Neon Lights Festival, weekend markets and more happening in Singapore this November

Photo: Neon Lights 2019

November is arguably the month of arts and culture, with two major events - Singapore Writers Festival and Singapore International Film Festival - and international artistes gracing our stage. So step out and get your culture fix at these not-to-be-missed events happening around Singapore this month.

Spectrum 2019 London Sinfonietta: Schnee (UK) in Singapore

Arguably one of the finest contemporary chamber orchestras in the world, the London Sinfonietta was founded in 1968 and continues to charm audiences with its performances of 20th century classics.

This time, it returns to Singapore with three evocative works written in the last 30 years: Hans Abrahamsen’s Schnee, Oliver Knussen’s set of four miniature works in Songs Without Voices, and Diana Soh’s Modicum, which the orchestra will perform together with OpusNovus, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music's contemporary music ensemble.

7.30pm - 9.30pm, 2 Nov, Esplanade Concert Hall. 

NAO (Night At Orchard) 

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Orchard Road is getting a mini revival with an all-new roving pop-up concept, NAO (short for Night at Orchard).

Happening on the first weekend of the month at the bustling stretch between Ngee Ann City and ION Orchard, NAO will feature curated pop-up stores by local designers and artisans, as well as chefs, musicians, and artists.

Look forward to scrumptious culinary offerings by Michelin-starred restaurants such as Shisen Hanten and popular local favourites like Old Chang Kee, along with up-and-coming brands like Indigo Culture.

Buskers like NoonTalk artiste Gavin Teo, indie acts Raphael Leong, Codie Loh and Yeo ming Jun, as well as the winner of One Moment of Glory, Jill-Marie Thomas, will also liven up the festival.  

2 Nov - 8 Dec, Ngee Ann City, Orchard. 

Singapore Writers Festival 2019

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The Singapore Writers Festival is the biggest, most anticipated literary event of the year, where international luminaries and bestselling authors such as Neil Gaiman, Kiran Desai,  Joanne Harris, Simon Armitage, Tash Aw and Marie Lu gather to share insights on the global, regional and local literary and publishing scene.

Literary enthusiasts and bibliophiles can get up close and personal with their favourite authors, meet like-minded people, and participate in fringe activities.

The 22nd Singapore Writers Festival sees acclaimed Singaporean poet Pooja Nansi take the helm for the first year as festival director.

This year's lineup will feature more than 250 programmes and over 250 writers from around the world, including Min Jin Lee, Roxanne Gay, celebrated travel writer Pico Iyer, YA bestselling author David Yoon, Man Booker Prize winner Marlon James, and more.

All day, 1 - 10 Nov, various locations. 

Fourth Wall: Duets

Fourth Wall: Duets is a visual treat that interweaves classical ballet with contemporary dance, captivating narrative threads and digital painting.

It’s a blend of French and Singaporean culture set in Miaja gallery.

Enjoy free-flow French wines while watching three intertwined duet performance: an award-winning, interactive virtual reality (VR) experience, a romantic ballet duet about French sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel (reinterpreted by Singaporean contemporary choreographers Edwin Wee and Rachel Lum), and a performance that brings art and technology together (staged by digital and visual artists Andrée Weschler and Zenith Chan).

8 - 10 Nov, Miaja Gallery, River Valley. 

KAMP Singapore 2019

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Hallyu fans, this is one festival you should not miss.

Happening at the Singapore Indoor Stadium over the course of two days, KAMP Singapore is a K-pop festival that will bring together the world fans and artistes from around.

The stellar line-up of popular K-pop artistes includes Super Junior, NCT 127, Momoland, GFRIEND, Chung Ha, and more. Singapore is the first stop for KAMP and fans can look forward to high-octane performances and closer interactions with the artistes, thanks to an extended stage.

Apart from the concert, there will also be a public red carpet event at the OCBC Square, as well as fringe activities like games booths and artiste engagement sessions.

7pm, 9 - 10 Nov, Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

Artbox Singapore

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Artbox, Thailand’s biggest creative popup market, returns to Singapore again.

After last year’s successful rendition, the market will run for two weekends at new grounds this year - The Grounds@Kranji.

With the theme Garden of Eden this year, you know you’ll likely be shutter-happy against the Instagrammable backdrop again.

On top of more than 300 fashion, food and lifestyle brands from Singapore and the region, there will also be live music acts to liven up the mood, hammocks to chill in, and interactive activities like creating your own Artbox memorabilia at the Garden of Creation. 

15 - 24 Nov, Singapore Turf Club.

Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF)

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Singapore’s longest-running film festival is back for its 30th anniversary to support and showcase local and regional filmmakers, as it celebrates and pays tribute to film and cinema.

Held at various venues, this year’s festival sees Taiwanese film curator, Kuo Ming-Jung, take the helm as the new Programme Director.

Film buffs can attend movie screenings and engage in cinematic discourse at the masterclasses, mentorship programmes, and scintillating dialogues with filmmakers attending the festival.

21 Nov - 1 Dec, various locations. 

Neon Lights Festival

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Dubbed "the region's answer to Coachella" by The Business Times and "an interactive roller coaster of music-driven energy and emotions" by Billboard Magazine, Neon Lights Festival is Singapore's first outdoor music and arts festival. Past artists and musicians include Interpol, Yuna, Blood Orange and Sigur Rós.

This year, it returns with another star-studded line-up some of the music industry’s most popular acts. The two-day festival will see Brit and Grammy-Award winner Mumford & Sons headline day one of the festival with their first and only show in Singapore, and American Grammy nominee Halsey headline day two.

Other notable artists include British electronic-soul act HONNE and electro-pop artist AURORA, and Nick Murphy (previously known as Chet Faker), who will make his highly anticipated return to Singapore after three years.

1pm till late, 23 - 24 Nov, Fort Canning Park, Fort Green. 

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