The best things to do in Singapore this week (Oct 12-18)

JusPeace Foundation, the organisation founded by Bigbang member G-Dragon, is taking over Leisure Park Kallang for an exclusive three-day pop-up. The charity, which combines the words “justice” and “peace”, was launched to support youth addiction recovery, mental wellness, and programmes for emerging artists through arts and culture.

The pop-up will showcase the foundation’s signature bracelets, available outside Korea for the first time. There are three bracelet designs to choose from, each representing the foundation’s core values. Black reflects responsibility and justice, white signifies hope and healing, while stripes represent diversity, harmony and justice. Proceeds from the bracelets directly fund the foundation’s ongoing social welfare programmes. Only a limited quantity of the merch will be released – sign up for the pre-order waitlist here to receive priority access.

The pop-up coincides with Bigbang’s highly anticipated return on 17 October, 2026. The K-pop group will be performing at the National Stadium for two nights, marking their first show in Singapore in nearly a decade.

There’s always room to learn something new and start planning your career journey. From AI and digital skills to healthcare, finance, media and aviation, SkillsFuture Festival 2026 brings more than 140 events and activities to locations across Singapore, including the heartlands, from September 16 to October 28. 

Expect hands-on workshops, expert talks, career fairs, careers and skills advisory sessions, training opportunities, plus walk-in and virtual job interviews too, with plenty of chances to discover where your next step could take you – whether you’re a student figuring out your future, a working professional looking to sharpen your skills, considering a career switch or a lifelong learner with a curious mind. From AI-focused roadshows to community events happening across the island, the six-week festival makes learning feel a little more accessible and a lot more exciting. Find out more here.

So you’ve checked off Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto – now, where to next? If you need a bit of travel inspo, Japan Rail Fair can help you plan your upcoming getaway in the region. This year’s edition, themed Journey into Culture, invites you to venture beyond the usual tourist hotspots and discover the country’s lesser-known destinations with a focus on East Japan. This includes places like Hakodate City, the San’in region, Sendai and wider Tohoku.

As you move through the fair and add destinations to your travel wishlist, don’t forget to stop by and sample the food and drinks. Look out for wasabi-flavoured snacks from Izu Peninsula, juicy Japanese pears from Arahama, fresh Hokkaido milk products, premium regional sake bottles and more. Feeling adventurous? Have a taste of fugu, a rare pufferfish dish prepared by certified chefs from Yamaguchi Prefecture. You can also join a lohei demonstration, where you can toss for happiness and prosperity.

Additionally, there will be a series of cultural and folk performances happening throughout, plus a chance for you to step behind the conductor’s operating station. The JR EAST Train Simulator features live footage, train sounds and a special controller interface to help recreate an authentic train driving experience.

What do you know about the story behind Singapore's reserves? From October 10 to November 1, head to New Bahru School Hall for GIC's The Secret Vault: An Immersive Experience, a sensory-led journey through the decisions and principles behind safeguarding the nation’s reserves. 

Across six immersive zones, uncover stories from Singapore’s early financial history in The Archive, race against rising prices in The Global Inflation Hypermart, face uncertainty in The Weather Room and tend to an interactive garden in The Steward’s Gardens. Then explore GIC’s investments across global markets in The Globe, and shape the future you want to protect in The Reserves of Tomorrow. You’ll also receive a keychain charm created in collaboration with GIC’s social impact partner ART:DIS to take home. Entry is free, with registration here.

Whether you’re squeezing in one last vacation before the year ends, or starting to plan your 2027 getaways, Klook Travel Fest will help scratch that travel itch. At this two-day “flee market” (get it?), you can get a taste of your next holiday destination before you’ve even packed your bags. This year’s format draws on bustling marketplaces and regional bazaars, turning vendor booths into interactive stalls where you can play games, pick up free holiday itineraries, and get insider tips from travel experts. Take your pick from destination zones dedicated to Japan, China, Southeast Asia and Australia.

As you gather travel inspo, there are also workshops, talks and performances to look out for. Design your own Peranakan tiles, try your hand at printmaking, or hear travel stories from your favourite internet personalities, including Leslie Koh, Amelyn Beverly and more. Better yet, watch out for the flash deals that will be dropping throughout the day. We hear there are discounts on hotels and Universal Studios Japan tickets up for grabs. It’s fastest fingers first, so make sure you load up your Klook app before you go.

For its third anniversary, Draft Land Singapore is celebrating the way it knows best: with plenty of drinks, food and music. Over three days, the bar on Purvis Street is rolling out a different programme each night, from all-night happy hour cocktails and DJ sets to a special kitchen takeover. The festivities also celebrate another milestone on the horizon: a second Draft Land outlet, which is slated to open in Boat Quay later this year.

