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

Every year, Little India shines a little brighter for Deepavali. After all, it is the Festival of Lights, a celebration that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This year, Deepavali falls on November 12. Still, the festivities have started early as the vibrant cultural enclave illuminates in a dazzling array of peacocks, lotus flowers, and oil lamps come nightfall. The main centrepiece of the vivid-hued stretch, however, is Goddess Mahalakshmi. The Hindu goddess of wealth sits on a lotus flower atop the main arch on Serangoon Road, flanked by two majestic peacocks and elephants.

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. 

Tune in for a series of music-centric events at Sentosa this weekend. Highlights include Jazz by the Cove, six jazz-themed nights that'll see performers like Jazz-Blues Brothers, Jeremy Monteiro and Alberto Marsico take the stage. There will also be a hyped DJ spin-off at the Sand Bar on Siloso Beach, where aspiring DJs will put on a show for industry experts like Ollie 'des, Mad Jester, Cherish, and Andrew Chow. Heading into the new year, look out for ZoukOut, The Sentosa Countdown Party, and an artistic showcase of 550 drones dancing in the night sky. 

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.

ZERRIN, the ultimate hub for celebrating up-and-coming designers and mindful shopping, is back with a bang for its second edition. This time, the market is running for two months with the theme of 'Crafting Change: Best of Asia', celebrating the best of style and sustainability. Get ready to dive into the vibrant world of fashion, wellness, and skincare, with 30 independent brands hailing from all around Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Unravel the unique story behind each designer's creations as you venture through the eye-catching block and batik prints, while learning about all the thoughtfully sourced ingredients and eco-friendly manufacturing techniques.

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. 

If you're seeking an escape from the mundane, we highly recommend checking out New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed. This exhibition puts the spotlight on Asian female artists and collectives and their work in the science fiction genre. Using mediums like artefacts and films, these artists expand Western science fiction theories like parallel universes and outer space ventures with Asian mythology and philosophies, creating fantastical worlds that push the boundaries of humanity. 

Missed out on the POP TOY SHOW? Fret not, because toy enthusiasts in Singapore now have another new playground to explore: a Funko pop-up store at Changi Airport’s newly-renovated Terminal 2. The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, this experiential Funko pop-up store will not only showcase a wide range of their famous Pop! Boxes figurines, but also an all-new micro-sized line of collectibles called Bitty Pop!, along with interactive activity zones suitable for all. Don’t miss out on the life-sized photo spots featuring your favourite characters such as Harry Potter, Batman, and Groot, all set against themed backdrops for a more immersive experience. Loungefly’s licensed Disney fashion picks will ALSO be up for sale, with items including backpacks, wallets, and purses.

See your favourite characters but with a twist at artist Ronald Ventura's delightful exhibition. Playful juxtaposition runs rampant in his work, which he presents through paintings, sculptures, and installation art. Here you see Spongebob transformed into a dog, and there you see a gorilla's head placed on a human body. Bizarre indeed, but they reflect his musings on identity and the future. And heads-up, this is also your chance to check out the stunning new Whitestone Gallery. 

Mastering the intricate artform of papercutting is no easy accomplishment, but Indonesian artist Mujahidin Nurrahman emerges as a conqueror of this unique craft. His creations don't just tickle your artistic fancy; they play a game of tug-of-war with your emotions, balancing on the tightrope between threat and aesthetic bliss.

In Mujahidin's world, the artistic process isn't just about doodling; it's a symphony of repeated, complex patterns and shapes. Each piece is a unique composition and the coolest part? Zoom in, and you'll unveil the secrets hidden within Mujahidin's creations, with a surprising twist: the iconic AK-47 machine gun, adding a provocative layer of symbolism to his artistic narrative. 

The spiritual and physical world collide at Japanese artist Miwa Komatsu’s latest exhibition Sense of Sacredness. This exhibition vividly portrays the coexistence of the spiritual and material worlds through a striking collection of paintings. These artworks predominantly feature spiritual entities rendered in a colour palette primarily consisting of white, black, red, and subtle touches of gold. These spiritual beings often engage the viewer with their intense, unflinching gazes. It can also be said that her paintings offer a mesmerising glimpse into the other realm, a dimension typically imperceptible to the human eye. 

Komatsu's artistic inspiration draws heavily from her personal visions and encounters with the otherworld. It is worth noting that from a young age, a guardian animal spirit, in the form of a wolf, would guide her safely home.

You will also notice the presence of scattered rock-like objects on the ground. These rocks, known as obsidian, are, in fact, black volcanic stones that symbolise the harmonious coexistence of spirits and humanity because this rock served as the primary material for crafting tools by the earliest residents of the Japanese archipelago.

