Two people cycling in front of a temple with a golden dome, Singapore

Discover the top Singapore spring events 

By Alex Birungi

Spring in Singapore is a delight. The months of March, April and May sit neatly within Singapore’s dry season. There’s therefore little rain, although the odd thunderstorm can still strike early on. At the same time, humidity is low and though sunny, Singapore in spring isn’t oppressively hot either. The result is a plethora of Singapore spring events to watch out for.

They range from Vesak Day to the Singapore International Festival of Arts, meaning you won’t be left reeling for things to do. If you’re heading to Singapore in March, April or May, be sure to add these top events to your list of must-visit attractions!

Spring cultural events in Singapore

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Usually taking place in early April, the Chinese festival of Qingming continues to have a powerful hold over Singapore. Normally translated into English as Tomb-sweeping Day, it’s best thought of as a day to celebrate lost loved ones. Families with Chinese ancestry across the island head to the gravesites of parents and grandparents. But far from being a somber occasion, Qingming is celebratory in nature. Tombs are cleaned and freed of vegetation, whilst gifts of food such as rice and wine are often brought as offerings.

Easier to spot for passing visitors to Singapore in spring is the burning of paper money. Now often purposely bought ‘fake’ notes, burning the money allows it to ascend into the heavens for use by the ancestors. Very different in outlook is May’s Vesak Day. Commemorated by Singapore’s Buddhist communities, it’s sometimes also known as Buddha’s birthday. Marking the birth, enlightenment and death of the holy figure, adherents participate by laying flower garlands at temples and releasing birds in an act symbolizing generosity.

Little India’s Temple of a Thousand Lights (Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya) helps lead the celebrations, and all are welcome.

Getting out and about in Singapore in spring

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Equally hospitable but completely different again is Singapore’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations on or around March 17 of each year. The two day street festival takes place on Boat Quay in honor of Ireland’s patron saint. Centered around a parade which takes place on Circular Road, there’s lots of activities aimed at kids, alongside ample opportunity to grab a pint of Guinness. It would be rude not too after all!

Spanning four weeks from May into June, the Singapore International Festival of Arts is one of the most popular events in Singapore. And with good reason. Matching the work of local artists with those from countries around the world, its performance schedule includes the traditional and the contemporary. The visual arts are well represented, but so is the theater, dance and music.

Celebrating the rejuvenation of the Singapore River from polluted industrial water way to favorite hangout spot is the Singapore River Festival. Throughout April Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay play host to a series of special events, in addition to their bar and restaurant terraces. They include workshops and movie screenings, as well as the chance to buy a specially prepared picnic hamper for those looking to linger.

Explore the outdoors with Singapore spring events

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If you thought you had to head to Tokyo to experience sakura (cherry blossom season), think again. In recent years, Singapore has become a great alternative. Gardens by the Bay hosts a dedicated Sakura Japan Fair at the end of March. Visitors can take in more than 20 different species of flower in white and pink. There’s also a Japanese street fair, tea ceremonies and various other events linked to the land of the rising sun.

But the essence of sakura can also be enjoyed at several other locations thanks to Singapore’s reputation as a garden city. Jurong Lake Park to the west of downtown is one spot, alongside the largely unknown Japanese Cemetery Park in residential Hougang.

Then take advantage of the clear blue skies to enjoy the open-top ride of Big Bus Singapore. A one day ticket puts you in easy reach of many of Singapore’s top attractions, meaning there’s no excuse for missing Singapore Botanic Gardens or even a drink in the famed Raffles Long Bar.

Don’t forget about Singapore’s incredible museums!

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The weather outside might be perfect, but you shouldn’t forget about Singapore’s museums. The country’s oldest is the National Museum of Singapore, an organization dedicated to detailing the history, art and culture of Singapore and Singaporeans.

Standing pride of place on Stamford Road, it contains thousands of fascinating artefacts, from ancient carvings to seats from Singapore Airlines first A380. Although small, The Battlebox (the popular name for Fort Canning bunker) is no less fascinating than the National Museum for history lovers. It focuses on the sometimes-traumatic events of the Second World War in Singapore.

Delving over nine meters beneath Fort Canning Hill, it was used as a British command post before the island surrendered to Japanese forces. Today it’s set up to depict the last days in the Battle of Singapore, having been lost and then rediscovered in 1988.

