The best things to do in Singapore in November 2023

Here’s your chance to find out how intelligent and resilient you are at Science Centre Singapore’s newest attraction – Escape @ Science Centre (E.S.C). In collaboration with entertainment company Gushcloud and Singapore theatre company How Drama, the Science Centre Singapore presents three thrilling escape rooms with unique storylines to put your tenacity and skills to the test. Of course, the challenges will tap into the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and a touch of imagination. Tickets are priced from $25. Enjoy a 10 percent discount if you purchase six to eight tickets to a single escape room.

The man behind the much-lauded Bottega Enoteca will be having a pizza-licious pop-up this November. Chef Antonio Miscellaneo's crusty creations clinched the 19th spot in the well-respected 50 Top Pizza Asia Pacific 2023 awards, and he'll be turning out a version of those at the Casa Vostra pop-up. These pizzas come from his Casa Vostra menu, a delivery-only, ready-to-eat concept that sees his famous pizzas tweaked to survive the trip from the kitchen to customers' doorsteps. Bite into his signature Newpolitan and DoubleCrunch pizzas: the first has a famously light and crispy crust, while the second sees pizza toppings sandwiched between two crunchy slices of pizza 'pastry'. On the menu are also homey pastas like cacio e pepe, vongole, and sausage, with cool gelatos and breezy drinks to match. 

Get ready for the ultimate nostalgia trip at WB100 Celebrating Every Story, a 17-day fiesta on Sentosa Island marking 100 years of Warner Bros. magic. This Southeast Asian extravaganza is the big kahuna of all celebrations – dive into interactive zones, catch screenings of all-time-favourites movies and snag exclusive limited edition goodies at the stations across Beach Station, Emerald Pavilion, and Southside. The event offers three distinct journeys: WB100 Central brings you back to the studio's humble beginnings and on a journey through its major milestones; WB Animation Zone brings you into the world of famed cat-mouse duo, Tom and Jerry; while World of DC is a fascinating deep dive into the world of superheroes and their origin stories. 

Fancy a movie with a side of wildlife? Movies in the Wild kicks off on Singles’ Day (November 11) at River Wonders’ Amazon Flooded Forest. This unique cinematic event will be screening romantic, comedy and action flicks – with the world’s largest freshwater aquarium as a backdrop. Catch movies like 500 Days of Summer, 50 First Dates, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle as manatees, giant river otters, and more freshwater species swim gracefully by. Every ticket is inclusive of admission to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, or River Wonders too, so you can have a full-day date with friends or that special someone.

Celebrate the written word at the 26th edition of Singapore Writers Festival (SWF). This year’s theme Plot Twist focuses on merging genres and themes that don’t quite belong together, as well as spotlighting Asian-American authors. The festival will entail 200 in-person programmes, featuring 250 local and international presenters guaranteed to drop your jaws. Genres that span from Hip Hop, combat sports, among several others.

There will also be a special programme, 50 Years of Bars, Flows and Beats, happening in conjunction with hip hop’s 50th anniversary. Look forward to performances and conversations by music critics, rappers, musicians, and cultural historians from the industry. 

Step into a Nordic winter wonderland at Poinsettia Wishes – A Nordic Christmas Adventure at Gardens by the Bay. The Flower Dome transforms into a tranquil fishing village found on the coastlines of Nordic countries. Classic red and white fishermen cabins sit nestled among fir trees, while poinsettias (flowers often used in Christmas wreaths) bloom around the exhibit. Expect to see more than 20 varieties of these festive flowers, including unusual ones with bright yellow and plum bracts. Keep a look out for the Nordic Nisses too – these are little creatures that look like a cross between Santa Claus and garden gnomes.

Strap in for a trip to the famous red planet, Mars, at ArtScience Museum's final exhibition of the year. Mars: The Red Mirror is jam-packed with 12,000 years of art, history, research, and cultural explorations surrounding the planet. Delve into fictional and non-fictional narratives of Mars through the works of pioneering scientists, filmmakers, writers, and contemporary writers. You'll be able to explore over 300 objects, including rare scientific manuscripts, sculptures, historical artefacts, films, and even an actual Martian meteorite. The Singapore edition will differ from the Barcelona debut show too, placing a greater focus on Asia to uncover Mars' influence in China, India, and Japan, and the achievements of astronomers in our region. 

The annual Singapore Migrant Worker Poetry Competition certainly champions the saying that literature is for everyone, connecting individuals from all walks of life through a shared interest in the written word. Here, Singapore's migrant workers have an opportunity and platform to share their voices and showcase their literary skills. This year will mark the competition’s 10th edition since its debut in 2014, as well as its first physical showcase in a long time since 2019.