In addition to the captivating paintings, the exhibition features etching illustrations created by Komatsu during her early days as an artist. Additionally, guests can explore figurines of these spiritual entities crafted from Arita ceramics.

Oh my, oh my god, because there's going to be a New Jeans and LINE FRIENDS pop-up store coming to Orchard Central. Opening from September 15 to November 23, the pop-up will be a vibrant, pink-themed fest featuring adorable merchandise like NewJeans 'Bunini' and The Powerpuff Girls versions of the girl group members.

If you’re looking to make new friends, or perhaps are seeking some romance, why not try forging new connections through art? Matchmade in Art is an innovative event that invites individuals to come together to bond through the world of art – in this case, paintings. 

During this one-hour session, you'll have the chance to acquaint yourself with your potential match, and if you're interested to take it one step further, you can explore the possibility of a second date. Don't fret if you're not well-versed in art; there will be a brief introduction to the artworks on display, and a dedicated gallery manager will be on site to assist and facilitate the experience. 

This might be one of the biggest experiential exhibitions ever to commemorate the life journey of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Spread across a whopping 17,000 square feet within a three-story building, this exhibition takes you on a captivating journey through Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's life. It unfolds his story in 20 distinct rooms, each revealing a chapter of his remarkable life. Prepare to immerse yourself in reimagined memories, painting vivid tales of his life's incredible journeys through interactive installations, multimedia exhibits and hands-on activities. The exhibition also gives us a glimpse into parts of Mr. Lee's life that we might not be so familiar with, like his childhood, life as a student, and his role as a father.

Here’s a fun way for youths to delve into the life journey of the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. In commemoration of his birth anniversary, the Children’s Museum Singapore is hosting an exhibition that traces his life from childhood through wartime experiences to his significant contributions to our nation's history.

Beyond shedding light on Singapore's narrative and Mr. Lee's pivotal role in it, this exhibition unveils the more relatable aspects of him as a person – a Singaporean boy who grew up in the 1920s playing with marbles and fighting fish to pass his time. This exhibition aims to inspire young individuals to pursue ambitious aspirations, demonstrating that anyone has the potential to make a positive impact on society.

Get ready for an orchid extravaganza that'll whisk you away to the mystical lands of Machu Picchu without leaving Singapore. Over 30 showstopping orchid species and hybrids from the UNESCO World Heritage site are being displayed at Gardens by the Bay's Cloud Forest. Hold onto your petal hats, because among these floral wonders is the vibrant orange and fuchsia-hued national treasure Masdevallia veitchiana, also known as the “Waqanki” orchid – translated to “you will cry” in the Quechua language. Another showstopper is the orchidarium as big as a baby grand piano, packed with 80 precious orchid species flown from Peru for the first time. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to witness their beauty.

It's never too early to expose your little ones to art. Unlock their creativity with a multi-sensorial art adventure at National Gallery Singapore as it turns into a colossal warren of imagination. Themed Let’s Make a Better Place, the fourth edition of the Gallery Children’s Biennale decks the National Gallery Singapore with 11 art installations by artists around the world. Each installation spotlights one of four core values which include care, collaborate, imagine, and respect. These artistic concepts also highlight the relevant issues of today – in an easy-to-digest manner for kids, no less. Your young heroes can look forward to immersive experiences that go beyond imaginative play, inspiring them to take an active role in bettering the world.

What does it mean to be human? Singapore Art Museum’s latest exhibition, Proof of Personhood: Identity and Authenticity in the Face of AI dives into the question. In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is all the talk, our identities as humans become diluted and blurred. This exhibition explores this by presenting a collection of artwork from both local and global artists, unveiling experimental projects that employ digital mediums, including AI-generated imagery, as well as biometric and genomic data. These artworks encourage us to reflect how technology has unknowingly become a part of our everyday lives.

After 17 editions of da:ns festivals, the dance celebration is ready to take things to the next level. Introducing da:ns focus. Spread across five weekends throughout the year, each part focuses on a particular theme or genre, and is jam-packed with exciting programmes, experiences and activities to get everyone involved – no matter if you’re a seasoned dancer or dipping your (pointe) toes into the scene for the first time. Mark your calendars for April 14 to 16 as it opens with the first set: EveryBody. The weekender focuses on work powered by inclusivity and diversity, so expect dance projects that empower all body types and abilities. Accessibility features for selected programmes such as Relaxed Environment, Sign Language Interpretation and wheelchair access are also offered.