What’s happening in Singapore
The best things to do this week
Not for the faint-hearted – Universal Studios Singapore's annual scare fare returns for another year of terror. From September 27 right up to All Hallows' Eve (aka Halloween), brace yourself for five haunted houses, two scare zones and two nightmarish shows come dusk. The main star is The Curse of the Naga, an original haunted house created by filmmakers Parkpoom Wongpoom and Gunn Purijitpanya known for Thai horror blockbusters Shutter and 4bia.
Let The Try Guys (of Buzzfeed fame) – Keith, Ned, Zach and Eugene – prove their status as Legends Of The Internet by delivering their signature brand of ‘trying everything and anything’ from the screen to the stage at the Star Theatre. Unedited and unfiltered, catch the quartet reimagined those viral content you love in this interactive show.
Explore the city’s urban environment and celebrate all things architecture and design at Archifest. This year, it’s all about craft – discover the handiwork behind the architectural marvels around you and how they add vibrancy to our city. Go beyond with talks, exhibitions, tours and workshops and see the art of construction in a different light. Archifest takes place at various locations including the URA Centre.
Something new is blooming at Gardens by the Bay. Rhododendrons – the showiest flowering shrubs – are making an appearance for the first time with their big, beautiful and bright blooms. Take a stroll through the Flower Dome and admire the gorgeous, colourful display of over 80 types of rhododendrons in white, yellow, orange and red. The Gardens' adorable bear mascots are also making rounds, exploring the great outdoors with everything from camping and fishing to zip-lining and hot ballooning – it's quite a flowery adventure if you ask us!
Gear up for a roaring good time as Australia's largest comedy festival returns to our shores with more jokes. In the name of jest, catch local funnyman Fakkah Fuzz, Australia's stand-up star Becky Lucas, the award-winning comedian Aaron Chen, comedy's triple-threat (comic, musician and actor) Ben Knight, and an English Comedian Of The Year winner Brennan Reece.
The wait is finally over – Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau returns after 11 years to shower fans with all his love at the Singapore Indoor Stadium for four consecutive nights. A spectacle not to be missed, the concert features the singer performing on a massive, moving stage with two catwalk extensions, stunning lighting effects and visual projections including artworks by the Heavenly King's seven-year-old daughter.
The Japanese-based Mono is celebrating their 20th anniversary in a big way – a mega world tour. The four-piece instrumental band took the world by storm in 1999 with its unique approach of blending moving orchestral arrangements with shoegaze guitar sounds. To simply label it as post-rock would be an understatement – NME once reviewed the band's sound as "music for the Gods." You'll just have to be there to experience it.
Pangdemonium celebrates the 20th anniversary of satirical musical comedy Urinetown, ending 2019 with a splash. Catch the three Tony Award-winning musical which gleefully takes the piss out of politicians, populism, "people power", capitalism, corporate corruption, and – surprise, surprise – musicals.
Vegan food doesn’t have to be boring. The Singapore Vegan Festival will change your mind with its exciting lineup of vegan-friendly businesses across different cuisines and cultures. And it’s not just for the vegan community; those who are looking for ways to cut down their meat intake, or just simply curious about this plant-based lifestyle can drop by to learn more.
Let your little one play scientist in this interactive promenade theatre performance put together by KidsStop and Singapore Repertory Theatre. Highlighting the importance of well-being, the kids are sent on a rescue mission while exploring KidsStop on a rocket, train, and even dinosaurs. Besides interacting with actors and moving between scenes, the kids can also try out a science experiment at the Splashes of Emotions workshops and see how liquids of various colours are associated to various emotions.
