2 Best Performing Arts in Holland Village, Dempsy Hill, and the Botanic Garden, Singapore

When big performances like The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera come to Singapore, this glitzy 2,155-seat theater is where they often drop. The best seats in the three-level space are the Orchestra seats; skip the Dress Circle ones on the upper deck if you want a full view of the stage.

The Esplanade hosts many of Singapore's top ticketed performances, but it also offers free concerts, shows, and talks every week. Most take place at the Esplanade Concourse or the Outdoor Theater in the evenings when the weather is cooler—all you have to do is drop by and take a seat. There's a performance schedule on the Esplanade website, but it's much more fun to visit and be surprised by what's on, which could be anything from a classical guitar performance from Latin America to a Chinese puppet show.