Pop by Gardens by the Bay’s first ever Nordic themed display that features the widest range of poinsettias and iconic landmarks from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Keep your eyes peeled for the 15 varieties of poinsettias that are making their debut at Gardens by the Bay. Take a nice family photo at The Family Hearth that’s based on The Wave from Denmark, or visit a choir of Nordic gnomes who will get you into the festive mood with Christmas tunes.

Nov 8 to Jan 5 2020, 9am-9pm, Flower Dome, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, S018953. Admission charges to the Flower Dome apply. More info at http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/poinsettias. ​​​​​​​

Cats the musical has been living its best nine lives — it has had record-breaking runs at the West End and Broadway (21 years!) and has been staged in 30 countries. And what do you know? The award-winning musical has landed in Singapore, where it’s playing at Marina Bay Sands until Jan 5. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about its cinematic counterpart (it drops in Singapore on Dec 26). There hasn’t been a flick quite as universally panned like Hollywood’s take on Cats, which stars the likes of Taylor Swift and Judi Dench. Are better off heading to the theatres to catch the revered live spectacle instead, which has played to more than 81mil people worldwide since its inception in 1981? Paw-bably. Click here for our full review of Cats the musical.

Cats The Musical: Singapore is on from Dec 17 to Jan 5 at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave, S018956. Tix from www.marinabaysands.com/ticketing and Sistic. More info at www.catsthemusical.com.

Photos: CATS Tour 2019 Photography by Alessandro Pinna

Gather your squad and start 2020 on the right note with a night of some of the best chart-topping old school hip hop throwbacks on the dancefloor. Helming the decks are LeNERD and DJ Rattle, who will be dishing out songs from 50 Cent, Eminem, Kanye & Jay-Z, Linkin Park and more.

Jan 3, 10pm-3am, Zouk, 3C River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-05 to #02-06, The Cannery, S179022. Tickets at $20 (Ladies) and $25 (Men). For table reservations, email zoukclub@zoukclub.com or WhatsApp +65 9006 8793. More info here.

Photo: Zouk Singapore/Facebook

The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is back, and you know what that means. Get set for a month of performances ranging from theatre, to visual arts and mixed media at the 16th edition of the fest. All showcased works will be centred on this year’s theme of My Country and My People. Look forward to performances like Kebaya Homies by The Necessary Stage, a musical set in the 1960s following two dancing girls sharing Singaporean Malay history and culture. There are also interactive performances like A Tiny Country by Attempts, where the audience will be tasked with nation-building responsibilities while knowing that the country will experience a hostile takeover in the near future.   

Jan 8 to Jan 19, various timings and locations. Tickets from $15. More info here.

Singapore’s largest annual motoring event, the Singapore Motorshow 2020, is back for its sixth edition that will be held over four days. The event space stretches across three floors at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre so expect to see over a hundred cars from 30 brands and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for exclusive automotive deals. Russ Swift, three-time Guinness World Record holder and British precision driver, will also be in attendance to show off his driving skills and stunts at a special showcase. Look forward to playing games with Mediacorp celebrities such as Shaun Chen and Paige Chua, as well as radio deejays from CLASS 95, GOLD 905, and many more! 

Jan 9 to Jan 12, various opening hours. Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre (Levels 3, 4 & 6), Raffles Blvd, S039593. Standard entry tickets at $6 and Advance preview tickets at $10. More info at www.motorshow.com.sg  ​​​​​​​

The Civic District is about to get lit once more, thanks to the fourth edition of Light to Night Festival, which returns Jan 10 to 19. It's the time of the year where beloved monuments come to life with artful digital light projections on the outside, and heave with even cooler light art on the inside. This year’s theme is Invisible Cities, which draws upon the interplay of reality and the imagined state of majestic, surreal cities. The 10-day extravaganza is sprawled over the likes of the Arts House, National Gallery Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), among others. Click here for more about this year's highlights to zero in on.

Light to Night Festival 2020 is on Jan 10-19, various locations in the Civic District, 10am-12am (depending on venues). Admission is free; admission charges apply for select programmes. More info at www.lighttonight.sg.

