Singapore winter events to watch for

By Alex Birungi
Published: July 18, 2024
Family at the Gardens of the Bay

Whilst many destinations batten down the hatches from December through to the start of March, there are a slew of winter events which take place annually in Singapore. The start of peak season, Singapore winter events range from Christmas and New Year celebrations to music festivals.

Temperatures at this time of year rarely drop below 24°C. Humidity levels are some of the lowest at any time in Singapore’s calendar. So although you’re likely to face a bit of rain, especially at the start of the winter season, it’s certainly not going to dampen spirits as Singapore’s winter events take hold!

Want to know what not to miss? Check out the top Singapore winter events right here!

Christmas events in Singapore

Image of Vegetation, Handbag, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Male, Man, Jungle, Nature, Outdoors, Garden, City, Walking, Road, Street, Urban,

Head to Singapore towards the start of December and there’s no getting away from the Christmas festivities! Many of Singapore’s year-round attractions make an extra special effort to show seasonal cheer, whilst pop up events aren’t difficult to find either.

Head to Gardens by the Bay and you not only get to explore the like of the avatar experience at its Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, but also its Christmas Wonderland. In the shade of the famed Supertree Grove, visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, take to rides including a Victorian carousel and enjoy a magical sound and light show. Needless to say, the wonderland is at its best after dark.

Any time of day is a good time to visit the Christmas market at Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza. As well as a great place to do some last-minute gift buying, there’s an eight-meter-high Christmas tree, some of the best Christmas lights in Singapore, and even a nightly ‘snowfall’ around 7 PM. Elsewhere, you can fulfil your Christmas ice skating dreams at the indoor rinks at JCube or Kallang Ice World whatever the weather.

New Year events in Singapore

Image of Urban, Fireworks, Person,

As if to prove just how glorious Singapore is at this time of year, Singapore gets no less than two new year celebrations. Festivities take place across the island, but the top place to head for the December 31 countdown to midnight has to be Marina Bay. The waterfront is lined with entertainment and lights leading up to the event everyone has been waiting for – the magnificent firework display as the clocks strike twelve.

And what about Singapore’s other new year celebration? If you visit Singapore towards the end of January, you won’t fail to notice the lead up to Chinese New Year. This two-week long celebration coincides with the full moon, giving it its alternative name of the Lunar New Year.

Chinatown is the obvious place to head, where stalls sell special treats such as nian gao (sweet rice cakes) beside exquisitely-made lanterns and other decorations. Firecrackers are another essential ingredient of the traditions, used to scare away a mythical beast. The celebrations culminate in another unmissable fair and firework display at Marina Bay.

Additional January events in Singapore

Displays of another kind are to be had at Singapore Art Week. Marrying traditional gallery exhibitions with talks, tours and art walks, it has become Singapore’s premier art event since its creation roughly a decade ago. An island-wide arts extravaganza, it usually takes place in late December or January.

Mid-January is the timing of Pongal, or Harvest Festival. It’s marked by many Singaporeans with colorful rice flour artworks at the entrance to homes and businesses. Hindu temples become busy with worshippers, and special performances crop up alongside a variety of family-friendly hands-on workshops.

At around the same time, the Singapore Fringe Festival brings a range of provocative, contemporary and heart-warming acts to its Theatres on the Bay location. A mix of Singaporean and international performers engage audiences with ticketed performacnes as diverse as Singapore itself!

Other Singapore winter events

Image of People, Person, Helmet, Outdoors, Adventure,

For unrivalled revelry to the beat of some of the world’s best DJs, Singapore has the ZoukOut Music Festival. A far cry from the country’s reputation of hardworking efficiency, ZoukOut provides a great excuse to let your hair down.

Taking place in early December on Sentosa Island’s Siloso Beach, this dusk-till-dawn celebration of dance music has become one of the biggest in Asia. No surprise then that it attracts some of the top names in the business. Previous incarnations have seen sets by the likes of David Guetta, Stereo MCs and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Singapore’s pleasure island, elsewhere on Sentosa visitors will discover a range of superb attractions. Extreme sports enthusiasts will satisfy their need for a new adrenaline rush at AJ Hackett Sentosa Giant Swing and Skybridge. From its maximum height of 40 meters, equivalent to a 12-story building, you’ll get the thrill of a lifetime and incredible views!

A great alternative for those who aren’t sure their life insurance is up to date is Singapore Cable Car. It links Singapore’s Keppel harbor front with Sentosa and Mount Faber, providing expansive vistas across the southern coastline along the way.

