you’re not down to splurge on collectible toys, it’s still worth stopping by to check out the larger-than-life installations featuring Dimoo, Labubu, Hirono and the gang. Parked right outside the mall next to the Peranakan-inspired container store are character standees alongside nostalgic local icons like the dragon playground and a rickshaw. But wait, there’s more – head into the mall for even more Pop Mart photo spots, featuring HDB block facades and traditional kueh. Hint: The fun doesn’t just stop on the first floor.

Furnishing one’s home and personal spaces is now increasingly as much about self-expression as it is about utility. Though mass-produced home items that you can conveniently pick up from any other mall in Singapore serve their purpose perfectly well, there’s a growing base of people who are into collecting quirkier finds with stories and craft behind them – with each carefully chosen piece adding character and charm to one’s abode. If that sounds like you, you’ll delight over Frikin Guds, a cosy new multi-label lifestyle boutique at Golden Mile Tower. Photograph: Frikin Guds A beautiful mess of colours and textures greets you once you set foot into Frikin Guds. Take your time to browse through the eclectic collection of wares, all purposefully curated from independent labels and crafters from around the region. Some of these include: Sardine from Thailand, self-proclaimed to offer “homeware and nonsense things” in bright hues; homegrown small-batch fragrance brand From Yesterday which crafts scents based on memories; and Sad Studio from Malaysia, with its myriad of simple yet eye-pleasing 3D-printed vases and lamps. Photograph: Frikin Guds There’s also a selection of woven accessories, jewellery, glassware, tote bags and more. Some of these might even be rare or one-of-a-kind pieces. Because the boutique is modest in size, its goods are also mostly fun-sized for now – which is perfect for those living in tiny HDB apartments. Frikin Guds is located at Golden Mile Tower, #0

If there’s something that’s always at the top of our minds, it’s travel – but don’t just take it from us. According to a YouGov study, more than half (59 percent) of Singaporeans venture abroad for leisure trips at least once a year. But with higher costs of international travel and accommodation, the pinch is real, and Singaporeans are starting to cut back due to “financial pressures”, with a third (29 percent) of adults now travelling less than usual. In fact, YouGov states that 65 percent of travellers are now altering their holiday plans due to expenses involved. That’s not to say that flocking abroad is off the menu completely; People are simply reducing the frequency of travel (34 percent), and heading to more affordable destinations (36 percent). Around half the travellers polled seek to travel during off-peak seasons and lock in their bookings early in order to shave off some of the costs. As to where everyone’s headed to these days? It’s mostly Asian countries near us that are perceived as the most wallet-friendly, with Malaysia, Japan, and China being the top three destinations in order of ranking based on improved value-for-money – so don’t be surprised to hear more of those unmistakable “lah”s and “leh”s around you when visiting these destinations in the coming year. Specifically, China has gained the highest year-on-year consideration (6.6 percent increase) as a potential holiday destination, while close to half (46.5 percent) of Singaporean wanderlusters are kee

Singapore is in her pickleball era and we’re all for it. Shortly after the opening of the country’s largest pickleball facility comes something a little more unexpected: a pink-hued pickleball court at the unassuming Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre. It automatically creates a playful and non-intimidating vibe for novice picklers, and the cherry on top? It’s fully air-conditioned. Photograph: Play! Pickle Featuring four doubles courts, and one singles court, Play! Pickle Serangoon is not your typical pickleball facility. It’s less hardcore sports arena, more friendly social space, with its court walls, lines, fences, and furniture all washed in soft pink. Music plays throughout the venue on JBL speakers to amp up the mood, round tables with chairs are available to facilitate mingling, and a selfie mirror full of doodles stands in the corner for players to capture memories in between matches. Further bolstering the community aspect at Play! Pickle Serangoon are themed social events, both recurring and one-off. Weekly Monday Makan sessions ($10) come with a simple lunch and two hours of open play from 12pm to 2pm, while Shio Pan Thursdays ($12) give you access during the same hours with the perk of some trendy salt bread. If you don’t already have your own go-to pickleball posse, Play! Pickle might just be where you’ll find your tribe. Photograph: Play! Pickle Coming up this festive season are a Christmas Day pickleball party where each player gets an exclusive limited-editi

