Happy New Year! ✨ Have you made some resolutions for the year yet? If one of them is to go out more and enjoy some time for yourself and your loved ones, we have just the article for you! ? There are plenty of long weekends to look forward to this new year. One that’s coming up soon is the long CNY holiday! So whether you’re looking for things to do in Singapore this January 2023, or something to do for the long weekend, here are some ideas.
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1. Explore the city at Singapore Art Week 2023
If you’re not familiar with Singapore Art Week’s ARTWALK, it’s an annual multidisciplinary public arts festival set in the cultural precincts of Little India and Katong-Joo Chiat from 6 to 15 January 2023. You can look forward to new and original wall murals, workshops, live music and performances! Aimed at celebrating the vibrance of our local heritage, ARTWALK 2023 encourages visitors to envision the various ways Singapore’s culture can grow from here.
What better way to spend the weekend than by taking a DIY tour of the city’s cultural precinct? ? Admire amazing street art and historic monuments, grab lunch at Bismillah Biryani Restaurant (one of the few halal winners of the Michelin Bib Gourmand) and go on guided tours that’ll take you on a nostalgic trip of Singapore’s past through stamp carving workshops, storytelling and even dining experiences (vegetarian food)!
P.S. Curious to know more about what you can do during Singapore Art Week? Check out the ultimate 2S1N Muslim-Friendly itinerary to Little India & Joo Chiat/Katong for art lovers!
Date: 6 to 15 January 2023
Location: Little India & Joo Chiat/Katong
Entry price: FREE
2. Aliwal Urban Art Festival
Credit: Arts House Limited
When Singapore Art Week rolls around, you have to keep an eye out for the annual Aliwal Urban Art Festival! ? With the iconic Aliwal Art Centre being transformed into a vibrant arts scene, it's the perfect place to meet and appreciate art with friends. You can look forward to exciting events like live graffiti sessions and bicycle repair workshops, the Black Market that sells apparel, accessories and much more. All you have to do is sign up on the festival website to take part!
Credit: Arts House Limited
But that’s not all! Stay till sundown to enjoy live performances by local artists and take a trip through the history of music and dance with a Block Party (that everyone’s invited to)! Take in the energy and lively ambience of the streets with performances and dance battles. This is one trendy annual event that you’ll want to mark on your calendar! ?
Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2023
Date: 14 January 2023
Location: 28 Aliwal St, Singapore 199918
Time: 12PM - 11PM
Free Admission
Register for the workshops here!
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3. Take part in Chingay events
Credit: People's Association
With the Chinese New Year coming soon, you know what to look forward to - Chingay 2023! Although the parade is set to happen in February (book your tickets here!), you can get into the festive spirit by taking part in the islandwide Chingay events that have something for everyone. You can win prizes for taking part in various competitions. Make sure you keep an eye out for these exciting events:
- Chingay 2023 Theme Song Duet Challenge | From now till February 2023
- Spot The Rabbit! Contest | From 5 to 9 February 2023
- Chingay 2023 Art Installations | From 5 to 9 February 2023
Chingay 2023 (Main Parade)
Date: Fri & Sat; 3 & 4 February 2023, 8PM (Main Parade)
Location: F1 Pit Building
4. Stay up to catch the Light To Night Festival 2023
If you’re a night owl, you most likely have been looking forward to Singapore’s annual Light to Night, best known for its stunning illumination of key cultural institutions in the Civic District. Happening from 6 to 26 January 2023, Light to Night returns with the theme of ‘Here and Now’ which includes immersive installations, interactive artworks, and programmes and performances that share the bridge between art and architecture! Be sure to take as many IG-worthy photos as possible with the installations at night to get the best shots.
Additionally, National Gallery Singapore will be offering FREE entry to all visitors on Fridays to Sundays during Light to Night. It’s truly a romantic experience that you can’t miss! ?
Date & time: 6 to 26 January 2023
Mon-Thu; 10AM - 7PM | Fri-Sun; 10AM - 11PM
Location: Civic District, Singapore
Entry price: FREE
5. Visit the Mega Carnival at Downtown East
Unleash your inner kid at the Mega Carnival in Downtown East! ? The carnival is located at D’Marquee Downtown East and will be running from now till 5 February 2023. It features plenty of family-friendly activities including VR experiences, dinosaur-themed attractions, and an arcade zone where you can show your competitive side! It’s a family-friendly event that is perfect to visit on weekends. Not to mention, there are lots of halal options nearby for when you’re hungry from all that fun.
P.S. Need some ideas on what to eat when you’re at the carnival? Check out the ultimate guide to halal food at Downtown East!