Meanwhile, February is a big month for couples thanks to Valentine’s Day. The recently heartbroken might well want to avoid Singapore this month since it goes all out with hearts and other symbols of pairing up.

Most restaurants create special menus just for the day – make sure you book in good time – but there are other events to look out for too. These include outdoor movie screenings at Keppel Bay and couples’ massages in many spas. Or how about a romantic cruise along the Singapore River, taking in some of the country’s finest cityscapes?

Visit for Singapore’s winter events – save on Singapore’s top attractions

There are lots of reasons to consider a trip to Singapore during the winter months. You might be after a little warmth as the weather turns colder back home. Or you might be keen to explore Singapore’s winter events schedule.

Either way, don’t miss your chance to experience Singapore’s top year-round attractions as well. We think there’s no better way to do this then with Go City! We give you the opportunity to save on admission whilst taking in a massive range of picks, from museums to theme parks.

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Gardens by the Bay
Blog

Singapore in 6 Days: Food, Fun, and Futuristic Gardens Await!

No idea where to start in Singapore? We’ve mapped your dream week right here.
Panorama of the Singapore skyline as sun rises with green space, the river and Marina Bay Sands
Blog

Singapore in February

Sigh...The truth is that, in the Western hemisphere at least, February can seem a bit...bleak. The holiday season is a distant memory and spring has not yet sprung. But don’t despair! With kids the world over back in school, it’s a particularly good month to plan an adult break. And especially to escape to the equator and sun-soaked Singapore! Whatever part of the world you come from (and frankly whatever the time of year) you can look forward to a mesmerising mix of green environments, bustling cityscapes, futuristic architecture and exciting attractions. Wondering what to do in Singapore in February? Hold tight and we’ll share all the top tips, including: Weather in Singapore in February Chinese New Year Thaipusam Best things to do in Singapore- Gardens by the Bay- Singapore Cable Car- Universal Studios Singapore Exploring Singapore- Singapore Bicycle Tours- Singapore Big Bus Tour- Singapore River Cruise What's the weather like in Singapore in February? Is it warm all year round in Singapore? Yaaay! It’s a yes. Pack your sunhat. The average temperature in February in Singapore is a delicious 31oC (87oF) with evenings dropping to a pleasant 24oC (75oF). You’re unlikely to need your umbrella either as, with the end of the Northeast Monsoon season, February is Singapore’s driest month. The only place you might want to pop on your sweater is for the air-conditioning blasting out in malls and public places. Chinese New Year Depending on the timing of the first full moon of the year you might be lucky enough to be in Singapore for Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year). The 15 day festival is celebrated all over the world and, in Singapore, whilst some local shops and markets will close for the celebrations, you’ll find major malls, tourist areas and entertainment attractions open and buzzing with noise, colour and beautifully blazing lanterns. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Chingay parade in Marina Bay, perhaps the year’s most dazzling display of Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage, celebrated with enthusiasm not only by Chinese but by Malay, Indians and Eurasians too. Pick your spot and thrill to spectacular floats, colourful costumes dancing dragons and staggering stilt walkers. Then dive into the whirlwind streets of Chinatown where temples open their doors, stalls sell everything from raw fish to unique home decor, and decorations glow under the lanterns of the night bazaar. Late afternoon and evening are the best times to soak up the atmosphere and bag a bargain in the markets around Smith Street. And since the best part of any festival is the food, don’t forget to cram in as many delectable sweet and savoury treats as you can! After all that excitement you might want to stop for a nice cup of tea. Kick off your shoes and ease into the tranquility of an authentic tea appreciation experience at Tea Chapter, the largest and oldest teahouse in Singapore. Find your zen amid ornate architecture, relax to traditional Chinese music and savour tea fit for a queen - Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh were also served a pot of Imperial Golden Cassia so you’re definitely in good company. Thaipusam The festivities continue, since the Hindu religious festival Thaipusam also falls in January or February, depending on the date of the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. This time you’ll need to stake out your viewing spot in the historic streets of Little India to watch the colourful chariot procession wind its way through the streets to Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple