What’s on Singapore: Best Things to Do on Dec. 26, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024

Ahh, another week is upon us, and you’re looking for cool things to get up to in Singapore! We’ve saved you the hassle with The Beat Singapore’s rundown of the best places to hit up and things to do right now—from blink-and-you'll-miss-it pop-up sights and new restaurant openings to the hottest activities that you shouldn’t miss. 

To keep your finger on the pulse of the city, follow The Beat Singapore to see what’s best in store for the week ahead.  

1. December Skate Camp!

Skating beginners and enthusiasts, this is one event you would not want to miss! Roll & Tell Skating Academy is bringing you an exciting four-day skate camp that's open to all levels, from beginners to intermediate and advanced. Learn the basic skills of skating, take part in exciting and fun games, and have a glimpse of competitive skating and the different inline skating events like floorball, captain's ball, and speed skating at this event.

To know more about the December Skate Camp, you may call Roll & Tell at +65 8863 4928 or go here for more contact information.

When: 9 AM-11 AM, Dec. 26-29

Where: Roll & Tell Skating Academy, 120 Edgedale Plains, Punggol District

How much: S$180 (intermediate to advanced), S$200 (new students)

2. ChristmArts Market by Mama on Palette

If you're a mama who loves art, make a beeline for Mama on Palette's ChristmArts Market, which is also the community's biggest pop-up market! Opening on Christmas Day, the event will run until the 29th, so you can take to the station and shop to your heart's content, from handmade crafts, wellness products, and art workshops by women and mothers.

When: 12 PM-6 PM, Dec. 26-29

Where: Staytion Lifestyle Centre, North South Line, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, 11 Orchard Road

How much: Prices vary

3. December Holiday Workshops

Don't be daunted by cooking! Pots & Pans Culinary Studio by BIZIQ Academy is here to show you that cooking can be done by anyone and everyone. The studio is offering December holiday workshops that are perfect for parents, children, aspiring chefs, and home cooks. For workshops you can do with your kid ahead of the New Year's celebrations, check out the Sushi & Strawberry Cheesecake workshop and the Pizza & Oreo Muffins workshop where you'll learn to whip up both savoury dishes and desserts!

When: 10 AM-1 PM and 3 PM-6 PM, Dec. 28

Where: Pots & Pans Culinary Studio, The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road

How much: S$150 (for one parent and one child)

4. Local Peranakan Favorites Gluten-Free Cooking Class

Discover the delights of Peranakan culture and cuisine in this cooking class by Commune Kitchen! Perfect for foodies with a gluten allergy, the class is a deep dive into the vibrant and deep flavours of Peranakan cuisine. Learn to make Peranakan chicken curry, blue-pea flower rice, and top it all off with coconut lemongrass pannacotta! Book the class here.

When: 10 AM-1:30 PM, Dec. 28

Where: Commune Kitchen, Frasers Tower, 182 Cecil Street

How much: S$150

5. Kids' VIP Etiquette Workshop

When it comes to good manners and etiquette, it's best to start your kids young. Etiquette & Image International can help you there! Enroll your child in the upcoming Kids' VIP Etiquette Pass workshop, where they'll learn about deportment, social etiquette, table manners, dining propriety, and smart digital presentation. The workshop, which is suitable for children aged seven to 12 years old, includes lunch, a Christmas gift, a cutlery set, and a certificate. Go here for more info.

When: 10 AM-4 PM, Dec. 29

Where: Etiquette & Image International, IMM Building, Jurong East Street 21

How much: S$228 (early bird), S$300 (regular)

6. Centrepieces: A Reading & Open Mic Night

Writerly peeps, we've got something for you, too! Five Ethos Books authors, namely Crispin Rodrigues, Prasanthi Ram, Tricia Tan, Mok Zining, and Theophilus Kwek, are coming together in this reading and open mic night organised by Thryft and Ethos Books. Listen to the fresh voices of Ethos, reacquaint yourselves with classics, and share your own poems at this free event! Reserve a spot here.

When: 7:30 PM onwards, Dec. 30

Where: Peace Centre, 1 Sophia Road

How much: Free entry

7. Prosperity Taiwanese Apple Tart & Onde-Onde Cookies Workshop

Little Bakers Lab is holding an exclusive baking workshop this Saturday in anticipation of the Chinese New Year in February! Learn how to make Prosperity Taiwanese apple tart and onde-onde cookies from instructor Claire Lim, including mixing the tart pastry dough, cooking the fruit filling and wrapping the tart, as well as mixing pandan cookie dough and cooking its onde-onde coconut filling. After class, you get to bring home the full recipes of each delight, fifteen Prosperity Taiwanese apple tarts, and fifteen onde-onde cookies. Book a spot here.

When: 9 AM-12 PM, Dec. 30

Where: Little Bakers Lab, 79A Serangoon Garden Way

How much: S$178

8. Pen Cai Agar Agar Making

The Vanilla Bean melds art and cooking in this Pen Cai Agar Agar Making workshop. The culinary school is known for pioneering the art of jelly cakes in the city-state, teaching innovative and excellence techniques in the craft of cake decorating to Singaporeans. This Sunday, learn to make "pen cai" (basin vegetables) using agar agar with instructor Alice Teo, from creating different ingredients with a mould to assembling the food to make it look "life-like." Book the workshop here!

When: 9 AM-1 PM, Dec. 31

Where: The Vanilla Bean SG, Spazio@Kovan, 767 Upper Serangoon Road

How much: S$177.08

9. Tara Puja for New Beginnings

Ring in the new year with a special Tara Puja with the Ambitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) on New Year's Eve. Pray to Mother Tara, recognised as the manifestation of the enlightened activities of all the Buddhas, for blessings, joy, success, good health, and more in 2024. This event is open to everyone. The temple will open 30 minutes before the event.

When: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM, Dec. 31

Where: Amitabha Buddhist Centre, 44 Lorong 25A Geylang

How much: Free entry

10. 'Marcin Dudek: Game Time Choices' Exhibition

Art enthusiasts, you only have less than two weeks to catch Polish artist Marcin Dudek's exhibit "Game Time Choices" at Yeo Workshop. As an artist, Dudek explores various themes such as identity, memory, social structures, histories, and cultures. This is his second solo exhibit at the gallery and his "reflection on labor... and longstanding interest in reconciliation."

"Game Time Choices" is structured around his installation "Tent" (2022), which intimates the football stadiums and invisible workers who made these superstructures. Read more about "Game Time Choices" here.

When: 11 AM-7 PM (Tuesdays to Saturdays) / 12 PM-6 PM (Sundays, Until Dec. 31)

Where: Yeo Workshop, Gillman Barracks, Block 47 Malan Road

How much: Free entry

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