There’s already a ton of New Year’s Eve 2025 countdown events in Singapore to choose from, and here’s one more party adding to the fray. This one’s for the revellers who thrive on high-octane music sets drenched in dazzling neons as you dance through the night. Party central CQ @ Clarke Quay – where else? – is turning up the heat this December 31 with The Next Stage: New Age, with non-stop beats and boogieing from 7pm till late. Illuminating the precinct along the Singapore River is a series of four biome light installations, set to glow on December 30 and 31 from noon till 10pm. From a cyberpunk-style photo booth to luminous floating sea creatures and an interactive Alice in Wonderland-esque mini forest, these art structures set the stage for an electrifying night ahead. Photograph: CQ @ Clarke Quay At the fountain square is a planetarium-inspired stage, where the main magic happens as everyone counts down to midnight on the last day of the year. But before that, gear up for a consecutive line-up of live music performances by Zouk's DJ Gainzter and homegrown cover band Nation One starting from 7pm. Amidst the grooving, make sure you pop on over to the Read Bridge at 9pm and 11pm – here's where you can watch the skies come alive with CQ’s drone show, with this year’s version featuring five acts. Don’t have a ride? Save yourself the squeeze on public transport and catch the CQ Night Shuttle, which will be running on NYE in addition to its usual Friday and Saturday schedule.

Earlier this year, Singapore’s very first Lotte Mart Express opened at VivoCity, and it seems like things are going well because a second outlet just opened its doors in Jurong. Like the first, this one follows a store-within-a-store concept, nestled within FairPrice Xtra at JEM. This way, shoppers get to kill two birds with one stone when doing grocery shopping runs – convenient. Browse over 800 Korean products, including over 160 store-exclusive items as well as launches yet to be seen elsewhere in Singapore. Among these are private label goods from Yorihada, which offers premium Korean meals, and Good Today, with its range of addictive ready-to-consume snacks and drinks. Photograph: Lotte Mart Express Get your fix Korean street eats here too, with Yorihada Kitchen, a dedicated section with freshly made snacks and desserts including honey rice cakes, squid kimchi pancakes, sweet potato fritters, fish cake skewers and more. While not exactly Seoul’s Gwangjang Market, this zone still serves as a comforting stand-in for when you’re missing those authentic K-food street flavours.  Photograph: Lotte Mart Express Another highlight is the instant noodle bar, where you can pick, prepare, and slurp up ramyeon from various popular brands on the spot. There’s a small bar counter where you can rest your feet while having your meal, but if you don’t mind standing, the giant noodle cup tables are a cute and quirky touch. Also part of Lotte Mart Express JEM are interactive stations, i

The year-end festivities are ramping up full force, with a whole series of Christmas light-ups and upcoming countdown parties to send off 2025 with big sparkle. Adding on to that is the largest New Year countdown projection show in the ASEAN region, coming right to the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District. Leading up to New Year’s Eve, there will be nightly projection mapping displays stretched across the towering ‘canvas’ of UOB Plaza at Raffles Place, looping from 8pm to 10.30pm. First up is a festive show from December 18 to 25, which features works by artists with disabilities as well as pieces from the most recent UOB Painting of the Year competition.  Thereafter, gear up for the countdown show spanning December 26 to January 1, where the 67-storey skyscraper will take you on a journey through a futuristic version of Singapore. Like the previous set of projections, this will be followed by works from the UOB Painting of the Year competition. Come December 31, everything builds up into an exhilarating countdown on the facades of UOB Plaza 1 as well as The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, marking a grand start to what lies ahead in 2026. The light shows are accompanied by a rousing soundtrack titled 'Here We Are (Elijah version)' – an acoustic rendition of National Day theme song 'Here We Are', specially composed in an ode to a late cancer-stricken boy named Elijah who loved the song. Proceeds from the tune will go towards the Children's Cancer Foundation, in the spiri