Date & time: 19 November to 5 February 2023
Address: Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Cl, Singapore 519599
Price: From $25+
6. Go on a “treasure hunt” to find giant statues in Sentosa
Credit: Explorers of Sentosa
If you love treasure hunts, this one's for you! On your next trip to Sentosa, go on an exciting scavenger hunt to look for the four HUGE statues by Copenhagen artist Thomas Dambo hidden in plain sight in the Palawan beach area. As part of the Explorers of Sentosa quest, you'll be tasked to solve clues to eventually reach the location of the giants!
Date: Until the end of 2024
Address: Palawan Beach, Sentosa
7. Show off your skating at ICE MAGIC: The Great Fantasy on Ice
Back by popular demand, ICE MAGIC: The Great Fantasy on Ice is the magical snowy wonderland perfect for families with children who love the winter weather! The 2,400 winter playground will house a variety of exciting winter activities, including a 70m snow slope - the longest and tallest snow slope ever constructed in Singapore, and a 4.5m high figure-8 Ice Slide (which was constructed purely out of ice by master sculptors who hail from the famous Harbin Ice Festival in China). You can also try your hand at curling or ‘ice chess’, ice bowling, and ice cycling!
Date & time: 7 to 29 January 2023
Address: Bayfront Event Space
Price: From $25+
8. Take your kids to Children’s Museum Singapore
Formerly known as Singapore Philatelic Museum, it’s now called Children's Museum Singapore (CMSG) following extensive renovations. The Children's Museum Singapore believes in the power of play and provides opportunities for children to explore and engage with Singapore and the world around them based on its vision of creating a place of wonder and joy for children to learn about Singapore and the world! ?
With two floors worth of exciting and interactive displays, you’ll want to get comfortable because you might be staying a while. ? Not to mention, its FREE entry till 31 March 2023. Visits are limited to 2-hours per visitor so make sure to plan your time accordingly.
P.S. Find out more about what to expect at the Children’s Museum Singapore here!
Address: Children’s Museum Singapore, 23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807
Opening hours: Tue-Sun; 9AM-1PM & 2PM-6PM (last admissions at 12:30pm & 5:30pm)
| Mon; Closed
Price: FREE from now till 31 March 2023
9. The Doraemon Exhibition
Doraemon lovers, this is your chance to physically immerse yourself in that childhood nostalgia! The exhibition showcases Doraemon through the lens of 28 leading contemporary Japanese artists and arts groups, whose artworks respond to the theme of “Create Your Own Original Doraemon”. Some artists you can expect include Takashi Murakami, who is well-known for the smiling flowers motif in his artworks. ?
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm0oSRhPCuf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Grab a couple of Doraemon’s favourite Japanese snack - Dorayaki ($6.90) at the pop-up theme cafe! It’s Muslim-friendly and super delicious (we’ve tried it!). Afterwards, head over to the merchandise section and pick up a souvenir of tote bags, postcards and much more to remember the trip to this exhibition.
Date: 5 November 2022 to 5 February 2023
Time: 10am to 7pm daily
Address: 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897 (National Museum of Singapore)
Ticket price: $30
10. Catch an astronomy film at Science Centre’s OMNI Theatre
Everyone knows that Science Centre is known for their exciting exhibitions like the stargazing experiences but did you know that you could watch an astronomy film too? ? ‘Big Astronomy’ is a 26-minute show that will be projected on their iconic 8K curved screen and will completely immerse you as you go on an exploration of world-class observatories. If you’ve always been curious about the world of science and physics, this experience may be an exciting one for you!
Date & time: Daily; 3 - 3:40PM
Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, Singapore 609433
Ticket price: From $14
11. Get creative at Mattel Playhouse
Featuring 12 activities and splendid photo opportunities, Mattel Playhouse is a new event that is bringing the iconic Mattel brands to Singapore this year! ? So, if your kids are fans of Barbie, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Hot Wheels, they’ll be in for a treat.
Become a young champion racer with Hot Wheels and enjoy driving on the iconic orange track! You can be a pop star, gymnast, painter, and more with Barbie. Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends fans can explore the Island of Sodor, by taking a train ride and playing three Thomas the Tank Engine-themed arcade games! ?️
Date: 13 January - 9 April 2023
Location: Marina Square, Let's Play #02-208/209
Tickets:
- Weekdays: $28
- Weekends/Public holidays/Eve of public holidays: $32
We hope these events will help you start the new year on a high-note! ? If you don’t like staying in during long holiday weekends, make sure you SAVE this article so you can make plans with your family and loved ones to spend a fun-filled day out and about.
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