at Keong Siak Road. Devotees carry milk pots and heavy wooden ‘kavadis’ decorated with flowers and peacock feathers in honour of Lord Murugan, Hindu god of war. Some pierce their tongues or other body parts with skewers and hooks, requiring elaborate prayer and preparation. Less painfully, let’s talk about some of the best sights in Singapore, like... Gardens by the Bay Have you even been to Singapore if you’ve not visited Gardens by the Bay, the stunning natural park that has become perhaps the country’s most recognisable symbol? Immerse yourself in the intriguing Cloud Forest and marvel at the eighteen 50m-high sustainable ‘Supertrees’. Not only does their vertical planting provide a wildlife habitat but they harvest solar energy, collect rainwater and serve as air exhausts. It’s tough to know when to visit. As one of the city’s most popular attractions, morning is the best time to beat the crowds and explore the 101 hectares of indoor and outdoor gardens, lakes, sculptures and artwork. But there again, it would be a crime to miss the Garden Rhapsody light show that wows the crowds at 7.45PM and 8.45PM every day. Singapore Cable Car Maybe you’ll follow the pattern of many visitors and split your time between the city and the delights of Sentosa Island. Soar over the city skyline aboard the Singapore Cable Car and take plenty of snaps of the unforgettable views as you travel from Mount Faber on the main island, to Sentosa, which means ‘island of tranquility’.If you time your trip to be back at the Mount Faber cable car station after dark you can also enjoy Miraculous 2, a kaleidoscopic, multi-media light show exclusive to cable car ticket holders. Universal Studios Singapore Aside from the sandy beaches, the main event on Sentosa island is surely Universal Studios, Singapore, guaranteed to thrill visitors of any age with its wild coasters, family rides and interactive shows, all themed to your favourite movies. Explore seven themed areas: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar. Get your white-knuckle kicks on Accelerator and Revenge of the Mummy, brave the world’s tallest duelling coasters themed on Battlestar Galactica and prepare to get wet as you escape the dinosaurs on the Jurassic Park Rapids. There are plenty of family favourites too with rides, shows and character meets from favourites like Shrek, Minions and Sesame Street. Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience Do you feel the need for speed? Whilst we’re talking thrills, Singapore offers the rare opportunity to enjoy a fast and furious experience learning to fly a (virtual) F-15 or F/A-18 military jet. Attend your pre-flight briefing, then don your headset, before blasting off on a memorable mission over some familiar American landmarks. Ways to explore Singapore In the heat and humidity of the summer months you might not have the energy to explore, but, as the beginning of the dry season and before temperatures rise too much, February is an ideal month for outdoor activities. Cycling around the sunny island is a great way to enjoy the sights and green spaces. Singapore is one of Asia’s most bike-friendly cities with a well-connected network of cycle paths, so get on your bike, not forgetting that helmets are mandatory.A four hour Historical cycle tour of Singapore ticks off loads of city highlights including Chinatown, the Singapore River, Boat and Clarke Quays and the Museum District... Best of all, being accompanied by an expert guide allows you to see the city from a local perspective, including visiting a residential area, checking out a lively market and sampling tasty local cuisine. Or perhaps you’ll prefer to pedal your way to some stunning evening panoramas on a two hour Marina Bay bicycle night tour. There are stunning photo opps all along the way, from the Supertrees, to the Singapore Flyer observation wheel, to the Formula One Pit Building.Wheel around the business district where charming historical buildings jostle with gleaming skyscrapers. Look out for the famous floating football pitch at Marina Bay. If you’re lucky you might even catch a live music performance in the Esplanade entertainment area. If you’re feeling less energetic maybe you’ll choose to cruise, drifting along on a Singapore River Cruise. Climb aboard a traditional bumboat (yes, you heard right) to glide past sights like Old Parliament House, the Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands Resort. Or simply hop on (and off) a Big Bus tour and take in all the landmarks at your own pace with a day ticket and pre-recorded commentary in your choice of 12 languages. For a more original experience, an hour-long Singapore DUCKtour, in an amphibious vehicle, splashes into the bay for a sail around the beautiful harbour before exploring the Civic district on land. However you choose to get around, remember, not only in February but year round, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility for all your Singapore sightseeing. What are you waiting for? Enjoy your adventures!
Jo Cooke
Things to do in Singapore at Night
Blog

