The best things to do in Singapore this week (Oct 21-27)

If the video game Left 4 Dead, film Zombieland and TV series The Walking Dead have prepped you on defeating the undead, then sign up for Asia's first-ever zombie survival game and kick some butt IRL. This Halloween weekend, the National Stadium is turning into a post-apocalyptic Nerf battleground where you can battle against other 'survivors' and ‘zombie-fied’ players, and track your progress in real-time.

Singapore's going automobileless for Car-Free Weekend. Several streets in Telok Ayer and the Civic District are closed off to vehicles for a line-up of fun-filled activities to promote a car-lite lifestyle and spotlight Singapore's heritage. Together with The Local People, celebrate local culture and heritage at Local Heroes at Telok Ayer – Food and Art Market where you can browse through the various offerings, check out the art installations and partake in engaging activities.

Run at sunset as the largest night relay returns with two race categories – the 42km Full Marathon and the 21km Half Marathon. There are also team marathons if you're looking to run with the gang. After the sweat sesh, take a breather at the race village for tasty bites, fun activities and must-see previews from various brands. Check out the 180-degree photo booth and face painting, or explore the ASICS booth for the latest shoe models and merch. Korean DJ duo 2 Hearts are spinning energetic beats on the decks to keep spirits up.

Bedrock Bar and Grill is bringing food-and-whisky pairing to the spotlight with its one-night-only dinner experience. The 5-course dinner features whiskeys from the renowned Old Forester and Woodford Reserve distilleries, paired with plates of smoky meats. Expect roasted pork belly with celeriac remoulade and melon dressing, paired with Old Forester Statesman, or the wood-fired grilled dry-aged striploin served with the Woodford Reserve Master Collection Brandy Cask.

Sip your rice instead of eating it at Sake Sake, a festival dedicated to the fermented rice drink. Back for its third year, this year’s edition features an afternoon of exclusive sake tasting, paired with various Japanese cuisine. Brewmasters and sake sommeliers are also present to provide more information on Japan’s heritage drink.

Calling all gals, guys and ghouls – Deliveroo Food Market invites all for a trick-or-treat this spooky season. With every order placed, customers are in for a complimentary surprise when they collect their meals in the automated cubbies. Whether it's a sweet treat or a scary surprise, only the spooks in the kitchen get to decide. If you're in for some horror flick, grab some snacks at Deliveroo Food Market and enjoy two hair-raising movie screenings: A Quiet Place (October 25) and Ouija: Origin of Evil (October 31).

Nothing gives us the heebie-jeebies like Asian supernatural beliefs. Taking inspiration from the famous 18th-century Chinese book Strange Tales, this year's annual Asian Civilisation Museum spookfest presents a slew of family-friendly activities, chilling performances and paranormal talks. Or amp up the scare-o-meter with an adults-only immersive experiential storytelling in the dark. But before you leave, be sure to make your own scary souvenir to take home, or have your fortunes drawn by local illustrators.

The Istana opens its doors for all to check out the President’s sweet digs along Orchard Road, set on the grounds of a former 19th-century nutmeg plantation. This annual open house led by PSM Volunteer guides offers guests a rare peek into the offices of the President and Prime Minister housed inside the charming neo-Palladian style main building.

Time to put your Mandarin skills to the test as the Promote Mandarin Council (PMC) celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the Speak Mandarin Campaign with a special carnival. Enjoy a weekend of free Mandarin programmes including music performances, storytelling sessions, workshops, kid-friendly activities, as well as food and market stalls.

Thank our collective devotion to the milky beverage, the bubble tea gods have blessed us with an exhibition dedicated to all things bubble tea. It promises to be a multi-sensory experience: step into an enchanting world of larger-than-life boba trees, dive into a ball pit filled with 'taro pearls', or go all Miley in a room with nothing but a giant pearl swing. And when you're done, feed your belly with bubble tea-inspired treats and grab a cup of bubble tea (obviously) from curated vendors. There's even adorable bubble tea merchandise you buy.

Celebrate Deepavali with a mix of tradition and experimentation amongst blooms at Gardens by the Bay. Have some informative fun with the fam by checking out a travelling exhibition by the Indian Heritage Centre which showcases the various traditional Indian practices in Singapore across different sub-themes of traditional crafts, trades and games. Then learn the art of Rangoli in which patterns are created on the ground using materials like coloured rice, flour, sand or flower petals. Don't miss renowned Rangoli artist Vijaya Mohan create her signature work along the Colonnade with a unconventional medium.