Switching away from Singapore’s illustrious history, the ArtScience Museum intertwines these two disciplines in 21 galleries located within the lotus flower building at Marina Bay Sands. Its 6,000 square meters of exhibition space are given over entirely to temporary exhibitions, meaning you never quite know what to expect. The world of Harry Potter, photography of Annie Leibovitz and Egyptian mummies from the British Museum have all featured previously.

How to save on Singapore attraction admission

We all want our money to stretch further. And now it can. Travel with Go City in hand and you can make savings on admission to many of Singapore’s top attractions. From art galleries to puzzle hunts we’ve got you covered! So why not check out whether our All-Inclusive or our Explorer pass is right for you?

Then share your adventures in Singapore with us by tagging @GoCity or using the hashtag #GoCity on your socials to feature on our Instagram or Facebook pages. Here you’ll also discover all the latest news from Go City, alongside exclusive competitions, special offer deals and even suggestions for your next vacation!

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Skyline of Singapore's Tampines neighborhood.
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Things to do in Tampines Singapore

Long considered the Orchard Road of eastern Singapore (primarily thanks to its proliferation of shopping opportunities), Tampines is a green and leafy suburb with plenty of cool things to do. We’re talking fruit-themed playgrounds, Insta-tastic architecture and more fantastic parks than you can shake a very large stick at. And shopping. Lots of shopping. Read on to discover our favorite things to do in Tampines, Singapore, including: Shopping malls galore Tampines Eco Green Hawker centers Sun Plaza Park Tampines Quarry The Chinese Temple Tampines Regional Library Scratch Your Selfie Itch Insta-tastic photo opportunities abound in Tampines, where architectural wonders and sassy street art are sure to zhuzh up your social media feeds. Get snap happy on Avenue 9, where monochrome apartment blocks bring a modern twist to ye olde English Tudor style. Check out the beautifully hand-painted 3D-effect paper crane mural on the side of the Tampines West Community Club building and conjure up yet more Instagram magic at the dramatic Chinese temple, complete with a huge dragon sculpture on its roof. You can even become part of the art yourself at Block 478 Tampines Street 44, where benches and tables allow you to sit and blend with local artist Francis Theo’s colorful 1960s mural, featuring a barbershop, provisions store and traditional Peranakan houses. Tampines Eco Green Nature lovers will be in clover in Tampines, where vast green spaces teeming with native flora and fauna abound. Tampines Eco Green is one of the finest tracts of parkland in the district, with 88 acres of tropical rainforest, grasslands, wetlands and more to explore. A trio of trails offer splendid opportunities for walkers, joggers and keen photographers to enjoy the landscape. Pause at the bird hide to spot superstars of local wildlife including the towering purple heron, noisy red-breasted parakeets and – if you’re lucky – the brilliant blue flash of a collared kingfisher diving for its supper. Foodie Fantasia One of the best things to do in Tampines (as indeed in just about any Singapore neighborhood worth its salt) is to sample local street food at a hawker center. Chief among these is the Tampines Hub Hawker Center where more than 40 stalls serve up Malay-Chinese-Indonesian fusion specialities and the aromas of sizzling BBQ pork, lime-drenched chili crab and zingy fried noodles are enough to make a grown man weep. Try local favorite satay bee hoon – rice vermicelli with pork or prawns liberally smothered in spicy hot sauce – for the win. Sun Plaza Park Sun Plaza Park provides yet another opportunity to enjoy Tampines’ abundant natural wonders. Kids will love the sensory garden with 10 interactive play areas including tactile walls of plants, musical tubes and chimes and much more. Challenge your friends to a contest on the woodball course or – if all that sounds a little strenuous – enjoy a lazy picnic on the manicured lawns. There’s even an amphitheater that hosts outdoor concerts, exhibitions and performances when the weather is fine. Hike Tampines Quarry If you’re looking for hidden gems in Tampines, then look no further! Abandoned to nature many years ago, Tampines Quarry is now a lush oasis, thick with tropical vegetation. Space-age water towers mark the beginning of the trail at the northern entrance, leading to dirt tracks that lead to the lake at the bottom of the quarry. Negotiate rickety makeshift bridges across tiny streams and keep your peepers peeled for colorful native butterflies like the Plain Tiger flitting among the dense undergrowth. You might even be lucky enough to spot the occasional monitor lizard dozing on the banks of the lake. Tampines Central Park This lush green space pays homage to Tampines’ illustrious fruit-farming past, with kids’ playgrounds that contain rides, slides and various other structures in the shape of mangosteens and watermelon slices. It’s a fab community space, where locals gather to gossip beneath swaying palm trees, to jog the many marked pathways and to watch regular musical events and theatrical performances. Nearby, Our Tampines Hub is a community-led initiative that features a climbing wall, laser tag, play areas, a swimming pool and a rooftop running track with park views. Shop ‘Til You Drop You’ll find not one, not two, but THREE major shopping malls within stumbling distance of Tampines MRT station. Tampines 1 boasts hundreds of shops and restaurants over seven floors, as well as a swimming pool for showcasing that expensive new swimwear you’ve just treated yourself to. Nearby Century Square and Tampines Mall offer more of the same, adding food courts, cinema screens and other entertainments into the mix. Spending money has never seemed so easy; they don’t call this neighborhood the Orchard Road of the east for nothing, you know! Chinese Temple An extraordinary 270-meter-long dragon sculpture stands sentry atop this traditional pagoda-style temple, an amalgamation of the 12 Taoist temples that stood in Tampines prior to its redevelopment in the 1980s and 90s. Inside, colorful altars, murals and shrines provide a place for quiet reflection and, of course, some of those all-important photo opportunities. Tampines Regional Library If you’re looking for a place to chill in Tampines, you could do far worse than the epic five-story library at Our Tampines Hub. Kids can enjoy the vast collection of children’s storybooks, many in English, and let off some steam in the playhouse on the ground floor, while adults find a cozy nook and lose themselves in a good book. There are coding and programming labs for teens and you can even get involved in cookery workshops by the cookbook section. Suffice to say, it's no ordinary library! Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Wide view - green and pink blossom of trumpet trees with row of skyscrapers on horizon
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Singapore in March

