Our December watchlist is out and it’s tempting to stay in and binge-watch shows on Netflix, but if you’re in the mood to go out, the city is bustling with weekend activities to enjoy by yourself or with your pals!

To help you plan, we’ve rounded up the best weekend haunts to escape the monotony of the work week.

1. Shake Shack VivoCity

The burger joint hailing from New York City has already set up fourth outlets in Singapore since its local inception in 2019, and recently opened up a fifth at VivoCity on 1 December.

The chain is famous for their delicious burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, and shakes, and there will be two new exclusives on the menu at VivoCity — The Sugee Boogie, a vanilla custard blended with Mrs Kueh’s Orange Citrus Sugee Cake, and Viva La Vivo, also with the same vanilla custard bases blended with strawberries and topped with rainbow sprinkles and sugar cone pieces.

The opening is also timed with the brand’s Great Shake Sale, running until 6 December at all outlets. Customers will be able to buy a Christmas Cookie Shake voucher at S$2, redeemable for a purchase of the shake on the next visit, valid for the whole of December.

2. GRANDBITE Year-End-Market

Food galore at The Grandstand in Bukit Timah! This month, feast on a selection of halal food from Muslim vendors you won’t want to miss! Organised by MakBesar, the market is operating every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 3 December to 3 January, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Besides supporting local business owners during this pandemic, enjoy your favourite halal treats in one convenient location, including Famous Korean Cheestick and The Mango Float by Mango Float Bossku, tasty Malay kuehs by Cuci Mulut By Yummy Takoyaki, and a surprise dish by the popular Deanna’s Kitchen. Some of the vendors may only be around on certain weeks so check out MakBesar’s page for the latest updates.

3. Singapore Tea & Coffee Festival

If you haven’t heard, the inaugural phygital Singapore’s Tea and Coffee Festival has launched and yes, it’s taking place both online and offline! Happening until 6 December, this is the final weekend to discover new exciting flavours and combinations to the world’s favourite caffeinated drinks and artisanal brands.

Go café-hopping and get your caffeine dose at six participating vendor outlets islandwide, including Lemuel Chocolate and Camellia Tea Bar. Enjoy three taster cups of tea or coffee for just $5, and receive a $5 voucher to offset your purchases at sgteacoffee.com. Prefer to stay in? Pick up a new skill in one of their engaging workshops or shop from over 50 artisanal tea, coffee, food and lifestyle brands from all over the world.

For more information, visit the festival site.

4. Changi Festive Village

Heading to Changi Airport may just bring back your wanderlusting feels, but The Changi Festive Village will help you cure your travel fever for the time being. From now until 3 January 2021, explore a tokidoki-themed plane cabin that’ll have you imagining you’re in the skies and visit Dino Wanderland to have a roaring good time with life-like dinosaurs.

You can also get crafty this festive season and embark on exclusive airport behind-the-scenes experiences. The little ones are not forgotten with an adrenaline go-kart race and some fun in the snow at Singapore’s largest double-storey snow house.

5. Therapeutic garden at Punggol Waterway Park

To get in some nature-time, Punggol Waterway Park has a new therapeutic garden that will surely take your stress away! Therapeutic gardens are not new — there are five already built in Singapore with five more to be launched in the first half of 2021 at Bedok Reservoir Park, Pasir Ris Park, Sembawang Park, Yishun Pond Park, and Jurong Lake Gardens. This is, however, the first of its kind in the North-east.

The garden has an elevated vista, a viewing deck facing the waterway and specially curated plants that enhances our well-being. It was also built with elderly in mind with programmes like therapeutic horticulture suitable for elderly with dementia and other special needs.

Join the conversations on THG’s Facebook and Instagram, and get the latest updates via Telegram.