Five things to do this weekend (Dec 30 – Jan 2)

End the year off with countdown activities, quick overseas getaways and activities at Jurong Bird Park before it relocates! 

Here are five things to do this weekend (Dec 30 – Jan 2):

The highly anticipated fireworks display will return at Singapore’s biggest countdown event, Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023 (MBSC), on Dec 31.

Members of the public can view the fireworks at midnight from around the Bay, alongside a series of fun-filled programmes such as the multi-sensory fireworks musical extravaganza STAR ISLAND.

An event preview of STAR ISLAND is being hosted at Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza till Dec 30. It features a Sanrio-themed bazaar, family-friendly activities, F&B pop-ups, and recaps of previous STAR ISLAND shows. The prequel event runs from 2.30pm till 10.30pm, and admission is free.

Visitors can also swing by After Hours @ The Lawn, a lifestyle hub featuring larger-than-life games and playsets, F&B booths, entertainment offerings and a chill-out zone with a view of the fireworks.

It will run from 5pm to 10pm on Dec 30 and from 5pm to midnight on Dec 31. Admission is free.

Those who wish to celebrate the countdown closer to home can look forward to over 20 community celebrations held at various heartland locations on Dec 31.

Key highlights of the islandwide year-end celebrations include stage performances, interactive games, carnivals and food trucks, movie screenings, laser effects and firework displays.

Tampines residents can party over three days at That Night @ OTH from Dec 31 to Jan 2. They will be entertained by the circus-themed Countdown to Magical Moments 2023 show, festivities, and fireworks.

Punggol residents can look forward to its first year-end community countdown celebration on Dec 31, to be held at One Punggol’s Celebration Square and Rooftop.

It will feature activities including a movie marathon, fitness workouts, bouncy castles, face painting and free snacks. In the evening, there will be showcase performances by Grassroots Organisations and professional performing artistes. The celebration will run from 3pm till 1am.

Jurong Bird Park (JBP) ceases operations on Jan 3, 2023, and this is the final weekend to take part in the line-up of activities celebrating the park’s heritage.

A Flight To Remember features photo opportunities, a self-guided Heritage Trail, a special staff-curated trail, and the Nostalgic Signature Tour. 

Participants of the Nostalgic Signature Tour can look forward to exclusive feeding sessions and avian encounters in African Treetops and Waterfall Aviary. They can also learn more about the staff at JBP, who will share the heartfelt memories shared among the team as well as with their feathered friends.

The Insider’s Guide exposes the visitors to the park’s “best kept secret spots” curated by the staff themselves. Visitors can also upload their pictures to JBP’s ‘living’ Memory Wall, a real-time digital platform which can be found by scanning the QR code at Penguin Coast. 

JBP is located at 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925 and is open daily from 8.30am to 6pm.

Desaru Coast Destination Resort has increased its ferry services to daily trips between Singapore and Desaru till Jan 2, 2023.

Guests can enjoy the rides from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal at 8.30am, while the return trip will be at 5.30pm.

Those who make a trip to Desaru Coast during the double ferry service days on Dec 31 and Jan 2, 2023, will have another option departing from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at 1.30pm and from Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal at 11.30am.

While a one-way ticket is priced at $70 per person, tickets for a return trip costs $118.

BreadTalk is hopping into the Year of the Rabbit with its new Hoppy Prosperity Collection, available from Dec 27 to Feb 5, 2023 at all outlets.

It features rabbit and carrot-themed creations, as well as cakes and cookies made with auspicious ingredients like pineapple, pumpkin and yam.

Several new Auspicious Buns are included in the lineup, such as the carrot-shaped New Year Harvest ($2.30), Lucky Bunny ($2.30), Hoppy Carrot ($2.30), Ong Lai Huat ($2.30) and Golden Pumpkin Bun ($4.80). 

Customers can choose to mix and match any three of the selected buns (New Year Harvest, Ong Lai Huat, Lucky Bunny, Bak Kwa Delight and Yammy Treasures) for $6.

They can also purchase BreadTalk’s new and returning Chinese New Year Cookies at $14.80 a bottle and bring along the festive treats when they go visiting.

All confectionaries from the collection can also be purchased at BreadTalk’s e-store or online on GrabFood, foodpanda and Deliveroo.