The best things to do in Singapore this week (November 17-23)

Singapore’s favourite indie shopping event is back just in time for gifting season. From November 21 to 23, Boutiques: The Gifting Edition 2025 turns the F1 Pit Building into a design wonderland with over 320 brands and more than 200 exclusive launches – your one-stop shop for everything stylish and soulful, from fashion and homeware to art, wellness, toys, and thoughtful gifts.

Expect returning favourites plus new names like Arté Pickleball, GOFY, In Good Company, Modu, and Nathan Home. This edition debuts an Art & Music Lounge and two cafés. Tickets ($8–$10) offer unlimited access for three days of easy, feel-good browsing.

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.

More than just a vintage market, this three-day event is a full-on trip down memory lane. Browse over 50 curated vendors offering antique treasures, retro toys and quirky collectables sourced from passionate hobbyists and seasoned collectors. You’ll also find Singapore-inspired merch from brands like Heng Suay Eating House and Figgy Wiggly, plus SMRT and SBS memorabilia – keychains, stickers, accessories and plushies – from Tap Space.

Not here to shop? Enjoy family-friendly fun with old-school cartoon screenings, classic ’80s arcade games like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man, photo walls for nostalgic snaps and even a lucky draw for standout prizes.

Adrenaline junkies, get ready – the Festival International des Sports Extrêmes (FISE) lands in Singapore for the first time as part of the Urban Sports + Fitness Festival. Over two action-packed days, catch BMX, breakdancing, skateboarding and rollerblading showcases, plus competitions, workshops and cash-for-tricks battles. Mornings spotlight youth training sessions, while afternoons bring high-energy shred contests and live DJ sets.

Headlining is multi-time Nitro World Games and X Games medallist Ryan Williams, joined by breakers Carlota Dudek and Juan “Xak” De La Torre Sanchez. Global talents like Jean-William Prévost, Julien Baran and Pedro Quintas will also appear,  alongside Singapore’s own rising star, 8-year-old inline skater Chloe Chua.

If you love Scottish malts but have a soft spot for Singaporean flavours, this one-night-only dining experience is for you. Smith Street Taps teams up with Isle of Raasay Distillery for a bold pairing menu where wok-heyed hawker classics meet award-winning single malts. Four Raasay whiskies are matched with premium craft beers and dishes like salted fish fried rice, chargrilled pork satay, sweet pork ribs and crispy fried chicken,  each pairing designed to spark unexpected flavour crossovers.

Whiskey lovers, you can also meet Isle of Raasay’s Global Sales Director, Lucy Ross-Stewart, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the craft.

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.

Ever wondered what an AI-fueled world might look like? Step into a universe of endless possibilities at The Place of Impossible Things, Meta’s first-ever public Meta AI showcase. Held over two days at New Bahru’s Alma House, it’s designed to make AI feel accessible and inspiring. Explore four interactive zones where you’ll learn to use Meta AI across Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp and the Meta AI app – from generating images and editing visuals to creating short-form videos and getting personalised recommendations.

You’ll also get an exclusive first look at the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2) glasses, complete with Bluetooth audio, hands-free video recording and real-time translation in six languages.

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.

If you’re still chasing your fitness goals, the Singapore Urban Sports + Fitness Festival is the perfect push. Now bigger and bolder, the event sprawls across Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore Expo and *SCAPE, turning each venue into a high-energy playground for fitness newbies and seasoned gym-goers. Try everything from basketball and floorball to arm wrestling, or join the DanceXhibit workshops led by renowned regional choreographers. The AIA HYROX Singapore also returns, with over 11,000 participants taking on the ultimate endurance challenge. Prefer to watch? Catch the World Rowing Super60 Singapore finale or cheer on competitors at The Butterfly Effect, a women-focused celebration of strength and community.

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.

The Tony-winning musical takes the stage at Sands Theatre from now till November 16, and it’s far more heart-wrenching on stage than the film ever dared. At its heart, Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of Evan, a lonely high schooler who writes letters to himself as part of a therapy exercise. When one of his letters is found on the body of schoolmate Connor Murphy, who has just taken his own life, everyone assumes the two were besties. Evan doesn’t correct them. What starts as a well-meaning lie snowballs into a viral movement about hope and connection, and explodes into an identity crisis for our socially awkward protagonist. Will Evan ever reveal the truth? There's only one way to find out. Read our review here.

