Things to do in Singapore today

It’s spooky season so you know what that means – it’s time to make your way to the gates of hell at Universal Studios Singapore for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. Scream your way through four all-new nightmare-inducing haunted houses, including one inspired by the popular South Korean Netflix apocalyptic horror series, Sweet Home – visit Cha Hyun-su’s apartment and watch as the show’s terrifyingly grotesque monsters come to life before your eyes. 

Fans of Jackson Wang will also be glad to know that from his label, Team Wang Design, comes ‘Under the Castle’, an immersive and richly detailed horror experience that will have you navigating a cursed castle filled with dark secrets and entrapped villagers. And keep your eyes peeled for a new spine-chilling speakeasy experience like no other. Find it and you’ll be rewarded with a range of deliciously devilish canapés and drinks. Grab your tickets and find out more here.

Things are about to get gaudy – but in a good way. Don your best colourful ensemble and celebrate creativity at Crossfade. This vibrant exhibition presented by homegrown creative community Gofy fuses cultures through the works of three emerging Indonesian artists: Cokorda Martin, Refli, and Yoel Kristiandi. Hosted in the eclectic space of Draft Land, the award-winning cocktails-on-tap bar from Taiwan, it explores the rich interplay of Indonesian and Chinese influences. Experience the seamless transition of old and new, East and West, as each brushstroke tells a story of shared heritage. While you're there, snag limited edition merch and your favourite pieces through handy QR codes.

This month, head to Gardens by the Bay’s latest Australian-themed showcase, Carnival of Flowers, dubbed after the similarly named event in Toowoomba – an Australian city famous for its annual Carnival of Flowers. The showcase on our shores includes the most colourful blooms like kangaroo paw, manuka myrtle, and banksia under one roof. But it's not just florals that take centre stage  – there’s plenty of unique art to admire too. Catch 400 vibrantly painted wooden ornaments of beloved Australian wildlife done by students from Singapore and Australia, as well as sustainably crafted, larger-than-life flowers. Admire the symbolic Aboriginal art and stop by the specially reworked Genestreaming Journey Sculpture, which fuses Aboriginal and contemporary field naturalist art. 

Find out more about this unique showcase and get your tickets here, or check out Gardens by the Bay’s Philippines-themed orchid showcase at Cloud Forest.

ArtScience Museum presents The World of Studio Ghibli, from October 4, 2024 to February 2, 2025. This will be Studio Ghibli’s first ever showcase in Singapore and also one of its largest editions to date, exploring its iconic animation and storytelling. The upcoming iteration will also feature new additions from Studio Ghibli’s latest film The Boy and the Heron.

Put your comfiest shoes on because the huge exhibition spans 2,400 square metres, across 11 galleries. Dive into the world of 11 famous Ghibli films like My Neighbour Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), and Spirited Away (2001). Visitors will be able to meet their favourite characters and immerse themselves in 16 large-scale interactive theatrical sets from various iconic films throughout the studio's history. And that’s not all – enjoy 16 art installations that will take you through Studio Ghibli’s creative processes, and grab yourself official merchandise at the retail store. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ArtScience Museum’s webpage here.

Before Universal Studios Singapore turns into the nightmarish Halloween Horror Nights at sundown, it's a family-friendly spook fest in the day. Forget tricks – there are only treats here with meet-and-greet sessions featuring Illumination's Minion Monsters, candy grabs all around the park, Halloween-themed bites at the restaurants, and spooky merch to take home. Plus, treat your mini monsters to the all-new show Fortune Favors the Furry where DreamWorks Animation’s Puss in Boots fights to save his ninth life, and heart-pumping rides (kid-friendly too, of course) such as Enchanted Airways, and Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase.

The 8th edition of the Singapore River Festival returns to dazzle visitors along the Singapore River. Head over to Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay from October 4 to 13 for plenty to see and do as it’s all about lights and colours this year. Be entranced by stunning illuminations and epic music performances – all on boats roving down the river promenade. Three bridges – Cavenagh Bridge, Read Bridge, and Alkaff Bridge – will come alive with themed light shows and captivating music for the ultimate audio-visual extravaganza. Foodies must also try the various food-themed workshops or hop on the specially curated Taste of the Quays food tour. 

If that’s not enough, the festival will also feature a night walk through the enchanting city nightscape and family-friendly fun with life-sized heritage games. Don’t forget to bring your furbabies for the pet-friendly bumboat rides, fun challenges, and cute photo booths. Head here for all the things to see and do at the festival.

There’s no excuse to miss this year’s Oktoberfest, especially the month-long celebration at Cosford Container Park. From October 1 to 31, get ready for weekends full of eating, drinking, and merry-making with traditional Oktoberfest-inspired games, fantastic prizes included. After the games, fuel up with Eastern Golden Grill’s hearty sausage platter stacked with four types of juicy grilled sausages. Still hungry? Pop over to Singapore Blue Lobster for their take on a good ol’ crispy pork schnitzel, specially prepared for Oktoberfest. And it's not Oktoberfest without icy beers on tap. Enjoy daily beer promotions throughout the month – take your pick between a one-litre stein of Erdinger Weisse or Erdinger Dunkel for $25, or go all out with a three-stein bundle deal for $70.

