Start here · 8 min read
Singapore Marathon 2026: race days, early trains and shuttles
Singapore Marathon 2026 runs 4 to 6 December: which day each race is, the free Sunday early trains, the S$12 shuttle and what is still to be announced.
Independent guides · Singapore
Good reasons to get together in Singapore.
A Singapore guide to better days out and thoughtful gatherings. Start with an idea, check the details and make a plan that works.
Explore Singapore
Find your next outing.
Upcoming programmes and places to discover Singapore culture. Follow official organisers for bookings and updates.
Seasonal events
Halloween Horror Nights 14
Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa
18 select nights at Universal Studios Singapore, 25 September–1 November 2026, 7.30pm–12.30am. Not recommended for under-13s.
Film
Singapore International Film Festival 2026
Various venues, Singapore
SGIFF’s 37th edition runs 21 October–1 November, with public ticket sales on SGIFF.com from 28 September at 12pm.
Literature
Singapore Writers Festival 2026
The Arts House and Civic District venues, Singapore
Hidden in Plain Sight runs 13–22 November 2026 in the Civic District, with The Arts House at the Old Parliament as the main festival grounds.
The reading room
More worth your time.
Going out
Halloween Singapore 2026: family events for the final weekend
Halloween is Saturday 31 October 2026 and most family events end 1 November: not-scary picks at USS, Mandai and Sentosa, free trick-or-treating and costs.
Going out
Studio Ghibli Singapore exhibition: tickets and when to go
The Story of Studio Ghibli runs at Gardens by the Bay from 18 December 2026 to 4 July 2027: ticket prices, holiday dates to plan around and what to check.
Hosting
Event photography consent in Singapore: PDPA rules for hosts
Photography consent at a Singapore event: your own family photos are generally outside the PDPA; a club publishing guests’ photos needs consent. Sample notice.
Hosting
Potluck ideas for 12 people: a Singapore hosting plan
Potluck ideas for 12 people: slots, servings sums and a sign-up list, plus the 5–60°C danger zone and 4-hour limit from NEA’s 2016 catering guidance.
Going out
Light show at Gardens by the Bay: free evenings, Oct–Nov 2026
Gardens by the Bay light show: Garden Rhapsody nightly at 7.45pm and 8.45pm, Borealis Saturday to Monday at 8pm, both free. Dated plan, 23 Oct–30 Nov 2026.
Planning together
Camping permit Singapore: a plan for a group of 12
A group of 12 needs at least two free NParks camping permits, applied for 2 weeks to 2 months ahead, non-cancellable. Covers barbecue timing and a haze Plan B.
Know what you’re reading
Practical guidance, with the sources in view.
We distinguish researched information from firsthand experience, label illustrative photographs and make our source checks visible.