Year-end Singapore Tour: Experiences that blend the flavors of art

Especially in the last days of the year, the weather is cooler, with occasional sudden showers on the streets. This is a suitable time for indoor sightseeing or outdoor walks in the morning and evening. This is also the most enjoyable time of the year.

Although it doesn't have the beautiful snow-capped villages of Switzerland, Singapore is covered in a splendid festive coat of lights, adorned with the colors of art, music and the irresistible flavors of festive cuisine.

Photo: Dzung Tran

Stopover in Singapore at the end of the year

Little India

November and December often wash the city clean with showers, but that doesn’t dampen the appeal of Little India’s unique cultural experiences. It’s a place where Indian, Chinese and Thai spirituality blend harmoniously in its arched domes, murals, sculptures and religious artifacts.

The festive atmosphere has passed, leaving behind the usual bustle as one strolls through the alleys selling sweets, textiles and traditional henna tattoos. This season, festive decorations are everywhere, mixed with the strong scent of festive food around every corner.

Mustafa Centre and Tekka Market are two shopping destinations that cannot be missed. If Mustafa Centre is the most bustling with countless items, from clothes, electronics, to household items or souvenirs, Tekka Market is quieter, attracting women with the colors of sweet fruits and vegetables, the aroma of local spices and the eye-catching blooming flower bushes.

Little India in Singapore on a beautiful day - Photo: Traveloka

Gardens By The Bay

Gardens By The Bay is a “city in a garden”, inspired by the design of the planet Xandar in the comic book adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy.

Here, each landscape tells its own design story. The three main gardens, named Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden, face the waterfront. They all boast a rich variety of trees and plants, set alongside the world’s largest greenhouses and illuminated “supertrees” that attract tourists every night.

Visiting Gardens By The Bay in winter will give you the opportunity to enjoy the cold festive atmosphere with a snow light show, a more special flying Santa Claus than usual from the Christmas Wonderland program and a series of festive activities opening the door to the fairytale Christmas world, a place that warms the hearts of those who always dream of childhood.

Giant glowing super trees at Gardens By The Bay - Photo: Gardens By The Bay

National Museum of Singapore

Singapore is unique in that it is a small island nation but very rich in museums. Among them, located in the central area, the National Museum of Singapore is considered the oldest in the country, creating a creative learning environment for students while attracting those interested in visual arts.

Here, history meets modernity. Between the exhibition space of sculptures, paintings, drawings and archaeological discoveries from ancient times, a series of interactive exhibitions and creative workshops on heritage storytelling are held throughout the year. Visitors can easily book tickets when accessing the museum's official website.

Besides its innovative technology and display style, the National Museum of Singapore is also worth admiring for its Neo-Palladian architecture with its modern glass wings and impressive round dome.

Neo-Palladian architecture with impressive round dome of National Museum of Singapore - Photo: National Museum of Singapore

Tiong Bahru Neighborhood

The relaxed pace of life in the heart of a modern city can only be found in Tiong Bahru. Rows of low-rise buildings with unique round windows, typical of Art Deco architecture. Many elegant cafes have sprung up to welcome visitors.

All architecture has the common feature of preserving golden memories of a glorious time, a place where the upper class used to visit.

Today, every corner of Tiong Bahru evokes a sense of peace, suitable for those looking for a relaxing day out. Many aspects of local culture are still vibrant, adding to the old town's picturesque landscape. At the Tiong Bahru Market, over 200 hawker stalls have stood the test of time, after many renovations, offering authentic traditional dishes and many unique handicrafts.

Tiong Bahru neighborhood is quiet, separate from the modern life of Singapore - Photo: Onetour

Top music events and exhibitions

In terms of sightseeing, dining, and amenities, Singapore offers a lot to the budget traveler. However, it has another unique feature that is hard to match: it is one of the few locations in Asia that is at the forefront of the music tourism trend.

Large-scale stages and exclusive touring deals for international artists both boost the economy and stimulate tourism.

This winter, Singapore continues to explode with a series of famous music events lasting until the end of the year.

Some events that cannot be missed are: ZEROBASEONE Here & Now World Tour; BLACKPINK 'Deadline' World Tour; Doja Cat Ma Vie World Tour; The 18th Affordable Art Fair Singapore 2025.

The appearance of the world's top idols and fiery music promises to make winter more exciting and memorable.

And after hours of burning out with your idols, taking some time off to travel slowly can be a good idea to recharge your batteries. Some famous exhibitions in Singapore are also held simultaneously during this time.

Those who have a penchant for decoration or love beauty in general should definitely not miss the largest French Impressionist exhibition in Southeast Asia, opening from November 14 to March 1, 2026 at the National Gallery Singapore.

Never-before-exhibited classics by Pierre-August Renoir, Claude Monet, Édouard Manet,… offer a visual treat.

Or you can visit Boutiques Singapore – the most anticipated shopping event in Southeast Asia, taking place from November 21 to 23, bringing together more than 320 brands, fashion & accessories designers, beauty & health care, home decoration, lifestyle…