5 Things to Do This Week In Singapore: 23rd to 29th November 2015

PUBLISHED November 23rd, 2015 05:41 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:29 pm

From celebrating local and regional cinema with Singapore’s biggest film festival to the return of Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay, this is one action-packed week in our Lion City! Whisky and spirits connoisseurs can also look forward to one of the best booze-centric festivals in Southeast Asia while those who enjoy good food and music can enjoy the best of both worlds with Cuban Brothers at Hotel Vagabond this weekend.

26th Singapore International Film Festival

Back for its 26th edition, The Singapore International Film Festival is the longest-running international film platform in Southeast Asia. On top of bringing filmmakers and audiences together every year, this SGIFF will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of Eric Khoo’s Mee Pok Man and Yonfan’s Bugis Street Redux in its Classics section. Beyond its dynamic film programming, the Festival is also committed to the development of a vibrant local film culture through initiatives including the Southeast Asian Film Lab, Youth Jury & Critics Programme, and Silver Screen Awards.

26th Singapore International Film Festival is running from 26 November to 6 December 2015 at various venues. For more information on event locations, visit www.sgiff.com.

Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay 2015

Singapore’s biggest Yuletide fair, Christmas Wonderland, returns to Gardens by the Bay. Look out for an enchanting Christmas Toyland Floral Display in a magical realm where toy soldiers march alongside roaming reindeers and Luminarie lights sculptures (handmade with white wood from Italy) dazzle, and shop at the European-styled Festive Market for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts and a wide range of international cuisine. Also, don’t miss the ornate Spiegeltent, a century-old travelling ‘mirror tent’ from the Netherlands, which will be a visual treat for visitors.

Christmas Wonderland will run daily from 27 November 2015 till 5 January 2016 at Gardens by the Bay from 9am to 9pm. Admission is free, but entry charges into the Flower Domes still apply. For the full event line-up please visit here.

Green Is The New Black – The Conscious Festival

Organised by The WEDGE Asia and The Working Capitol, the festival will include six different components aimed at empowering and inspiring individuals to make conscious decisions for positive change. Explore the current trends and feasibility of sustainable fashion at the TALK;  shop local lifestyle, beauty and fashion brands at the MARKETPLACE, engage with some of Singapore’s top lifestyle gurus at the WORKSHOP; and indulge in healthy food options (that don’t sacrifice on taste) at the GRUB.

Green Is The New Black – The Conscious Festival is happening on Saturday, 28 November 2015 at The Working Capitol from 11am to 8pm. For more details, visit the event page here.

Whisky Live 2015

South-East Asia’s premier Whisky and Spirits festival returns to Singapore with their most ambitious endeavour yet. For the first time, Whisky Live will be held over two days in the spacious venue of 5-star Capella Singapore, Sentosa. On top of sampling 70 different brands of whisky and spirits, be sure to check out the pop-up cocktail bar, which will be featuring bartenders from the likes of 28 HongKong Street, Sugarhall, Spiffy Dapper, Anti:dote, and more. The food element is also stronger this year, with players like Burnt Ends, Meat Smith, FOC, Sorrel, and El Mero Mero in the mix.

Discerning drinkers will enjoy the advanced experiences: the Masterclasses and the Collector Room.  From closed distilleries to old vintages, single casks and age statements from decades ago, there’s a masterpiece to engage everyone.

Whisky Live 2015 is happening on 28 and 29 November 2015 at Capella Singapore. Get your tickets (starting at $95 for a one day pass) here. For more information, check out our Whisky Live 2015 feature on whisky, rum, and the perfect weekend itinerary.

Brunch + Beats

Lovers of singing, dancing and generally being so wrong they’re right, Miguel Mantovani, Archerio Mantovani and Kengo San have long been blending fact and fictional family trees with electrifying music, dance and comedy; this eclectic group is hedonistic entertainment at its best. They’ve played for the A-List, and now the flamboyantly flashy comedy cabaret troupe are bringing their riotous set to the Vagabond. Head down early for a hearty 4-course brunch – think chorizo eggs, slow-cooked pork jowl, sous-vide short rib, and basil-lemongrass panna cotta – and stay on for an exclusive and intimate afternoon of pure entertainment. We’re sure you’ll be Havana good time this week with The Cuban Brothers.

Brunch is priced at S$120++ and includes entertainment by The Cuban Brothers and resident DJ, Captain Planet. Please specify dietary requirements upon booking.
For an even more awesome time, top up S$88++ for 3 hours of free-flow select cocktails, house spirits and Peroni.
Non-brunch tickets are available on Peatix for S$60++ at http://ptix.co/1Lvo8yl and include a welcome drink. Entry after 3.30pm is complimentary (RSVP here).

Brunch + Beats feat. The Cuban Brothers is happening on 29 November 2015 at the Salon, Hôtel Vagabond from 12.30pm to 6.30pm. For reservations and enquiries, please call 9789 3203 or email [email protected]. Check out the Facebook event page here.