You don't have to be a kid to soak up Gardens by the Bay's youth festival. Come sunset, enter a world full of possibilities as the Supertree Grove transforms into an enchanting neon jungle complete with attention-grabbing light installations, colossal neon sculptures, roving LED stilt walkers and a slew of exciting programmes. Work those itchy fingers in an upcycling workshop, catch a movie under the stars, discover your next favourite maker at the neon night market, unleash your inner kid at the fun zone, and more.

Put your brave face on as you face your darkest fears at The Cathay from October 16 to 20 and Cineleisure from October 23 to 27. Made of nightmares, both malls are set to be riddled with the blood-curdling tales from Asian folklore and horror films – think iconic antagonists from The Ring, Shutter and Dark Water, as well as the Pontianak and Chinese vampires. And while you navigate through the haunted house, scream if you need to but whatever you do, don't look back.

This Deepavali, the Indian Heritage Centre opens its doors to welcome you to its Festival of Lights celebrations. Partake an Indian fashion and saree draping workshop, have a go at traditional games with your pals, decorate your very own rangoli inspired coasters to take home, and if you're looking for something outdoorsy, join the guided heritage trails around Little India.

There’s a new eye candy in town. Plaza Singapura is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a sweet, sweet surprise – a birthday bash complete with dessert-themed activities, sweet deals, and exciting giveaways, as well as the first overseas pop-up of the Philippines' The Dessert Museum. The immersive and interactive pop-up is a sugary combo of art and play complete with five mouth-watering rooms waiting for you. And what's a party without some fun games? Give yourself a friendly challenge at The Dessert Carnival where familiar games like ring toss and basketball are given a sugary twist.

The annual Voilah! French Festival Singapore returns for a new fourth edition featuring the best of French culture, creativity and innovation. Events take place all over Singapore: from film screening events to art exhibitions, music performances and more.

What’s in a dance? Find out by jumping into one of the many free activities and programmes around the city with Got to Move. The annual nationwide dance movement celebrates the power of movement across various genres. Check out the GTM Dance-Walk at Sengkang Sport Centre, watch an immersive dance drama which re-enacts the folk tale of Bukit Merah, create a special choreography with your partner at Shall We Dance?, move and mingle with a game of Shake & Waddle, and break a sweat with the fitness programme, La Fiesta Flamenca.

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.

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!

Here’s the perfect excuse to cruise: Marina at Keppel Bay is hosting an exclusive Bicentennial National Day voyage onboard its marine treasure, The Admiral, on August 3 and 9 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. With a pitstop at the Marina Bay right when the fireworks go off, it's a great alternative to catch the show away from the massive crowds.

Check out Siah Armajani's first institutional exhibition in Asia. Inspired by democratic ideals and American vernacular architecture, this Iranian-born artist's sculptures, drawings and public installations dwell on principles like 'nobility of usefulness' and 'art on a civic scale'. Don't miss highlights which include the large-scale installation Sacco & Vanzetti Reading Room #3 (1988), the Tomb series drawings and models, and a film programme developed by film scholar and curator Dr Marc Glöde, which expands on Armajani’s early experimental films from 1970.

Delve further into Singapore’s past with a two-part showcase at the historic Fort Canning Park. Time Traveller is a cinematic experience that takes you through 700 years of history with five multimedia shows. While Pathfinder is a free-and-easy experience that presents Singapore’s journey from past to present through eight interactive pavilions and installations.

Take the kiddos on an art adventure through National Gallery Singapore. This year’s Children’s Biennale features 11 interactive artworks by local and international artists. Let your little hitmakers create their very own tunes at Chance Operations or embark on an experiential journey across time and space at Stardust: Soaring Through the Sky’s Embrace.

Enliven your Orchard experience with an all-new roving pop-up concept, NAO (Night at Orchard). Happening every first weekend of the month along the stretch between ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City, expect a showcase of talents across fashion, arts, dining, and music. Highlights include culinary offerings by popular brands like Old Chang Kee and Michelin-starred restaurant Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro, shopping options with the likes of up-and-coming brands such as oasis:skin and Indigo Culture, and busking performances from NoonTalk artiste Gavin Teo, One Moment of Glory winner Jill-Marie Thomas, and popular indie acts like Codie Loh, Raphael Leong and Yeo Ming Jun.