You must have seen the Merlion - half lion, half fish - the symbol of Singapore? Created in 1964 to represent the city’s growth (from a humble fishing village to a powerful beast), its constant spout of water represents good luck and prosperity. Happily it’s your good luck to visit Singapore in March! With children busy at school the world over, it’s a great time to take advantage of affordable fares and enjoy an adult break. Why is March the best time to visit Singapore? Here’s why, including... • Weather in March in Singapore • Cherry blossom in Singapore • Singapore Jazz festival • St Patrick’s Day in Singapore • Adult activities in Singapore • Outdoor activities in Singapore March weather in Singapore Early spring in Singapore is perhaps the best time for sight-seeing. As the north-east monsoon peters out and temperatures start to climb, March sees the least amount of rain, the lowest humidity and the most sunshine. Pleasant dry weather - without the extreme heat and humidity of summer? And less crowds too? It’s a win all round. Sakura Matsuri at Gardens by the Bay If you hanker for Hanami (the traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers), visit Singapore in March to experience the unforgettable sight of the Sakura Matsuri Floral Display. In Japan, cherry blossom (Sakura) has long been a national obsession, representing renewal - but also symbolic of the fleeting nature of life - and attracting both locals and tourists to witness the beauty of the delicate blooms. In recent years however, more and more visitors have also flocked to Singapore where the heavy rains of the preceding month and the springtime heat bring about the perfect conditions for blossom to bloom. The refreshing pink blooms of the local trumpet trees line the roads and everywhere else. But for the main event and the most Insta-worthy photo opportunities, don’t miss the magical displays at the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. Catch cherry and peach blossoms in mankai condition (that’s full bloom!) and be entranced by the canopy of picture-perfect pink and white blooms that drift down in perfect pastel clouds. For lovers of Japanese culture the exhibition goes all out, with a host of other traditional displays. Pose for photos by majestic red torrii gates and alongside cute Tokidoki cartoon characters. Be wowed by wagasa (colourful umbrella displays). And ensure your shots are framed by perfectly placed marumado (traditional circular windows). Remember that’s all in addition to the breathtaking displays in the Cloud Forest and Floral Fantasy areas, so you’re guaranteed a fabulous day, fuelled by flower power! Singapore Jazz festival From bloomers to crooners, the annual International Jazz Festival (otherwise known as ‘SingJazz’) is another reason to visit Singapore in March. But whatever you dooby-dooby-do, don’t be put off by the title, as in recent years Marina Bay Sands has played host to world-renowned artists from all sorts of genres - hip-hop-jazz, acid-jazz, soul-funk, reggae - and more. Groove on down for three nights of al-fresco entertainment and, whilst you’re about it, take time to kick back at one of the best rooftop bars in Singapore. Live life like a celebrity at the luxurious CÉ LA VI Skybar, where an All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass from Go City lets you savour a complimentary drink along with sweeping views from the 57th floor. St Patrick’s Day in Singapore Singapore’s inclusive multi-cultural community means there’s always a different festival or holiday to celebrate and the Irish national day on March 17th is no exception, with enthusiastic ex-pat pub-crawls and a colourful parade (led by an inexplicably non-Irish convoy of Harley-Davidsons!) If you’ve the luck of the Leprechauns you might be around to enjoy the two-day St Patrick’s Day Street Festival held on the streets of Boat Quay. Wear green (even the Singapore River is dyed green for the occasion) and get ready for folk music, Irish dancing and hearty Irish stews washed down with gallons of Guinness. If that’s given you a taste for the hard stuff - or you’re simply taking advantage of a grown-up vacation - don’t stop at the black gold (as Guinness is often known). Singapore is also famous as the home of Tiger Beer, the golden draught served in over 60 countries.You can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tiger Brewery and learn