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The best of Singapore
Neighbourhood guides
Once a prominent red-light district, you’d think it would take loads to eradicate the impression of Keong Saik Road being littered with brothels in the 1960s. Well, you’re right – and it has. Now, this bustling neighborhood has somehow seamlessly fused the traditional with modern to offer some of the most unique (and delicious) places to visit whether you’re a tourist or a local lifestyle enthusiast. From gourmet restaurants to trendy bars and even bespoke tailors, you’ll be filled with an endless array of activities as you traverse along the streets of shophouses. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Singapore and the best bars to try out in Singapore
Busy, noisy, filled with people, that’s the general consensus of the Chinatowns of the world. Singapore’s is no different, but ours (perhaps we’re biased) has a charming air about it that appeals to both tourists and locals. A good mix of hawker fare and swish eateries, history and architecture, here are a few good reasons to head down to Chinatown. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things to do in Singapore and guide to getting around Singapore
Joo Chiat and Katong have gained popularity over the years for their blend of Instagram-worthy Peranakan shophouses, delectable cuisine, and indie retail stores. Named after philanthropist, Chew Joo Chiat, this charming corner in the east of Singapore was once a small village of seaside retreats for the wealthy. It's since been revamped into a residential suburb surrounded by shops and eateries. Declared as Singapore’s first Heritage Town in 2011, this East Coast enclave still holds timeless treasures and insight into the rich Peranakan cultural heritage of the 1950s. Today, most of Joo Chiat’s multi-ethnic influences are most evident in its architecture, dining options, and activities. RECOMMENDED Creative spaces in Katong and Joo Chiat and the best restaurants and cafés in Katong
Singapore's glamorous shopping belt dazzles with luxury stores, local boutiques and plenty to eat, see and do.
It’s a given that Little India is colourful, vibrant and a hive of activity – but it’s also changing and gentrifying. There’s never a dull moment on this stretch, here are some of our favourite spots. RECOMMENDED: Where to eat in Little India
What was once Singapore’s sleaze central has smartened up big time thanks to classy new developments like Andaz. While the area is evolving into a mini CBD, it hasn’t gone all business-like just yet. With its mix old-and-new, here are some of our new (and old) favourite haunts. Still can't get enough of what this colourful neighbourhood has to offer? Check out the best cafes in Bugis or go on a bar crawl guide in Bugis when it gets dark out.
Singapore's infamous redlight district is the place to go your craving for the king of fruits and good food at any hour of the night.
Take a one-way (MRT) trip to the far east – you’ll find more than chalets and droves of army boys. Hit up Pasir Ris and Changi for a walk through nature as you explore the mangroves or chug down refreshing brews by the seaside. We round up where to hang out and what to do while you're in these two quaint neighbourhoods.
More than just the neighbourhood with Singapore's first IKEA, Queenstown is also home to plenty of cheap and good eats, outlet malls for a good bargain and more.
Get acquainted: Tampines – named for the large number of ‘tampinis’, or ironwood, trees that used to be in the neighbourhood – is the largest residential area in Singapore. The colourful HDB blocks and smart design of the district earned Tampines the United Nations World Habitat Award for Excellence in Housing Design in 1992. Make a deal: Just outside the MRT exit, bargains abound in 513 Tampines Central 1. Get cheap clothes at CK Discount, then wander around the building clockwise until you hear the carnival soundtrack and come to stall No 152 – Three Stars Buy 1 Free 1. Just like the name says, when you buy one of the household goods on sale, you get one free. Along the way, keep your eyes open for discount underwear and a jewellery pawn shop. Eat: On the third floor of the Tampines Mall (4 Tampines Central 5, and ground zero for mainstream shopping in this area), peek in the window of Din Tai Fung and watch dim sum masters rolling out dough and turning it into divine dumplings… okay, enough watching. Time to grab a seat and eat! For what could possibly be Singapore’s best dining bargain (a major claim), head to block 823A on Tampines Street 81 and find stall No 820 in the Food Park for a plate of $1.30 chicken rice. Get fit: After all that chicken rice (at those prices, you know you’ll get seconds), you’ll need a workout. The Tampines Sports Hall (495 Tampines Ave 5 S) offers 19 badminton and table tennis courts where you can play with your birdies and balls. If that doesn
