Are you looking for things to do during the November and December 2023 school holidays? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve shortlisted our picks of the top activities and events just for you! Even better, some of them are free to attend and play. So, take a look at our list and choose the best options for you!
Top Things To Do For November & December School Holidays
A Very Smurfy Christmas at City Square Mall
Have a smurf-tastic Christmas as hundreds of adorable blue creatures from Nickelodeon’s hit animated series The Smurfs gather at City Square Mall to celebrate the Smurfs’ 65th anniversary and the festive season. Snap smurf-tacular pictures of the cutest blue sea of Smurfs, meet Papa Smurf and Smurfette plus redeem rewards just by shopping.
As you shop for gifts for loved ones, you can also redeem Nickelodeon x The Smurfs Christmas wrappers, travel cubes as well as mall vouchers and merchant voucher packs.
Pay a visit to the Christmas Marketplace from 1 to 17 December, held in alignment with SG Cares Giving Week, to uncover handcrafted treasures and support booths by Enterprising Mums United and other social enterprise organisations.
Volunteers from Love for A Dollar will also be present in December to help you wrap your gifts at $2 per gift with all proceeds going to Care Community Services Society.
Dates: 17 November to 31 December 2023
Meet Papa Smurf and Smurfette: Weekends in December till 17 December, 4 pm and 7 pm
Get Smurfy here.
Sci-sational Christmas
From 9 to 25 December, step into a wonderous world of discovery at Science Centre Singapore’s Sci-sational Christmas, where fun activities and a special holiday concert await.
Learn the science behind light and sound through interactive experiments, embark on a festive-themed digital trail to help Santa power up his Christmas factory and make your own buzzing toy spinner. Then join the elves as they embark on a magical journey to stage the ultimate Christmas concert.
There is also a Fun-filled Family Bundle with F&B and Curiosity Shop vouchers to help you save on your day out to Science Centre Singapore.
Find out how you can have a Sci-sational Christmas at Science Centre Singapore.
Space Fest @ EXPO
From 2 to 31 December, embark on a cosmic adventure at Space Fest @ EXPO. Soar into stratospheric fun at over 20 space-themed carnival rides, games and inflatables. Refuel at F&B stalls and food trucks, get creative at a craft corner and capture memories at space-themed photo spots. Visit on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to be entertained by mesmerizing stage performances at the Space Beats stage and get your festive shopping done at the F&B and retail stores of the Aurora Bazaar.
Be among the first 50 to buy a Space Pass onsite daily with a minimum of $50 credits to get free, limited edition Space Fest merch (while stocks last). Or buy your Space Pass online for bonus credits with a minimum purchase of $48. Blast off to Singapore EXPO Hall 6 for a galaxy of delights in December!
When: 2 to 31 December 2023
Where: Singapore EXPO Hall 6
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 1 pm to 9 pm, Friday to Sunday 11 am to 9 pm
Find out more about Space Fest @ EXPO
GIVEAWAY: Stand a Chance to Win a $50 Space Pass to Space Fest @ EXPO
Use ActiveSG Credits for ActiveSG Programmes
Make full use of your child’s ActiveSG credits and help him or her lead an active and sporting lifestyle during the holidays. ActiveSG credits can be used for entry into facilities like ActiveSG swimming pools and to offset up to 50% of ActiveSG school holiday programme fees.
And there is a wide range of ActiveSG programmes available at venues all over Singapore. Sign up for sports programmes like athletics, aikido, table tennis, water confidence and more. There’s even an outdoor survival skills course for kids!
Learn more about ActiveSG school holiday programmes and how to use the ActiveSG credits.
Get Mad with Slime at Chaos Lab
Chaos Lab is a lab-themed attraction at Changi Airport Terminal 2 in Singapore where kids can have fun while learning about science. Dr Splat, the resident mad scientist, welcomes children to the lab and takes them on a tour of the interactive stations. Kids can role-play as interns to Dr Splat and let their imaginations run wild while they learn about science in a fun way.
Read more about what to expect at Chaos Lab.
When: Monday to Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Changi Airport Terminal 2, Viewing Mall North #03-03, Singapore 819643
Yarning Hearts Presents Christmas Craft Market
Shop and be merry at Christmas Crafts Market @ The Plaza on 25 and 26 November. Start your Christmas gift shopping early and purchase exclusively handmade accessories, home décor and stationery. There will be over 20 unique local craft vendors and a chance to win exciting lucky draw prizes. Vendors include Amy Handmade Ceramics, Hiroro Handmade, Hungry for Yarn, Mia Tavola, Yarning Hearts Collective, TinySupply and more!
Pre-register here to get a $5 cash voucher to spend at the market!
When: 25 & 26 November 2023, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: The Plaza, 7500 Beach Road, Singapore 199591
See the full list of vendors at the Christmas Craft Market @ The Plaza.