Changi Airport’s fifth terminal has been in the works for a long time, with initial announcements dating back to 2013 – and with construction finally starting this year, there’s still a fair way to go before it takes flight in the mid-2030s. But till then, you can get a sneak peek into the upcoming Terminal 5 with T5 in the Making, an immersive free-entry exhibition that shows what’s really going on behind the scenes. Photograph: Changi Airport Group Through five multisensory zones with AI elements, explore the high-tech systems, innovations, and cutting-edge design planned for T5, along with a dive into Changi Airport’s history and imagination of its future. The centrepiece of the exhibition is an installation that charts the transformation of how a piece of reclaimed land in tiny Singapore eventually gave rise to the world’s best airport today.  Photograph: Changi Airport Group Visitors are also invited to envision their own version of T5, and add their touch to an interactive station that lets them visualise what lays ahead for the airport. The T5 in the Making exhibition will be running at Changi Airport Terminal 3, Level 1 Arrival Hall from January 6 to March 2026, 10am to 8pm daily (last entry at 7.15pm). Admission is free, but online registration is required. Find out more and make your booking here. READ MORE Singapore's first official Gundam store is opening at Jewel Changi in 2026 Morgan Jay is bringing his viral 'Goofy Guy' comedy tour to Singapore, with autot

Consider this a Christmas gift from the Land Transport Authority (LTA): if you live in the North-East of Singapore, you’ll be glad to know that there will be free morning MRT rides at selected stations on the purple North-East Line (NEL), as well as the Sengkang-Punggol LRT loops, during off-peak hours from December 27, 2025. The NEL train stations part of this limited-time initiative are: Kovan, Hougang, Buangkok, Sengkang, and the newly opened Punggol Coast MRT station. To be eligible for the free rides, simply tap in at any of the participating stations before 7.30am, or between 9am to 9.45am on weekdays, excluding Public Holidays. You’ll automatically get your transport fees waived for the first train ride of your commute. Passengers do not necessarily have to exit at one of these stations – you’ll enjoy this perk as long as you meet the tap-in requirements, so the free rides are also applicable if your workplace or destination is located at, say, the CBD. For those who have flexible working hours, now’s the time to put that to your advantage. And if you’re on a fixed schedule, try taking this chance to get an early start to the day, and grab a hearty breakfast before heading into your office. Our list of best cafés in the CBD might come in handy. According to LTA, the free morning rides are to “moderate travel demand during the morning peak and improve the experience for commuters”. Concurrently, passengers continue to enjoy a 50-cent reduction in MRT journeys when tappi

First the Pokémon Center, then the One Piece Mugiwara Store, and now The Gundam Base – Jewel Changi is fast becoming a hotspot for manga and anime enthusiasts, with Singapore’s first official Gundam store soon to open at the verdant airport mall sometime next year. The shop’s hoardings are already up, with an unspecified opening date in 2026 printed proudly on its decals, so all that’s left to do is wait. In the meantime, here’s a little sneak of what you can expect at The Gundam Base Singapore. Like most other branches of the hobby store, the upcoming one at Changi Airport will have shelves stocked full of Gunpla model kits, which are boxes of build-it-yourself Gundam figures based on the Japanese animated sci-fi series centred around giant military robots. Most of these kits come with pre-coloured pieces, although the more complex ones might require stickers. Hardcore enthusiasts might also choose to paint extra details on their Gundam robots. There will also be life-sized Gundam displays, model-building workshops for those looking to learn tips and tricks, along with Singapore-exclusive launches worth gunning for. The Gundam Base currently has multiple outlets in Japan, with a flagship at Odaiba, Tokyo, and a couple of international openings in Asia including cities like Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul, and China. There's also one opening in Hong Kong this December, 2025. READ MORE Morgan Jay is bringing his viral 'Goofy Guy' comedy tour to Singapore, with autotune and crowd work