On October 19 and 20, you can also look forward to a special Oktoberfest edition of Cosford Container Park’s monthly Weekend Market. Expect fun activities like a German folk dance workshop, origami Bavarian hat-making, and a special cocktail masterclass. Click here to find out more about the festivities.

Ever so often, you chance upon a source of inspiration that prompts you to reflect on yourself and the world around us – for us, it is both the artworks of Teo Eng Seng and the man himself. If you’re curious to find out how so, then your next art date should be to National Gallery’s upcoming exhibition, Teo Eng Seng: We’re Happy. Are You Happy?, running from September 6, 2024 to February 2, 2025.

The show is divided into two sections that reflect the philosophies that guided artist Teo throughout his career: Don’t Try to Read it, See it, Feel it – showcasing the spirit of innovation and Sweet Talk, Straight Talk: A Global Citizen Engaging in Social Commentary through Art – exhibiting the use of art as both a medium for social engagement and public messaging.

You won’t need to book a flight to the Philippines to see some of the country’s most stunning orchids – known for being among the most beautiful in the world. Just head down to Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest from now until January 2025 to enjoy some of the country’s most exquisite orchids on display. With the help of 20 Filipinos, from domestic workers to students from the NUS Filipino Cultural Club working alongside resident horticulturists, Gardens by the Bahay Kubo: A Fiesta of Orchids will showcase more than 40 Philippine orchid varieties, including iconic species from the Vanda, Dendrobium, and Phalaenopsis genera. The display’s namesake, the Bahay Kubo, takes centre stage amidst the orchids. Also, be sure to visit soon, as there's a limited time for the blooming of the Waling-waling, a coveted orchid species affectionately known as the Queen of Philippine Flowers and revered by the indigenous Bagobo people. Find out more here.

Snatch your kids away from their devices and bring them for a playful romp around town. Centred around elements of play, the National Museum of Singapore’s newest exhibition, Play:Date – Unlocking Cabinets of Play, features over 250 locally and globally recognisable toys spanning the eras. Running from now until January 5, 2025, the free showcase aims to recognise toys and play as important to Singapore’s cultural heritage. Look out for large-scale artworks on the museum's facade as well as a kaleidoscopic digital display along the inner arches of the building's entrance. Inside, there's an immersive showcase divided into three sections that will appeal car enthusiasts, gamers, and collectors with its impressive collection of rare character figurines, collectibles, and nostalgic toys from brands like McDonald's, Mattel, Disney, and Tamiya.

Start your scare fest early this month by getting ghoulish at *Scape’s Halloween Wonderland this weekend. You’re in for no tricks, only treats with exciting activities – eerie games, scary stories, hair-raising makeup workshops, and more. Make sure to show up in a look that could kill because there’s also a costume competition with 10 fun prizes up for grabs. 

Gather around beauty creator Cherrie Low as she shares techniques on casting the ultimate spooky look, in collaboration with Make Up For Ever. Then, settle down for some spine-chilling tales of the supernatural with YouTube channel Spoopy Season’s creator, Amirul Haquim. Look forward to spellbinding dance and music performances by artists like Nth and VYLT. And don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of refreshments to fuel your terror, as well as other spooky activities like tarot and palm readings, horror short film screenings, and a round of the popular Werewolf interactive game, which will test your wits and survival instincts. Tickets are limited so get yours here.

If your idea of a good time involves dabbling in artificial intelligence (AI) and mingling with cutting-edge tech, then September is your month – head down to the ArtScience Museum for In the Ether: A Festival of Technology and Innovation, a technology-centred festival that will take over three floors of the museum.

This event will gather the Avengers of technology – over two dozen technologists, scientists, designers, artists and studios – to hold conversations about the convergence of science, technologies and creativity. This pool of industry experts include Google Creative Lab, Ouchhh Studio, speculative architect and director Liam Young, and digital artists Lynette Wallworth and Ian Cheng.

Take a trip into the essence of existence at this thought-provoking exhibition at Art Works Gallery. Painted by Australia-based artists Kate Florence and Sylvie Kettle, the masterpieces detail the intricacies between the physical and the spiritual worlds. They also double as windows into the artists' unique journeys. Witness the transformative power of art, and immerse yourself in the beauty and intrigue of their shared vision – you might even experience an epiphany on life too.

Singapore’s largest annual gastronomic event, the Singapore Food Festival (SFF), returns for its 31st edition this year, from October 1 to 31. Themed ‘A Celebration of Old and New’, this year’s festival spotlights age-old culinary traditions and contemporary innovations in our vibrant food scene. Whether you’re a self-professed epicurean or a casual foodie, you’re in for a treat, with over 20 events in the month-long line-up to pick and choose from. These vary from unique dining experiences hosted at top restaurants to public pop-up events across the island. SFF will also launch family-family food showcases at locations like Marina Bay Sands and selected CapitaLand malls, bringing gourmet food experiences closer to the masses. 

