Things to do in Singapore in September
While much of the world is winding down after the August hijinks, Singapore in September is anything but ordinary. Not only is the weather playing ball, but a whole series of events ensure Singapore claims the limelight.
Intrigued? Here’s all you need to know about the top things to do in Singapore in September!
Grab a set of wheels
Mid-September’s Singapore Grand Prix is certainly a night to remember. One of the biggest days of the Formula One calendar, it became the first night circuit when inaugurated in 1966. Two generations on, it’s lost none of its sparkle.
For one thing, this street circuit comes with an extraordinary backdrop of Marina Bay. For another, the surrounding event has previously included performances by huge international acts including Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, and Westlife. Put simply, this is no ordinary motor race!
However, if petrol engines aren’t your thing, September in Singapore promises a whole lot more besides. For instance, you can let the rubber hit the roads of Marina Bay on a Night Bicycle Tour.
Highlights include Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, alongside many of the city’s most iconic buildings. The route is designed to delve into Singapore’s full 200-year history, from colonial-era buildings to the calm waters of the Kallang River.
Celebrate Singapore’s diversity
Singapore’s September weather doesn’t really hint at anything except tropical splendor. Temperatures average 31.6°C, while humidity levels remain at a steamy 82%, equivalent to annual averages.
When it comes to Singapore’s September rain, the equally good news is that the month is one of the driest of the year. Heavy thundery showers are to be expected. Few will affect your plans in any significant way.
This is great news, since the end of the month is marked by one of the biggest cultural celebrations of the year – the mid-Autumn festival. As popular as Lunar New Year, the festival is a key date in the calendar for Singapore’s Chinese descendants.
Chinatown is the obvious place to head, with celebrations hitting full swing after dark. Then, decorative paper lanterns line streets and public spaces, providing ample lighting to get your pick of the party food. Also known as the Mooncake Festival, it doesn’t take a genius to realize mooncakes are a big drawer. These pastries are traditionally filled with sesame seed paste, although chocolate and even champagne versions can also be sought out.
Get a taste for the good life
The Raffles Hotel Long Bar has been an unmissable part of any visit to Singapore since the early 1900s. Combining a sense of history with majestic surrounds, there’s nothing quite like sipping a Singapore Sling cocktail in this hallowed space. So grab your glad rags, the clink of ice on cocktail shakers awaits...
Alternatively, make the secular pilgrimage to the city’s Tiger beer brewery, where no dressing up is necessary. Tiger Brewery Tours offer a behind the scenes look at how the beer is made. Then discover for yourself just how refreshing a glass can be with a complementary drink at the bar.
Those sworn off alcohol don’t have to miss out, thanks to this Authentic Tea Appreciation Experience. Relax in Singapore’s oldest teahouse as your senses are serenaded with magical blends sipped by kings, queens, and presidents.
Check out Singapore’s epic museums
Visit Singapore in September and you shouldn’t forget about the city’s fantastic array of museums. The National Museum of Singapore is the place to head for a dose of history. Its galleries do a great job of detailing the development of Singapore from its origins to the present day.
Meanwhile, The Battlebox in Fort Canning Park underlines the role of Singapore during the Second World War. An underground bunker with a difference, it was here that the defense of Singapore was planned by British military leaders.
Their failure led to three years of Japanese occupation – a period of huge hardship. The displays at Changi Chapel and Museum, the site of a civilian prison camp, testify to the harsh conditions.
The ArtScience Museum is altogether different. Located within the lotus flower-like structure of Marina Bay Sands, its ever-changing displays blend between art, science, technology, and culture. Dedicated solely to temporary exhibitions, there’s always another reason to enter its 21 galleries.
As a guide, previous shows have spanned Harry Potter, Lego, Andy Warhol, and the photography of Annie Leibovitz.
Enjoy the garden city’s green spaces
Singapore isn’t called the garden city for nothing. Despite its population density, it has an array of green spaces you miss at your peril when visiting Singapore in September.
The earliest dedicated public green space has to be Singapore Botanic Gardens, which trace their origins back to 1859. That’s just 43 years after the modern city was founded by Stamford Raffles.
The only tropical garden declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gardens span 82 hectares. Within this area you’ll find Symphony Lake, the National Orchid Garden’s 2,300 plants, and a small area of tropical rainforest.
Singapore’s largest stretch of surviving rainforest is located within Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Various short walks guide visitors around the summit of the hill, while mountain biking and rock climbing are additional options.
Elsewhere in Singapore, MacRitchie Reservoir in the center of the island is perfect for a tranquil afternoon stroll. It’s also one of the only places outside of Singapore Zoo to see monkeys occupying the trees. You won’t need binoculars though, thanks to the 250-meter-long Treetop Walk.
Visit Singapore in September with Go City
September is widely considered one of the best months to visit Singapore. The city’s weather makes exploration really easy, while a string of September Singapore events only add to the atmosphere.
If there’s a way of making your trip to Singapore in September even better, it’s with Go City. Grab one of our passes for savings on entry to many of Singapore’s top attractions. Don’t believe us? Take a look at all the fun people are having with Go City on our Facebook and Instagram pages.