Festivities may seem like they are dying down after all the celebrating we did in January and February, but they’re far from over. While it’s right for you to work hard towards newfound goals and aspirations, it’s also important for you to stop yourself from slaving away, and remember to breathe and live.
Get your friends and family for some weekend fun we found you in this list of exciting activities. From carnivals with captivating performances to familiar characters in cosy cafés, here are some things you can do to spice up 2020 in a way you never have before… And it’s just the beginning!
If you missed the chance to pop by Thailand over the holidays, fret not – the Chatuchak market is popping by Singapore for you from February all the way through May this year. This will be the first Chatuchak market outside of the home country itself, serving authentic Thai food and drinks, products (yes, clothing!) and fixtures. While the Singapore rendition won’t house over the whopping 15,000 stalls it has in Thailand, extra trips to the market over the course of its opening wouldn’t hurt with the 1,000 stores will be on rotation weekly.
When: 4 February – 3 May 2020; Tues to Sun, 4pm to 10:30pm
Where: The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Rd, Singapore 287994
Entry: Free admission. Click here for more information.
The Gardens’ Spring Surprise, which runs until 9 February, encompasses a variety of exciting activities, including shadow puppetry performances, a food and crafts bazaar and even meet-and-greet sessions with the God of Fortune.
When: Until 9 February 2020
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Entry: Admission fees to Flower Dome apply; from $18 per adult. Click here for more information.
Don’t miss the Auspicious Dragon Trail at Universal Studios Singapore! Follow the mystical dragon as it makes its way around the entire theme park and guests are invited to join in. Run after the troupe and have lots of fun on the 20-minute trail, where popular characters donning festive outfits make special appearances at eight stops.
When: Until 9 February 2020
Where: Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
Entry: Admission fees to Universal Studios apply. Click here for more information.
Time your visit to catch the underwater dragon dance. This visually-stunning show takes place at the Open Ocean Habitat at 3.15pm daily. Here, you can catch divers in festive costumes perform dragon dance underwater, with thousands of marine creatures swimming around them.
When: Until 9 February 2020, 10am to 7pm
Where: S.E.A Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, 098269
Entry: $41 per adult; $30 per child or senior. Click here for more information.
Based on the video game franchise from Sega, this live-action adventure comedy tells the story of the world’s speediest hedgehog as he embraces his new home on Earth. Sonic and his new best friend Tom (James Marsden) team up to defend the planet from the evil genius Dr Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and his plans for world domination. The family-friendly film also stars Tika Sumpter and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic. If your kids are big fans of the character, download the free activity sheets here.
When: From 20 February 2020
Where: At Golden Village, Cathay and Filmgarde movie theatres
Entry: Ticket prices to cinemas apply.
In need of a laugh to keep yourself going for the rest of the year? The Handlebards from the UK will be landing in Singapore on Feb 21 for their take of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Riding on their hilariously energetic and chaotic styles, you can tune in to this laugh-inducing play in the Courts Garden with your comfy picnic mats, snacks and even pillows if you’d like. At $88 per adult and $58 for students and teachers, this would be a unique experience to have with a tight-knit group in a colonial house.
When: 21 February 2020, 7.30pm to 9.30pm (gates open at 6.30pm).
Where: 4 Cornwall Rd, Singapore 119666
Price: $88 per adult; $58 for students and teachers. Click here for more information.
Where to go with your kids? How about a trip to the Science Centre, which will be opened over the the month of February up till the March holidays? Among its various exhibitions here is Living Worlds: An Animal Planet Experience, which is making its debut in Singapore.
Here, you and your kids can walk on swinging bridges as you explore the rainforest, and “plunge” into the blue ocean and watch a short documentary on a dome projection screen. At the arctic zone, you can also learn more about polar bears and its habitat. This interactive exhibition is fun and educational for the entire family. Don’t wait too long to visit as it will travel to different countries after this Singapore stop.
When: Until 22 March 2020
Where: The Annexe, Science Centre Singapore
Entry: $23 per adult; $18 per child; $66 per family. Click here for more information.
Take this as your exclusive behind-the-scene tour to Disney’s animation productions, from Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie (1928, pictured), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), The Lion King (1994), to Frozen (2013) and Zootopia (2016).
The Disney: Magic Of Animation exhibition at the ArtScience Museum is in Southeast Asia for the first time, where you’ll find over 500 art pieces, including original drawings, paintings, sketches and concept art curated by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. Among the highlights is the debut of original artworks from the highly-anticipated film, Frozen 2. Tickets are from $12 per child aged two to 12 and senior citizen; $16 per adult.
When: Until 29 March 2020
Where: ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
Price: $16 per adult; $12 per child (two – 12 years). Click here for more information.
Kumoya Cafe changes its theme every three months or so, and this time, it’s transformed into a We Bare Bears fan’s dream. Treat the family to a menu inspired by the popular Cartoon Network show and curated by the Kumoya kitchen team and food artist Shirley Wong.
When: From 4 January 2020
Where: 8 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199320
Price: Charges made according to food ordered. Click here for more information.
At the Esplanade’s 18th edition of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, pick from a whole range of entertaining and enriching activities in celebration of the Lunar New Year for both young and old. This year’s festival presents a slew of music programmes by renowned artists like David Tao and Cheryl Lee amongst other workshops, dance and theatre programmes. There are even parent-child workshops and storytelling sessions to keep young ones entertained. Tickets required for selected programmes.
When: Until 9 February 2020
Where: Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Entry: Tickets required for selected programmes. Click here for more information.
What a fun way to introduce Chinese New Year traditions and cultures to your little ones! This Year of the Rat, you’ll want to take your little ones here to check out the giant life-sized Lego Mouse, wish upon a Lego wishing tree (and go into the draw to win your Lego wish coming true!), take photos with life-sized figurines, visit a life-sized Lego Temple near the fountain, collect your special Lego red packets from the mascot and more fun activities. This is also a fabulous chance to snag its two limited edition festive editions – Lion Dance ($119.90) and Chinese New Year Temple Fair ($179.90, pictured).
When: –
Where: Available at Brick World outlets.
Price: Click here for more information.
Get your #ootd shots at City Square Mall which has lined up Lion Dance performances, festive atrium fair and an outdoor carnival with rides and games by Uncle Ringo. Redeem exclusive red packets when you spend at least $88.
When: Until 9 February 2020
Where: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Rd, Singapore 208539
Entry: Free admission. Click here for more information.
Feel on top of the world, literally, this new year at this new observation deck at Gardens by the Bay, which gives unobstructed views of the Marina Bay area. The 50m-high observatory on top of the tallest of 18 supertrees has two storeys – a lower air-conditioned deck and an upper open-air circular rooftop.
The entrance fee for the observatory costs between $6 and $14, with foreigners having to pay slightly more. Prices also depend on age and will be cheaper for those with membership at the gardens.
When: Daily, 9am to 9pm
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Entry: Singapore Residents at $10 per adult; $6 per child. Click here for more information.
This free indoor play space at The Artground has a new installation that’s sure to be a hit with kids from newborns to age 12. Titled The Curious Sky, it’s a multisensory arts experience that teaches kids about science concepts like the water cycle and weather.
When: Wed & Thurs 9.30am to 5pm; Fri, Sat & Sun 9.30am to 6pm
Where: 90 Goodman Rd, #01-40 Blk J, Singapore 439053
Price: Free admission. Click here for more information.
Text: Young Parents, Additional reporting: Cherrie Lim