Find out more about SFF’s Unique Events here and purchase tickets at the festival’s official website.

Universal Studios Singapore’s annual Halloween Horror Nights won’t be the only scary experience to look forward to this spooky season. From September 25 to November 3, Singapore's first World War Two-themed immersive theatrical horror experience is happening at Fort Canning. And as if choosing a location renowned for being haunted isn't enough, the experience will also be set 12,000 square feet below ground at the Battlebox, an actual British war bunker from the 60s. The experience is premised on a fictional alternate history where a book of summoning unleashes bloodthirsty demons in an attempt to win the war. You’ll navigate the adventure in small groups of eight to nine participants, encountering terrifying live actors, formidable monsters, and realistic special effects as this uniquely hair-raising story unfolds. Grab your friends and get early bird tickets for shows from September 25 to 29 here, while tickets for October and November will be released later.

Here’s a happy hour deal for those seeking respite from the jam-packed drinking holes in town. Verandah Pool Bar & Grill is launching a new daily special, where a varied selection of 20 drinks and bar bites are all going at just $9 each between 5pm to 8pm. Pick your poison; there’s a whole range of 13 craft beers, wines, and spirits including 1925 lager, Bodega Norton chardonnay, and Johnnie Walker red label whisky as part of this happy hour menu. While you’re at it, munch on a couple of $9 nibbles such as burnt black garlic pork belly, baby squid tempura, and Thai curry crab scramble – the pairing possibilities are endless.

This happy hour deal officially kicks off on September 27, 2024 and will run till December 30. In the meantime, find out more about Verandah Pool Bar & Grill here.

Amid our planet’s climate chaos, one artist imagines a sea of hope. Cesar Jung-Harada: An Ocean City Imagined at ArtScience Museum offers a glimpse into a future where humanity thrives alongside nature. Walk through life-sized models of cutting-edge ocean technologies – Cesar’s ideas take shape through large-scale installations, centred around the ‘International Ocean Station’ – an ambitious speculative design for a floating city. Running alongside the exhibition is a series of programmes featuring conversations, storytelling sessions and hands-on activities, where you’ll get to find out more about the exhibition from the art-scientist himself. The exhibition is also part of ArtScience Museum’s Ocean Tech Week, an event focused on the future of oceans and shaping a sustainable, thriving world. Visitors can explore ocean innovations and conservation efforts through an array of programmes including films, talks, and workshops.

For more information, check out ArtScience Museum's webpage here.

Singapore’s Bayfront Event Space is set to shine like never before with the arrival of illumi, the world’s largest light, sound and multimedia illumination event, starting September 13, 2024. This marks the event’s international debut, featuring the world’s tallest illuminated tree titled ‘Tree of Lights’ that stands at 47 metres. In Singapore’s edition, visitors are invited to explore nine themed worlds such as The Enchanted Maples – one that will transport guests to Canada with glowing maple leaves and sweet treats from Sugar Shack. Other zones include a winter wonderland with shimmering snowflakes featuring curtains of twinkling lights titled Wall of Lights, and Puppies and Kitties, a space that will be taken over by 200 illuminated animal structure.

Tickets are priced from $33 and are available for purchase on TremTix and Pelago. Currently, there are slots all the way till December 8, 2024. DBS/POSB credit and debit cardholders are entitled to an exclusive early bird discount of 20 percent, until August 31, 2024 only.

Even if her name doesn't ring a bell, you've likely come across ‘the princess of polka dots’, also known as Yayoi Kusama. She's popular for her iconic polka dots, nets, pumpkins and infinity rooms, and is no doubt one of the world's most influential artists today. Don’t miss your chance to check out her works in person at her exhibition Every Day I Pray for Love. It will feature 50 paintings that Kusama has been working on since 2021, alongside several new drawings and her latest wall relief sculptures. Take a closer look at her circular motifs and you’ll notice poems and messages weaved between them, written by her in both Japanese and English, speaking about her boundless longing for life and her passion to share her art with the world. 

For more info about Every Day I Pray for Love, visit Ota Fine Arts’ webpage here.

Experience the magic of the Northern Lights at Gardens by the Bay's Supertree Grove. From May 4 onwards, a spellbinding outdoor installation called Borealis will light up the Supertrees in a display reminiscent of the polar lights you'd normally have to travel to Iceland, Sweden, or other far-flung regions to witness. It's the work of Switzerland-based artist Dan Acher, who has ingeniously layered light beams and cloud particles to create a mesmerising dance of light and colour. Coupled with an atmospheric score by French composer Guillaume Desbois, Borealis promises to be an out-of-this-world experience. Admission is free – find out more here.