Cirque Alice
Photograph: Base Asia
Photograph: Base Asia

The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (October 17-19)

Make the most of your weekend with our top picks of things to do and see in Singapore

Cheryl Sekkappan
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This weekend’s shaping up to be a good one, with a mix of art, pups and a touch of whimsy. Step into a topsy-turvy wonderland with Cirque Alice, or relive the wild energy of 1990s Singapore at The Serangoon Gardens Techno Party of 1993. Art lovers can admire contemporary works at the Singapore Masters Show, or swing by Aliwal Arts Centre for its one-day market. If you’re all about cuddling adorable doggos, don’t miss SOSD’s Adoption Drive. Here are the best things to do in Singapore this weekend.

RECOMMENDED: New openings and attractions in Singapore in 2025 and The 50 best restaurants in Singapore

What’s on in Singapore this weekend

  • Things to do
  • City Life

It's been eight years since Zouk's last flea market, but the nightclub is once again opening its doors for a wholesome shindig while the sky is still bright. At 'Hungover', score gems like clothes and vintage watches at the flea, while bopping to an all-day line-up of music curated by DJs – some names include Nick Bong (Bongomann), Khally, and Jake Camacho, the co-founder of party collective Ice Cream Sundays. Food and drink stalls will also be present, so you won’t have to look far when your tummy starts grumbling.

2. Sip and savour at The Macallan 360 Experience

Here’s one for the whisky lovers (and the whisky-curious). The Macallan 360 Experience is landing at The Singapore EDITION from October 17 to 19, 2025, bringing the brand’s world-famous single malts to life in style. The showcase celebrates the refreshed Double Cask and Sherry Oak, now given a bold new look by iconic designer David Carson. Expect striking visuals, immersive installations, and a deep dive into how sherry-seasoned oak casks shape The Macallan’s unmistakable taste. And yes, you’ll get to enjoy a dram of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old and Sherry Oak 12 Years Old as part of your ticket (from $28). 

Check out available daily timeslots and make your booking here. And if you can’t get enough, visit The Macallan House for an intimate guided tour and bar experience. 

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3. Pick up lifestyle finds at Singapore’s first unmanned retail pop-up

Shopping without shopkeepers? That’s the future, and it’s landing at Kallang Wave Mall from October 2 to 19. RED LABEL flips the script on retail with 10 edgy brands spread across three zones: Street & Style, Outdoor Essentials, and Lifestyle & Living. Think exclusive drops, limited-edition gear, and lifestyle finds you won’t scroll past on your feed. No pressure – just you and the goods. There’s even a playful side: take part in interactive games, rack up loyalty points, and spin the Gachabot for a shot at prizes. 

Shop at RED LABEL at L1 Atrium at Kallang Wave Mall – it’s open daily and admission is completely free. Follow @redlabelsg to find out more. 

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  • Things to do
  • Markets and fairs

Held at the Aliwal Arts Centre, the one-day Cleaning Day! event brings together a vibrant mix of art, food and hands-on workshops in a curated line-up featuring some of Singapore’s creatives. The eclectic marketplace is filled with unique finds – from handmade jewellery to quirky prints. There’ll also be plenty of baked treats to snack on, courtesy of 222 Bakehouse, and fresh brews from Meadowbrew.

Also take the chance to learn and connect with local professionals in the art scene. Join photography and filmography workshops, or sit in on sharing sessions by local musicians offering insights into their journeys. To top it all off, there’ll be live performances by homegrown acts including Haru, Bellied Star, sub:shaman, deformed, Nosedive, monda(e) and Alicia DC.

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  • Film

Love Parasite and Train to Busan? Discover more Korean films at the Korean Film Festival, taking place at Golden Village Suntec City and *Scape from October 16 to 26.

This year’s edition marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Korea, inviting audiences to experience the creativity and depth of Korean storytelling through a curated line-up of films. Screenings are free with registration, with featured titles including No Other Choice, Hear Me: Our Summer, Victory, Three Sisters, One Win, Yadang: The Snitch, Somebody, By The Stream and Victory. There’ll also be a special outdoor screening of The Classic at *Scape, great for enjoying a film under the open sky. 

  • Things to do
  • Food and drink events

Whether or not you’ve been to Borneo, chances are you’ve heard of its famed dishes such as Sarawak laksa and kolo mee. If you’re keen to savour some of the region’s delicacies, good news – the Sarawak Mega Fair is bringing over 50 vendors together to showcase the country's most iconic and hard-to-find dishes. This is your opportunity to sample Umai jellyfish, Tuak rice wine, and many more. You can even snag D Mummy’s Recipe’s premium chocolate treats made from locally sourced cocoa beans.

