The best things to do in Singapore this week (January 13-19)

Culture Cartel 2025 is back, bringing art, fashion, music, tattoos, and collectible toys under one roof from January 17 to 19, 2025, at Singapore Expo Hall 5. With over 80 brands showcasing fresh collaborations, interactive exhibitions, workshops, and thought-provoking panels, this three-day street culture extravaganza promises something for everyone. Highlights include the Singapore debut of Canadian TikTok star David Huynh, known for his viral dollar bill art inspired by vintage cartoons, and ToyQube's stunning art sculptures by world-renowned creators. Attendees can also look forward to raffles, lucky draws, and exclusive door gifts to round off the ultimate urban culture experience. Find out more about Culture Cartel here.

Colour your week with the return of Singapore Art Week, now in its 13th edition. With over 130 events, the city’s biggest art celebration is spilling out of museums and onto the streets, MRT stations, and even your dinner plate. Fan favourites like Light to Night Singapore, ART SG, and S.E.A. Focus return, alongside late-night thrills including Art After Dark at Gillman Barracks and Sonic Sessions at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Other must-see highlights include a three-month celebration of Jean-Michel Basquiat at Marina Bay Sands, a travelling miniature gallery, and a photography showcase exploring 60 years of Singapore's evolving identity. Hungry? Dig into an art-meets-dining experience at the SATS Experiential Centre. And don’t miss more kaleidoscopic takeovers at public spaces including Fort Canning Park and eight MRT stations. Find out more 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

Step into the future of climate awareness with Scarce City, premiering on 11 January at the National Gallery Singapore. This groundbreaking experience, conceived by visionary artist Elizabeth Mak, combines interactive gaming and immersive theatre to challenge your perceptions of success and scarcity. Navigate a light-based resource management game set in a stunning 3D-printed world made from over 4,000 pieces of recycled plastic. With Kate Raworth's 'Doughnut Economics' theory in mind, this arts and tech experience explores what it truly means to have enough in today’s world. With only 20 participants per session, it’s an intimate and thought-provoking journey into the psychology of climate change.

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.

Making friends can be challenging as an adult, much less meeting the love of your life. Aside from dating apps, social mixers like Not A Dating Event are platforms where you can meet new people. Their latest event includes icebreaker games and a cocktail-making workshop at Goodbye, Alibi. Participants will fill up a quick questionnaire on the day of the event, and everyone will be matched up based on their answers. The event is open for heterosexual singles aged 26 to 40, but non-singles are allowed to attend and provide moral support for their hopeful friend. Tickets are priced from $50 and more details can be found here.

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.

The country’s largest F&B container park Cosford Container Park celebrates Chinese New Year with its CNY Weekend Market happening on January 18 and 19, 2025. Expect exciting lion dance performances on January 18, while a snake charmer takes the stage on January 19. Prep your wallets for some shopping as there are 13 retail booths to browse. Local vendors including Haeng Bok Clay and AOIFE.U will be selling handcrafted jewellery, and you can grab Chinese New Year snacks from Phiang Delights and Knead A Dough. Crafty folks can sign up for the free DIY lantern and keychain workshops too.

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.

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.

Rattan weaving, traditional coffee making, Chinese opera, and Peranakan beading – these are some of Singapore’s many dying trades that Lots Arts Found is putting in the spotlight. Through fun workshops and engaging performances, this showcase aims to bring a new revival to these cultural artforms that make up part of our history. It’ll be a nostalgic experience for the older generations, and an eye-opening one for the younger folks who might not have been exposed to these sorts of crafts before, so head down with the whole family for an enriching day out. Entry is free but registration is required. Find out more and sign up here.

Local grocer Little Farms recently opened its Sentosa Cove outlet – a two-in-one waterfront establishment with both a grocery store and restaurant. To celebrate this grand opening, it’s hosting its first Little Farms Sentosa Fest on January 18, 2025, with a slew of family-friendly activities like face painting and tote bag accessorising. There will also be a farmers market where you can sample fresh food and beverages from Little Farms’ suppliers.

Kids can germinate their own plants at the Grobrix Little Farmers Workshop, or join a cooking class hosted by The Baby Carrot Cooking Club. Gather the whole family and join the 30-minute fitness class taught by Covefit and Lottie’s Fitness, and strengthen your core with The Viva Group’s pilates session. 

All sessions are free to join, and you can find out more about the event here. 

It's a world of colour at the new Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami pop-up, created in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the two icons’ collaboration. Part boutique, part art gallery, this space has four whimsical zones: a retail area where you can browse the vibrant Monogram Multicolore collection of handbags and other leather goods; a pink-washed café with coffee and flower-shaped cookies; a cinema featuring two animated short films inspired by Alice in Wonderland; and a care station where you can get your existing Louis Vuitton x Murakami treasured spruced up with cleaning and replacement of parts. This is the only LV x Murakami pop-up in all of Southeast Asia, so head on down for a free exclusive peek before it ends on January 19. Find out more. While you're here, did you know that Louis Vuitton recently opened a chocolaterie in Singapore?

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.

Elevate your nights out – quite literally – at COTU, Marina Bay's latest multi-concept food and nightlife establishment spanning across the 38th and 39th floors of CapitaGreen. This swanky space is home to five unique concepts: Little Birdie, a cocktail bar with welcoming botanical decor; Enso, a Japanese steakhouse serving up premium meat cuts; The Whisper Room, a bar with DJ sets that also doubles up as a New York-inspired live jazz lounge; Dashi Go-Go Ultra Lounge for hip-hop and R&B beats in a Neo-Tokyo setting; and Dashi Sky Pool, Singapore’s first-ever open-air sky pool, featuring cabanas under the stars and floating film festivals. Find out more about COTU here.

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, including a vibrant festive carnival at Resorts World Sentosa, running until January 2, 2025, and a magical beachside experience at nightfall with giant floating, marine-inspired inflatables. 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.

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.

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.