Meet skilled artisans who’ll be in the Lion City with their tools and materials when the brand throws open the doors to Hermès In The Making. An exhibition at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, it spotlights the artisanal techniques that have given birth to icons such as the Kelly bag, Hermès Vivace jumping saddle, and the new H08 timepiece. Visitors can expect playful and unique activities, including workshops focused on dexterity and even musical composition, while two conferences will give attendees insight into the topics of craftsmanship, preservation of know-how, and innovation.

Founded in 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisan model and till today keeps the majority of its production in France through its 52 workshops and production sites. At 6,000-strong, the brands’ craftsmen make up a third of all employees. After Singapore, the travelling exhibition heads to Kyoto, Japan, next month.

Free admission; 12pm to 8pm daily.

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Formerly presented as a part of JeweLuxe, the Singapore Watch Fair debuts as a stand- alone event at the TENT@ Ngee Ann City. A panorama of independent watchmaking, it will host timepieces and horologists from brands such as Phillip Watches, L’Epée 1839, Singer Reimagined and Furlan Marri. It also marks the debut of Singapore-based, Swiss-made brand Atelier Holgur as well as FutureGrail, Singapore’s first end-to-end private storage, museum and Web3 service platform. Also expect historical displays and vintage timepieces showcasing the artistry of watchmaking.

Find out more: Singapore Watch Fair

Postponed because of the pandemic, the Mandopop festival has finally been cleared for take-off. A two-day extravaganza at Bayfront Event Space, it brings together the region’s biggest names, such as Stefanie Sun, Tanya Chua, Show Lo, OSN, WeiBird and Namewee, and crooners Kelly Chen, Oaeen, F.I.R., and Yoga Lin. Rather than just a couple of songs each, concertgoers can expect each act to command the stage for a full 40-minute set. Fringe activities also abound.

Find out more: One Love Asia Festival

Related: Four art installations to check out at the London Design Festival 2019

In its 25th edition, the multilingual festival celebrates the endless possibilities of the word “If”. Over 200 events have been scheduled, including Youth Fringe, SWF Playground and the Literary Pioneer series. The last honours Malay female literary pioneers with an exhibition spanning the early 20th century to present day. Family-friendly activities include a book talk by astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith, and a meeting with Andy Griffiths, creator of the Treehouse book series. Also not to be missed is Gita Raga, a concert headlined by the likes of Jatt Ali and Ryzali Noh, who have turned Singapore poetry into song.

Find out more: Singapore Writers’ Festival 

Experience Japan’s beloved manga Doraemon through the works of contemporary artists such as Takashi Murakami, Mika Ninagawa and Yoshitomo Nara in the exhibition’s debut outside of Japan. Presented at the National Museum of Singapore, the works of 28 artists accompany original drawings by the late-manga artist Fujiko F. Fujio, showcasing Doraemon’s cultural impact. Visitors can also look forward to exclusive Doraemon merchandise, including items from the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum and uniquely Singapore versions of original Doraemon collectibles.

Find out more: THE Doraemon Exhibition Singapore 2022

Related: Singapore International Festival of Arts returns amid new curbs