Wanna know what’s happening and trending in Singapore? Pop by every week as we give you the buzz on what’s new and cool in the city.
If you’re wondering what’s happening in Singapore this week, we’ve got you covered. Life moves so fast it’s impossible to stay updated, so we’re bringing you the latest and greatest in food and drinks, entertainment, and viral trends – all in easy-to-read, bite-sized doses! Bookmark this page for your weekly dose, and check out our guide on things to do this weekend in Singapore.
The buzz on what’s happening in Singapore this week
1. Odette climbs the ranks in The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list
At this point, we can say this French restaurant in National Gallery Singapore is our country’s unofficial favourite child. Make some noise for Odette, which has climbed 10 spots to #15 on The 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list. Plus, its head sommelier Lesley Liu also bagged the Best Sommelier at the awards ceremony, held on 4 November in Lima.
Looking beyond the top 50, three local restaurants also made it into the extended 51-100 list: Seroja debuts at #64, while Burnt Ends and Restaurant Labyrinth landed at #89 and #98 respectively. Congratulations once again to all the winners – thank you for making our country proud!
2. Get ready for D23 Asia!
Cue the iconic strings for every Disney production… Disney has given everyone a peep into the first programming details for D23 Asia: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, and we gotta say, it’s going to be a doozy! Beyond the daytime convention, fans can look forward to three exclusive nightly showcases, where they’ll be the first to see what’s next from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and more, culminating in a finale concert featuring familiar hits performed by Broadway stars and a live band.
Visitors can meet the creators and talents behind some of Disney biggest hits, favourite characters and even shop exclusive releases and limited-edition merch. Tickets to D23 Asia: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will go on sale in late November.
3. Two bartenders stand before us… and we have two awards in our hands…
More great news to celebrate, this time from the bar scene. Campari has crowned Kelvin Saquilayan, head bartender at The St Regis Bar Singapore, as the Campari Red Hands Singapore Champion 2026. He’ll represent Singapore at the Campari Red Hands APAC 2026 Regional Grand Final in Milan in January 2027.
Meanwhile, Manhattan’s beverage manager Zana Mohlmann was recently crowned the Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2026. The finals were held in Edinburgh, which saw 49 bartenders competing for the top prize. This recognition follows the launch of Manhattan’s latest cocktail menu, developed under Zana’s membership. Congratulations to both!
4. Ah Girl comes home
It’s been a banner year for Ah Geck Geck and her debut feature film, Ah Girl. After touring the international festival circuits, the movie returns to our shores, premiering at Capitol Theatre on 2 November with guest of honour Ms Jane Ittogi in attendance. Ah Girl recently scooped up the Best Asian Feature Film at the 37th Singapore International Film Festival.
Next up: the 63rd Golden Horse Awards, where the feature is nominated in the Best New Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best New Performer categories. Good luck, Ah Girl!
5. Turn mental health awareness into everyday action
Conversations around mental health have become more commonplace, but more can be done to foster greater understanding about the topic. And that’s why Beyond the Label and its collective are shifting the focus beyond building awareness into taking real action. The team will launch several initiatives to boost mental health literacy and support among a wide group, including seniors, caregivers and kids.
Start by learning more through The BTL Mini-Series, available now on YouTube. The five 20-minute episodes, built around the five senses, explore simple ways everyone can care for their mental wellbeing and support those around them.
6. So you think you know Singapore (and Asia) well?
If you’re all about general knowledge and trivia, we found just the game to scratch that itch. Say hello to Scallion, an Asian-based take on Krillion. Each day, you’ll receive seven prompts with 25 seconds to answer them. The more obscure your responses, the higher the points you’ll attain. While most prompts are skewed towards Singapore, you may get a few questions about the wider Asian region. We’re obsessed!
But if hand-eye coordination is your stronger suit, you can try your luck at Hawker Rush. Similar to Overcooked but with a local twist, players choose from three hawker stalls (a prata shop, a dumpling stall or a satay stall) and do their best to expand their hawker empire across the island. You’ll mimic the prep stall owners have to do before the day starts, and the stresses they face during mealtimes. Have fun and try not to burn the kitchen!
What’s happening in Singapore: What you missed last week…
7. An American comic strip icon pops up in Singapore
The National Library & Archives Board is really going all out to encourage more people to read – and we’re so here for it. But how are they doing that? By inviting everyone to the Snoopy pop-up library, which calls Plaza Singapura home from now until 19 September 2027. Swing by and browse through 10,000 physical and digital books, and make yourself comfortable at any corner within the themed space.
