By Jethro Wegener
Looking for something to do this Christmas? How about having an artsy holiday by checking out some of the best art-related stuff Singapore has to offer this season? With museum re-openings and completed renovations, as well as some of the best street performers performing this time of year, now is perhaps the best time to get in touch with your creative side.
Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)
The ACM has been around for years and most of us probably think we’ve seen all they have to offer, especially during those school excursions that we used to go on. However, with their recent revamp, they’re changing things up to make the content of the museum more relatable to locals and tourists alike. The first renovation phase was completed in November, which saw the addition of two new wings. In them, the ACM plans to explore the connections between Asian customs and how they interacted with one another through their galleries with themes such as “Trade and Exchange of Ideas” and “Faith and Belief: The Religions of Asia”. With the Christmas holidays around the corner, now is the ideal occasion to use that free time from school to check out the new exhibits now, including the incredible ‘Tang Shipwreck’.
For more info, visit http://acm.org.sg/.
Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay
Singapore’s largest Yuletide fair is back for its second year as Christmas Wonderland returns to Gardens by the Bay. With over 35,000 square metres of fun, including light sculptures, a festive market and a Christmas Toyland, celebrate the Christmas season as entry is free for all. There’s even a carousel, some carnival games, performances, parades and many more, making sure that there is something for everyone of any age. For those who have never experience a traditional Christmas market, this event is similar to those, combining various European Christmas traditions into one fair and making it a great chance to experience a continental Christmas.
For more info, visit http://www.christmaswonderland.sg/web/
The National Gallery Singapore
Housed in the old City Hall and former Supreme Court, Singapore’s newest gallery is home to over 1,000 works of modern art – the largest public collection in Southeast Asia. Dedicated to art of the region, it is the only gallery in the world with this focus on such a grand scale. Showing pieces from the 19th century until the present day, it is an excellent place for lovers of modern and Asian art.
More details can be found at https://www.nationalgallery.sg/.
Buskers at Orchard Road
This is the best season for buskers to perform because of the large holiday crowds and the best chance for us to catch them in action. Orchard Road is a prime area for the street performers of Singapore, with jugglers, singers and even b-boys all putting on a great show for anyone that would like see them, with a few of them busking for college funds since it is the school holidays and they have some free time on their hands. Performing among the Christmas shopping crowds and under the glow of Orchard’s Seasonal decorations, you’ll be sure to enjoy a good show if you take the time to watch.