Step through the looking-glass and tumble down a rabbit hole into a world of wonder with Alice: Into the New World, an new immersive experience at Groundseesaw in Parkview Square. The Korean-designed exhibition reimagines Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale with cutting-edge 2D and 3D visuals displayed on five large projection screens, set to a dramatised narration and an original soundtrack by a top K-pop producer.

Wander amidst iconic scenes from the novel, such as the Mad Hatter’s whimsical tea party, the Queen of Hearts’ rose garden, and giant chessboard spaces. You don’t even have to be familiar with the story to enjoy the experience – it's a vivid, multi-sensory journey that appeals to all ages.

Heartware Store & Gallery is back with another delightful exhibition, Souvenirs by Dutch artist duo We Are Out of Office. Comprised of Winneke de Groot and Felix van Dam, We Are Out of Office is known for turning familiar, everyday objects into colourful collectibles: think vibrant riso prints, sculptures, and objects.

For Souvenirs, they've made things more engaging, crafting interactive machines, such a gachapon machine, ramen vending machine, and even a new piece called "Joo Chiat Road" as an homage to Heartware Store & Gallery's neighbourhood. These sit alongside limited-edition silkscreen prints, charming risograph postcards of packaging designs, and wooden blocks inspired by vintage goods. In the spirit of the exhibition, take home a souvenir to share with loved ones: custom car fresheners, cups, pins, keychains and more.

MOGĀ, the Japanese Prohibition-inspired izakaya-bar at Pullman Singapore Hill Street, turns two this year, and it sure knows how to throw a party – or five. The bar will be hosting 10 guest shifts across five days in November, featuring some of Asia's most popular bars. The month-long revelry kicks off with Kuala Lumpur's Penrose and Reka:Bar on November 1, followed by a spotlight on rising stars in Indonesia on November 5 and 10, with bars like BlowJams and Naaga joining the fray. It's then Hong Kong's time to shine, with The Old Man and Quinary stopping by on November 17. The party concludes with Seoul heavy-hitters Villa Records and Soko on November 24. Adding to the excitement, MOGĀ will be offering one-for-one cocktails off its new menu, Kiyoko's Journey, available all month till November 29. 

Make a reservation here.

Forget Bacha Coffee – there’s a new must-grab treat at Changi. From October 13 to February 28, beloved Katong bakery Dona Manis pops up at Jewel, serving its famous Nanyang-style banana pies to travellers and fans alike. For the uninitiated, Dona Manis has been a Katong Shopping Centre icon since the ’90s, known for its moist, coconutty banana pie made with pisang berangan, flaky pastry and toasted almonds. It’s a true taste of local nostalgia — minus the cream and fuss.

The Jewel pop-up will also feature banana pudding and classic bakes from Sembawang Confectionery, like cream horns and traffic light cakes. Pre-order whole pies ($40) via the Dona Manis website – they sell out fast.

Fans of The Little Prince and French animation in general will be delighted by the Animation Nation, running from October 10 to 19. Presented by the Singapore Film Society and the Institut Francais, this celebration of animated storytelling features screenings of A Magnificent Life, Songbird’s Secret, Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Maya, Give Me a Title, and Heart of Darkness. 

While these films are great for the little ones, their imaginative stories and beautiful visuals will charm adults too, making it a great outing for the whole family. After selected screenings, there’ll also be hands-on workshops where you can create your own artwork inspired by the films and bring home a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Back for its eighth edition, Women in Film and Photography at Objectifs takes on the theme What We Carry – unpacking self-identity, belonging and the memories we hold (or need to let go of). Artists from across Asia bring intimate works drawn from lived experiences, inviting audiences to reflect on the weight of personal histories. Screenings include A Quiet Load, Camp! Along the Mekong River, and Carnival of Solitude: The World of Qiu Miaojin. Beyond film, dive into workshops on paper-crafting and map-making, or join masterclasses in visual storytelling where you can even develop your own photo book.

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.