The best things to do in Singapore this weekend (Oct 27-29)

The renowned musical Mamma Mia! is making  its way to our shores, gracing The Sands Theatre stage from October 19 to November 5. No need for a formal introduction – this show, with its infectious tunes and captivating dance moves, has brought joy to 65 million worldwide.

Written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, inspired by the iconic songs of Swedish group ABBA, and composed by the musical talents of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! combines ABBA hits with a heartwarming story of a mother, a daughter, and three unexpected dads on a picturesque Greek island. All that's left to do is exclaim Gimme Gimme Gimme! those tickets and secure your booking right here.

What does it mean to be female? This question lies at the heart of Women Reframed, an unconventional exhibition by Kult Gallery. The unique showcase delves into the way femininity has been portrayed in the media and seeks to redefine these stereotypes. Offering this fresh perspective are paintings and illustrations by Patricia Salonga and Jo Aguilar, two artists with deep roots in the advertising industry. Alongside the exhibition are interactive activities: think linocut printmaking on tote bags and shirts, funky accessorising workshops with Glitter Queen, a film screening of Love at Fifty, as well as a little market by The Wicker Market and Kult Gallery spotlighting a diverse selection of merchandise, lifestyle goods, and books created by women. 

So, you’ve graduated from trick-or-treating and have already conquered Halloween Horror Nights. What’s next? For a change from the usual Halloween nightlife events, gather your pals and troop up the hill of Mount Sophia for an experiential four-course dinner at The Secret Haven – a once-abandoned chapel that’s since been newly refurbished for weddings and fine dining. Down a bowl of 'special soup' to cross the Bridge of Oblivion and through the gates of the underworld where the real spookfest starts. The rest of the night follows a "Saints and Sinners" theme, complete with pranks, spooky games, and dinner. We won't spoil the surprise, but there'll be a sassy drag queen performances along with a special appearance by "Jesus" too!

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. 

Dive headfirst into the Deepavali Open House 2023 at the Indian Heritage Centre. Across four themed weekends, you'll find a lineup of workshops that'll take you on an eye-opening journey into Indian culture. The first weekend centred around food – and this weekend, IHC spotlights fashion. Learn the art of saree draping in the Indian Fashion & Saree Draping Masterclass or create your own jewellery in the South Indian Jewellery Painting Workshop. Subsequent weekends will see explorations of Indian art forms and a dramatised gallery tour bringing the origin story of Deepavali to life. 

Kick off Halloween season with a spooky descent into hell – at none other than Orchard Gateway. Your job is to stop a demonic schoolgirl from the 1960s, who is looking to sacrifice five innocent souls to open a portal into our modern world. As if that isn’t creepy enough, the scarehouse experience comes with a VR gaming element – all the better to feel like you’re in the depths of a dark underworld. To complete the experience, snap a picture at the photobooth and snag Halloween-themed drinks at East Eight.

Gather your family and have a spooktacular time at Anchorpoint's Pumpkin Treat! Over the last two weeks of October, this newly renovated mall's B1 atrium will be transformed into a vibrant pumpkin wonderland, offering a refreshing alternative to the usual gory festivities. Kids and parents alike can revel in the excitement of a pumpkin maze, a ball pit brimming with hidden surprises, Halloween face painting, Jack-O-Lantern crafting, and a thrilling costume contest. Plus, there's an enticing chance to win a high tea set for two at The Marmalade Pantry Anchorpoint, valued at $78. Simply share your best Pumpkin Treat moments on Instagram using the hashtag #AnchorpointsPumpkinTreat and tag @anchorpoint_sg. 

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.

In Snakes and Lanterns, artist Lindsey Jean Mclean skillfully interprets the essence of Singapore’s Kampong Gelam area by employing her lively brushwork and a vibrant palette on her canvases. At first glance, the paintings may appear somewhat abstract, but upon closer examination, a female figure emerges from beneath veils and smoky strokes – a recurring motif in her collection. This captivating yet unsettling interplay of attraction and veiling within Mclean's art presents a fascinating irony, granting the figures within her works the power to dictate the viewer's focus. View the exhibition catalogue here.

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.

Fascinated by architecture? Then Archifest is for you. This month-long extravaganza is taking over Kampong Gelam in an exploration of how our city's architecture evolves and dances to the beat of change. 

Look forward to installations at six sites across Kampong Gelam created by emerging designers as well as an exhibition showcasing architectural projects from Singapore and the region. Contributors include SEED Architects, Studio Karya, The Open Workshop, WY-TO Group and several others. Catch short films at the Interim Cinema exploring themes revolving around architectural and land redevelopment practices. Additionally, attend guided tours that will take you around some of the city's latest architectural developments.

Were you on the edge of your seat for every episode of the hit Korean horror series All of Us Are Dead? Now, you can enter Hyosan High and run from zombies yourself at Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 11, returning to Resorts World Sentosa this September. From September 29 to November 4, Resorts World Sentosa will transform into the zombie-infested grounds of Hyosan High School. Experience iconic scenes from the Netflix show, including the first discovery of the zombie outbreak in the medical bay as well as the ruthless and intense fight that breaks out among the students stuck in a classroom. 

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.

Step into a time machine that zooms through Singapore’s colonial past and its incredible transformation into the vibrant present. With Now Boarding, you can revisit the iconic analogue flip board previously located at Changi Airport, the set of the history-making Singapore Airlines’ A380 prestigious Suites Cabin seat, and more artifacts that will leave you feeling nostalgic. The exhibition also serves as your ultimate travel guide, showcasing the evolution of Singapore as a top-notch destination. Navigate through four exciting themes: transport, accommodation, food and beverage, and sights and shopping. And to give you a taste of it all, it’s also throwing in cool pop-up experiences including the museum’s’ very own disco room!

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.