With over 20 years of experience in the international electronic music scene, French DJ and producer Bob Sinclar will be spinning at CÉ LA VI for one night only. The DJ has released eight full-length albums with many chart-toppers as well as gold and platinum records. Having played at major music festivals like Carnaval de Rio and Tomorrowland, you’ll be sure to party the night away with Bob Sinclar’s selection of dance music.  

Jan 10, 10pm onwards, CÉ LA VI Club Lounge, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, 1 Bayfront Avenue Hotel, Tower 3, Level 57, S018971. Cover charge at $28, includes premium pour. Call +65 6508 2188 or email reservation-sg@celavi.com for reservations.

​​​​​​​Photo: Bob Sinclar/Facebook

Hosted by The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, the CBD trail, part of Singapore Art Week, showcases works from local and world-renowned arts practitioners. Find out more about the different art pieces that are hidden around the CBD area and also get the exclusive opportunity to view works displayed at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, CapitaLand’s office at Capital Tower and Facebook Singapore’s office.

Jan 14, 16, 21 & 23, 6.30pm-8.30pm (English guided tour) and 7pm-9pm (Chinese guided tour). Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Lobby Level 1, 1 Straits Boulevard, S018906. Register at https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/cbd0120 

If you love the dazzling Future World exhibition at ArtScience Museum, you’ll love this new digital exhibition at Gardens by the Bay (GBTB) even more. #Futuretogether at GBTB is an immersive exhibition of seven digital art installations, and is the brainchild of art collective, teamLab. They’re the maestros who brought you the Insta-worthy sparkly backdrops and installlations at ArtScience Museum. What’s even better? There’s free entry for Singapore residents once #Futuretogether at Gardens by the Bay officially opens on Jan 16, 2020. Click here for a preview of the exhibition.

Catch #futuretogether outdoor exhibits from Dec 15 to Jan 15, 2020 at 7pm-12am at Bayfront Plaza at Gardens by the Bay. Admission is free.

#futuretogether officially runs from Jan 16 to Mar 15, 2020, 9am-9pm (indoor exhibits) and 7pm-12am (outdoor exhibits). At Bayfront Plaza at Gardens by the Bay. Admission is free for Singapore residents (additional charges apply for certain exhibits) and $10 for standard tickets. Advanced tickets to the exhibits can be booked at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Photos: Gardens by the Bay, teamLab

Enjoy a night out with a specially curated menu of seafood and drinks at The Pelican’s five-course whisky dinner. The award winning restaurant will be featuring five single malt Scotch whiskies like the Speybum 10 years old, Balbliar 12 year old and Old Pulteney 18 years old. The selection of drinks will be paired with dishes like Baked Oysters Two Ways, Old Fashioned Crabs and a Chocolate Fudge Cake.

Jan 16, 7pm-10pm, The Pelican, 1 Fullerton Road, #01-01, One Fullerton, S049213. Tickets from $98, 10% Early Bird Special discount available till Jan 9. Contact +65 6438 0400 or email enquiry@thepelican.com.sg for reservations. More info here.

Photo: The Pelican

Slink over to the Esplanade to watch the mentees of the Noise Music Mentorship 2020 jam out as part of their final showcase. The budding musicians have been under the mentorship of Singaporean musicians such as Ling Kai, the winner of Indie Artist of the Year at YunYueTai 2^nd Annual V Chart Awards, and Sara Wee, lead vocalist and rhytm guitarist of homegrown band 53A. Expect to see electro-pop group HE1ST, R&B singer-songwriter Rangga Jones, and psych-pop duo Islandeer, take the stage over the three-day showcase.

Jan 17 to Jan 19, various performance times. Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, Esplanade Theatres On The Bay, 1 Esplanade Dr, S038981. Free. More info here.

Photo: Esplanade

This is huay you should be to get into the Chinese New Year mood. Dahlia Dreams features Mosaiculture — giant topiary-like sculptures made with bedding plants carpeting metal frames — and more than 70 Dahlia cultivars and other festive plants. Get your phones ready for the ‘gram and snap a pic at Instagrammable spots such as at the entrance of the Flower Dome with a Fu​​​​​​​ medallion, diorama cut outs of cranes and mountains, and two golden rats.

