From rugby tournaments to pop culture exhibitions: upcoming events in S’pore to spice up your weekends

Weekends are precious — and there’s no reason to waste them staying in.

If you’re looking for fresh ideas for date nights, family outings, or something different to do with friends, these five events happening until the beginning of February deserve a spot on your calendar.

1. HSBC SVNS Singapore

HSBC SVNS is making its return to Singapore on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, bringing two days of fast-paced sporting action to the National Stadium at The Kallang.

For the uninitiated, HSBC SVNS is a top-tier international rugby sevens competition.

Rugby sevens is a shorter, faster version of rugby union, featuring seven players per team and 14-minute matches, which means more speed, more space, and plenty of tries.

Beyond the rugby competition, the event offers a full weekend of fun for all ages.

Expect rugby-themed games, kids’ hangout areas, and live music to keep the atmosphere buzzing from start to finish.

There will be a fan zone at the Promenade with fringe activities to participate in before the matches start, as well as food from Meatsmith and Burnt Ends Bakery to enjoy during breaks.

Supervised kids’ drop-off area

Parents will also be glad to know there is a supervised kids’ drop-off area with face-painting and colouring activities, where minders can watch over children for up to two hours.

The space is capped at a maximum of 20 children at any one time and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Children can also enjoy stage performances, cartoon screenings, and photo opportunities with characters such as My Little Pony, Peppa and George, and Optimus Prime.

Additional activities include Nerf games and Play-Doh play areas.

One other unique sight at the game? Fans often show up in creative themed outfits, making the stands just as entertaining as the action on the field.

So don’t be shy if you have never watched the sport before, the carnival-like atmosphere means there’s plenty of things for you to do.

Tickets start from S$69 for youths and S$99 for standard tickets.

Get your tickets here.

When: Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2026

Where: National Stadium

2. Pokémon Center Pop-up Store

Pokémon Center Singapore is bringing a pop-up store to Kallang Wave Mall.

Fans can look forward to Lunar New Year–themed Pikachu plushies, along with a wide selection of official Pokémon merchandise.

Visitors will also have the chance to be among the first to try out the new video game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

If you’re a Pokémon fan, this pop-up is a must-catch experience.

When: Jan. 25 to Feb. 15, 2026

Where: Kallang Wave Mall Atrium

Opening hours: 10am-10pm

3. Demon Slayer Total Concentration Exhibition Singapore

The popular anime Demon Slayer is bringing its largest exhibition to town.

Fans can look forward to experiencing the world of Demon Slayer like never before at the former Singapore Sports Hub Library, with life-size sets and immersive, multisensory displays.

Highlights include an experience focused on one of the franchise’s movie arcs, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, as well as a 1,000 square feet merchandise store.

The exhibition will also offer behind-the-scenes insights into the series, making it a must-see for longtime fans and even for those who are simply curious about the world of Demon Slayer.

When: Jan. 24 to Mar. 15, 2026

Where: Former Singapore Sports Hub Library, 4 Stadium Walk

4. Ren Faire SG: The Origin

Fantasy and medieval lovers, this one’s for you.

Singapore is set to host its first-ever Renaissance Fair at Fort Canning Park.

Dress up in your dream historical garb and live out your medieval fantasies as you step back in time.

Activities to look forward to include a costume competition, performances by local artists, a marketplace featuring local small businesses and, of course, plenty of food and drinks.

When: Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2026

Where: Fort Canning Park

5. Light to Night Singapore

Light to Night Singapore returns in 2026 for its 10th edition, and for the first time ever, the festival will unfold across four weekends.

Expect the Civic District to come alive with interactive art installations, façade projections, live performances, and participatory programmes that invite you to experience art in unexpected ways.

One highlight to look out for is ⱥn§ibℓøm∞ (an-see-blo-moo), a four-minute digital meditation and projection performance displayed on the façade of the National Gallery Singapore.

Another programme to catch is Pass the Mic: SingLit Authors & Musicians in Conversation, where six pairs of emerging writers and musicians take the stage to explore shared interests, inspirations, and creative processes.

When: Now to Jan. 31, 2026

Where: National Gallery Singapore and various locations across the Civic District

This sponsored article got the writer marking her calendar with many things to do.

Top images from sgrugby7s/Instagram and lighttonightsg/Instagram