the secrets of the production process which involves 200 quality checks. Then try your hand at pouring the perfect pint before tasting complimentary locally-brewed beers at a beer appreciation session in the Tiger Tavern. If you’re feeling really sophisticated, what could be classier than sipping on a ‘Singapore Sling’ in the bar where it was invented? Clink cocktails in the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel, or sashay out to the lushly-landscaped courtyard of the Raffles Arcade. The iconic gin-based cocktail (which also includes cherry brandy and Benedictine) was created by Mr Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at the Raffles Hotel, back in 1915, but, over 100 years later, you can still enjoy the same standards of service, stunning surroundings and drinks to die for. Chin chin! A J Hackett Sentosa Giant Swing It may be that you need some of that Dutch courage for one of the best adult activities in Singapore - the AJ Hackett Skypark. Back in the 80s New Zealander AJ Hackett recreated a Pentecost Island ritual where islanders threw themselves off wooden platforms with a vine tied to their ankle and, after he shot to fame jumping off the Eiffel tower, bungy-jumping was born. You can bungy jump in Singapore too if you dare - or (for over-14s and not for the faint of heart) pick up a ticket for the AJ Hackett Sentosa Giant Swing. Strap in safely then swoop, screaming, towards Silosa Beach at 120km/h. To get your breath back, soak in the scenery and snap some selfies, as you stroll the 40km walkway of the Skybridge, with see-through sections to get your heart racing all over again. Outdoor activities in Singapore Its location right on the equator means it's often so hot and humid in Singapore that during the summer months any prolonged activity outdoors can feel like hard work. Which is why comparatively mild March is a great time to get out to see and do. Puzzle Hunt Singapore A Puzzle Hunt activity is one easy way to discover different parts of the city whilst having fun at the same time. Whether you take on the challenge as a couple, a group or a family, it’s an immersive combination of ‘choose your own world’ role play and outdoor escape room, where the outcome of the adventure depends on the choices you make along the way. Puzzle Hunt in Chinatown will see you scouring the streets for clues, whilst learning about Chinatown’s history, heritage and hawker culture (the 260 stalls in the Chinatown Complex Food Centre combine community with unmissable culinary treats.) There are different brainteasers to battle when you Ransack Little India, searching for a hidden treasure chest whilst discovering the area’s unique landmarks. Or, maybe you’ll choose to look and learn amongst the sprawling lawns and nine gardens of Fort Canning Park, with a military themed Ransack Fort Canning puzzle experience. Wherever you choose to explore, you’ll see the sights whilst finding out fascinating facts at your own pace and claim a prize at the end. What are you waiting for? Nature Kayaking at Pulau Ubin If you’re looking for a respite from the city’s hustle and love to get back to nature, another classic Singapore experience to pull in before the humidity hits is a kayak tour of Pulau Ubin. Just a 15 minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, this verdant island off Singapore’s northeast coast feels like half a world away and is one of only two remaining kampongs (traditional villages) in Singapore. Embrace the tranquility of the open water as you paddle past a natural paradise of lush greenery and thriving mangroves, looking out for kingfishers, herons, otters and more flora and fauna. Explore the coast and the island’s mangroves over a four-hour adventure towards Ketam Island. On land, for the adventurous, hiking and mountain bike trails criss cross the island. Maybe you’ll visit the weathered temples and shrines, or simply relax in the peaceful coastal surroundings. Remember there are no ATMs so take along enough money to rent a bike, enjoy a traditional meal, or quench your thirst with a coconut. Bliss. We hope you’ve enjoyed our whistle-stop tour of just some of the sights and sounds that await you in Singapore in March - and all year round. To make sightseeing easier, why not download the Go City app to keep track of all your adventures? Happy travels!
Jo Cooke

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