Family at the Gardens of the Bay

Singapore winter events to watch for

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

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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

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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

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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

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Airport Travel in Singapore
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Airport Travel in Singapore

So you've decided to spend your vacation in Singapore. Good choice! It's a diverse melting pot of cultures that will welcome you with open arms. There's nowhere quite like Singapore, thanks to the juxtaposition between awe-inspiring modern architecture and wonderfully exotic nature. And, with a warm climate all year round, it's the perfect place to shake off those winter blues. But what about traveling in Singapore once you reach the airport? Don't worry; we've got you covered. Scroll down, and discover our guide to airport travel in Singapore. We're going to cover Singapore's airports and the best ways to get into the city once you arrive. So stash your trays and fasten those seatbelts. And let's get into it! Airports in Singapore Singapore has two commercial airports, so depending on where you're traveling from, you'll be landing at either Singapore Changi Airport or Seletar Airport. Here's what to expect at each. Singapore Changi Airport If you travel to Changi Airport in Singapore, you're in good hands. It has received multiple accolades throughout its 40+ year history, including Skytrax's 'World's Best Airport' award, as well as other accolades such as 'World's Cleanest Airport', which it has won on multiple occasions. Visitors are treated to a waterfall, multiple gardens, and even places perfect for entertaining children - a godsend if you need to keep them busy if your flight home is delayed. On top of all that, there are heaps of shopping, eating, and other entertainment opportunities there. Singapore's tallest ride is found at Terminal 2. It's wild. Both the ride and its placement! Singapore Changi Airport is just under ten miles from the city center, almost equidistant when compared to Seletar Airport. Seletar Airport While the less glamorous of the two, Seletar still serves its ultimate purpose - being an airport where planes land. Originally a military airport, it opened its doors - and its runways - to commercial flights as Singapore became an increasingly popular tourist destination. Well, one runway at least. It may not have all the bells and whistles of Changi Airport, but it is an airport. And, as mentioned above it is also just shy of ten miles from the center of Singapore. So, now we've covered the airport situation, you'll want to know how to travel in to Singapore once you arrive! Travel from Seletar Airport in to Singapore There are a few ways to get into Singapore proper. You can get the 102 bus from Seletar Airport to Buangkok Station and then a train from there to Clarke Quay. It's a 58-minute journey and will set you back a measly $2. Or, if you want to stretch your legs after the flight, you can walk to Buangkok Station instead, which takes about 35 minutes. Considering this only shaves $1 off the $2 price of getting the bus while adding about 20 minutes to your trip, only consider walking if you need to get your steps up. Alternatively, hire a taxi and make the trip in 17 precious minutes. Of course, this will set you back around 10x more than the bus/train combo, but at $20, is it really worth the fuss? Travel from Changi Airport in to Singapore You'll find similar travel opportunities if you land at Changi Airport. The subway will get you straight from the airport into the city center in just over 30 minutes, and will only set you back $3. Or, hop on the 36 bus and make the same journey in just under 90 minutes. It's longer, but at $1, it's also cheaper if you want to squeeze your pennies. And, like Seletar Airport, a taxi will set you back around $20 and make the journey in under 20 minutes. Those are your public transport options. But if you're traveling in a group, or want to plan your trip ahead to avoid any post-landing headaches, consider an airport transfer. Airport transfers for travel in to Singapore These days, more and more people are relying on airport transfer services to ensure they have a smooth transition from their plane seat to their hotel bed. And it's easy to understand why. If your cell signal is patchy, or your provider doesn't allow for roaming service, you may end up tearing your hair out while working out where to go. Alternatively, the language barrier could also hinder your efforts in getting to your hotel or Airbnb. But with airport transfer services, you needn't worry about that. It's all taken care of way ahead of time. Simply step off the plane, meet your driver, and let them worry about the trip. If that sounds like exactly what you need, here are our recommendations for airport transfer services in Singapore. SGMaxi Cab SGMaxi Cab is one of the country's most reliable airport transfer services, providing travel from both airports in Singapore. They have a wide variety of vehicles in their fleet, from small mini buses to Rolls-Royce Limos. Really, they actually provide Rolls-Royce Limos to those who want to travel in style. Prices are reasonable, and their service is second to none. Check on their website to see what works best for you, but do bear in mind that pickups between 11PM and 6.30AM come with an extra fee. You are keeping them out of bed, after all. Kler Transport If you're traveling in a larger pack, then Kler Transport might be ideal for you. They specialize in larger parties, with vehicles ranging from 13-40 people. No Rolls-Royce options, sadly, but they do let you book last minute, which you can make up to 3 hours before you land. So even if you're reading this on your flight, go on their website and get booking! They also request a nighttime surcharge if your trip is booked between 11PM and 7AM. Maxi-Cab If you've got heaps of luggage, Maxi-Cab might be the perfect service for you. While they offer the usual suite of buses with variable passenger sizes, they also offer the Luggage Van - a van designed with luggage in mind. And, with customers able to book their trip 15 minutes before they need it, it's the speediest and most flexible service of the bunch. Check their prices and see what suits you. And that about rounds out our guide to airport travel in Singapore! Now you'll just need to plan the vacation part of your vacation. Thankfully, Go City has you more than covered. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you'll have access to all of Singapore's best bits for one low price.
Dom Bewley
Best Road Trips in Singapore
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Best Road Trips in Singapore