Head out to Enjoy some Snowfall
Get into the holiday mood with some snow in tropical Singapore. It is a magical experience that gets everyone excited. Find out where to experience snowfall in Singapore.
Invitation to Paradise at Bird Paradise
To celebrate the grand opening of Bird Paradise, visitors can also look forward to activities and promotions under the opening campaign theme of “Invitation to Paradise” from now till 31 December 2023.
Local residents get to enjoy a ticketing promotion where two-to-go enjoy 30% off Bird Paradise admission over the period of 15 November to 17 December 2023. You can also pick up a Paradise Passport and uncover the secrets of Bird Paradise. Complete the Paradise Passport by collecting five unique location stamps to redeem an exclusive Grand Opening pin, while stocks last!
There are also other activities taking place to celebrate the grand opening of Bird Paradise. Find out more about what’s on this year end at Invitation to Paradise.
Where: Bird Paradise
All Stars Christmas @ Rochester Mall
It is All-Star Fun at Rochester Mall on 2nd December. Kids will get to unleash their inner warrior and conquer an inflatable Ninja Obstacle Challenge. The top 5 will win up to $150 in UE Malls vouchers. Then race to the All Stars Christmas Sports Day where the first 300 to complete a minimum of three game stations will receive a Christmas goodie bag. There are also festive crafts and entertaining stage shows. Get more details about All Stars Christmas @ Rochester Mall.
When: 2 December, 12 pm to 5 pm
Where: Rochester Mall
Taste the Christmas spirit at Christmas Wonderland
Christmas Wonderland, presented by Trip.com, returns to Gardens by the Bay from December 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024. This year, Singapore’s biggest Yuletide celebration features an enormous fairground, carnival rides, Christmas Train, flashing light displays, and “snowfall” at the Spalliera.
This year’s expanded fairground covers three enchanted zones: Supertree Grove, Frosty’s Fairground at The Meadow, and Gingerbread Grove. Discover a plethora of festive activities and attractions, including 13 breathtaking light displays, new carnival rides, carnival games, Santa Claus encounters, festive food, live performances by local artists, and much more!
Read more about what to expect at Christmas Wonderland 2023.
When: 1 December 2023 to 1 January 2024
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Test your marksmanship at Home Team Fest
Pay a visit to the Home Team Festival 2023 from 24 to 26 November and discover how the men and women from the Ministry of Home Affairs and agencies like the Singapore Police Force, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority are keeping us safe. The Home Team Festival 2023 is a chance to experience first-hand the work that the Home Team does. The event is free for all to attend.
Visitors will be able to view the latest equipment and technology used by officers, as well as the ever-popular vehicle displays. A highlight for families with young children is the Kids Zone and the Kiddy Rides. Kids can look forward to role playing as different Home Team Officers and, in doing so, learn about their different roles. Other activities for kids at the Home Team Festival 2023 include a shooting range, identity card making, picture colouring and more.
When: 24, 25 November 11 am to 9 pm, 26 November Sunday 9 am to 9 pm
Where: Singapore EXPO Hall 4
Play Indoors at Indoor Playgrounds
Looking for some fun indoor things to do during the November and December 2023 school holidays? Check out our extensive list of indoor playgrounds featuring ball pits, slides, obstacle courses, and other exciting activities in cool air-conditioned comfort. Whether it’s raining cats and dogs or too hot to play outside, there’s a perfect spot for you to enjoy some fun indoors.
Visit KidzWorld at Singapore Zoo
KidzWorld, the Singapore Zoo’s new children’s play area, is a corner of the wildlife park specially for kids and the new home of the Ranger Buddies. The new KidzWorld is located just opposite from Tram Stop 4, just a stone’s throw away from the Fragile Forest exhibit. It is a wonderful space where kids have plenty of opportunities to play, embark on adventures, interact with animals and learn about caring for nature.
The new Kidzworld is also the new home of the Ranger Buddies. nside, kids can rent a pair of oversized binoculars that also doubles up as a way to experience the Ranger Buddies Quest. The binoculars can be docked at different stations around KidzWorld for kids to complete a mission and learn about how they too can be heroes through their everyday actions. It is a fun way for them to learn about caring for the earth and sustainability. Ranger Buddies Quest is currently available on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and school holidays.
When: 9 am to 6 pm daily
Where: Singapore Zoo, opposite Tram Stop 4
Say Bye to Le Le
If you wish to say a final farewell to Singapore-born Giant Panda cub Le Le, you have until 13 December 2023 to do so. That will mark Le Le’s final public appearance in the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest at River Wonders before he goes into quarantine the next day in preparation of his flight to China in January.
The two bears will be timesharing their exhibit at the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest at River Wonders in the lead-up to Le Le’s departure. Le Le and Jia Jia are currently timesharing the exhibit and the public can see Le Le from 10 am to 2 pm and Jia Jia from 2 pm to 6 pm.