Things to do in Singapore at Night

The night. The mysterious time of the day when the light fades away, and things tend to go bump on a regular basis. To some, the absence of life brings the horror of our mortality to life. They go inside, turn on the lights, and pray for daybreak. Some of them sleep too. That's pretty useful. But to the rest of us, the night is just the beginning. It's our time to shine. To those of you out there who call the darkness home, we salute you. And we're here for you. Even on vacation, our penchant for the shadows cannot be sated. We flourish when others flounder. We head out into the night to find fun, where many dare not. We sleep during the day...because we have to sleep sometime. So, what can you do if you're a night owl in Singapore? Well, read on and discover our picks of the best things to do in Singapore at night! Cue thunder, lightning, and cackling. Including: Gardens by the Bay CÉ LA VI SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands Raffles Courtyard and Long Bar Wings of Time Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour and more! See night wonders at Gardens by the Bay Let's kick things off with some greenery. Gardens of the Bay is not only Singapore's most famous green space; it's also one of the most recognizable on the planet. Featuring millions of plants across multiple climates, it's the perfect place to reconnect with nature. But when the sun goes down, you'll discover something even more amazing there - the Garden Rhapsody. And what is that? Well, it's the best light and music show you'll ever see in a park! Thanks to the park's Supertrees, you'll be treated to a light show that seems to move the trees along to the music. It's all smoke and mirrors, of course, merely a trick of the light. But it's one of the most impressive tricks of light you're ever likely to witness. So if you're looking for things to do in Singapore at night, the Garden Rhapsody is arguably the most awe-inspiring. And, with two shows every night, you'll always find time to check it out. Get rooftop vibes at CÉ LA VI SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands On Singapore's warm evenings, one of the best things to do in the city is have a refreshing drink. Want to appreciate some of the best views in the city while you sip? Do it all at a rooftop bar! Enter CÉ LA VI, Singapore's premier rooftop bar at Marina Bay Sands. Step off the elevator on the 57th floor, and you'll get VIP views along with VIP treatment. And yes, that means you'll be skipping the queue straight into the VIP bar! But we're not done yet, because you'll also get a free drink on us! Sublime. Or vibe on ground level at Raffles Courtyard and Long Bar However, if heights leave you squirming, or the heavens have opened up, why not try the drier, terra firma delights at Long Bar at Raffles? You'll still be treated to stunning surroundings, thanks to the swaying palms and majestic white arches that adorn the hotel's courtyard. You'll still get excellent service from Raffles' award-winning staff. And you'll still get a complimentary drink - of course, none other than the country's favorite 'Singapore Sling'. And hey, if you want to stay for longer, you'll get to pick from dozens of refreshing offerings on their eye-opening menu. Be dazzled at the Wings of Time For more song and light shenanigans, head to Singapore's premier hotspot, Sentusa's, for pyrotechnics with a plot! At the Wings of Time, through light, sound, song, and fireworks, you'll follow the story of Shahbaz, a bird from long ago, as he tries to find his way home. He and his friends explore human progress through the millennia, from the Pyramids to the Industrial Revolution. And all of this translates to one of the most dazzling spectacles you'll find in Singapore, one that lights up the night sky with a rainbow of colors. An unmissable experience, Wings of Time is one of the best things to do in Singapore when the sun goes down. Explore Singapore by night on a Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour If you want to see some of Singapore's most prominent landmarks, then you needn't do it during the day. Thanks to this nighttime bike tour of Marina Bay, you can still tick plenty off your itinerary. With an experienced tour guide in tow, you'll pass plenty of Singapore's blissful landmarks, from the Gardens of the Bay to the SuperTrees, and along the Kallang River. And if you want to know more about each place, your guide will be more than happy to drop some knowledge bombs on your trip. Traveling around Singapore at night almost feels like another world, so if you're a night owl, get on your bike and get peddling! See sleepy - and not so sleepy - animals on a Night Safari If you wonder what other creatures share your night owl status, then where better to meet them than on an evening safari? With a rare chance to see what happens in the animal kingdom when the sun goes down, this night safari is one of the best things to do in Singapore at night! The park features four zones; Leopard Trail, Wallaby Trail, Fishing Cat Trail, and East Lodge Trail. And each zone houses a myriad of different species that can happily co-exist. So don't worry, it's nothing like Jurassic Park. And within each zone, you'll find plenty of animal favorites like lions, leopards, Malaysian tapirs, hippos, tigers, hyenas, otters, and bears. Even the adorable - and sadly incredibly endangered - pangolins are lurking about somewhere, waiting for their moment in the camera. See if you can find them. And those are our picks of the best things to do in Singapore at night! Looking for some more fun activities and attractions to grace your vacation's sunny days? Go City's got you covered. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price.
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.