The programme kicks off strong on Thursday (October 15) with unlimited $10 cocktails – the perfect excuse to work your way through its menu or knock back your favourites. Meanwhile, DJ Chuin steps behind the decks to spin a mix of dance hits until late. On Friday (October 16), the evening transforms into a K-pop haven with Brizzy putting classics and new favourites on rotation as drinks pour straight from the tap.

Then, for the grand finale (October 17), Chef Noom Singdaechakarn of Camp Krapao takes over the kitchen to stir up modern Thai flavours. The five-dish menu includes green curry prawn toast and pork krapao.

Don’t say we never say – another edition of Fomo Weekend Market is here. The weekend shopping affair returns with a brand-new lineup of Southeast Asian indie brands and local creative makers for you to discover.

From collectibles and stationery to homeware and beauty, there’s plenty on offer this time around. When it comes to modest fashion and accessories, though, you won’t have to worry about the options. There’s Bertjorak for quirky designs, Leila Issa for silk silhouettes, and Nice and Co. for trendy pieces. Hot favourites like Maysixteen, Shop with the Sisters, Stooli, Dahlila and Arktiv will also be there to show off their latest collections. Looking to upgrade your eyewear? Indo’s Roglasses will have you sorted, while brands like Maven Perfume, The Wicker Club and Woudh Enterprises have got unique scents to add to your fragrance shelf.

And before you ask, yes, there are tons of F&B on the lineup, too. Load up on coffee and matcha, or grab snacks like traditional kuehs and fresh bakes as you wander and shop around.

Ten local acts are coming together for a benefit concert at Clarke Quay Central’s Blu Jaz to raise funds for victims of the devastating Nepal floods. Organised in partnership with Singapore Red Cross (SRC), the gig brings pop, indie, alternative and rock to the stage, uniting homegrown talent in a show of solidarity to those impacted by the disaster in late August. Every dollar from the ticket sales will go directly towards SRC’s humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and recovery efforts.

Featured on the diversely stacked lineup are indie darling Shazza, pop-R&B artist ANNÉ, skatepunk outfit Iman’s League, singer-songwriter Darius and more. Also on the roster is up-and-coming band Cut The Cabbage, who recently made their official debut at September’s Homegrown Festival.

The catastrophic floods rank among the worst natural disasters in Nepal’s modern history. Triggered by a mountain and glacier collapse, the disaster has claimed more than 1,400 lives and destroyed homes, roads and other infrastructure. More than 5,000 people are still reported missing.

Can’t make to the gig IRL? You can still contribute through the online donation page here.

Proving that Korean cinema is anything but predictable, this year’s Korean Film Festival in Singapore opens with director Kim Mi-jo’s dark comedy The Journey to Gyeong-ju. The lineup spans recent releases like Mad Dance Office and award-winner Hana Korea, alongside a 4K 10th-anniversary restoration screening of Yeon Sang-ho’s landmark zombie horror Train to Busan. Film buffs can also cosy up under the stars at *SCAPE Playspace for a special free outdoor screening of the 2001 coming-of-age classic Take Care of My Cat.

Portugal takes over the Flower Dome as Gardens by the Bay presents its latest display, featuring 5,000 vibrant sunflowers across 20 varieties. The landscape recreates Portuguese streetscapes, scenic countryside, and a 6-metre-tall replica of the famous Belém Lighthouse. On 10 October, catch Experience Portugal for a one-day cultural celebration featuring cheese, cured ham, and wine tastings, alongside folk dances and movie screenings. Browse a photography exhibition capturing shared history, traditions, and language connections between Portugal and Singapore.

West-siders, drool over this: Isetan’s Japanese food fair lands at Jurong Point for the first time. The Momiji Matsuri Fair brings a street market setup featuring over 20 F&B vendors serving up autumnal treats. Feast on seafood delicacies from Ijima Shoten, takoyaki from Nakayama Shokuhin, and crispy karaage from reigning champion Higo Marunoya. Before heading home, stock your pantry with fresh Pione grapes, Akizuki pears, black garlic, and sakura honey, then browse Japanese-themed crafts at the accompanying artisan market.

One of Southeast Asia’s leading contemporary artists is taking over the Singapore Art Museum for a major solo exhibition. Titled Afterimage, this three-month-long showcase centres on Manila-based artist Maria Taniguchi, exploring repetition, time and labour through monumental paintings, sculptures and video installations. The exhibition is anchored by her ongoing series of towering, untitled “brick” paintings featuring thousands of tiny, hand-painted black rectangles. Other highlights include her Java Plum wood Runaways sculptures and four moving-image works spanning 16 years.

