Spooky season is upon us – and for those looking for a thrill, Halloween Horror Nights is finally returning after a 2-year hiatus. But besides that, October is filled with exciting new things to do, shop, and eat. Now that destinations like Taiwan and Japan are finally opening up to international travel again, there’s much to look forward to. And with the long Deepavali weekend, you get to save on your leave days, too.
Things To Do
SAFRA Punggol Presents: Bridge between Two Worlds
This spooky season, SAFRA Punggol is bringing you a Dia de Muertos-inspired Halloween event from 5pm-9pm on 15 October 2022. Break out your best creepy outfits and take part in the best-dressed contest for a chance to win SAFRA Rewards Vouchers worth up to $100! There are prizes for both the Best Dressed Children Costume and Best Dressed Family Costume, so get everyone involved and unleash your most creatively spooky juices!
15 October 2022, SAFRA Punggol, 9 Sentul Crescent, Singapore 828654; more info at safra.sg/whats-on/safra-punggol-presents-bridge-between-two-worlds
SAFRA Sprint Kids
Get your kids excited for 12 and 13 November, because SAFRA Sprint Kids is back with a Best Recruit Challenge! With $5,000 worth of cash prizes to be won, sign up now if your child is between 7 to 12 years old! Plus, participants will also receive a Junior Field Pack worth $30 upon completion of the challenge.
Parents – you can also take part with your child and put your teamwork to the test.
Participation fees start from $15 for SAFRA members and $20 for non-members. Registration closes on 23 October, so click here to register now!
More info at safra.sg/whats-on/safra-sprint-kids-2022
Esports Fiesta with a Heart – Dota 2 The International Pubstomp
Dota fans, listen up. There’ll be a Dota 2 The International Pubstomp screening party at SAFRA Yishun from 9am to 6pm on 29 and 30 October. There’ll be plenty of activities such as mini-games held the entire day.
Proceeds from registration fees for both days will go to charity, and participants might walk away with Dota 2 official merchandise.
29 & 30 October 2022, SAFRA Yishun, 60 Yishun Ave 4, Singapore 769027; more info at safra.sg/whats-on/esport-fiesta-with-a-heart
Indian Heritage Centre’s Deepavali Open House
This Deepavali, don’t miss the lights and festive atmosphere at Little India. After all, it’s also known as the “Festival of Lights”. This year, the Indian Heritage Centre is organising an Open House from 1 to 23 October with a range of programmes for the public.
For the first time ever, visitors will also get the chance to enjoy the annual street light-up and decorations on the Deepavali Big Bus Tour. Over the Open House weekends, you’ll get to marvel at the lights from the upper deck of the bus. Lego fans will also love the Lego mural inspired by rangoli designs, craft workshops, cooking demos, heritage trails, and $10 evening trishaw rides.
Till 23 October 2022; more info at indianheritage.gov.sg
Universal Studio Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights
A favourite amongst thrill seekers, Halloween Horror Nights is returning from 30 September to 5 November. This year, there are three haunted houses and two scare zones for the extra spooky factor – including Killustrator: The Final Chapter, Hospitality of Horror, and Operation: Dead Force.
If all that screaming and running away from your favourite hantus isn’t enough, there’s also Escape the Breakout, a combined laser tag and escape room experience, and a behind-the-scenes tour and a special performance. After which, gobble down a horror-themed meal at KT’s Grill with a Spirit Medium and his Henchmen.
Tickets are available at $78 for peak nights and $68 for non-peak nights. If you’re heading over with your friends, you can also opt for the Frights for Four bundle deal with 4 tickets at $388 for peak nights and $338 for non-peak nights.
On select nights till 5 November; 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269; Tel: 6577 8888
MENTAL: Colours of Wellbeing
Mental health is hardly talked about in school and the workplace. Recently, institutions and the media have been more vocal about the topic. Enter, MENTAL: Colours of Wellbeing at ArtScience Museum, a safe space where visitors can confront societal biases and stereotypes around mental health.
The exhibition invites visitors to embark on an intimate and personal journey that explores the many ways of being, surviving, and making connections in the modern world, through 24 interactive exhibits, art projects, and colourful large-scale installations by international artists, makers, scientists and designers.
If you’ve some time, head down to the exhibition and reflect upon, question, and empathise with what it means to be human.