If La Liste is our annual food report card, then it’s safe to say that Singapore is consistently outdoing itself in the world of fine-dining. This year, the French food guide has named 17 restaurants from Singapore in its Top 1000 Restaurants list, standing proud alongside other top-notch dining establishments from around the world. Singapore's 2026 tally is three more than in 2025. All the 14 restaurants from the previous edition of the ranking remain on the leaderboard, with Les Amis, Odette, and Zén once again being tied at the top with scores of 97.5 out of 100 each. Some other names have also risen up the ranks, with Cloudstreet, Meta, and Thevar now scoring 91, up from previous scores ranging between 75.5 to 83. Joining these awardees are three new list entrants: Michelin-starred Malaysian restaurant Seroja, modern Indian-influenced grill house Revolver, and Sushi Sakuta, the island’s newest two-Michelin-starred sushi restaurant which serves Edo-style omakase. Well-deserved. Hit the links for each of the restaurants to check out our reviews and find out what we love so much about them. Photograph: Sushi Sakuta Restaurants in Singapore on La Liste’s Top 1000 Restaurants 2026 list: Les Amis: (97.5) Odette (97.5) Zén (97.5) Saint Pierre (94.5) Burnt Ends (92.5) JAAN by Kirk Westaway (92.5) Cloudstreet (91) Meta (91) Thevar (91) Waku Ghin (88.5) Shoukouwa (84.5) Seroja (80) Cut by Wolfgang Puck (77.5) Revolver (77.5) Iggy's (77) Shisen Hanten (76.5) Sushi Sakuta (750 Se

Ask a Singaporean what they love most about this island, and a resounding “food!” will likely be one of the more common answers you’ll get. It’s no secret that we’re a nation of foodies, but it can’t be helped – there’s a whole myriad of delicious cuisines packed within this Little Red Dot. Visitors from around the world would probably say the same, and TasteAtlas has just further solidified this with its 100 Best Food Cities in the World list for 2025 and 2026. Though we rank 20th on the global scoreboard, we’re actually fourth in Asia, which we take as a pretty decent win considering how there are so many flavours to enjoy around the region.  TasteAtlas highlights char kway teow, Hainanese chicken rice, cereal prawn, and chilli crab as some of our must-try dishes. The food and travel guide also singles out a couple of our local eateries, with Kwang Kee Teochew Fish Porridge, Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon, and the famous Song Fa Bak Kut Teh being some of the few. Looks like they know what’s up – humble hawker stalls are where it’s all at for the best traditional eats. Chocolate Origin and East Asia Whisky Company also get a shoutout for being some of the ‘best gourmet producers’ in Singapore, according to TasteAtlas. The top spots in the list are all dominated by Italy, with Naples, Milan, Bologna and Florence ranking first to fourth, in that order. Topping Asia’s list is Mumbai, India (#5 globally), with Osaka (#11) and Kyoto (#14) in Japan beating us by a couple of notche

You might just be watching Physical: Asia for the plot, and that plot might just be…certain eye candy contestants that have kept you glued to your screen. Well, doesn’t matter as long as it inspires you in your own fitness journey, we say. And there’s nothing more motivating than getting to train with South Korean oppa Amotti himself. Yes, the 33-year-old muscled powerhouse, whose real name is Kim Jae-hong, will be coming down to Singapore in the flesh to conduct a one-day-only fitness class as part of lululemon Training Ground – a sports pop-up at Clarke Quay featuring a series of group classes that are sure to make you sweat buckets. Other programmes as part of the training schedule include beginner-friendly sessions, high-intensity circuits, and sprint challenges. While there, get first dibs on lululemon’s latest sports gear, with event-exclusive customisation of your apparel. Full line-up for lululemon Training Ground 2026 in Singapore: Train with Amotti Strength and Stride with Samuel Lim and Jess Arrowsmith REVL Team Sweat with Syam Ignite and Unite with Alicia Teng and Gino Morales Breakthrough with MVRCK The lululemon Training Ground will be here in Singapore on January 24, 2026, from 8am to 6pm at CQ @ Clark Quay Block B. The class schedule and prices have not been released as of yet, but you can register for early bird access here from December 12 to 18, 2025 to gain priority to the limited spots. General admission tickets will be released on December 29. READ MOR