Film festival season is upon us, but if you aren’t up for an award-winning film, there’s always rad parties to check out (from Poptart to an alternative night celebrating the Singapore Girl); plus a special cat-friendly event at hipster bookstore The Moon.
 

Friday, Oct 12

CONCERT
Indie rock act Snail Mail (or Lindsey Jordan) is just 19 years old, but has already released a killer EP and album Habit, signed with Matador Records, and become a staple at music festivals like Coachella. Catch her live in Singapore on her first-ever Southeast Asia tour, before she gets too famous. Oct 12

PARTY
Because we all need a little dose of island escapism, Ce La Vi is launching Tiki-Lah, a new regular evening themed after the vibrant Polynesian culture. Starting from 4pm every Friday, sip on tiki-inspired cocktails and jive to tropical beats as you wait for the sundown moment atop this brief island paradise. Oct 12

PARTY
Singapore’s first micro-distillery Brass Lion Distillery is open and everyone’s invited to come celebrate. At the bloc party, get an exclusive taste of their debut offering, a Singapore Dry Gin that uses 22 botanicals reflective of Singapore’s port city and spice route heritage. Oct 12

THEATER
Non-profit organization Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support Ltd is staging their debut theater production to raise awareness and show support for pregnant teenagers. A Thousand Miles Away tackles the misconceptions and multifaceted aspects of teenage pregnancy, beyond just the stigma towards the teenage mother. Oct 12-13

MARKET
Whether you're a vintage purveyor or a casual flea-goer, Katong Square’s vintage flea market that runs every second weekend of the month should do. You'll be sure to find a horde of booths lining Katong Square hawking all things vintage—haute couture, home decor, keepsakes, jewellery, vinyl records and more. There will also be live music with a line-up of seven DJs helming the decks. Oct 12-14

MUSICAL
Kick up your heels ladies and gents; Tony-Award winning Kinky Boots is finally here in town. Come get swept away in the story of underachieving Charlie Price as he meets flamboyant drag performer Lola, in an extravagant musical display of glittery sky-high stilettos, set to the music and lyrics of multi-award winning singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper. Through Oct 14

FILM
The Finnish Film Festival returns to The Projector for a second stellar edition, with a special tribute to Finnish film director Aki Kaurismaki—catch his well-loved absurdist comedy Calamari Union; The Match Factory Girl, a 1990 tale of sweet revenge; or quirky minimalistic comedy Lights in the Dusk. Kaurismaki aside, there’s even a full-length feature of one of the world’s most beloved children’s cartoons: Moomins and the Winter Wonderland. Through Oct 21

Make a date with all the film festivals happening till the end of 2018 here.

EXHIBITION
After conservation comes an interrogation of the heritage icons we hold close to our heart. The Substation's next installment in their programme is an interactive, adventure course-type show inspired by the notorious interview process all Singapore Girl wannabes have to go through—where you too can reach for the overhead cabin stars and become a national icon. Through Nov 4

EXHIBITION
New York pop artist The Sucklord rose to fame for his cheeky bootleg toys—unlicensed action figures and toys made subversive and spanning themes of politics, porn and memes. For the first time, he’s holding a solo show in Singapore at Kult Gallery (the genius himself will be present on opening night), so stop by for a hit of sleazy, hilarious art. Through Nov 10

Saturday, Oct 13

PARTY
It’s time for another Substation After Dark (SAD) party, and this time they’re honoring our nation’s beloved Singapore Girl. On the agenda is a batik-inspired fashion runway led by Becca D’Bus, performances, and late-night confessions with ex-crew members. Oct 13

PARTY
EATMEPOPTART takes over Canvas Club once again with another night of headbanging, fist pumping and sweaty body movin'. On the agenda is a heady mix of indie rock, alternative rock, electro, punk, indietronic, power pop and guilt-edged gumdrops by Poptart residents weelikeme and KiDG. Oct 13

PARTY
Grammy-nominated producer and DJ Nic Fanciulli is practically synonymous with the underground house and techno scene now; he's also launched a record label and a dance music festival. He'll be coming to Zouk Singapore for an epic set in the Main Room supported by Danny Wade and Ferng. Oct 13

FILM
As part of the Singapore Film Commission’s 20th anniversary celebrations, catch a free pop-up screening of Malaysian-Singaporean horror flick 23:59 about spooks in the army. Oct 13

HEALTH
If you’re looking for a liberating (read: topless) run, this is the one for you. Back in its fourth edition at the West Lawn of Gardens by the Bay, YOLO Run Singapore 2018 encourages participants to run shirtless, whether you're going for the 5km or 10km categories. Besides the run itself, there'll be post-race activity booths and food vendors to keep you entertained. Oct 13