Driving. Sometimes, going for a drive can be a frustrating experience. For instance, no one enjoys the long commute to work. Stuck in traffic, screaming silently into your steering wheel as another idiot fails to merge correctly. Idiot! How dare someone drives on your streets and doesn't even know the laws of the road! Ahem. Even if the commute is smooth, you still end up at work. And let's be honest, you'd probably rather be anywhere else. But sometimes, taking a drive can be a liberating experience. Just you and the open road, no holes barred. You can go anywhere and do anything. The horizon beckons you to adventure - do you answer the call? So, if you're looking for the latter, you'll find great drives in Singapore. It's a beautiful place full of futuristic architecture, beautiful tree lines, and a disarming coastline. But what are the best road trips in Singapore? Get in, start your engine, and read on. Including: Mount Faber Lim Chu Kang Road Mandai Road Ocean Drive Bayfront Avenue and more! Ocean Drive And the sky is so blue, the sun's gonna shine on everything you do. So says the hit 90s track from stalwart luminaries The Lighthouse Family, and yes, we're definitely showing our age. Age aside, the lyrics are definitely appropriate for Ocean Drive, one of the best road trips in Singapore! Ocean Drive is the road's name, so you should know what to expect. You'll be passing by the ocean and getting some of the best views on the planet. On your way, you'll spot some truly massive mansions and other unique buildings, so keep an eye out. And best of all, at the end of it, you'll find Sentosa, Singapore's premier relaxation destination. So why not stop by and check out the Giant Swing and Skybridge while you're there? Lim Chu Kang Road If you want to see the more historic parts of Singapore, take a drive on Lim Chu Kang Road. It's touted as one of the five Heritage Roads in the state, thanks to the many indigenous trees that line it. When you see them, you'll know exactly why they're protected! Angsana, Broad Leaf Mahogany, and Rubber trees will all pop up on your cruise, so be sure to snap some pictures of them as you pass. Maybe get a passenger to do it or stop your car before snapping - we wouldn't want your Singapore vacation to come to an abrupt end! Mount Faber Singapore might not be known for its mountains - it has scarce few of those. However, if you want the next best thing, then a drive up Mount Faber might be one of the best road trips in Singapore! Thanks to the narrow, traffic-free roads, you'll forget you're in Singapore at all! As you get higher, you'll catch a glimpse of Singapore's skyline down in the distance, before you end the first leg of your journey up at Mount Faber Park, a delightful green space where you can easily spread out for a picnic to drink in the view. Mandai Road Another of Singapore's Heritage Roads, Mandai Road is a delightfully green stretch of highway that's well over 150 years old. So, as with Lim Chu Kang Road, expect to see plenty of protected natural beauty as you drive. The old trees form a canopy above you as you go, eventually ending as you reach the Upper Seletar Reservoir, where you'll find a serene lake to explore. Bayfront Avenue For a more modern drive, take Bayfront Avenue and drive right through Singapore's envious Central Business District. If you're looking to tick off some tourist hotspots on your itinerary, then it's one of the best road trips in Singapore! Gaze out of the window, and you'll pass recognizable landmarks of Singapore's skyline, like the Helix Bridge, the Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Marina Bay Sands, and the Singapore River. Leave when the sun goes down to see the Central Business District in all its neon-soaked glory! Kampong Lorong Buangkok Fancy seeing the startling differences between the Singapore of old and the Singapore of today? Then you'll want to take a drive down to the last remaining village on Singapore's mainland - Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Passing Buangkok's modern metropolis, you'll find Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Having foregone the modern marvels of metropolitan life, this village is a peek back to the past. Only a handful of families call Kampong Lorong Buangkok home, so it's understandable that they've all remained very close through the generations. If you do decide to take this fantastic drive, just be on your best behavior when you pass. While the residents might not mind the odd photo, you don't want to pry too much into their happy lives by doing a social media dance or some other heinous action while visiting. Kranji If you're looking to add a little outdoor adventure to your road trip, then definitely put Kranji at the top of your list. Singapore's countryside is full of farms where you can buy fresh produce, and see some animals while you're at it. But if you want to stretch your legs and see some of Singapore's stunning natural beauty up close, then you'll need to leave your car, put on your walking boots, and explore some of the awesome trails you'll find nearby. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji Reservoir Park, and Kranji Marshes deserve the foot traffic. Mount Pleasant Road And finally, we'll end on another Heritage Road drive up above sea level. Mount Road Pleasant is its name, and historic buildings is its game. You'll pass beautiful black and white bungalows that predate the Second World War, you'll smell fig, palm, and cinnamon from the local flora if your window's wound down, and you'll enjoy the whole thing no matter the weather. If you want the perfect mix of views, architecture, and nature, Mount Pleasant Road is one of the best road trips in Singapore! And there ends the return journey on our exploration of the best road trips in Singapore! Looking for more non-car-based fun to fill out your Singapore vacation? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can book your spots way in advance and get the best prices around.
Dom Bewley
Singapore skyline showing the Marina Bay Sands Resort
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Singapore in November

