13 New Things To Do In January 2024: NYE Countdowns, Artbox, 555 Thai Music Festival & More
New year, new you? 2024 is fast approaching and with it, the dilemma of where you should spend your well-deserved time off. Whether your ideal start to the year is lounging with friends and family at a brand-new games cafe, browsing some amazing art installations and galleries, or partying the night away at an upbeat music festival, we’ve got you covered.
Read on to check out 13 of the most exciting activities and events happening in Singapore this January!
#1: Soak up the excitement at Spectrum New Year’s Eve Countdown
Photo from Benjamin Kheng & DJ Kaylova
Bid 2023 goodbye and kick your night into high gear at Spectrum 2024, the New Year’s Eve celebration to flock to if you’re up to see fireworks in the Clarke Quay area and enjoy festivities that’ll last past midnight. There will be plenty of entertainment on the scene, with local performers like Benjamin Kheng and DJ Kaylova taking centre stage. On top of that, attendees can expect to see live graffiti art performances, take part in fun stage games, and enjoy photo booth opportunities.
#2: Start the year with a bang at Mediacorp’s Let’s Celebrate 2024
Photo from Mediacorp
If you’re all about going big or going home, head down to The Promontory at Marina Bay on New Year’s Eve for the biggest entertainment extravaganza you can find in Singapore. Attendees will be treated to a live concert starring homegrown and regional talents, including Kumar, Shazza, Tasha Low, Iman Fandi, Crash Adams, and more! And that’s not all — there will be plenty of opportunities for participants to feast on food and drinks, play games and win prizes on-site, and vibe to some live spinning.
#3: Singapore Art Week
Photo from Art Outreach Singapore
Let loose your artistic side at the annual Singapore Art Week, where you can admire and explore the world of visual arts to your heart’s desire. This huge festival consists of over 150 separate events (such as the ever-popular Light to Night, which we will get to right after this), including light installations, tours and trails, performance art, exhibitions and more. Art enthusiasts can also take the chance to catch informative and innovative presentations, conducted by both local and renowned international artists.
#4: See iconic heritage sites in a different light at Light to Night 2024
Photo from National Gallery Singapore
Back for its 8th edition, Light to Night is set to illuminate the facades of arts institutions all around the civic district this month. This year’s theme is ‘Reimagine’, which hints at the inventive upcoming art installations we can hope to encounter. The main event, Art Skins on Monuments, will see buildings like the National Gallery Singapore, The Arts House, Asian Civilisation Museum, and Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall cloaked in new light projections by Southeast Asian artists.
Photo from Light to Night 2024
You can also catch more than 60 immersive and interactive experiences during this festival, including art tours, workshops and even a reimagined Dungeons and Dragons adventure!
#5: Catch your fave Thai artists and bust your best moves at 555 Thai Music Festival
Photo from PP Krit & ATLAS
Need a bit of excitement to get pumped up for the new year? You can bet there won’t be a dull moment at the first-ever 555 Thai Music Festival in Singapore, especially since the event boasts a truly spectacular lineup. Thai artists the likes of PP Krit, Billkin, ATLAS, 4EVE, POTATO and more will be gracing the festival stage, along with well-known DJs like Faansai and Pixzy.
The festivities will go on all day, starting from 2.30pm on 3 January and ending at 1am the next day. But worry not, because there will be absolutely no rumbling tummies here! Festival goers can enjoy delectable Thai bites from multiple food and beverage stalls onsite. You can also get admission tickets at a lower price by purchasing a bundle of 4 tickets, so make sure to bring your crew along for the ride!
#6: Eat, game and shop till you drop at Artbox 2024
Photo from Artbox
The largest creative and lifestyle festival in Singapore is back this year with Artbox Avenue, a one-stop destination for hours of fun! Besides the usual delicious street food, bustling shopping area and gaming options available, there will also be live performances to keep you entertained.
Photo from Artbox
What’s more, every general admission ticket is a real bang for your buck, with entry to the sprawling Artbox venue, a KTV experience, a VR gaming session OR Nintendo Switch gaming session, a lucky draw chance and more being included in the price. Those attending in groups can also snag discounted tickets from Klook: an exclusive bundle of tickets for 4 pax costs just $16 for the daytime, or $19 for an evening visit!
