GIGS

SG50 Concert Series In The Park

The Sam Willows, Tosh & Weiliang, Sebastian Tan aka Broadway Beng (above), Tay Kewei and other entertainers perform on the open fields.

WHERE: The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive MRT: Bayfront WHEN: Tomorrow, 6 - 10pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6420-6848 INFO: www.gardensbythebay.com.sg or www.nparks.gov.sg/activities

The Philharmonic Winds Goes Pop!

The wind orchestra performs popular music from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, the United States and Britain in this special edition of The Philharmonic Winds Goes Pop! The orchestra's saxophonist Ang Yixiang will take centre stage with his rendition of All By Myself. To mark SG50, the orchestra will also pay tribute to two of Singapore's renowned songwriters, Cultural Medallion recipients Dick Lee and Liang Wern Fook.

WHERE: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Tomorrow, 7.30pm ADMISSION: $28 TEL: 6348-5555 INFO: www.sistic.com.sg

Xpose Guitar Ensemble

Xpose plays in the Niibori form, which is akin to an orchestral format, using guitars of different sizes to produce different tones. The group will perform classical tunes such as Tchaikovsky's Waltz Of The Flowers, traditional and modern songs from popular culture, and a special Christmas medley.

WHERE: Esplanade Concourse, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Tomorrow, 5, 6 & 7pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6828-8377 INFO: www.esplanade.com

Ding Yi Youth Ensemble With Schola Cantorum

The ensemble, led by conductor Dedric Wong, presents a refreshing take on popular Christmas tunes and other original compositions with traditional Chinese instruments. The concert also features a first-time collaboration with local choir collective Schola Cantorum.

WHERE: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Sun, 7.15 & 8.30pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6828-8377 INFO: www.esplanade.com

It's Party Time! By Mus'Art Youth Wind Orchestra

The orchestra plays favourite party anthems, including songs by Maroon 5, The Village People, Bon Jovi, Earth, Wind & Fire and Donna Summer.

WHERE: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Sun, 3pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6828-8377 INFO: www.esplanade.com

CHARITY

MyMy by Phuong My Charity Event

Takashimaya Department Store has launched its charity sale to raise funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. This is the fund raiser's second year. Vietnamese fashion designer Phuong My collaborates with young Singapore artist-sisters Gelyn and Giselle Ong for a Christmas collection of scarves, T-shirts and cards. Seventy per cent of the nett proceeds will be donated equally to both funds.

WHERE: Takashimaya Department Store, Level 3 entrance, 391 Orchard Road MRT: Orchard/Somerset WHEN: Till Jan 3, 10am - 10.30pm daily ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6506-0458 INFO: www.takashimaya.com.sg/events-promotions

BHG Christmas Charity Tote

From now till Thursday, purchase a charity tote for $3 at the department store and design your own at the designated booths in-store. From the sale of each tote, $1 will be donated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. Join the Design A Tote Facebook Contest by posting a picture of the personalised tote and hashtag #BHGXmasTote on the store's Facebook page by Dec 31. The first prize is a women's felt tote worth $139.

WHERE: BHG Bugis, BHG Choa Chu Kang, BHG Bishan, BHG Tampines, BHG Clementi & BHG Seletar MRT: Various WHEN: Till Thu, 10.30am - 10pm daily ADMISSION: Free INFO: For more information & contest details, go to www.facebook.com/BHG.SG

ChariTrees @ Marina Bay

This initiative by Community Chest and Touch Community Services, in collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, raises funds for the less fortunate. This year's edition will feature 30 family trees with uplifting stories of beneficiaries.

WHERE: Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade MRT: Bayfront WHEN: Till Dec 27, from 7pm ADMISSION: Free INFO: www.facebook.com/TouchCommunityServices

Hippo Charity Art Workshop

Purchase a limited-edition mini Papier-Mache Hippo coin bank for $50 at The Fullerton Shop. Each purchase comes with an acrylic painting workshop by Studio Haroobee. All proceeds raised from the workshop go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

WHERE: The Fullerton Heritage Gallery, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Road MRT: Raffles Place WHEN: Till Dec 27, 3 - 5pm (Fri), 2 - 4pm (Sat & Sun) ADMISSION: $50 (with purchase of Papier-Mache Hippo) INFO: All painting materials will be provided. Each workshop is limited to 25 participants. Go to www.bit.ly/HippoArtWorkshop

Goodwood Christmas Cheer

Goodwood Park Hotel will donate 10 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of its Christmas log cakes to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

WHERE: Deli, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road MRT: Newton/Orchard WHEN: Till Dec 31, 9am - 9pm daily ADMISSION: Free INFO: To place an order, go to the Deli from 9am - 9pm daily; call the Christmas Call Centre on 6730-1867/ 6730-1868; or download the order form & e-mail festive@goodwood parkhotel.com or fax it to 6730-1891

SPORTS

Run For Hope

Singapore's biggest run in aid of cancer research comprises a 10km non-competitive run and a 3.5km family fun run/walk. Organised by Four Seasons Hotel Singapore and Regent Singapore in collaboration with National Cancer Centre Singapore.