It’s hot, it’s humid and it’s often wet. But in reality, Singapore’s climate is pretty uniform year-round, with very few weather extremes to worry about. November heralds the start of monsoon season so yeah, you can expect a few short, sharp downpours in the afternoons and evenings, but nothing a small umbrella or pocket poncho can’t handle. You’ll find it pleasantly warm the rest of the time, so be sure to pack light cottons and linens, floppy sun hats and sunscreen as you would for any vacation in the tropics. Oh, and don’t forget the mozzie repellent – those bitey little blighters just adore that sweet Singapore humidity! As ever, booking well in advance is the best way to lock in cheap prices on flights and accommodation but, as this is low season, you can also expect late deals as hotels push to fill rooms. Either way, November is one of the best times of year to grab a Singapore bargain. Things to do in Singapore in November Mandai Wildlife Reserve Nature lovers need look no further than Singapore’s premier wildlife reserve. This vast expanse of jungle, rainforest and wetland north of the city boasts not one but four distinct parks. Bird Paradise, the newest addition at time of writing, is a colorful cornucopia of pretty plumage and sweet birdsong; an enormous aviary where you can get up close to pink flamingos, turacos, toucans, rockhopper penguins and all manner of other feathery critters. The reserve is also where you’ll find Singapore Zoo and the famous Night Safari, as well as the awesome River Wonders attraction, where water-loving beasts of the world – manatees, piranhas, Indian gharials, giant pandas and more – live their best lives. Sentosa Island A day trip to Sentosa is a quintessential part of any Singapore experience. Heck, you could spend at least a week on this fun-packed south coast resort island, and still not have enough time to see it all. Start with the quite excellent cable car ride from the main island, easily Singapore’s most scenic ride, before diving into everything else this tropical playground has to offer. We’re talking the epic Universal Studios Singapore, SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove water park. And that’s just for starters! Hit up Siloso Beach for powdery white sands, balmy waters and, um, forest luge tracks, or take the scenic route to Fort Siloso – an elevated Skywalk that takes you high above the forest canopy. Foodie Fantasia All that activity making you hungry? Singapore’s hundreds of world-class food courts and hawker centers have your back. Dodge the afternoon downpour to while away a few hours in old-school favorite Lau Pa Sat, a Singapore landmark with street food so exquisite it might just prove life-changing. The sheer variety of international cuisines here – Vietnamese, Filipino, Malaysian, Korean, Indonesian – is mind-boggling, so you’re sure to find something to tickle those tastebuds. Our advice? Look for the stalls with the longest lines and gorge on small plates from as many vendors as you can manage. Think umami chili crab (the Singaporean national dish), delicious sambal-laced laksa, red-hot rendang curry and – for the truly adventurous (and unsqueamish) only – fried pigs’ fallopian tubes in kung pao sauce. Yum! Get Some Culture Singapore’s galleries and museums are second to none. Start by immersing yourself in thousands of years of Asian history at the epic National Museum of Singapore where trying to decipher the enigmatic Singapore Stone is just one of the many fun activities available. The National Gallery houses more than 9,000 contemporary and modern artworks from Singapore and southeast Asia, with highlights including Georgette Chen’s evocative series of family portraits and Singaporean Choo Keng Kwang’s woodcuts and oil paintings. Hit up the futuristic ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands for immersive exhibitions and a gallery that’s packed with eye-popping VR artworks. The museum’s in-house cinema screens a curated selection of classic movies, documentaries and arthouse films for Singapore’s hip crowd. What’s on in Singapore in November? Visitors to Singapore in November – especially late November – will find a city already gearing up for the festive season. Never anything short of spectacular, the gorgeous Gardens by the Bay ramp things up to the all-singing all-dancing max with their awesome Christmas Wonderland event. Get your snow fix at Blizzard Time, visit Frosty’s Fairground for all manner of prize-winning opportunities, and enjoy a romantic stroll beneath the 75,000 festive bulbs that illuminate the aptly named Walk of Lights. And if it’s lights you want, you’ll find some of the very best along Orchard Road, which also just happens to be home to the finest (and largest) malls in town. This popular annual attraction, titled ‘Christmas on A Great Street’, more than lives up to its boastful name, with oodles of street food stalls, pop-up gift stores and more carnival rides and Christmas villages than you can shake a candy cane at. November is also when the Singapore International Film Festival rolls into town, giving fans of (mostly) Asian and world cinema a rare chance to catch exclusive screenings, as well as attending industry workshops, discussions, director Q&A\s, awards ceremonies and more at glittering venues across the city. It’s always worth going along, even if just for the celeb-spotting opportunities alone! 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
Stuart Bak

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