The Sarawak Mega Fair takes place at Suntec City’s Atrium at Towers 1 and 2 and the Convention Centre from October 16 to 19, running daily from 11am to 10pm.

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  • City Hall

If you’ve been a goody two shoes all your life, The Serangoon Gardens Techno Party of 1993 offers a taste of what it’s like to live a little dangerously. And if you were once part of Singapore’s wilder crowd, this production might just strike a familiar chord.

Set in 1993, the play follows teenager Candice as she dives into the gritty underbelly of Singapore’s nightlife in the ’90s. Think punk-fuelled mosh pits, illicit parties, police raids and an encounter with a charming American boy – complete with a stash of happy pills. Produced by local theatre company Wild Rice, The Serangoon Gardens Techno Party of 1993 is bold, provocative and surprisingly introspective.

  • Art
  • Contemporary art
  • Orchard

If you’ve already made your way through Singapore’s major museums, like the National Museum of Singapore, ArtScience Museum and New Art Museum Singapore, it might be time to explore something different. Head to Opera Gallery Singapore to catch The Singapore Masters Show, which runs from now until November 3, 2025.

The exhibition features works by 25 modern and contemporary masters, spanning genres from impressionism to contemporary figuration. On display are paintings, sculptures and mixed-media pieces created between 1887 and 2022, offering a look into the evolution of artistic movements from the 19th to 21st century.

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  • Circuses
  • Marina Bay

Alice, the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter have arrived on our shores, bringing the whimsical world of Wonderland along with them. If you haven’t already caught the show, now’s the time to gather the whole family and make your way to the Sands Theatre before it closes on October 26, 2025.

Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic is reimagined in Cirque Alice – a dazzling spectacle that combines breathtaking circus artistry and storytelling. While the plot loosely follows the original tale, it adds a thrilling twist through gravity-defying aerial stunts, jaw-dropping contortion acts, playful puppetry and dance sequences. The music brings a modern touch too, featuring contemporary reinterpretations of classic Alice in Wonderland melodies.

  • Things to do
  • pop-ups

Meet adorable pups at SOSD's upcoming adoption drive – and maybe bring one back to their forever home. Happening at Guoco Midtown 2 on October 19, this event promises an afternoon filled with wagging tails – as well as booths selling pet treats, accessories, and other essentials. Don't skip the educational talks about Singapore Specials and the work SOSD does for the local dog community. 

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  • Things to do
  • Food and drink events

Indulge in a glamorous blast to the past at The Singapore Edition's next Disco Brunch (noon to 4pm). This retro-themed edition is all about the '70s, which calls for bell bottoms, platform shoes, tie-dye, and wrap dresses. Once suitable decked out, you can tuck into decadent desserts, hot mains from live cooking stations, and lavish sharing platters. Oh, and free-flow booze, of course. 

DJ Aldrin will be setting the mood with a groovy mix of soul, disco and funk beats, while dancers glide through the space, bringing live entertainment to you as you feast and unwind.

  • Music
  • Kallang

NCT Dream return to Singapore with The Dream Show 4: Dream the Future, taking over the Indoor Stadium for two nights. Following last year’s sold-out shows, the septet is back with a brand-new production that promises to be bigger, bolder, and more imaginative. SM Entertainment has teased a time-travel theme reflecting the members’ nine-year journey and their vision ahead, coinciding with their new album Go Back To The Future. The multi-sensory experience features explosive stages, hypnotic movements, fresh tracks like ‘Chiller’ and ‘BTTF’, and a wave of nostalgia woven into a futuristic show. Dreamzens, it’s your time to scream.

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  • Things to do
  • Quirky events
  • Kent Ridge

Halloween hits hard this year with the final edition of Haw Ror Villa at Singapore’s infamous Hell Museum. Spanning three immersive zones, expect survival challenges, paranormal investigations and a puzzle hunt from ‘hell’. Kick off with a terrifying scare house, dodge an ancient cult, then switch gears in a guided mystery tour where you’ll interrogate malevolent spirits. The finale? A ritual-laden puzzle race that could unlock the Ten Courts of Hell. If that’s not spine-chilling enough, step into the Rebirthing Room and climb into a coffin – a ritual experience said to cleanse bad karma.

  • Art
  • Orchard

Presented by local wellness platform Half, the Museum of Hidden Objects and Feelings invites you to pause and reconnect with the quieter parts of yourself. The exhibition unfolds across eight interactive booths, showcasing personal items like sketchbooks and childhood keepsakes – each carrying the emotions and memories of its owner. Through these everyday objects, the museum highlights how things can anchor meaning and spark connection, whether you relate to someone else’s story or see your own experiences in a new light. Visitors can also contribute: upload a photo and short write-up of your chosen object, anonymously if you wish.