WHERE: The Promontory @ Marina Bay, 11 Marina Boulevard MRT: Bayfront/ Marina Bay WHEN: Jan 31, 7am (10km), 7.30am (3.5km) ADMISSION: $55 (adults), $50 (past participants/Passion card members), $32 (juniors/youth aged five-18), $47 (two adults), $45 (group of 20 or more) TEL: 9655-6597 INFO: Register at www.runforhope.sg by Dec 27

TALKS

Peer-to-peer Red Cross Youth Symposium

Youth from across Asia discuss and exchange information and ideas that can lead to sustainable humanitarian action. Topics include community service, social inclusiveness and innovation in humanity. The symposium also features keynote speakers from international organisations such as United Nations Association of Singapore and Special Olympics Asia Pacific.

WHERE: Nanyang Technological University, LT9 Northspine, 50 Nanyang Avenue MRT: Boon Lay WHEN: Today & tomorrow, 10am - 7pm ADMISSION: Free with registration INFO: Register at www.p2pyouthsymposium.splashthat.com. Go to www.facebook.com/p2prcysymposium

China's One Belt, One Road Initiative And Unrest In China's West

China's ambitious initiative has the potential of stimulating economic development in its western provinces, where per-capita incomes lag far behind those of the eastern provinces. In Beijing, it is believed that economic development and rising incomes will eventually end ethnic instability that has plagued the region in recent years. Using the case of Tibet, Dr Ben Hillman from the Australian National University argues that increased trade and interaction with the region could worsen ethnic strife unless policies can support the equal participation of minority nationalities and policymakers can better recognise the value of Tibetans and other minority nationalities' cultural heritage.

WHERE: East Asian Institute Conference Room, 06-01 Tower Block, NUS Bukit Timah Campus, 469A Bukit Timah Road MRT: Botanic Gardens WHEN: Mon, 3.30 - 5pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6516-3715 INFO: www.eai.nus.edu.sg

A Lighter Side Of History: A Family's Journey Into The World Of Aromatic Arts

In the last edition of A Lighter Side of History this year, local perfume-maker Johari Kazura shares his experience growing up in Kampong Glam, above a perfume shop set up by his grandfather in 1933. Participants will also experience some of the scents and ingredients that go into perfumes.

WHERE: The Salon, Level 1 National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road MRT: City Hall/Bras Basah WHEN: Dec 25, 2.30 - 3.30pm ADMISSION: Free with registration INFO: To register, e-mail your name & contact number to nhb_nm_lectures@nhb.gov.sg. Go to www.nationalmuseum.sg

National Geographic Live - Ocean Wild With Brian Skerry

American photojournalist Brian Skerry shares images that capture the intelligence of dolphins, him hanging out with the Arctic harp seal, the truth about the global fish crisis and his global search for the world's most endangered whale, the right whale.

WHERE: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Jan 24, 3pm ADMISSION: $42 - $63 TEL: 6348-5555 INFO: Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg. Go to www.nglive.org/singapore

CLASSES

Back To Kampong! By IQkidz

Gain insight into the activities and games that Singaporean children who lived in kampung communities used to participate in. There are stations featuring games such as batu selembat, capteh and zero-point.

WHERE: Perform Room, Level 3 National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road MRT: City Hall/Dhoby Ghaut WHEN:Tomorrow, 3.30 - 4.30pm ADMISSION: Free INFO: Register on-site one hour before session starts. Each workshop is limited to 20 parent & child pairs. Go to www.nationalmuseum.sg

Manga Drawing Workshop

In this three-hour workshop, learn how to draw and create your own manga from scratch.

WHERE: Triple. Two Artspace, 02-03, 222 Queen Street MRT: Bras Basah WHEN: Tomorrow & Dec 26, 3 - 6pm ADMISSION: $20 INFO: To register, e-mail marketing@eastiebrekkie.com

One-day Cartooning Workshop

Learn how professionals create cartoons in this hands-on workshop with cartoonist Iskander Walen.

WHERE: Block B, 03-16 Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road MRT: Mountbatten WHEN: Tomorrow, 10am - 5pm ADMISSION: $195 a person, includes materials; group discounts available TEL: 9873-7663 INFO: Go to www.tsci.com.sg or www.goodmanartscentre.sg

Paint Along Session

In this workshop by Mr Tham Pui San, a volunteer of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, learn different drawing techniques while expressing your passion for nature.

WHERE: Meet at Api Api Lab (Kranji Way entrance), Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, 301 Neo Tiew Crescent MRT: Kranji WHEN: Dec 27, 8.30 - 11.30am ADMISSION: Free with registration INFO: Registration closes on Wed or when full, whichever is earlier. Register at www.nparks.gov.sg/activities

COUNTDOWN

Celebrate 2016

Send off the jubilee year and welcome the new year with local and international artistes including American singer Adam Lambert; groove to the beats of DJ Tinc; and enjoy spectacular fireworks.

WHERE: The Float @ Marina Bay, 20 Raffles Avenue MRT: Raffles Place/City Hall WHEN: Dec 31, 8pm ADMISSION: $41, $92 & $172 TEL: 6348-5555