Need book recs? Head to the iconic booth, ask a few fun questions, and you’ll get a list in the form of a printed bookmark. How cool! Visitors can enter the library by scanning their library-compliant ID card or NLB eCard. Alternatively, they can request a QR code day pass using a locally registered mobile number or e-mail.
8. Annyeonghaseyo, from Singapore to South Korea!
Is South Korea your top travel destination? YouTrip sees you, and that’s why the multi-currency digital wallet is giving away 100 return flight tickets to Korea! Existing users, just tap “join now” on the in-app banner and spend $500 with your YouTrip card. Not a YouTrip user? Well, download the app and sign up using the promo code “FLY100KR”.
31 winners – each receiving three flight tickets to South Korea – will be announced on 31 December. The remaining tickets will be given away through two upcoming initiatives. Stay tuned to the brand’s social media accounts to find out what those will be!
9. Oriental Kopi brings its taro creations across the border
Taro fans, you can now skip the hassle of travelling to Johor Bahru and enjoy Oriental Kopi’s iconic creations in sunny Singapore. From now till 30 November, the taro egg tart and taro polo bun will be available at all three locations (Bugis Junction, Nex and Westgate).
The taro egg tart ($3) puts a spin on the crowd-favourite Oriental egg tart. Bite into the 128-layer flaky pastry to reveal tender egg custard and creamy Taiwanese Dajia taro paste. We also recommend trying the taro polo bun ($5.80). Think of a divine combination of smooth taro paste and thick slabs of chilled butter, all encased in a soft, warm bun. To wash it all down, order the two limited-time sour plum drinks in lychee and passion fruit variations.
Baked goodies aside, Oriental Kopi also welcomes a new permanent menu item: the ayam masak merah (from $11.60), served with a choice of nasi biryani, nasi lemak, mee siam or kampung mee hoon. The mee siam is our pick for a more flavourful carb pairing. But a fair warning: the ayam masak merah packs a real spice punch!
10. McGriddles returns with some new threads
The seasonal return of the McGriddles comes with some extra cool merch – shirts and jackets designed by local artist Tobyato! “We wanted to visually design that unique fleeting, almost mythical relationship with we’ve all grown to love, and can’t hate,” Toby explains. And wow, we can relate. Because why aren’t the McGriddles a mainstay already?!
If you want to get your hands on the merch, there are two ways, fully explained on the McDonald’s website. The shirts will be available from 2 November at 8am sharp, with limited quantities available at select locations (Cineleisure, Suntec City, Springleaf Tower, Paya Lebar Square, and Clementi Mall).
Itching for the jacket? You’ll have to eat your way to the top! The jacket will only be released in December and given to the top 100 fans who make the most McGriddles Meal purchases from 12 November to 9 December. Wishing you (and your waistline) the best of luck!
11. Singapore’s largest nature film festival returns for its third edition
Let’s put our hands together and welcome back Earth in Focus! The nature film festival returns from 5 to 8 November, bringing films, photography and conversations on the places under pressure, the people working to protect them and the choices shaping their future. The main programme runs at Golden Village Cineleisure, while the closing programme – a photography exhibition, a festival party and an outdoor screening – will take place at Sentosa.
Alongside film screenings, Earth in Focus also features panels and discussions exploring pressing environmental issues (cough haze season cough) and showing audiences how every contribution – no matter big or small – helps protect the natural world. The festival culminates in an awards ceremony celebrating this year’s film and photography finalists. Don’t forget to add this to your cal and buy your ticket!
12. This is your sign to discover SingLit titles
Speaking of reading, here’s another exciting initiative worth checking out. Taking place from 2 to 8 November at VivoCity is the inaugural Singapore Book Street, jointly masterminded by the National Arts Council and the Singapore Book Publishers Association. Touted as the largest book fair for SingLit, here’s where you can discover and purchase homegrown titles – and yes, you can use your SG Culture Pass for this.
Plus, visitors can look forward to over 30 literacy and interactive programmes, including exclusive book launches and opportunities to meet local authors and illustrators.
13. Revisit Singapore’s changing streets and memories at Ion Orchard
Sometimes, it’s good to look at the past to see how far we’ve come. And from 30 October to 8 November, you can do that at Ang Ah Tee’s free exhibition within Ion Art Gallery. The local artist and Cultural Medallion recipient presents Reminiscence (II), bringing together a selection of his works from the 1990s to the present. All the pieces explore how, over the course of more than five decades, places and experiences have shaped the painter’s art.
The exhibition moves from Chinatown, Ann Siang Hill and Marina Bay to landscapes inspired by his travels across Asia and Europe. Fun fact: the exhibition’s first iteration was presented thirteen years ago at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and features more than 50 works.
And that’s a wrap on what’s happening in Singapore this week (and beyond).