From Jan 17 to Feb 23, 9am-9pm, Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, S018953. Admission charge to Flower Dome applies. More info here.

Photo: Gardens by the Bay

What better way to celebrate the new decade than to rock out to smash hits from the 90s and 00s? DJs Lincey and The Dinosaur are on deck duty this Total Recall, so fuel up on some drinks and bop to songs from the likes of Britney Spears, Nirvana and Destiny’s Child.

Jan 18, 10pm-4am, Zouk, 3C River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #02-05, The Cannery, S179022. Tickets at $40 (Ladies) and $50 (Men), inclusive of $30 drink vouchers. For table reservations, email zoukclub@zoukclub.com or WhatsApp +65 9006 8793. More info here.

Photo: Zouk Singapore/Facebook

Want to enjoy delicious grub with a view? CÉ LA VI’s Sky High Gourmet Fiesta is back again for its second edition featuring gourmet food from five chefs from Singapore’s top restaurants, going for as low as $20 per dish. Look forward to chargrilled cuts from Chef Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends and mod Spanish tapas from Chef Carlos Montobbio of Esquina. The cover charge will be waived from 12pm to 4pm and guests who RSVP are entitled to free complimentary entry to the fiesta.

Jan 19, 12pm-4pm, CÉ LA VI Club Lounge, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, 1 Bayfront Avenue Hotel, Tower 3, Level 57, S018971. RSVP at http://bit.ly/shgfmedia for complimentary entry. Call +65 6508 2188 or email at reservation-sg@celavi.com for reservations.

Furama Singapore has taken the holiday festivities to the next level. Titled #FestiveFurama, a free indoor carnival will be held every Friday and Saturday in Furama Riverfront and Furama City Centre starting from Dec 6. Expect a 12-foot Christmas tree, a Santa who’ll be giving out presents, carnival games, VR gaming, a lucky draw and, live Christmas tunes by Orchestra of the Music Makers.

Dec 6 to Jan 26, 11am-2pm and 5pm-8.30pm, Furama City Centre, 60 Eu Tong Sen St, S059804 and Furama RiverFront, 405 Havelock Rd, S169633. More info at https://www.furama.com/

Not sure huat to do this festive period? Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a variety of programmes and activities all around Gardens by the Bay. Catch shows like The Story of Nian and the Shadow Puppet Performance, or enjoy festive music from the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Ding Yi Music Company, Dicalpella, and then some. Catch the first ever performance from Golden Pyro Dragon Dance showcasing firework-like sparkles and pyrotechnics. Slink over to the Festive Bazaar to shop for CNY goodies and crafts, but remember to head over to the Flower Dome to meet the God of Fortune for a prosperous year ahead.

From Jan 27 to Feb 9, various timings and locations, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, S018953. More info here.

Photo: Gardens by the Bay​​​​​​​

With over 20 years of history, Mambo Jambo at Zouk is back again. It doesn’t matter which generation you’re from because there’ll be music for everyone to groove along to, courtesy of DJs Jeremy Boon and Aldrin. Gather the tribe and head down to reminisce about the good old times and create new memories.

Jan 31, 10pm-4am, Zouk, 3C River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-05 to #02-05, The Cannery, S179022. Tickets at $35 (Ladies) and $45 (Men). For table reservations, email zoukclub@zoukclub.com or WhatsApp +65 9006 8793. More info here.

Photo: Zouk Singapore/Facebook

Discover how Disney magic comes to life for the first time in Singapore at ArtScience Museum’s latest exhibition which reveals behind-the-scenes secrets behind 90 years of animation history. Pore over 500 art pieces — original drawings and concept art included — curated by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. The exhibition also features interactive features such as projections, audio-visual displays that will take you on a walk down memory lane. The icing on the cake is the debut of original artwork from the upcoming, highly-anticipated Frozen 2. For more pix and info, click here.