FILM
Objectifs’ fourth Women in Film showcase features four Singapore premieres: documentary On Her Shoulders, which follows survivor of the 2014 Yazidi genocide Nadia Murad as she becomes a public face for survivors on a global stage; Waru, eight Maori female perspectives on the complexity of child abuse; coming-of-age film Ava that spotlights personal, emotional growth in the patriarchal society of Tehran; and finally, A Better Man, a fresh, real-life look at abuse, through director Attiya Khan’s true story of domestic violence, years later when she meets up with the man she once fled from. A series of shorts will also be screened on loop for free at the Lower Gallery. Through Oct 13

FILM
Can you feel the love tonight? Golden Village’s annual Love & Pride Film Festival is back in its 10th edition with a line-up of international films celebrating acceptance and the human universality of love. Be sure to catch The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which won the grand jury prize at this year’s Sundance. Through Oct 16

THEATER
The tale of Peter Pan gets an 1880s Singapore remix, in Pangdemonium’s adaptation of Peter and the Starcatcher. Come watch the all-star cast bring to life the prequel in song and dance, and decide for yourself if Southeast Asia makes a worthy Neverland. Through Oct 20

FOOD
Meat lovers, your time has come. The Carvery's notorious Great Meat Feast is back and it's positively drool-worthy. Unlike last year (where spread included other meats like pork), this year's feast will mainly feature premium beef. Through Oct 21
 

Sunday, Oct 14

MARKET/POETRY
Cat ladies and lads unite; The Moon is hosting a cat adoption drive cum spoken word session in collaboration with animal welfare organization Keep Cats. Shop cat supplies, merchandise, books, and even kitties at the Cat Market, then sit in for some feline-inspired spoken word by poets Stephanie Dogfoot and Jennifer Anne Champion. Oct 14

ART
As part of a month-long collaboration between Apple and The Big Draw Festival, catch local graffiti artist Speak Cryptic in a live art session at Apple Orchard, where he’ll share personal tips and techniques, before helping visitors create a line art self-portrait with the iPad Pro. Oct 14

DANCE/PARTY
The annual Got To Move dance affair is in full swing, but if you consider yourself rhythmically challenged, slap on a pair of headphones and boogie to your own beat at the outdoor Silent Disco instead. Oct 14

HEALTH
Southeast Asia’s largest all-women’s run is back this year at new location Singapore Sports Hub. This year, in addition to the 5km, 10km and 21.1km categories, Great Eastern is adding new short-distance runs and a 110m sprint (for those aged 13 and above). Oct 14

PARTY
After dark comes dawn—and Camp Kilo Charcoal Club’s After Dawn BBQ block party, with a newfound focus on ethical living, sustainability and eco-consciousness. Shop the homegrown creators market, chow down on drinks and roasts, and partake in a tarot card reading session as the music plays till late. Oct 14

EXHIBITION
The dreamy pastel-hued shots of our city come to life in an exclusive exhibition by Nguan of his latest photobook, Singapore (2017), as part of the annual Singapore International Photography Festival. Through Oct 28

TOUR
Dust off your scaredy-pants, because the eighth edition of Halloween Horror Nights is here and ready to terrify. Come face to face with Demogorgons, Pontianaks, and other chilling Asian ghosts, as Universal Studios Singapore is once again transformed into the creepiest place in the region. Through Oct 31

EXHIBITION
Powerful ladies step up to the plate in Objectifs’ Women in Photography photo exhibition. This year, in line with prolific collective movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, the exhibition will throw pertinent issues of politics, sexuality and cultural oppression into the spotlight via poignant visuals from international female photographers. Through Nov 18

EXHIBITION
Peranakan Museum's latest exhibition, Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography, delves into the Southeast Asian history of photography through the pictured lives of the Peranakan community in the region. Through Feb 3, 2019

EXHIBITION
From Cold Storage to Tiger Balm, come chart the evolution of print advertising in Singapore from the 1830s to 1960s at Selling Dreams: Early Advertising in Singapore. Aside from just print advertisements, the exhibition at the National Library also includes interactive multimedia stations for you to experience life as a consumer in early Singapore. Through Feb 24, 2019

TOUR
The Singapore Zoo will be transformed into a lush and luminous universe to mark the attraction’s 45th anniversary this year. Experience Rainforest Lumina for yourself, where a whole stretch of tropical rainforest will be lit with multimedia visual effects come nighttime. You can even spend your night there by a campfire, if you so wish. Jul 1 onwards