#7: Enjoy an afternoon of taking in Latin American and Southeast Asian art at the National Gallery
Photo from National Gallery Singapore
Monsoon season will be in full swing throughout January and it’s a good idea to keep some indoor activities handy for those rainy days. What better way to spend an afternoon than at this large-scale museum exhibition, which highlights the creative bond between Southeast Asian and Latin American artists?
Photo from National Gallery Singapore
On display are over 200 paintings, prints sculptures and installations, weaving a shared story of the two regions’ struggles against colonialism. This is also your chance to check out some renowned pieces from over 75 artists, including Frida Kahlo, Paul Gaugin, Diego Rivera and more!
Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America
Date: 18 November 2023 – 24 March 2024
Time: 10am - 7pm daily (General ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time)
Location: City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery and various locations around National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957
Price: From $15 (General Admission)
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#8: Immerse yourself in the world of film at RawGround Film Festival
Photo from RawGround
Heads up, film fans! RawGround is an upcoming hybrid film festival spanning the length of 10 days, where attendees get to explore the work of six local and international artists. The spotlight is on 12 new films that have been created around the theme of ‘Breathing – The Movement of Space’. You can catch these films as they’re screened for the first time at a live premiere down at SCAPE, or sign up to participate in other interactive film programmes like presentations, workshops and dialogues.
#9: Explore a wide array of alternative and health-conscious foods at Flavours of Tomorrow Food Festival
Photo from Singapore Science Park
If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2024 is practicing environmental responsibility, Flavours of Tomorrow is a great place to start! Explore the future of food by browsing more than 25 innovative stalls featuring sustainable, health-conscious snacks and dishes — including plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians.
Photo from Singapore Science Park
Once you’re done at the food showcase, let loose by shopping at over 40 art and retail booths, unwind to live music performances, and enjoy family-friendly activities like sitting for a hand-drawn portrait or getting some balloons sculpted!
#10: Get in touch with your spiritual side at House of Oracles
Photo from House of Oracles
Looking for a little spiritual advice for the year ahead or simply up for a bit of fortune-telling fun? Grab your partner or besties and head down to House of Oracles at Haji Lane to get customised solo, group, or couple readings!
Besides their standard readings which you can tailor to your wants and needs (you can pick from categories like love, career, wealth, self-care and more), you can also try your hand at chakra and pet readings, cleansing or healing sessions and even shadow work.
#11: Strike some cute poses at the first-ever transparent photo strip booth in Singapore
Photo from Haengbok Studio via Lemon8
If you’re a frequent user of social media or visited Korea lately, you may find these Korean-style transparent photo strips somewhat familiar. Well, the good news is that there’s no longer a need to travel overseas to get these for yourself! Haengbok Studio, the first transparent-themed photo booth in Singapore, is now open for business — so you can hop on down for an impromptu photoshoot at Haji Lane whenever you’re in the mood. Like regular photo strips, these also come with a variety of frames, ranging from minimalist greyscale to heart-shaped and patterned designs.
Haengbok Studio
Location: 82A Haji Ln, Singapore 189272
Website
#12: Play video and board games in private tents and hang out with friendly kitties at ME Cafe & Games
Photo from ME Cafe & Games
If spending the day playing console and board games sounds like a great time to you, then you absolutely need to visit ME Cafe & Games's Orchard Gateway outlet. This store has a cute indoor camping concept, where you can sit at tables placed inside private tents, decorated with gorgeous fairy lights. What's more, customers can also relax and bond with the friendly cafe felines over a cat petting session!
#13: Enjoy a day of calming Chinese calligraphy or candle-making at this DIY art studio
Photo from Z.G. DIY Art Studio
Love art jamming sessions but want to try something more unique than regular canvas painting? Try heading to Z.G. DIY Art Studio, a hidden gem where you can try plenty of unusual art activities, including plaster model painting, clay photo frame making, beading, Chinese calligraphy and candle-making. Customers are free to choose their project from the array of crafts available, and first-timers can seek guidance from the friendly staff if they need it!
Z.G. DIY Art Studio
Location: 370 Joo Chiat Road, #02-01, Singapore 427615
Opening Hours: 11am - 8pm on Tuesday to Sunday | Closed on Mondays
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