Oct 26 to Mar 29, 2020, ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Ave, S018974. Tickets from $12. More info at https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/disney-magic-of-animation.html

If you ever wondered what Singapore might look like in 200 years, drop by the Art Science Museum’s latest exhibition, 2219: Futures Imagined, to find out. Immerse yourself in the exhibition’s five acts and travel from 2019 to 2219 to learn about how life might be impacted with changes in the Earth’s environment.

Nov 23 to April 5 2020, 10am onwards, Art Science Museum, 10 Bayfront Avenue, S018956. Tickets from $11. More info at https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html.

Photo: Lisa Park

Deep dive into the animals and their relationships with the environment in a high-tech, immersive way at the world’s first travelling wildlife and exploration exhibition. Explore the natural world from the comfort of the Science Centre. Choose from three different environments — Tropical Rain Forest, Coral Reef, and Sea Ice — and pick up bite-sized tidbits through the use of interactive multi-media elements and never-before-seen footage from Animal Planet set up in the different sections.

Nov 16 to March 22 2020. The Annexe, Science Centre Singapore, 15 Science Centre Road, S609081. Tickets excluding booking fee priced at $18 for Children (Age 3-12), $23 for Adults and $66 for Family package. More info at https://www.science.edu.sg/whats-on/exhibitions/living-worlds  

History goes high tech with this digital projection exhibition (replete with an interactive digital wall brimming with artworks) about the lesser-known snippets of Singapore’s history. Witness historical events that have moulded Singapore into what she is today, including the swearing-in of Yusof Ishak as first President of Singapore, the reveal of our national flag in 1959, and more. With gripping, lively projections and storytelling, you’ll feel as if you were living through these events that have cemented themselves into our nation’s history.

From Sep 1 to Aug 29, 2021, 10am-7pm, City Hall Wing, Level 3, City Hall Chamber, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road S178957. Tickets from $10. More info at https://www.nationalgallery.sg/

Unleash your inner architect and learn about why and how cities around the world change in the new Science Centre Singapore permanent exhibition, Urban Mutations: The Changing Face of Cities. The exhibition will allow for guests to go through three different zones — Cities Under Pressure, Urban Earth and Urban Futures — to learn more about how cities will be built to survive the 21^st century. Expect to interact with multimedia displays of city systems from around the world, representations of maps and global data, and to get the chance to explore urban solutions to modern problems.

From Oct 25 onwards, 10am-6pm, Hall A, Science Centre Singapore, 15 Science Centre Rd, S609081. Free. More info at https://www.science.edu.sg/whats-on/exhibitions/urban-mutations. 

Photo: Science Centre Singapore

An exhibition that’s full of er… poo, anyone? Science Centre Singapore’s new permanent exhibition, Know Your Poo, has five themed zones for you to explore the evolution of sanitation. With lots of interactive activities and installations (including a Game of Thrones styled toilet), have fun learning about poo, from where wastes go, to the future of sanitation.

Permanent exhibition from Nov 19, 10am-6pm, Science Centre Hall B Level 1, 15 Science Centre Rd, Singapore 609081.  Admission is included with regular admission to Science Centre Singapore. More info at https://www.science.edu.sg/whats-on/exhibitions/know-your-poo. ​​​​​​​

Since its inception here in 2016, Tokyo-based interdisciplinary collective teamLab’s super photogenic dreamscapes have become a must-see for visitors, Singaporeans and ’gramaholics, of course. Who doesn’t love traipsing around in the trippy Crystal Universe? But if you’ve visited ArtScience Museum’s permanent exhibition once and think you’ve seen it all, think again.

Future World has just been refreshed and with an all-new gallery and two new artworks for your viewing — and Instagramming — pleasure. You’ll find the all-new features in the City in a Garden gallery, one of four galleries (Sanctuary, Park and Space complete the line-up). If you haven’t realised by now, City in a Garden is a riff on Singapore’s Garden City status and the theme of integrating nature back into the concrete jungle, and takes you through fields of flowers, lush meadows and even an aquarium. Find out more here.

Future World: Where Art Meets Science is on at ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. Open 10am-7pm daily (last admission 6pm). Tix and info at www.marinabaysands.com.

Photo: teamLab