When: 10 am to 2 pm daily
Where: River Wonders, Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest
Feed the Goats at Hay Dairies
Hay Dairies Goat Farm is now at a new location, conveniently found across from the Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve Neo Tiew Crescent car park. The new building is an upgrade from its previous premises and families. Anyone eager to meet the goats, are welcome to pay it a visit for a farm experience in Singapore. Milking of the goats takes place in the mornings between 9 am to 10.30 am. This is a good incentive to pay a visit to Hay Dairies early, so that you can watch the process in progress.
When: Daily 9 am to 4 pm, closed every Tuesday
Where: 250 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 719866
Take the “Train” at Villa Verde Playground
Want to explore a new place during the November and December school holidays 2023? There is a new section of Villa Verde Park with a bright and colourful playground structure. Inspired by the adjacent Rail Corridor, the playground and its adjoining nature playgarden have structures that look like trains with various carriages lined up in a linear fashion. Wooden logs create a make-believe train and also act as balancing beams that kids can walk along.
Romp at Sembawang Park Therapeutic Garden
Located a stone’s throw away from Sembawang Park’s battleship playground, the 2,200 square metre Sembawang Park Therapeutic Garden incorporates features that facilitates the process of using plants and plant-related activities to help people improve their well-being.
Kids will enjoy visiting the Natural Playscape are where there are natural elements such as boulders, wooden tepees, log clusters and wooden balancing beams.
Where: 1200 Sembawang Rd
Speed Over at HyperDrive
Race away at HyperDrive, the indoor go-kart circuit at The Palawan where it is not just about getting around the track as fast as possible but there are also gamified elements that make the experience even more fun.
When: Mondays to Fridays, 12.30 pm to 9 pm, last entry at 8.30 pm
Saturdays, Sundays, Public and School Holidays, 10 am to 9 pm, last entry at 8.30 pm
Where: The Palawan Beachfront
Pipe Around the World at Jewel
Jewel Changi Airport’s Shiseido Forest Valley has been transformed into a Mario-themed wonderland with multiple photo spots featuring beloved characters from the Mario Bros universe that you can hit up. In addition the many different photo spots, Jewel and Nintendo have also specially developed Pipe Around the World at Jewel premiums that can be purchased with every $50 spend in a receipt.
You can also get the festive feels at a special Christmas light and sound show and enjoy snow fall too. While at Jewel, be sure to pop into the Nintendo Pop-up Store Singapore too!
Get more details about Pipe Around the World at Jewel.
Find a Nisse at Poinsettia Wishes
This year, Gardens by the Bay’s signature year-end yuletide display is anchored by the Magical Christmas Tree adorned with larger-than-life ornaments reminiscent of a European Christmas. The cute Nordic Nisses are also back to showcase the Nordic Christmas traditions.
Keep an eye out for these cute little warriors in a setting reminiscent of the idyllic fishing villages located along the coasts of the Nordic countries. These settlements are most known for their rorbuer, which are charming red and white fishermen’s huts that are emblematic of the area’s nautical past. Encircled by charming Christmas fir trees, the flower arrangement showcases more than 20 types of poinsettias, some of which are unusual in that their bracts are coloured and can be bright yellow, plum, or round, like mouse ears.
When: Friday 24 November to Monday 1 January 2024, 9 am to 9 pm
Where: Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome
Enter the World of Disney at Immersive Disney Animation
Fans of Disney’s animated movies will not want to miss the Immersive Disney Animation. This 360-degree multi-sensory experience takes you inside your favourite Walt Disney Animation Studios movies. Visitors can experience iconic songs and scenes from over 40 of Disney’s beloved animated films over an approximately one-hour screening, making them feel like are part of the stories. Get more details here.
When: 18 November to 31 December
Where: Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands
Rollerskate at RollerMania 3.0
Get ready for a trip back in time to the iconic 1970s with RollerMania 3.0 at Plaza Singapura’s Carpark Level 7 from 17 November 2023 until 1 January 2024. Glide and dance to funky sounds on the throwback, neon-filled skate rink. Enjoy an assortment of carnival and Timezone arcade games, and even catch veteran skaters giving quick lessons on weekends. Protective gear and skate assists will also be available for both adults and kids.
You can also try your hand at popular Timezone arcade games like Centipede Chaos and Mario Kart Arcade Dx Twin. Additionally, you can take a trip down memory lane and play timeless classics such as James Bond Pro Pinball and Operation Ghosts. The fun continues on amusement rides at the FiestaMania Carnival.
Find out more about RollerMania 3.0.
When: 17 November till 1 January 2024
Where: Plaza Singapura Level 7 Carpark
Even More Ideas for the November & December 2023 School Holidays in Singapore
If you need even more ideas for activities that you and your family can enjoy during the November and December 2023 school holidays, visit our Amazing List of Holiday Activities.
Disclosure: This story contains sponsored content.
