The best things to do in Singapore this week (February 3-9)

In case you’ve missed the news, opera singer Sarah Brightman will return to the theatre stage after 30 years with the newest production of Sunset Boulevard by Andrew Lloyd Webber – the same composer behind the iconic Phantom of the Opera. This sensational musical follows the struggles of Norma Desmond, an also-ran silent movie actress, and how her passionate relationship with screenwriter Joe Gillis ultimately ends in tragedy. Tickets are available now and show details can be found here.

It’s a battle of wits at Sotong Game 2, a local version of the popular South Korean thriller Squid Game. The game will be held at The Secret Haven, and participants will go through a series of games similar to the ones in the show – but with a Singaporean twist. And that’s all the spoilers we’ll give. Aside from bragging rights, the winner will also walk home with $456 cash. Sign up for the game here.

Take a break from the Chinese New Year festivities and visit Japanese culture-inspired marketplace, Hanami Market. This year’s rendition is Valentine’s Day themed, and you can shop fan art, exclusive apparel, and adorable handcrafted trinkets from over 60 local and international artists including Rollround, Soumeki, Etgoeshibaeee, and Sarahthursday. More information can be found here.

The annual Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2025 is back with a collection of performances that celebrates contemporary Chinese arts. Through storytelling and live performances, this cultural festival includes shows like Rickshaw Boy, which follows the difficult journey of rickshaw pullers, and Human Condition VIII, a heartwarming Taiwanese production on loss and self-development. There are musical performances to catch too. Chinese singer-songwriter ANPU, Taiwanese duo GoodBand, and Hong Kong artist Yoyo Sham are just some of the stars who’ll be gracing the stage. For some hands-on activities, look out for the fabric looming workshop or learn how to play the Hulusi, a reed wind instrument. More details on the event can be found here.

Giant caterpillars and fearsome dinosaurs come alive at Kidsfest Singapore 2025 from February 6th to March 1st, 2025. Presented by ABA Productions, the event includes theatrical performances of beloved children’s storybooks. This includes puppet shows of the iconic The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, where kids can interact with the various carnivores and herbivores. Strange Martians take the stage in The Way Back Home, and The Lion Inside is an uplifting story about a little mouse’s journey to unleashing his inner lion. Ticket prices start from $42 and bookings are available now. View the schedule and find out more here.

It’s soon that time of the year for spectacular floats, dazzling costumes and artistic performances to captivate us once again. Chingay 2025 is set to wow on February 7 and 8, 2025, at the F1 Pit Building, similar to the previous edition. With this year’s theme being ‘joy’, this vibrant Chinese New Year parade features food-related floats, costumes and installations, showcasing the delight of sharing meals with loved ones and the cherished memories made along the way. The 2025 edition also marks a significant milestone – Singapore’s 60th birthday, so you can bet that there’ll be an extra special tribute to the country’s rich heritage and progress. This includes a troupe of 60 lion dancers with a lively and energetic performance sure to impress. Plus, Chingay Parades are known to have fireworks every year, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that there’ll also be some in this iteration. Find out more here.

It’s time to bring your crafting skills to the Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2025. This kid-friendly event has plenty of arts and crafts workshops, such as the free Chinese opera mask DIY station and Chinese ink rubbing art class. Join the glutinous rice ball-making session or the pineapple tart workshop where you can bake snake-shaped treats as a nod to this year’s zodiac animal. Little ones aged 6-12 can boogie away at the Lion Dance Workshop happening on February 8. The class teaches basic dance moves and kids can try on the mini lion dance costumes. More details can be found on the Wan Qing Festival of Spring website.

Who doesn’t love a good story? Let VERSE take you on a wild, wordy ride from January 17 to February 2 at The Arts House at the Old Parliament. Held in tandem with the highly anticipated return of Light to Night Singapore, it highlights the transformative power of words through illuminated art installations, façade projections, and short films by local artists and filmmakers. Then discover your next big read at the e-book wall Read on the Go, or gather your squad for some group-friendly fun at Karaoke Poetry: A Collective Reading.

That’s not all – Story Walk is also back with its second edition on January 24 and 25. This immersive outdoor storytelling experience takes you around the Civic District, where you’ll find artfully decorated benches that spill juicy tales of history and folklore. Round it off with a diorama craft workshop to bring your very own story to life. 

Find out more about VERSE here, and get your tickets to Story Walk here.

A hero to some and a vandal to others, Banksy has sparked global intrigue with his provocative art since the ‘90s. While the man himself remains elusive, you can now explore his genius without leaving the city. For the first time in Singapore, The Art of Banksy: “Without Limits” Exhibition takes over the shiny new Fever Exhibition Hall on Scotts Road with over 200 pieces, from original prints to immersive installations. Unique to Singapore is a Walled Off Hotel-style entrance lobby inspired by Banksy’s 2017 boutique hotel project – the one famously dubbed as having ‘the worst view of any hotel in the world.’ Inside, you’ll find some of his greatest hits: the hauntingly satirical Dismaland installation, the iconic Flower Thrower print, and the striking Phone Booth sculpture. And who knows? With many clues scattered throughout, you might even crack the mystery of who Banksy really is. 