Till 26 February 2023, ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 01897, Tel: 6688 8888
Travel
Singapore Airlines flights to Japan
Now that Japan is finally open for visa-free travel, we foresee many flocking to the Land of the Rising Sun in October and beyond. And just in time for autumn, too. Get ready for endless bowls of ramen, kawaii shopping, and onsen sessions.
Luckily, Singapore Airlines has us covered with flight offers from $1,068. There are flights to eight airports within Japan, from Tokyo Haneda ($1,213) to Okinawa ($1,822), and flight dates vary from early October to November. So grab your passports and start booking.
Shopping
Marvel & Mayer Home Collection
Iron Man fans, listen up. You can now build your own Stark-inspired BTO with the new Marvel x Mayer collaboration. It’s not all child’s play, either. The classy collection – which includes an electric kettle, personal power blender, tabletop dehumidifier, high-velocity fan and a standing fan – adds character to any home aesthetic.
The collection is available at Mayer showrooms and online at Shopee, Lazada, Qoo10, Ishopchangi, Fraser, and selected authorised retail partners. In the words of the youngest Stark, say “I love you 3000” by surprising friends and family with this blockbuster household collection.
SAFRA members get 10% off regular-priced items at all Mayer showrooms and the e-store. More info at https://www.safra.sg/promotions/mayer
Fitbit Sense 2 & Versa 4
Keep track of your physical activity, quality of sleep, and more with Fitbit’s new releases, the Sense 2 and Versa 4.
The Sense 2 ($428), which comes in 3 different colours, is Fitbit’s most advanced health and fitness watch yet. It specialises in stress management and has all-day body-response tracking and smart notifications, alongside guided breathing and meditation programmes on the Fitbit app.
The Versa 4 ($358) is Fitbit’s upgraded Versa model, except it now boasts a more lightweight design. You can now track even more workouts, from strength training to kayaking and more than 40 exercise modes – with real-time pace and distance during outdoor workouts.
Both watches come with 6 free months of Fitbit Premium.
Fitbit is available at Challenger, Courts and Harvey Norman stores, and online retailers.
Dining
Small Tables
Miss Ipoh food but can’t travel there just yet? Then head to Small Tables, a modern Ipoh-style cafe at Orchard Road. The restaurant is helmed by Chef Sandra Sim and features over 26 dishes, from hearty mains to small bites.
Order up the Ipoh Curry Mee ($20), served dry or with soup, with ingredients like poached chicken, caramelised char siu, braised pig ears, pig skin, poached prawns, bean sprouts and more. Alternatively, try the White Chopped Kampong Chicken with Sand Ginger ($20 or $36). The white poached kampong chicken is drenched with white ginger scallion oil and topped with sand ginger, the perfect comfort food.
9 Scotts Rd, #01-09/10/11/12 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210; Tel: 6452 9388
Well Collective
Those living in Punggol now have a new hipster cafe they can head to, with the opening of Well Collective at Northshore Plaza II. Opened by the same people behind Botany and Ritual, the space is a cafe by day and bar by night.
The IG-friendly cafe has three different sections: There’s the main dining hall, a conducive co-working area if you’re bored of working from home, and a breezy pet-friendly alfresco section for your furkids.
The menu features vegan-friendly options, but you’re not just stuck with salads. Try the no-chicken katsu sando ($19) or vegan tofu tempeh fries ($12). But for those who need more animal-based protein, don’t worry. Flexitarians can try the truffled beef bowl ($25) and moreish miso barramundi ($28) instead.
Northshore Plaza II, 418 Northshore Dr, #02-11/12, Singapore 820418; Tel: 6979 6442
SAFRA Beer, Music, Play 2022
Update: Beer Music Play 2022 at SAFRA Mount Faber on 21 October 22 has been postponed till further notice due to unforeseen circumstances. The organising committee has apologised for the inconvenience and will be reaching out to participants on the refund of the tickets.
Gather your friends and family for a night of free-flow beer, games and entertainment at SAFRA Mount Faber. Aside from the plentiful booze, enjoy the English, Mando and Canto Pop live band performances, arcade games, darts competition and photo booth where you can capture snapshots of this memorable night. Tickets are available via the SAFRA mobile app or mySAFRA portal, so grab your tickets soon! Early Bird rates end on 14 October (just $50 for all the beer you can drink, for SAFRA members!).
SAFRA Mount Faber, 2 Telok Blangah Way, Singapore 098803
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