Fun Things to Do in SG, with Family or Friends!

[thebottomsupblog]

I have to say that there are a lot of interesting activities popping up in SG!

• https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/activities/singapore-indie-bookshop-day-2026
• https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/living/socialising-2025-singapore-sing-song-social-club-461111

Have you discovered something fun recently? Do share which parenting stage you’re at, and how you find time for yourself.

For me, my kids are pretty independent (youngest in sec school), so I’m able to have more “hangout” time compared to when I was in my 30s.

[thebottomsupblog]

Over the weekend, I checked out SG indie bookshop day + was in the Joo Chiat area briefly — it was packed way beyond expectations due to its car-free day event!

For the SG indie bookshop day, I had signed up for a paid afternoon tour (around $20) to visit several bookstores that were out of the way for me. The one that I might return to is Dakota Dreams, which is a few minutes from Dakota MRT station. It’s run by some senior folks, and on that day, there was an author Tan Wee Kiat stationed there to do book signings — he is a former educator/stamp enthusiast and has written many picturebooks about the stories that our local stamps tell.

I managed to get two books signed by him, and there’s some brief info on one of his books on the NIE Insta account:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DbInW7vnYxh/

I had also signed up for a Joo Chiat food heritage tour ($5) but the crowds made it slightly challenging, so I exited early. But the tour guide was very engaging.

Later in the evening, I stopped by at Eliko bookstore (a tiny picturebook store at Chinatown Complex) and was pleasantly surprised to see a crowd there too.

Do share what you did/saw over the weekend too, and your recommendations if any!

[sharonkhoo]

@thebottomsupblog Singapore Writer’s Festival! For the reading-writing inclined.
https://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/
13-22 Nov, various venues. Some events are free, others are ticketed.
SG Culture Pass eligible, and currently there’s an early bird discount (they don’t say until when).
If you’re 55 or older, you get 20% off anyway, so there’s probably no need to get the pass.

I haven’t looked closely at the programmes yet, but I usually try to make time to go to a few of the events. Anyone interested? Maybe we can meet up!

[thebottomsupblog]

@sharonkhoo Oh! That would actually be a great way to meet up for the first time I haven’t checked it out, lemme go see!

[thebottomsupblog]

At a quick glance, these are what I might like! @sharonkhoo

https://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/programmes/the-making-of-a-serial-killer

https://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/programmes/love-against-all-odds

[sharonkhoo]

@thebottomsupblog Err - not sure I can take the serial killer one! And not so interested in romance. The ones I’m considering:
https://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/programmes/still-killing-it-agatha-christies-enduring-legacy

https://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/programmes/based-on-real-life-a-beginner-s-guide-to-writing-biography

https://www.singaporewritersfestival.com/programmes/at-home-elsewhere-writing-migration-travel-and-belonging

[thebottomsupblog]

@sharonkhoo I’ve missed the early bird registration for the Singapore Writers Fest but I’ll see if my husband will let me steal his culture pass credits haha!

Let me look at everything again and in Nov, I’ll PM you about the events that I’ll be going for!

[thebottomsupblog]

For those who are still into heavier music + gigs (eg hardcore), we actually have a fairly interesting scene going on!

Went for a gig over the weekend and it was pretty wild, by SG standards! Would do it again for sure!

This is one underground organiser to check out:
https://www.instagram.com/gidwreckunit/

[sharonkhoo]

@thebottomsupblog There are benefits to being a senior! The Festival Pass for a senior is the same as the Early Bird price! And for the workshop, the senior discount is 20% while the Festival Pass discount is 15%! And I could use my culture pass too as I haven’t used any yet.

The ones I’m definitely going for are the Biography workshop and the Agatha Christie feature. I have quite a few things popping up in Nov, so I’m not sure when I’ll be free. Will have to work out the priorities!

[thebottomsupblog]

Over the weekend, I caught a 2000s film from the Singapore International Film Fest, called Amores Perros! It’s by the director of Birdman, The Revenant, and the current Digger starring Tom Cruise.

It’s in Spanish with subtitles, and a very gritty watch! Reminiscent of another 2000s film from Brazil, called City of God (although even worse things happened in that film).

There are seemingly so many “film fests” going on right now, or at least that’s how non-mainstream films seem to be marketed these days. The SG international film fest isn’t really on my radar anymore, but it’s always refreshing to head out to watch something unexpected. Some of my friends go to the movies on their own fairly often! I’ve done it a few times, but prefer company.

https://sgiff.com/