9 events and bazaars in November to get you into the mood for Christmas

PHOTOGRAPH: The Expat Fairs

When: Nov 11-13, 11am-7pm

Venue: Pasarbella, 200 Turf Club Road

For more information, visit www.theexpatfairs.com/events/the-expats-weekender-fair-at-pasarbella-november/ 

The Weekender Fair promises to be an authentic farmer’s market experience. The event is carefully curated to showcase selected handicrafts, jewellery, fashion and more from a diverse pool of local and international brands.

You can look forward to Tasmanian honeycombs, gourmet chocolates, hand-made knick-knacks, premium cashmere and silk crafts, and quality home furnishings. Some of the vendors don’t have bricks-and-mortar shops, so the fair is a great opportunity to pick up exclusive high-quality products that you won’t find elsewhere.

Grab a coffee from Perk Coffee and a hearty meal from EATSingapore while you’re there and soak up the festive atmosphere. There’ll be live music and busking performances to add to the holiday cheer.

PHOTOGRAPH: PenguinGirl Art

When: Nov 12-13, 12-9pm

Venue: Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Road

For more information, visit www.etsy.com/au/etsymadelocal/seasia or the Etsy Made Local Facebook page

Online creative marketplace Etsy is bringing its crafts to you this Christmas. More than 45 local crafters, collectors and artisans will be selling their products at the inaugural Etsy Made Local market.

The wide range of handicrafts brought to you by talented Singapore makers include adorable fabric plush toys by The Cotton Shoppe, charming illustrations by Penguingirl Art and quirky cat-themed jewellery from Alfie de Meow. You’re bound to discover many unique and meaningful Christmas presents and stocking stuffers.

Expect lots of good food from selected artisan food vendors, a photo booth and live performances while you bask in the festive atmosphere.

PHOTOGRAPH: Orchard Road

When: Nov 12, 3-11pm

Venue: Orchard Road precinct (road closed for the event)

For more information, visit www.orchardroad.org

This Saturday marks the start of the annual Christmas light-up between Scotts Road and Bideford Road and it’s worth making a trip downtown. Gorgeous decor and lights aside, you’ll want to shop at the Christmas street market, set right on Orchard Road itself.

The stretch of road will be closed to make room for 40 to 50 stalls selling artisanal gifts and crafts. Go on an empty stomach, because there’ll be food trucks selling grub, too. After shopping, take the kids to play at the bouncy castle or explore the life-size snow globe.

You’ll get to enjoy performances by local acts like musicians Jack and Rai, and dance troupe Glee Studios, under the glow of the Christmas lights. Young carollers and musicians from various primary and secondary schools will also be there to spread the joy of the season.

PHOTOGRAPH: Whisky Live

When: Nov 12, 2-10pm; Nov 13, 11am-9pm

Venue: Capella Hotel Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island

For more information, visit http://www.whiskylive.sg or the Whisky Live 2016 Facebook page

Price: $99 for a one-day pass, $169 for a VIP one-day pass and $259 for a VIP two-day pass, available from Sistic 

If you’re hunting down the perfect poison for your Christmas party, look no further than Whisky Live 2016. You’ll get to sample over 60 whisky and spirit brands from notable distilleries such as Dalmore, Monkey 47 and Chalong Bay.

Executive Chef of Capella Hotel Singapore Chef David Nicolas Senia has created an exclusive, locally-inspired menu that incorporates whisky in each of the dishes. Your pass entitles you to two portions in a day, but you can always pay a little extra to enjoy more of the delectable offerings.

Women who love whisky will get their fill of luxury at Whisky Live Singapore 2016. A VIP pass gets you entry to the Ladies Room at this year’s show, where you will receive complimentary beauty services such as makeovers, massages, and facials.

Avid whisky lovers can sign up for a masterclass ($35 per session) with the experts. Prolific whisky writer Dave Broom will be hosting a comparative tasting of two Karuizawa whiskies for attendees at his exclusive masterclass, while rum aficionado Luca Gargano takes on Velier’s range of premier rums.

When: Every Fri to Sun from Nov 18 – Dec 24, 12-9pm

Venue: 66 Kampong Bugis

For more information, visit www.naiise.com

No chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Settle for the next best thing – Naiise’s camping-themed Christmas fair, happening in a warehouse space overlooking the Kallang River that’s decorated to resemble the cosy interior of a cabin.