Stock up your pantry with fresh local produce at the Central Singapore Market. Organised by the Central Singapore CDC, this roving heartland market runs until December 2026, popping up at locations like Bishan Active Park, Zhongshan Park and Upper Thomson. Each stop brings a fresh mix of eco-conscious creators and food entrepreneurs. Discover organic vegetables, gluten-free granola, plant-based deodorants and even edible insects. The July 26 stop offers sustainable fertilisers and truffle oil, while August 2 adds a dried flower workshop and live music.

Relive your favourite local Chinese dramas with Singapore TV: From Local to Global. Presented by Mediacorp and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, this latest exhibition charts the evolution of Singapore Chinese television from the 1960s to today. The showcase features hundreds of original costumes, props, photographs and memorabilia from beloved productions. Visitors can explore immersive installations replicating classic sets, try their hand at dubbing a scene and share their hopes for the future of local television at an interactive voting wall.

Musée du Louvre presents its expansive collection of Islamic art in Southeast Asia for the first time ever at the Asian Civilisations Museum. The exclusive exhibition, Crosscurrents: Masterpieces of Mughal, Safavid, and Ottoman Art from the Musée du Louvre, brings together over a hundred ancient treasures from the royal collections of the "Gunpowder Empires." The objects chart their rise and fall, offering a glimpse into the forces that dominated West and Central Asia between the 16th and 18th centuries. This rich history is paired with ACM’s own collection of jewels to reveal the empires’ influence on distant shores like Southeast Asia during a time of expanding global trade networks.

It’s time to live out your Disney dreams at Gardens by the Bay. Floral Fantasy comes alive once again with the return of Disney Garden of Wonder, which opens from now until March 2027. For its second instalment, the impressive horticultural display features over 20 Disney and Pixar character topiaries spread across six zones. One of the biggest highlights at this year’s showcase is the debut of Anna and Elsa from Frozen. The Arendelle sisters each get their own floral setting, complete with a frosty archway and icy mountains, alongside other Disney princesses like Jasmine from Aladdin, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Rapunzel from Tangled.

Other returning favourites include Toy Story heroes Buzz Lightyear and Jessie, plus Winnie the Pooh and pals. You can also expect light-hearted installations that feature Disney icons in a more Singaporean setting, such as a playful display of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck operating a teh tarik stall.

Play and discovery collide at the National Gallery’s newest children's exhibition, When Art Meets Nature, opening April 30. Co-curated with Taiwan’s Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts, the showcase transforms the gallery into a multi-sensory forest ecosystem. Explore Peace Forest by Soh Ee Shaun, a soft-sculpture playground that teaches kids about biodiversity, or dive into Where the River Runs, an interactive audio experience by Yenting Hsu centred on indigenous Taiwanese traditions. Through art and play, this immersive journey encourages young explorers to reimagine their relationship with the natural world and the creatures that protect our planet.

In this larger-than-life artwork taking over the National Gallery’s Padang Atrium, contemporary Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul captures the dynamic and passionate cultures and lives that make up the diverse Singaporean community. Following a year-long engagement with migrant workers, indigenous groups and faith organisations, the artist’s revelations and discoveries are translated into spectacular billboard paintings, video interviews and a travelogue that celebrates their vibrant stories and voices.

The showcase is supported by an enriching two-part programme that highlights the people who have inspired the installation. Join in on fireside chats with the artist to explore behind the scenes and the empowering migrant stories. Singaporama Unfolded Part I centres on Kaugnay, an organisation for Filipina domestic workers, and its fabulous Trashion Show, while Part II traces the history of migration in Singapore. The latter presents a performance of a traditional Indian folk dance by Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) Ambassadors, alongside a discussion on identity, community and collaboration.

Five women, over 50 artworks and one shared mission. This exhibition brings Southeast Asian artists Amanda Heng (Singapore), Dolorosa Sinaga (Indonesia), Imelda Cajipe-Endaya (Philippines), Nirmala Dutt (Malaysia) and Phaptawan Suwannakudt (Thailand) to display their work together in Singapore for the very first time. But more than just an art showcase, Fear No Power is a space to have a conversation about meaningful change and the artists’ decades-long commitment to it. Featuring photography, paintings, sculptures and performances that date all the way back to the 1960s, this multidisciplinary exhibition examines the concept of communal world-building across the region and what it means to forge a community. Every piece of work is an intimate and powerful reflection deeply rooted in care, collaboration and resistance.