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  • Immersive
  • Marine Parade

For the fourth edition of Crack the Case, The Dreamcatcher follows Kamil Noor, a scientist in the fictional city of Ikanpura, who becomes a prime suspect after a device he planted at an undisclosed location.

This immersive mystery experience is a fun way to bond with your friends while racing against the clock, as it fuses theatre with escape-room elements, inviting audiences to solve puzzles, uncover clues and piece together Kamil’s plans before time runs out. Don’t expect to sit back and watch the action unfold onstage, as everyone is encouraged to move around the theatrical set, explore the cinematic space and interact with the environment.

  • Art

Back for its eighth edition, Women in Film and Photography at Objectifs takes on the theme What We Carry – unpacking self-identity, belonging and the memories we hold (or need to let go of). Artists from across Asia bring intimate works drawn from lived experiences, inviting audiences to reflect on the weight of personal histories. Screenings include A Quiet Load, Camp! Along the Mekong River, and Carnival of Solitude: The World of Qiu Miaojin. Beyond film, dive into workshops on paper-crafting and map-making, or join masterclasses in visual storytelling where you can even develop your own photo book.

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  • Things to do
  • Rochor

The Deepavali Open House is back at the Indian Heritage Centre, and it’s your ticket into the sights, sounds and flavours of the Festival of Lights. Weekends light up with a Festive Market packed with artisanal bakes, Indian snacks, handcrafted jewellery and vibrant ethnic wear. Get crafty with DIY workshops – think clay lotus ornaments or floral tealight holders – or play dress-up with traditional outfits, fragrant garlands and free henna art. Once evening falls, catch cultural performances under the stars and snack on festive favourites like murukku, masala chai and rose syrup drinks. 

  • Things to do
  • Late openings
  • Sentosa

Horror veterans and thrill-seekers will know: spooky season is approaching, and Universal Studios Singapore (USS) is cranking up the scares with its annual Halloween Horror Nights. For those who’ve been keeping an eye on the announcements, this year’s line-up of haunted houses is shaping up to be truly terrifying.

USS has teamed up with horror studio Blumhouse to bring two spine-chilling experiences inspired by their most iconic films, including the M3GAN franchise. Fans of supernatural suspense can look forward to the highly-anticipated Stranger Things haunted house, which promises to plunge you straight into the Upside Down. There’s also a terrifying twist on Asian horror, with themed houses based on the Thai series Death Whisperer and the Chinese novel The Unruly Immortals.

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  • Things to do
  • Festivals

Chinatown is lighting up for the Mid-Autumn Festival, with festive decorations running until October 20. The highlight: an eight-metre-tall centrepiece of rabbits, lanterns, mooncakes and orchids honouring SG60. Overhangs along New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street glow with lotus flowers, jade pendants and a radiant moon, while Upper Cross Street features a luminous moon palace. On South Bridge Road, spot Chang’e surrounded by peonies and calligraphy panels. From now till October 6, the Chinatown Festive Fair at People’s Park Square offers handcrafted lanterns and treats. Don’t miss the lantern walk on September 27, ending with live performances.

  • Art
  • Installation
  • Rochor

Add this to your must-sees for Singapore Design Week 2025: the Unnatural History Museum of Singapore, curated by Kinetic Singapore. This imaginative exhibition reinterprets the nation’s past in unexpected, thought-provoking ways. Expect a six-metre Merlion “fossil,” robotic fauna, hybrid flora, animal droids staged in dioramas, and geological displays made with experimental materials. You’ll also find alternative food concepts and reimagined landscape paintings. More than just playful curiosities, these works celebrate the creativity and ingenuity behind Singapore’s evolution while sparking fresh ideas about where the future might lead.

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  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Marina Bay

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.

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • City Hall

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). 

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  • Art
  • Marina Bay

Step into six decades of Singapore cool at ArtScience Museum’s latest blockbuster: SingaPop! 60 Years of Singapore Pop Culture. This vibrant multimedia exhibition is a punchy, nostalgic ride through the sights, sounds and slang that shaped a nation. From kopi breaks and Kit Chan to Singlish sass and sizzling streetwear, it celebrates the cultural DNA of Singapore, told through the sharp, fabulous lens of Dick Lee. Explore five immersive chapters spanning music, fashion, film and food, with cameos from icons like Kumar, Rahimah Rahim and more. No matter which generation you are, this love letter to Singaporean identity will have you laughing, reminiscing and maybe even tearing up.

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