The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (November 28-30)

Board game lovers, rise up. The Asian Board Games Festival is hitting up Singapore for the fourth year at the National Library Building to bring together passionate players, game designers and indie publishers to celebrate all things board and card games. Laugh-out-loud party games, competitive card decks, cosy collections, strategy role-playing games – whatever your play style, there’s definitely a tabletop adventure to match. Explore a curated mix of over 300 entertaining titles (which also includes exclusive drops!) from all over the region, spanning Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, South Korea – and yes, Singapore too. Dialogues, Q&A sessions with creators, and designers, and more fringe activities round out a wonderfully geeky fest. 

It’s a sweet, sweet Christmas this year at The Christmas Atelier. Singapore’s favourite holiday market transforms The Cube @ Asia Square into a Candy Emporium, promising picture-perfect moments with vibrant decor, dazzling installations, and sweet treats at every turn. With 100 local brands gathered in one place, discover handcrafted batik from Yeomama Batik, gourmet cheese from Cheeselads, vegan skincare from Handmade Heroes, and a range of other homegrown favourites in fashion, beauty, F&B and lifestyle.

From just $6, grab your ticket for multiple entries throughout the day into this whimsical Candy Emporium, complete with a Yeo’s drink, Cloversoft essentials, and $5 off with a minimum spend of $100 at your favourite brands. The icing on the Christmas cake: stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes worth up to $2,000.

Get your tickets to The Christmas Atelier 2025 here. 

The HYROX race flags off this weekend – but it's not all blood, sweat and tears. On November 29 and 30, HYROX athletes and supporters alike can recover and relax at AIA HYROX House Singapore, where great food, great music, and great wellness options await. Hit up the Fan Village at Singapore Expo Hall 3 for tasty, balanced meals by Delicato x Blue Smoke, Guzman y Gomex, WOK IN, and Neon Pigeon, with Hvala matcha drinks and sweets for a post-race caffeine boost, plus refreshing pints and cocktails by Carlsberg and Aperol. Ten DJs, including RAAJ, Bongomann, Zafirah, and Aurora will be there to keep the dopamine running high all day and night.

If you just gave it all your all in the challenging HYROX race, then you're well-deserving of some TLC. That's where the Recovery zone comes in. Work out those aching muscles with a massage gun and take the edge off with fun snaps at the AIA Vitality Booth – there's even merchandise up for grabs. And if you haven't joined the contrast therapy hype train, then here's your chance, because TUNDRA will be onsite with ice baths and steam saunas to refresh your body and set your recovery on super-speed. 

Did someone say shopping and food? We couldn’t think of a better combo to soak up the festive vibes. Stacked Store returns with its yearly Christmas Market featuring a lineup of eclectic merch, unique gifts and F&B offerings. From beautifully crafted homeware from Fuzzy Feelings to lush greenery from Jungalore, this market is full of warm, cosy vibes to match the season. Freshly baked bagels, curated wines, coffee, and more sweet treats will be available to fuel your shopping spree.

If you’re in the mood to refresh your home before the New Year or in need of some interior inspiration, the Aa Furniture Festive Weekend Market is brimming with homeware finds that’ll do just the trick. Over the weekend, the furniture store will open up its space for a special showcase, where you can browse and shop its selection of showroom pieces.

On top of that, a lineup of independent brands will also be setting up shop. There’s beautifully crafted ceramic collections from N.O.M. Pottery and textile goods from TANCHEN Studio, which are known for their signature beaded accessories. Art lovers and collectors can explore Art Again’s curation of collectible artworks, while midcentury mod enthusiasts will be glad to know that Micasa Fucasa’s eye-catching rugs are up for sale. These vintage centrepieces come from all over the world, including Armenia, Turkey and Georgia.

The 36th edition of the Singapore International Film Festival puts the spotlight on Singaporean stories, with screenings of 30 feature and short films by homegrown filmmakers and co-productions. Some of the local highlights include James Thoo’s Sandbox and a documentary on home-based businesses, At Home with Work. Don't miss actor Qi Yuwu's directorial debut, Coda, where he teams up with veteran Sharon Au for a short film that tells the story of a woman who returns home to reunite with her mother. 

Beyond the Singaporean titles, there’s also a selection of over 100 movies from 45 countries. The festival opens with the Southeast Asia premiere of Taiwanese actress Shu Qi’s coming-of-age story Girl, followed by Becoming Human from Cambodia and Japan’s Kokuho. Other movies making their Singapore premiere at SGIFF include Hong Sang Soo’s latest slow-burn commentary, What Does that Nature Say to You, and Pedro Pinho’s Portuguese drama I Only Rest in the Storm.

Getting a reservation at Hong Kong's Bar Leone, which secured the top spot in the World's 50 Best Bars list, is near impossible these days – but we're in luck. Bar Leone is set to takeover Bar Somma in New Bahru the weekend. From 6pm till late on November 30, you'll catch Bar Leone's team behind the counter at Bar Somma, shaking up four exclusive cocktails ($24 each) inspired by the vibrant spirit of Rome's neighbourhoods. Pours include the King Kong Old Fashioned with toasted coconut, banana and almonds; the Olive Oil Sour, which combines Wild Turkey rye, extra virgin olive oil and egg white; the smoky and citrusy Margarita de Maíz; and Il Cacciatore, a herbaceous blend of gin with tomato, basil and black pepper. Paired with Bar Somma's signature drinks and pasta dishes, it's more than a dream come true.

Book here. 

Blinks, are you ready to have the best night of your life – or maybe make it three nights? If you missed the sale earlier, you’re in luck because more tickets have been released for BLACKPINK’s upcoming concerts in Singapore. Join Jennie, Lisa, Rosé and Jisoo as they take over the National Stadium for three consecutive nights, making it the first time a K-pop girl group has ever done so. The highly anticipated concert also marks the superstars’ return to the Lion City after their last performance in 2023.