“Campers” can expect an offering of beautiful design and lifestyle products including Christmas sets, cards and novelty gifts specially made for the season. Bask in the warm, communal atmosphere and even earn a scout badge while you’re there (literally!). You can get a Social Media Captain badge, for example, if you post photographs on Instagram and Facebook while you’re there with the hashtag #naiisecampchristmas. The badges, specially designed by Naiise, can be ironed on to your clothes or bags.

If you’re into the DIY trend, attend the terrarium workshop by Knovus on Dec 10, from 1 to 3pm, and walk away with the perfect unique Christmas gift. Complimentary gift wrapping is available for all visitors, too.

Each weekend, different food and drink vendors will be there to serve up everything from waffles and superfood bowls to avocado shakes. Look out for the Pot Luck Party on Dec 3 from 2 to 5pm, a showcase of scrumptuous baked goods by Bkosfood, a community of Singapore bakers.

PHOTOGRAPH: Savour

When: Nov 17-18, 6-11pm; Nov 19, 12-4pm and 6-11pm; Nov 20, 12-9pm

Venue: Bayfront Avenue

For more information, visit www.savour.sg

’Tis the season to be feasting. Go big at Singapore’s largest Christmas food market. The selection of meats at Savour Christmas, featuring ribeye roast beef, iberico spare ribs, smoked turkey drumsticks and more will make your mouth water. Pre-order your Christmas potluck items and personalise your party cheese platter with more than 200 types of cheese to choose from.

There’s also plenty of good food to sample while you’re there. Ten up-and-coming chefs from popular restaurants like Artichoke, Mitzo and The Rabbit Stash will be showcasing a few of their best dishes at affordable prices.

Alternatively, hit the oyster bar and slurp up some of the freshest oysters from all over the world. The lavender soft serve ice cream, which was a hit at previous Savour events, will also make its return. Wash it all down at the Savour bar, which promises beer, spirits and refreshing cocktails.

PHOTOGRAPH: Punggol Ranch

When: Nov 18-20, 11am-midnight

Venue: 900 Punggol Road

For more information, visit www.gallopstable.com/punggol-ranch  or call 6387-2100

Need a break from the frenzy of Christmas shopping? Grab your kids and head to the rustic Punggol Ranch and be transported to the Old West.

The stable and chalet will be holding a bazaar with lots of fun activities for the family, including horse and pony rides ($10 each), bunny and pony feeding ($2 per pack of food), karaoke and lots of carnival games.

Enjoy yummy burgers, kebabs, coconut ice cream and more from popular halal food stalls like Ugly Duckling, Black Boys Cubanos and Pitstop Fella. There will also be stage performances featuring dance, music and other buskers.

Finally, watch a movie, or two, or three! Throughout the day, there will be free screenings of Shanghai Night, Night of the Museum and Rango.

PHOTOGRAPH: Fleawhere

When: Nov 25-26, 5-10pm

Venue: Sentosa Cove Village, 1 Cove Avenue

For more information, visit http://www.fleawhere.com/flea-market-details/321/.

Sentosa Cove Village will be open to members of the public for this Christmas flea market, which partners with various small businesses in Singapore selling a range of chic, fashionable and unique products. 

Many exciting events await you, including a Best Dressed Contest, so come down in your cutest outfit! Stand a chance to win attractive prizes like a one-night stay at W Singapore with breakfast for two persons and a 60-minute massage at So Spa, Sofitel.

Be sure to stay for the One° 15 Christmas Boat Light Parade and be captivated by a flotilla of impressively decorated yachts on Nov 26 as participants vie for the top prize of most creative and original decoration.

PHOTOGRAPH: Cargo39

When: Nov 26, 2-9pm

Venue: Cargo39, #03-03 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Road

For more information, e-mail marketing@angra.com.sg or call 6532-7791

Price: $88 per ticket (inclusive of $35 wine voucher), available from Sistic or Eventbrite (https://open2016-winelifestylefair.eventbrite.hk/)

Live music, canapes and lots of good wine – the draw of the Open Wine and Lifestyle Fair goes far beyond just grabbing the perfect bottle for the holidays.

Held in a warehouse at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark, the industrial chic, minimalist venue makes you feel as though you’re attending an avant-garde, highly exclusive get-together a la Andy Warhol’s The Factory.

Sampling over 50 wines by 18 wine producers from Italy, France, Australia and New Zealand may sound enticing, but the highlight of the event is the wine seminars happening throughout the day.

You’ll get to learn about the history of wine and winemaking, the difference between prosecco and champagne, indigenous grape varieties in Italy and much more, so you can impress everyone at your office Christmas party. The lineup will truly open your eyes to the world of wine… Get it?