Book tickets here

The Bridgerton craze is far from over. The Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings features songs from the hit Netflix show, performed by a live string ensemble amidst the romantic glow of dozens of candles. The setlist includes songs from all three series, such as thank u, next, Give Me Everything, and Cheap Thrills. Each showcase runs for an hour, and seating is assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis in your respective zone.

You don't need to be an art aficionado to instantly recognise a Jean-Michel Basquiat masterpiece. His striking, bold-coloured work is a staple of the 1980s art scene, embodying the rebellious spirit of the era. For your chance to unpick the late artist’s mind, immerse yourself in Behind the Canvas Series 1: Jean-Michel Basquiat, open from now till March 6 at Marina Bay Sands. This global-first experience takes you inside Basquiat’s world, tracing his rise from a New York street artist to a global pop culture icon. Journey through 10 immersive rooms and marvel at 160 meticulously framed pages from Basquiat's Notebooks, 12 iconic works from The Head—The Mind Drawings, and 25 original licensed prints. Then conclude at the exclusive Crown and Canvas Lounge, featuring a bar and live DJ sets. Tickets start from $48 (Singapore residents) and $59 (non-residents)  – get yours here.

Fans of the popular K-pop group Seventeen will know that the boy band is gracing our stage this January. But the fan service doesn’t stop there. Marina Bay Sands will be launching The Wonderland with Seventeen, an event that includes Seventeen-inspired F&B creations that are available at the mall, limited edition stickers, and the lighting up of the three towers of Marina Bay Sands in the group’s signature rose quarts and blue hues.

The creative festival is back this week with its biggest and boldest lineup yet, featuring over 90 F&B stalls and 190 retail booths, all setting up shop at Singapore Expo Hall 4 from January 17 to 19 and 24 to 26. This year’s theme, ‘Artbox Everyday,’ breathes new life into the essence of neighbourhood living, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. True to its iconic style, expect shipping containers stacked like colourful flats, complete with a convenience store and a communal void deck where you can sing karaoke, play chess, and soak up the creative energy. With hands-on workshops, thrilling games, and open mic sessions, your inner artist will be itching to shine at Artbox. Find out more here.

It’s no doubt that Singapore's street culture is alive and kicking, proven by the lineup of events that celebrate its vibrant scene. Adding to the list is the return of Aliwal Urban Arts Festival, with a high-octane mix of art, skateboarding, live music, and everything in between. There are exhibitions that feature artists such as TraseOne, Metamo Industries, and Mad Rat Inc., beginner-friendly skateboarding lessons, workshops on airbrushing and poster design, and unique art pieces on sale at the Creators Marketplace.

Seeing Forest by Robert Zhao Renhui invites the audience to explore the lesser-known world of Singapore’s secondary forests, which are areas that have regrown after human-caused deforestation. The exhibition will feature a mix of videos and sculptures, originally shown in Venice, transforming SAM’s gallery into an immersive forest-like environment filled with sights, sounds, and stories. Zhao’s work brings these spaces to life, showing everything from sambar deer that escaped a zoo in the ‘70s to Japanese sparrowhawks stopping for a drink, and even a wild boar giving birth just outside Zhao’s apartment.

There’s no better way to start the new year than with a celebration of music, dance, film, and art. From now until January 26, let comma, *SCAPE’s returning Creative Arts Festival bring the entertainment to you with this year’s theme: ‘Past x Present = Future.’ By exploring forgotten traditions and bold new narratives, it promises plenty of inspiration to feed your imagination. Get excited for two new experiences including Somerset Threads, an interactive theatrical tour of the Somerset Belt, and the ARTBOX Express Collaboration, shuttling you from Somerset to Singapore Expo with street art and live performances along the way. Other highlights include Mov:ment Lab Exhibition, and Experimentation Ground – both spotlighting the significance of motion. Then cap it off with Homeground, the ultimate street dance showdown. Find out more here.

Every season brings about new displays at Gardens by the Bay, and this Chinese New Year is no exception. The Spring Blossoms 2025 display pays homage to this year’s snake zodiac, featuring over 1,000 beautiful dahlias and a 4.5m-tall floral sculpture of Madam White Snake, a female snake spirit in China’s folklore. This life-like display comprises over 23,000 plants including moth orchids, kalanchoes and cyclamens. Accompanying this is a snake sculpture and a 7m-tall replica of Leifeng Pagoda where Madam White Snake was imprisoned. You’ll notice two smaller pagodas inside the Leifeng Pagoda – these pagodas are part of the Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum. 