Calling all pop culture fans: Mandarin Gallery’s The Holiday Caravan is your festive-season stop for exclusive music merch and fan-favourite collectibles. For a limited time, the Christmas pop-up transforms the mall’s outdoor plaza with three themed booths to explore.

The Carnival of Surprises taps into the blind box craze with treats from Hello Kitty & Friends, SpongeBob SquarePants and exclusive One Piece merch. Artist Universe by ArtisynX brings global musician drops and pop culture apparel from names like Ed Sheeran, G-Dragon, Rosé and Baekhyun – refreshed with new releases throughout. Mandopop lovers, don’t skip Jay Chou’s “Chou Chou” booth, packed with limited-edition blind boxes, figurines and Singapore-themed merch.

Stories centred on courage, imagination and the human connection are explored in this year’s vOilah! French Film Festival. The annual event is a vibrant and exciting showcase of fresh voices, emerging talent and established directors in the French film scene, and it’s back for its 41st edition with 20 films screening across the island.

From book-to-film adaptations to sci-fi thrillers to family-friendly adventures, there’s a movie for everyone. Highlights include 13 Days 13 Nights, which follows the intense journey of an elite crew of soldiers who are desperate to flee Afghanistan’s capital city as the Taliban closes in. Couture, on the other hand, stars Angelina Jolie as a filmmaker whose life gets entangled with two others during Paris Fashion Week. There’s also a selection of whimsical tales and heartwarming stories of friendship for all ages to enjoy, like the Character of Rain, which narrates the life of a Belgian girl growing up in Japan.

There are loads to enjoy at Kalaa Utsavam, a week-long and vibrant celebration of Indian arts and culture. This year’s rendition features a slew of live music, comedy, dance stages and storytelling sessions you don’t wanna miss. Highlights include an epic martial arts display by The Kalari Academy, acoustic performances of your favourite Bollywood Jams, and family-friendly workshops that delve into Indian crafts and cuisine. Also, catch the premiere of Kintsugi, the latest production from Sampradaya Dance Creations that takes inspiration from the Japanese art form and fuses it with contemporary Indian elements.

Elsewhere, Malaysia’s Rabbit Mac will make his long-awaited Singapore comeback after five years. The rap star will be joined on stage by his peers from across the region, including India’s ADK and Singapore’s very own DJ Sathiya, for an electrifying and roaring night of hip-hop and surprises.

Get into the holiday spirit at Resorts World Sentosa’s Season of Good as the resort transforms into a full-on yuletide wonderland. Expect dazzling light installations, festive performances and plenty of heartwarming moments with your loved ones. At WEAVE, meet Santa and his elves, enjoy carollers and pop-jazz renditions of Christmas classics, or snap the perfect family photo in front of a 10-metre sparkling tree. Across RWS, popular attractions like Singapore Oceanarium are also extending their hours – which means more time to explore and soak festive music by the Open Ocean Habitat or immerse in interactive zones at Hangyodon Marine Discovery.

To find out more about the merry-making at RWS, hit Read More link below. 

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.

Celebrate the start of the festive season at Singapore's biggest Christmas light-up This year’s decorations commemorate Singapore’s 60th birthday by incorporating quintessentially local symbols — such as the SG60 logo and the Merlion — into the usual Christmas wreaths and elegant swathes of ribbon. In addition to the light-up, keep a lookout for four photo installations and a photo podium along the road, where you’ll get to snap festive photos with your loved ones. And that’s not all — be sure to stop by the revamped Great Christmas Village, which will feature a Kiztopia Christmas Carnival with games, rides, festive treats, homegrown craft beer, and unique shopping experiences.

It's a Barbie Christmas at Wisma Atria, where the mall has been transformed into a sparkling pink wonderland filled with photo ops, interactive exhibits, and festive fun. Out, a six-metre-tree decked with bejewelled butterflies, glowing baubles, and a crown almost steals the show – but the heart of it all is Wings of Christmas at the Indoor Atrium. This is a dazzling displays of over 70 one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls dressed in sustainable fashion by Singaporeans artists and LASELLE students. Selected couture dolls will be auctioned for charity, but Barbie fans can also join Wings of Childhood workshops every Saturday till December 20 craft angel wings for their dolls.

Discover unexpected artworks embedded within familiar, everyday settings at the Singapore Biennale, which makes an ambitious return this year under the evocative title, 'pure intention'. The contemporary arts festival invites audiences to explore the duality of Singapore’s layered urban story, in which both meticulous urban planning coexists with serendipitous surprises.

This year’s edition features over 100 new and existing artworks, which are situated across the Civic District, Orchard Road, the Rail Corridor, and the SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. The artworks on display are not just visual – some are also immersive, interactive, and multi-sensorial, such as Taiwanese artist Huang Po-Chih's Momocha, featuring a series of kombucha flavours, to Filipino artist Eisa Jocson's The Filipino Superwoman X H.O.M.E. Karaoke Living Room, which transforms a shop unit into a space reminiscent of a Filipino living room.

Local music gets its moment in A Love Song, a photo exhibition by Mary-Ann Teo spanning three decades of Singapore's gig scene, from the 1990s heyday of Force Vomit and The Stoned Revivals to new names like The CB Dogs and True Anger. Part documentation, part love letter, Teo's work captures the grit, glow, and heart that keep our music community alive. The exhibition opens with a full day of live sets by homegrown acts including TypeWriter, The Oddfellows, Leslie Low, and Hanging Up The Moon, plus exclusive merch from The Oddfellows and The CB Dogs. 

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).