Somewhere Near Home is the artist Adam Handler’s first solo exhibition in Singapore. The New York-born painter is known for his colourful and whimsical paintings done with oil sticks, and this exhibition is no exception. He uses an explosion of vivid colours and layered compositions to create characters that have simple yet expressive forms. Each artwork is a reflection of his early childhood memories at home, evoking a sense of joy, comfort, sadness and anger. The exhibition is held at LOY Contemporary Art Gallery and more details can be found here.

The galactic gods are blessing us with a slew of celestial events – we’ve had Mars in opposition, the Geminid meteor shower, and the Orionid meteor shower happening in the past few months. Don’t pack up your telescopes or binoculars yet, as there’s another celestial event to catch. Known as the “planet parade”, this phenomenon happens when several planets are aligned in the sky and visible at the same time from Earth. From now till February 20, 2025, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus are part of the planet parade. 

Pop Mart fans must be feeling extra lucky this festive season, because Jewel Changi has just gotten a playful springtime touch with Chinese New Year decor featuring your favourite blind box characters such as Labubu, Skullpanda, Hacipupu and more. These cute installations are inspired by various figurine series – including the new seasonal ‘Wealthy Snake’s New Year Celebration’ one – and are spread all over the scenic Canopy Park in vibrant floral set-ups. Find out more and learn how you can cop yourself a limited-edition Pop Mart mahjong set here.

This Lunar New Year, ION Orchard unfolds a vibrant celebration of culture, fortune, and innovation from now until 12 February. Curious about what 2025 holds in store for you? Start at Level 1 Atrium to discover your fate at the interactive Fortune of the Year installation. The season also kicks off with a captivating lion dance and roving God of Fortune performances, spreading joy and prosperity throughout the mall. The celebration continues with two immersive experiences to mark Hennessy’s 300th anniversary, including the Kinetic Spring Garden installation. Tesla is also setting up shop to give you the chance to get up close to the Cybertruck, Optimus humanoid robot, and more. Plus, Fila Kids' pop-up store brings festive fashion for the whole family. That's not all – expect new store openings, exclusive deals, and beautifully designed red packets up for grabs.

You know what they say: the bigger, the better. And that’s exactly what you can expect this holiday season at A Big, Big World, running from now until February 16, 2025 at Sentosa. From festive carnivals to larger-than-life experiences and immersive events, the island’s newest takeover spans three locations: Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Sensoryscape, and Palawan Beach. Each zone offers a unique experience, alongside a magical beachside experience at nightfall with giant floating, marine-inspired inflatables. In celebration of Chinese New Year, there’ll also be an 88m-tall Starlit Dragon and a giant dragon kite. Find out more here.

The stunning Gardens by the Bay is set to get even more magical this festive season. For the first time in Singapore, all your Disney and Pixar favourites are coming to life at the floral wonderland’s new Garden of Wonder showcase. As you stroll through Gardens by the Bay’s Floral Fantasy, you’ll be greeted by eight stunning themed topiaries featuring lovable characters like Winnie the Pooh, Ariel and Flounder from The Little Mermaid, and Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. Get in on the magic here.

Have a splash at Changi Airport’s brand new space-themed inflatable waterpark, Cosmic Hydropark, from now until February 16, 2025 at Termina 3's Arrival Hall. Along with picture-worthy elements like giant UFOs, towering rocket ships, and inflated astronauts, the park also features a giant water slide and exciting water obstacle courses with fun interactive play elements. Little ones won’t be left out – they’ll still get their dose of safe fun in a dedicated pool separate from the big kids. Passes are available for purchase via the Changi App here.

Held at Resorts World Sentosa, the Singapore edition of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic promises to be even bigger and better, with an additional 10,000 square feet of space for even more magical moments to unfold. Step into familiar scenes from the Potterverse including the Room of Requirement, Newt’s Menagerie, Ministry of Magic, and more, as special interactive technology and multimedia elements are weaved with captivating soundscapes to bring enchantment to us muggles. With realistic replicas of what you see in the movies, along with eye-catching illuminations, there are sure to be a ton of photo-worthy opportunities. Find out more here.

Batik, a timeless art form and symbol of Southeast Asian heritage, takes centre stage at the Peranakan Museum. This captivating exhibition shines a spotlight on the creative and entrepreneurial journeys of three remarkable Peranakan women from the bustling port city of Pekalongan, Indonesia. Meet Nyonya Oeij Soen King, her daughter-in-law Nyonya Oeij Kok Sing, and granddaughter Jane Hendromartono, each a batik master in her own right. Discover their inspiring stories through about 200 objects, including cherished family heirlooms and 60 stunning batik pieces from the 1890s to the 1980s. You can also explore batik’s evolution through time at the interactive stations. Then take a fun mobile quiz to uncover your personal batik style and score an exclusive bookmark to take home. Keep an eye out for exciting pop-up performances, hands-on craft activities, and engaging curator tours during your visit. 

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.

Singapore’s Bayfront Event Space shines like never before with the arrival of illumi, the world’s largest light, sound and multimedia illumination event. This marks the event’s international debut, featuring the world’s tallest illuminated tree titled ‘Tree of Lights’ which 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 structures.